FACSPORTS wrote: Tue Aug 20, 2024 10:58 am Week 1 is here!
Washington @ London
A season ago, Washington hosted London and lost 62-14. This year, the Blue Lions travel to London for a very tough test to kick off the season. I think the Blue Lions will commit to the ground game here and try to control the clock, and hope for some London miscues to try and keep it close and interesting. If they try to score with London and push the pace, this game will get ugly in a hurry. Overall, I see the Red Raiders leading from start to finish and coming away with a 42-7 victory.
Jackson @ Logan
While the FAC runs through Jackson, the Ironmen have a lot of key pieces to replace and it may take a few weeks to get them rolling. Jackson won this contest 22-0 last season. Logan comes into the contest with a new Offensive Coordinator. Sometimes a change of scheme can get more kids out, especially if it is a more modern style of offense. I truly don't know what Logan has personnel wise going into this season, but I've got to go with the Ironmen here. I'll say they come back home with a 35-14 victory.
Miami Trace vs Waverly
Last year, Miami Trace won on the last play of the game, 27-26. Waverly had a solid senior class last year that will be tough to replace right away. I do think the Tigers are a playoff team this year and can definitely win 7 games, but this is not one that I think they will win. This year, Miami Trace will field their best team since they had Jimmy Stroker at QB and the Pettiford boys back in 2013-14. I think this one will be close for a half and the Panthers will pull away after that. I 'll take MT by a score of 48-20.
Chillicothe vs Bloom-Carroll
Bloom has been a very solid program recently to say the least. They play a physical brand of football and have produced some top talent over the last few years. I think Chillicothe is back on the rise for sure, but it may take them 4-5 games to start playing some winning football as they will field a very young roster that will indeed take some lumps. The Cavaliers are a team that will have the athletes to compete with anyone on their schedule this fall but will certainly lack experience. I think the lack of experience will hurt Chillicothe in this one. I will take Bloom, 31-14.
McClain @ Adena
McClain lost one of their best senior classes in recent memory and will look to rebuild this season with a plethora of young talent. Last year, McClain won 41-23 in week one. It will be a year of growing pains for the Tigers for sure, but the future is definitely looking bright for them. Adena features a new coaching staff and will look to get back to the success they had just a few seasons ago. These are probably two evenly matched teams. I will go with McClain in a close one, 24-20.
Hillsboro @ Western Brown
Hillsboro blew a huge lead to the Broncos a season ago and ended up falling 38-27. It was a rough year for Western Brown as they had to navigate without Drew Novak for the first time in four seasons. Western Brown does have another solid QB under center for this season after a down year a season ago, so I could see them getting back to relevancy. Hillsboro will be a tough team to defend with their style of offense, but on the flip side the Indians have historically struggled against teams that throw the ball often. I could see this being a high scoring contest, similar to last season. I will take Western Brown in this one, 42-30.
Excited that football is back, and I am looking forward to getting out to watch each team this season!
Great write up! SEOP needs more stuff like this.