At the beginning of this season I talked to a Meadville mom. She said this might be a long season.
Well she meant that the team was struggling. but her prediction couldd be right as the Bulldogs are advancing yard after running yard on into the state quarterfinals.
They are a good football team. A running team. If they pass the photographers all around the field get confused and lost and have no idea where the ball is.
Well she meant that the team was struggling. but her prediction couldd be right as the Bulldogs are advancing yard after running yard on into the state quarterfinals.
They are a good football team. A running team. If they pass the photographers all around the field get confused and lost and have no idea where the ball is.
I keep going back to that conversation with that mom. So how did this team get this good? Motivation? Talent? Luck?
Watching how this offensive line blocks down and opens holes for their speedy backs tells us that they are coached well. The speedy and agile backs add at least a few yards per carry, but when a team is pinned on the 1/2 yard line and that line blocks everyone so their very speedy back can go 99.5 years untouched for a TD tells you that they are a very special group. They see the ring in front of them.
Watching how this offensive line blocks down and opens holes for their speedy backs tells us that they are coached well. The speedy and agile backs add at least a few yards per carry, but when a team is pinned on the 1/2 yard line and that line blocks everyone so their very speedy back can go 99.5 years untouched for a TD tells you that they are a very special group. They see the ring in front of them.
The funny thing watching this team, they aren't dramatically complex. Yes they have a lot of motion plays, but they are going to basically just run over you. Much like Oil City won three district championships the previous three years. They play old school fundamental smashmouth football and when the field opens up they explode forward.
It is hard to say what will happen when they face a strong defense with an explosive offense. Oil City was solid for three years but eventually ran up against division two college-level high school squads from the WPIAL.
So this will be fun to see if this team has that next level? So far they look like they might, but Juniata scored 27 points. That is a lot of points to give up.
Meadville scored 34.
It is hard to say what will happen when they face a strong defense with an explosive offense. Oil City was solid for three years but eventually ran up against division two college-level high school squads from the WPIAL.
So this will be fun to see if this team has that next level? So far they look like they might, but Juniata scored 27 points. That is a lot of points to give up.
Meadville scored 34.
They will face an undefeated Jersey Shore squad that just handled Allentown Central Catholic easily this week. They will play Saturday at 1 p.m. at Clarion University.
Each week gets harder from here on out.
If Meadville can put a hurt on defense they have a shot at Hershey. I'm guessing long time coach Ray Collins will be working strongly on defense these coming days. His offense is about as good as it can get. So if he can hold his opponents under what his explosive runners can get they will be fine.
Check out our friend Alex Toper's story in tomorrow's The Meadville Tribune. It is great fun to work with our old friends.
Check out our friend Alex Toper's story in tomorrow's The Meadville Tribune. It is great fun to work with our old friends.
See more photos here https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p917417045
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