Week 3 Predictions

[Gotch]

John's brother Mo use to spar with me from time to time [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[USA Ranger]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gotch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">John's brother Mo use to spar with me from time to time [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img] </div></div>

I know both of them, I talked to them at the Arena show, it had been a while. Mo use to be able to throw down back in the day. John was always laid back.

[titans_1_2005]

i was talking 2 mox

[beamer_ball]

KTN week 3 previews...

http://timesnews.net/article.php?id=9007983

Southwest Virginia

WISE "? If someone mentions Southwest Virginia football rivalries, chances are that J.I. Burton vs. J.J. Kelly isn't the first thing that leaps to mind.

Unless you're from Norton or Wise.

Raider coach Jimbo Adams points out that this is one of the region's oldest gridiron rivalries, reaching back into the mid-1920s.

"We have people go to the Norton-Wise game and it's the only game they'll see all year,"? said Adams, whose squad beat longtime foe Appalachia 57-6 last week. "Around here, this game is as big as it gets."?

The Raiders (2-0, 1-0) have dominated this series in recent years. Adams believes this is probably the best J.J. Kelly squad he'll have faced since Gabe Barnett led the Indians in a bid for the Lonesome Pine District title under Kevin Saunders in 2001.

Kelly (2-0, 0-0) is unquestionably an improved football team. But coach B.I. Salyers isn't ready to throw out historical comparisons just yet.

"Oh Lord. Let's hope it's a good game,"? Salyers said with a chuckle.

"Our kids have worked hard in the offseason and we hope to give them a challenge. They're definitely faster than us. They're faster than most people around here. The question is whether we can contain their speed."?

Norton has preposterous speed, to be sure. Last week, the Raiders amassed 432 yards on only 28 carries. With slot backs Jaycob Coleman and Martinez Miles and quarterback Devin Talley, one touch is often all it takes.

"That's the thing about Norton. They get to the second level or outside and you're in trouble,"? Salyers said. "There's really no easy answer to solving the problem other than playing fundamental, bend-but-don't-break defense."?

The rich are likely to get richer before the season is over. Malcolm Pinkston "? who left Powell Valley before the season started after an unspecified violation of team rules "? is enrolled at J.I. Burton and has been practicing with the Raiders.

Adams said Pinkston won't set foot on the field for Norton until his eligibility is finalized and beyond dispute. He expects to get official word on Pinkston's status by next week.

"I believe in giving a kid a second chance, but I won't jeopardize 40 kids for the sake of one,"? Adams said. "I can't say a negative thing about him. He's done everything we've asked of him in practice."?

The Indians, who shut out Pound 26-0 last week, have given up eight points over two games running a wide variety of looks out of its base 50 monster defense. Salyers noted that this is a fun defense for his squad, which truly enjoys the variety of blitzes the scheme affords.

"They play more defensive fronts than we play offensive sets,"? Adams said. "Our linemen will need to know their blocking rules and keep their heads up."?

Devan Sproles, an all-district linebacker, leads the Kelly defense with 14 tackles. Sproles is also the prime mover of Kelly's Wing-T offense, having churned out 326 yards and four scores at fullback. Indian quarterback Matt Dotson has passed for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

The Indians will likely use their considerable size and strength up front to mount grinding, ball-control drives in hopes of keeping the ball out of Norton's hands for as long as possible.

Burton's big offensive playmakers also tend to be big defensive playmakers. Even with the possible absence of linebacker Will Godsey "? who is expected to fulfill his placekicking duties "? the Raider defense is extremely disruptive.

SW Va. preview capsules

Harlan (0-1) at Lee High (0-1)

After a week off "? while we were asleep at the wheel "? the Generals look to get back on the winning track against Harlan, which opened with a 36-14 loss to Knott County last week. Generals RB Tyler Graham (23-122) had a solid debut against Powell Valley two weeks ago. Andrew Link "? who rushed for 116 yards last week "? and Donavhen Middleton lead the Dragons offense.

Powell Valley (1-1) at Richlands (1-1)

Blues QB Joel Elswick passed for 187 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for three more scores in Richlands' 35-18 win at Honaker last week. Christian Hearl and Blayke Wilson lead the receiving corps. RBs Jordan Martin and Myron Pinkston pace the Vikings offense. Linebacker Dakota Cantrell has been a force to reckon with on the defense.

Appalachia (0-2, 0-1) at Clintwood (2-0, 0-0)

After a 49-7 whacking of county rival Haysi, the Greenwave's quest for a Lonesome Pine District title begins here. Bulldog QB Tyler Hall and teammates have only begun to grow as a football team. This is basically the same Clintwood squad that drilled an older, more experienced Appalachia squad two consecutive weeks at the end of last season. Clintwood's Chris Robinson has rushed for 158 yards and scored five touchdowns while seeing an average of nine carries a game for the last two weeks. QB Heath Counts has passed for 247 yards and four scores.

Coeburn (1-1) Pound (0-2)

Here we have the team that left the LPD looking to shake up the Cumberland taking on the coach who shook up the Cumberland before winding up in the LPD. Fresh off a 53-14 win over Ervinton, the Blue Knights have gotten great carries from RB Zack Hayes to go with RB Shane Bright's proven qualities. Stopping the Blue Knights isn't Pound's only quandary. Blanked by J.J. Kelly last week, the Wildcats badly need to keep the chains moving.

St. Paul (1-1, 0-0) at Ervinton (0-2, 0-1)

Last week's 26-13 win was a timely confidence booster for the Deacons, who begin the Cumberland District slate with a road trip to Nora. QB Tyler Phillips and RB Denver Fritz and versatile Corey Ellis pace The Purple on the offensive side of the football. The plucky, outnumbered Rebels got two touchdowns "? including an 85-yard kickoff return "? from Jesse Critchfield last week.

Chilhowie (2-0) at Twin Springs (0-2)

The Titans enjoyed some success last week opening it up offensively. Third-year QB Michael Salyer passed for 138 yards and two scores last week, albeit also tossing a pair of interceptions. Twin Springs can't be accused of dodging stiff non-district competition. The Warriors have collected wins against Group AA Marion (21-14) and Ft. Chiswell (24-2). Alex Russell and Curtis Williams fuel the Chilhowie rushing attack.

Thomas Walker (0-2) at Hancock County (0-2)

Last year, the Pioneers shut out the Indians 35-0. Hancock County football coach Clark Powers was at one time the head basketball coach at Thomas Walker. After sitting out the opener, Thomas Walker's Zach Hensley rushed for 86 yards and a score last week. Pioneer QB Travis Hall has thrown for 154 yards and two TDs.

[imported_MOX]

Listen, I dont think Coeburn is gods gift to highschool football by no means. Hell, I aint even been to see em play but maybe 3 times since 2002. I guess Im just living in the past, bc what I've always known the Cumberland as and thought of em, then Coeburn should be able to win it every year, thats just my opinion. CD usually has some really good basketball squads, just never been known for a football district.

[drake13]

well, if you take into account the fact that Coeburn has probably around 200 boys in their school, and the average CD school about 100, they should win just on numbers. But, just because you weaken your schedule and competition doesn't mean you will be stronger. I think it makes you a little weaker, every year until it becomes a revolving door of CD champs.

[sup-rbeast]

Castlewood has just 86 less students than Coeburn...ao on averge they should have only 40 less boys than Coeburn. But, Coeburn was never an LPD powerhouse...came close many moons ago, but it never really cam to fruition (and they had some good athletes and good teams). The Coeburn tems you see now is nowhere close to that...but, you put the Coeburn teams from the late 80's-early 90's in the Cumberland, and they'd be a dynasty.