Week 4: Wheelersburg (2-1) @ Fairland (2-1)

[Jesco White]

I also have to agree with Spamony! Starbase, ole friend, we usually agree 100%, but I just can't see West being a factor this year down the stretch, although I've certainly seen stranger things happen with the way our league rivalries can bring out the best in some underdogs annually.

It will be interesting come league play! Is the problem at West Xs and Os or is it the same problem Valley experienced after losing in the regional finals a few years ago? I'm having a tough time figuring out how a team was mentioned as one of the top dowgs in the league and now aren't considered a top 3 or 4 team. I know some consistently overhype their team but many on the outside looking in had them as a strong contender. Team chemistry?? I certainly place great value in your posts so I will take at face value what you wrote. I would still take the Sider's 9-10 games played against Ptown this year.

Honestly, I'm as puzzled as you are with what has transpired in the early going over on the west side. I know I've read where they have had some key kids missing (I'm assuming due to injuries). I know my cousin's son is one of those, big Jesse Scott. He's a 6'5"-260lbs senior who would have been a 3-yr starter (I believe), but he's been out (and I think could be out long-term). Plus, I think they've had some other kids in the same boat. I think you make a good point in your comparison to valley's '05 team transitioning into '06. I think a lot of us underestimated just how HUGE an impact those seniors from West's '11 team meant to their overall success last year. Those kids weren't overly flashy, buy they were experienced and their loss to graduation left some holes that apparently weren't as easily filled as some of us thought they would be. I could see the adjustment being tough, but losing to Fairland and Portsmouth was crippling going into a schedule that featured Chillicothe as well as strong teams like Minford, Valley and Burg in league play. They are going to have to pull off multiple upsets just to finish over .500 in a year where many of us predicted them to contend for one of the top 2 spots in a solid league. The reason(s) why are still a mystery to me, but there's nothing about them that makes me inclined to pick them any higher than 4th in the league this year.

[Jesco White]

I agree though, that I would still take them 9 out of 10 times against Portsmouth, and Fairland too, for that matter.

[Jesco White]

Anybody have any stats from tonight's Burg-Fairland game? I think I read where Eddie Miller only had 1 passing TD against the Dragons??? If that's the case, then that could be a great sign for the Pirates running game!!! Burg is definitely going o need to be able to run the ball consistently against the likes of Minford and Valley in league play, as well as Jackson next week. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; I really like the tempo of the Pirates offense. They would be even more dangerous if they can find a go-to back to take some of the focus off E. Miller as the season goes along and the league race gets into full swing.

[fbnut]

Anybody have any stats from tonight's Burg-Fairland game? I think I read where Eddie Miller only had 1 passing TD against the Dragons??? If that's the case, then that could be a great sign for the Pirates running game!!! Burg is definitely going o need to be able to run the ball consistently against the likes of Minford and Valley in league play, as well as Jackson next week. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; I really like the tempo of the Pirates offense. They would be even more dangerous if they can find a go-to back to take some of the focus off E. Miller as the season goes along and the league race gets into full swing.

per the daily times 14-24 184yds 2 tds, only 5 carries for 43 yds which is good because he will get a bunch next week. keep an eye on the cowgill kid he is getting more work out of the backfeild every week and looks to be a pretty good runner with big play potential, good speed.

[callie11]

I have watched coach Woodard from the time he has been in the Burg, in that time I have seen a thousand conbination of player position changes. To his credit he's always changing players around to find ther very best position. I think that is why they are always a lot better in game 9 & 10 than early games.

[callie11]

On another note, where was our place kicker last night. We didn't need him last night as D Miller did a great job.

[dragonsfan24]

Fairland was exposed last week and now it is official. They scare nobody. Even bigger loss coming next week against Hartley!

They were exposed? They scare nobody? Please, continue to enlighten us all about the rest of the OVC teams are superior to Fairland...oh wait...

Last time I checked we were 2-2 while everyone else is 1-3 or 0-4. This was our first "big" loss [they only lost by 3 at Tolsia, and I have a whole other rant about that game but will save it] and yes, we have Hartley next week and will probably be 2-3 after next week, but people also said we should be 1-3 or 0-4 at this point in the season since we basically have a JV team playing Varsity football. When the rest of the OVC starts making some noise, maybe then you can "expose" the boys in green, but until then perhaps its best that people who live in glass houses with losing records not try to expose anyone.

[dragonsfan24]

Sidenote: from what I saw of highlights Wheelersburg looked really solid and quickly took advantage of blown assignments time after time. Best of luck to the Pirates on the rest of their season, I expect to see you all playing football a few weeks into November.

[Jesco White]

Fairland was exposed last week and now it is official. They scare nobody. Even bigger loss coming next week against Hartley!

They were exposed? They scare nobody? Please, continue to enlighten us all about the rest of the OVC teams are superior to Fairland...oh wait...

Last time I checked we were 2-2 while everyone else is 1-3 or 0-4. This was our first "big" loss [they only lost by 3 at Tolsia, and I have a whole other rant about that game but will save it] and yes, we have Hartley next week and will probably be 2-3 after next week, but people also said we should be 1-3 or 0-4 at this point in the season since we basically have a JV team playing Varsity football. When the rest of the OVC starts making some noise, maybe then you can "expose" the boys in green, but until then perhaps its best that people who live in glass houses with losing records not try to expose anyone.

He was already quoted as saying the rest of the OVC was already exposed the week before, including his own alma mater, so try not to be too offended by what he's trying to say. His point is very valid, with that point being the OVC in its ENTIRITY isn't up to par with all the hype generated by some following Fairland's Week One win (at home) over a team that appears to be headed for a 4th place finish in the SOC 2. I don't think he's slinging rocks from a glass house as much as he is trying to put the state of the league as a whole into some perspective. Personally, I agree with him completely! All too often, too many of us take the wrong things too personally. The reality is this.......the OVC just isn't as strong as it once was, PERIOD!!!! Anybody who thinks otherwise is either 1) lying to themselves, 2) not old enough to remember when the OVC was a solid league or 3) just lacks any real football knowledge.

[BurgPunk]

On another note, where was our place kicker last night. We didn't need him last night as D Miller did a great job.

Her tore his ACL/MCL in soccer game...out for season. Could be bad loss since he was drilling 45-50 yarders in pregame.

Good kid!

[callie11]

Thanks for the information on the kicker, he was doing a good job.