Saturday, September 13, 2008

Friday night thoughts, Week 3

Thanks to its 51-0 whitewashing of Southmoreland, Ringgold is 3-0 for the first time in a long time. The Varsity Letters was able to track game-by-game results for the Rams back to the 1997 season. So it's been at least since 1996 since Ringgold won its first three.

While the Rams haven't exactly defeated a murderers' row of opponents' - Peters Township, Albert Gallatin and Southmoreland, they've done what playoff-caliber teams do. Ringgold has beat teams it is supposed to beat, and done it in convincing fashion.

This week, Ringgold faces the toughest test any Class AAA team can face - it plays at Thomas Jefferson. Playing a competitive game against the Jaguars could go a long way.

* Speaking of Thomas Jefferson, the Jaguars never cease to amaze the Varsity Letters with their continued dominance.

* Trinity's body language after TJ jumped out to a 7-0 lead then secured its second fumble recovery was a tell-tale sign of how the remaining three quarters would unfold.

Trinity's players were clearly not interested. The Hillers have a lot of work to do heading into this Friday's game at undefeated Elizabeth Forward.

* Huge win for Canon-McMillan. Huge.

Shutting out Woodland Hills is exactly the type of victory C-M needs to establish itself as a contender. Granted it's a non-conference game, but holding a respected program such as Woodland Hills scoreless makes others notice.

Think of how Trinity's profile grew after beating Penn Hills in the playoffs a few years ago.

One thing the Big Macs do need is a little more offense and it's hard to believe that sentence was just typed considering the talent on that side of the football. They struggled at PCC and failed to score a touchdown against Woodland Hills. Shouldn't be much of a problem, but it is something to keep watching.

* Big night for the Great Southern Conference in general.

Canon-McMillan shut out Woodland Hills. Bethel Park beat North Hills and Upper St. Clair edged North Allegheny on a last-second play.

The Great Southern gained a huge measure of respect this weekend.

* Between Trinity and Wash High, the high school teams in the City of Washington were outscored 90-0 last night.

* Judging by the first three weeks, the Varsity Letters does not feel great about the postseason chances of most local teams.

In Class AAAA, Canon-McMillan will make the playoffs. Consider the Big Macs a sleeper team at this point. They are on the cusp, not quite there though.

In Class AAA, the same thing can be said about Trinity and Ringgold. Both fall in the sleeper category.

In Class AA, things are not looking great after McGuffey lost at home to East Allegheny.

In Class A, Fort Cherry and Chartiers-Houston look like legitimate challengers in the Black Hills Conference. Both are capable of long playoff runs. As for Beth-Center and Jefferson-Morgan in the Tri-County South, never count out those two hard-nosed teams.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mike I believe that the reasons the Big Macs are struggling on offense are the following...

1. The offensive line
It has been said on this blog that they look Unathletic and Overweight and I feel those statements are 100% true. The days of just sticking the fattest kids on the line are quickly coming to end as the game of football progresses. This is one of the worst OL's that CM has had in the past couple of decades. A smaller, more athletic OL would help open holes for the running game and get off of the snap faster, giving Roach more time to throw.

2. Inexperience at QB
Steve Roach is very talented and his struggles are tied directly to the atrocious OL play. But he only has three starts so he will keep getting better as the season goes forward.

3. Frank Zebrasky
The offensive coordinator. Probably the most vanilla play calling in high school football. This guy is still trying to invent the wheel while every other offense in the WPIAL has moved onto the Ferrari. A little creativity will take this offense a long way.

Anonymous said...

Say, how many D-1 recruits will come out of Trinity this year. Was Jamerson even playing last night?

mike_kovak said...

I thought Zebrasky was the defensive coordinator for some reason.

Anonymous said...

FORT CHERRY = OVERRATED.
They need to get past Avella and Burgettstown before a playoff run.

Obama 08

Anonymous said...

I am surprised that when you mention Trinity's struggles, you fail to mention that most of the struggle is coming from poor coaching decisions. Trinity's tail back Dan Miller rushed for 102 yards last night against TJ. This was only 22 yards short of the 124 that TJ's Brian Baldridge ran. So why couldn't Trinity score? Because Trinity's coaching staff would stop running the ball every time they got close. And this was the only thing that was working for them last night. If you pound the ball all the way down the field and get close, why would you pass 4 plays in a row and turn the ball over? Especially when Trinity's QB is still struggling with his passing game. And how many times did the QB try to run the ball himself last night for zero or a minus gain? You have some great backs in Dan Miller and Zack Waters. I think between the two they had maybe 17 carries last night. Just not enough for Hiller football.

Anonymous said...

Couldn't agree with you more! The Hillers could have a tough game next week if nothing is changed.

mike_kovak said...

I agree that Waters could see the ball a little more.

Really, it's easy to criticize all facets of any team after it loses 40-0.

There is ample time for Trinity to improve. The EF game has become extremely important.

Anonymous said...

And let us not forget the ridiculous decision to defer on kickoff against a team that you know is going to score on their first drive, two Trinity timeouts in the first few minutes of the game (as usual), and a few strange offensive plays that seem to take forever to execute and offer little to no deception. I don't want to hear any more criticism of the entire offense by Coach Dalton when the real problem is that the QB needs more time to develop and the coaching staff is ignoring this and running plays that are doomed from the start. Yes, the offense overall is new and is still "a work in progress". But there are many strengths in the Trinity offense. Placing blame where it is not warranted and simply stating "we played bad and we were out-coached" every week is not going to get things done. This a much better team than what is being presented.

Anonymous said...

Fc may be the toughest team in BLackhills.... great Qb in David Phillips.... Rb and Fb Nate Crossey and Zak Crowley are a great duo....Snatcko and Ligget have great hands and their offensive line has been great through 3 games. The Rangers will be a contender in the Blackhills Conference

Anonymous said...

fort cherry and chartiers are a tough team. but you cant forget about serra clairton, rochester and monnesson.. and a handfull of more singleA teams. Serra could be at heinz field again or any other team for that matter... but this years bunch of teams are all talented teams. Predictions shouldnt be made too soon its only week 3

Anonymous said...

Frank is the offensive coordinator so you might want to get your facts straight before you try to say something about someones methods

mike_kovak said...

Easy jmat,

I didn't take a shot at anyone. I think you have me confused with the previous comment.


But this is my blog, so I will continue to say what I feel like.

Anonymous said...

i remember franky z being the D coord, jmat... well atleast during CM's run of success in the doug rheam era...

Anonymous said...

Frank Zebrasky IS in fact the defensive coordinator, and it was the defense who just shut out woodland hills. So I'm not even sure why his name was brought up. Coach Montecalvo calls the shots for the Big Macs on offense. I think his "vanilla play calling" has gotten him over 200 wins and a few wpial titles so i would continue to go with his "vanilla play calling."

Anonymous said...

C-M is completly garbage out here whens the last time they actually won a championship game? huh? its been a while

Anonymous said...

Do I detect a green -eyed monster? Garbage? I would love to know how many championships anonymous has won? These players are just focused on one game at a time. They are a great group of kids---having fun---- trying to win games. Hardly Garbage!

Anonymous said...

well chartiers is focused on more than one game at a time. theyve focused on 3-0 and acheived it. Now theyre focusing on a undefeated
season.next stop burgettstown. and their completly determined on winning. c-m is focused on one game at a time c-h is focused on every game leading up to the playoffs. so canon mac is trying to get to the playoffs but c-h is focused on winning the playoffs. so your teams is based on what you think your going to do. but c-h is based on what they know thier gonna do

Anonymous said...

Perhaps if CM had Burgettstown, Frazier, and avella on their schedule they might be looking ahead to a real opponent at some point too.

Anonymous said...

Mike,
Thanks for the support!
Coach Woods

Anonymous said...

Comparing CH to CM is like comparing apples to oranges. I don't compare CH and CM. I don't think your team is garbage and in fact I am happy that your team is 3-0. Our team is focused on one game at a time. That doesn't mean they are not confident. I don't think there is a coach in the wpial that will look past this weeks game. The whale who spouts gets harpooned!

Anonymous said...

harpooning whales is illegal. if you practice this, let me know so i may contact local authorities.

Anonymous said...

Kieko Willy,
Thanks for the heads-up!

Anonymous said...

totally agree with you man we are focused on heinz field and i know cm and every wpial team is too. but rochester is lookin nice too this year.. hey man what do you think about that will burgess kid from ch number 32..??

Anonymous said...

his bro number 19 is a tough kid too. even hes not a starter he still gets a lil playing time now and then. a skinny kid but hes tough. he plays jv but sticks people like a varsity player... now his brother will burgess number 32 is a hardcore physical athelete. he put that dude from avella in the hospital in week 3.. hes full potentual for c-h's defence and offence.. so mike what do you think about these brothers. brian#19 and will#32??

Anonymous said...

will burgess is like the justin baker of chartiers-houston. Three steps too slow, not an ounce of athletic ability, but the heart of a lion. Before we put Burgess in the pros, let's appreciate his strengths (heart) and try not to overrate his athletic abilities (or lack there of).