Predictions for 08.29.2008

Just some thoughts...

<u>Appalachia vs JI Burton</u>
The games between the Dawgs and the Raiders over the past few years have been pretty one-sided with the Raiders dominating. I don't see much changing this year. Appy hosts Norton after a tough loss to Castlewood. JIB has yet to see the toughest part of the schedule but gets another decisive win.

<u>JJ Kelly vs Pound</u>
The Indians make the short drive across the mountain to Pound to face one of the more challenging Wildcat teams they've seen in a few years. Crabtree has gone on record as stating that no team will be bigger or stronger than his Wildcats this year, but I think the Indians will still be too much for the Cats.

<u>Powell Valley vs Lebanon</u>
GAME OF THE WEEK - LPD vs the CMD, DIV II style. With the recent drop from Div II to Div I by several schools in Southwest Virginia, and the move by Lebanon and Gate City in the Clinch Mountain District, the Div II picture in Region D has changed considerably. Lebanon has established themselves as one of the better football schools in this area, and no team has ever been more successful in this area than the Vikings. After the close game with Honaker, some may be looking at the Pioneers and thinking they are overrated. I think that would be a mistake for any team on their schedule. If they play as well as they did in pre-season, they can give a good challenge to any team in the Region and could very well be competing in the Region D playoffs in November. The Vikings travel to Lebanon at the beginning of a major re-building year. A win over the Pioneers would really bring some much-needed momentum, and a loss could set the tone for a disappointing season by Viking standards. I think this will be a close game with the Pioneers getting a very hard-fought win.

<u>Thomas Walker at Castlewood</u>
Castlewood goes into Week 2 with a convincing win last week over Appalachia. In the pre-season, Thomas Walker was predicted by some to finish second ahead of Castlewood in the district but took a 46-19 beating last week at the hands of an impressive Cumberland Gap team. This could turn out to be one of the better CD games of the year.

<u>Coeburn vs Ervinton</u>
Touted as the pre-season favorite to win the Cumberland District in their second year in the CD, the Blue Knights took a beating last week. The Rebels, unfortunately, won't be tough competition for the Knights in this game. Knights dominate.

<u>Twin Valley vs St. Paul</u>
St. Paul comes back home after suffering a 42-7 loss at the hands of Holston last week. Twin Valley was shut out last week by Bland County 33-0. This game could be painful to watch.

<u>Honaker vs Richlands</u>
How do you re-build and replace a player like Logan Ball? Tough challenge for any team. The challenge doesn't get any easier when you play Richlands on their home field. Should be a good game, but I think Richlands still has enough to get the win here.

<u>Gate City vs Tazwell</u>
Riding high after their win over Richlands, the Blue Devils, ranked preseason as the number 1 team in Southwest Virginia, travel to Tazewell to face a team who bring some momentum of their own following a very close 21-19 win over George Wythe. Sounds like a good game to me! I think the Blue Devils will solidify their standing and prove why they made it to the state championship game last year.

JI Burton travels to Appy, and its the Clinch Mtn. District. Not the Cumberland MTN District. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

Sorry... I'll correct that.

J.J.Kelly 28 Pound 13- when Crabtree said that the Cats could surprise some folks if they were looking past them,he was referring to JJK IMO. Kelly has a showdown looming with Burton next week,and the TRIBE has a history of being flat in games like this. They'll be in a battle for a bit before waking up and rumbling past the Cats.


Lebanon 14 Powell Valley 13-game of the night IMO (one of those brutal to pick games).


J.I. Burton 44 Appalachia 8 -lots of growing pains for the young pups from Appy.


Castlewood 35 Thomas Walker 6-Devils aren't going to burn me this week.

Coeburn 40 Ervinton 7 Hail the preseason picks to win the mighty CD [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

Gate City 28 Tazewell 19 Tazewell lost the ability to sneak up on GC last week by upending GW. The Devils will be ready.

St. Paul 21 Twin Valley 8- you'd think that a consolidated school would have a decent team every now and then-not these hapless Panthers.

Richlands 28 Honaker 20-should be a dandy of a game.

By the numbers, the Pound O-Line could be the biggest any team will face this year. But, it takes more than size. Time will tell if the Cats can get some momentum going their way and surprise some teams.

Next week should be a good one between the Indians and Raiders.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Indian_Dad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">J.J.Kelly 28 Pound 13- when Crabtree said that the Cats could surprise some folks if they were looking past them,he was referring to JJK IMO. Kelly has a showdown looming with Burton next week,and the TRIBE has a history of being flat in games like this. They'll be in a battle for a bit before waking up and rumbling past the Cats. </div></div>

wise owns...ftw

I agree with all the Lebanon--PV assessments. I think this game is going to be a great one to watch!

pound is big but they don't have a lot of muscles besides bolling IMO!
guess we will have to see come friday!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Indian_15</div><div class="ubbcode-body">pound is big but they don't have a lot of muscles besides bolling IMO!
guess we will have to see come friday! </div></div>

Reading the paper they sound HUGE however there picture did not seem to back up the claims of that size

I do think Pound will be a tougher game than they were last season but Wise may be the most improved team in the District if not the region

Pound probably will still have one of the biggest lines around ...but we all know that the coaches add an inch or 2 and few extra pounds to those things