Mr. P

All Saints at Overton, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Coach Chester Roy Stadium All Saints is coming off a solid win over Timpson, while Overton tries to get back on top of the horse after a shellacking in Ore City. Who's got the edge, by how much? Who wins this one, why?

Dude, you're really trollin' hard ain't ya? C'mon man, Canada can't be THAT boring.

Wow! Looks like I have some competition for the Lou Holtz poormouther award, eh Matt? ;)

Where to begin? Not having all-state lineman Seth Garrett sure made it difficult, but mental mistakes and sloppy tackling made it impossible. It started out nip and tuck. We matched score for score, then the wheels just came off. Nothing against Ore City — they're a team on the rebound and could surprise some folks in their district — but failing to play disciplined defense will kill you against any team. The Rebels played smart, opportunistic football. There was also a major deficit in experience on display. Over half of their varsity consists of seniors, most of their starters. We've got four, and it showed. Big time. But it's way too early to wave the white flag. Still a whole lotta football to be played. But these boys have to get back to work, or it's gonna be a short season. I believe in these kids, and believe they'll take their medicine. Nothing like a bitter defeat to recalibrate your priorities. Either you get good or get lost.

I know those boys too—they're some good ol' boys, never meanin' no harm. Beats all you never saw, been in trouble with the law since the day they was born.

Not sure if A&M is that good or USC is that bad. :huh:

Well, I can't believe this hasn't already posted (and I can't believe I gotta be the one to start the conversation), but what about Union Grove and Carlisle, y'all? I'm reading a lot about Union Grove returning to the postseason, and maybe even playing for a district title, but nobody saying squat about the Indians of Price-Carlisle? Yeah sure, they're replacing some guys but it's not as though they've completely forgotten how to play football out there. I'm taking the fightin' Rocky Bakers in this'n. I say they roll 'em up from start to finish. Carlisle pumps the brakes late, and the Lions sneak a coupla scores against the 2s, but the outcome of this game is never in doubt. Indians win 38-14.

Background: Overton's coming off a 3-7 bi-district playoff appearance. Ore City's coming off an 0-10 season. Intangibles: Overton has good team chemistry and enthusiasm. Ore City has a chip on their shoulder and wants to turn the program around. The weather = it's gonna be hot and humid, maybe even rainy. Standout athletes: Overton's Seth Garrett, Julian Herndon, and Nicholas Baker have attention from college scouts, and their talented offensive line is bigger and stronger. Ore City has one of the better RBs in East Texas with Daingerfield transfer Demontrae Neal. 3-year-starter Collin Hart leads a strong line on both sides of the ball. Junior QB Colton Allshouse can stretch the defense with his arm. Weaknesses: Overton only has 4 seniors, most of the starters are underclassmen. The Mustangs have a tendency to get stuck in 3rd-and-long situations. Ore City has little depth or recent winning tradition. It remains to be seen if the Rebels have the killer instinct. How Ore City will win: If the Rebels get the running game going early. Ore City has a solid stable of young wideouts who can catch the ball. Also, Demontrae Neal can take a routine off-tackle play to the house. Neal has the potential to score any time he touches the ball. Defensively, the Rebels don't have to stop Overton, just keep scoring. The Mustangs are not a big-play scoring offense. How Overton will win: By keeping Ore City's offense off the field, and avoiding third-down situations when they have the ball. The Mustangs have plenty of backfield depth, so they don't need to take any shots deep downfield. Rotating their bigger/stronger backs with their smaller/quicker ones can wear down the Rebels' lack of depth. What I think will happen: It's the first game of the season, let's face it, none of us knows much of anything about either team. It's all guesswork at this point. Though I'm doubtful Overton's defense can shut down Neal completely, I'm really not sure if Ore City has the horses to go four quarters with the Mustangs. Nevertheless, on a hot August night, the better conditioned team will have to win this one late. I think it's going to be Overton. Overton: 40 Ore City: 20

So, to make sure I understand this correctly (making the genders moot): if I call a guy at a bar a "flaming fancyboy," I've picked a fight? Or does the fight begin when the target of my insult stands up and smacks me upside the head? Or does it begin when I knock him out with one punch? Asking for a friend.

I heard the same thing, but the same source(s) also told me West Rusk pounded them like 5-2, and their scrimmage against Prairiland was even worse. Go figure.

What's the story on this Daingerfield kid? My understanding is that Demontrae Neal can scoot, what's he doing in Ore City?

I dunno... by that rationale Longview and Lufkin would win State every year. :P

I believe in the Raiders, I think they can win this one. West Rusk: 42 Harleton: 24

Anyone heard anything about their preseason scrimmages? I can't find squat on the Interwebs, and their MaxPreps roster is a trifle confusing.

Not so fast my friend… these Bearcats deserve a closer look, and I'm gonna tell you why: Maud can score, they can corral you on defense, and they play tough for four quarters. They've got the inside track on a district title run. This bunch has played in some hard-fought games, so they know how to get after it. One good smack upside the head ain't gonna knock 'em out. You're gonna have to go the distance. But Beckville's got the "mo" this year. By "mo" I mean: mo' speed, mo' size, and mo' depth. They've also got mo' hype. Beckville's feeling cocky, like they've finally got the pieces put together, and are ready to go from being an "also-ran" to a title contender. Look out! I think this is gonna be one of the better small school match-ups to watch this early in the season. Both these teams will end up vying for a district championship and a playoff spot in their respective divisions. This one's gonna be a slobberknocker. They're gonna put the women and children to bed and go lookin' for dinner. The lead will go back and forth early on, but I think Beckville's depth on defense will eventually wear down the high-flying Cardinals. Bearcats win, 33-20.

Whoa whoa whoa, take it easy JJ. We're just hoping to compete. Y'know, not trying to prove anything. Just gonna take it one game at a time. Yep. ;)

No, it's cool, I mean, yeah... I get it.

Overton at Ore City, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rebels Stadium Overton's coming off a 3-7 one-and-done trip to the postseason, while Ore City looks to rebuild after an 0-10 campaign a year ago. Who's got the edge, by how much? Who wins this one, why?

If anyone can, Frazier can... dude is legit.

I don't know of any Arp transfers, I'm referring solely to kids I know to be from New London.

Not this year brah, but down the road a pace. They've got some young ballers on the come up.

John Frazier is a helluva coach and has proven himself rather adept at "making bricks without straw." This season he's actually got some pretty good material to work with, and some impressive younger kids coming up through the ranks. Don't be surprised if/when West Rusk starts to become a player in the district hunt.