Hilliard Darby(6-0,3-0) @Westerville South(5-1,2-1)

cthelites · (#1)

Big game in the Cardinal!
Darby has been looking toward this game since they beat big bro Davidson week 2.
WS was looking impressive and loss a barn burner by upstart Scioto(whom I had as my sleeper pick pre season).
Can WS pull it back together?
Can Darby knock off an angry Wildcat team on their turf?
I see another high scoring affair in Cardinal play again this week.

Start of a brutal stretch run for the Panthers.

bgfalcons86 · (#2)

I'm a little disappointed that Darby didn't step on the throat vs. Kilbourne last night after being up by 21 in the 4th. Panthers were clearly a better team than the Wolves, but let them back in. A little concerned that Darby gave up 3 big plays to account for the bulk of Kilbourne's offense.

On the positive side, Darby has a bona fide passing game to respect. Not just the run, run and pass 5 times a game. Impressive number of total yards gained last night vs. Kilbourne and almost 200 were via the air.

My gut says that W South is angry and will defend their home turf with a "W", but I'm hoping the Panthers rise to the occasion and play their best game of the year, because they will need it to even be in contention for a 'W' vs. these Wildcats. GO PANTHERS!!

Slide By · (#3)

South better watch out, Darby can pass now. lol

gr8br10 · (#4)

This this going to be a "measuring stick" game for Darby. WS will be the best team the Panthers have faced this year so far and playing on the road against a team that will be angry over their first loss of the year.
Darby has done a good job overall by beating teams they were supposed to beat.
I'm glad to see the passing game coming around and Darby will need that if they want to beat teams like WS, Scioto and W Central.
I would like to see Caleb Day touching the ball more often and maybe that will be the plan for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.

This should be a great game against two athletic and talented teams!

Go Panthers!

NuttyBuck · (#5)

Darby has had a history of beating the less-talented teams and then going on to lose to the big boys (Davidson, Coffman, UA). This has made for some disappointing seasons after some good starts. I don't think that's going to be the case with this team. They have some major talent on this team and I think they are out to prove something. Their pass defense will be tested and probably give up a few big plays but their offense can control the clock and come up with big plays when they need to. I think this will be a close game. I think the difference will be in Darby's kicking game. They have an excellent punter, and their kicker is money! I think a field goal will be the difference. It will be tough going against a team of that caliber on their field, so hopefully Darby will keep the mistakes to a minimum. I think the Darby kids will accept the challenge and come away with a narrow victory. 24-21

cthelites · (#6)

Agreed nutty.
Darbys kicking game is OUTSTANDING!
And could be the difference vs WS who has a bad kicking game.
The scoreboard could become Chrismas Eve with all the scoring going on in this one. Darby will give up alot of big plays to a big play offense but they will also be able to score on WS and their blitzing 4-3 D. They blitz at least 2 of their LBs pretty much every play. Darby should be able to hit alot of "splash plays" themselves.
Ive seen WS in person at the Bradley 2nd half game and on tape 3 times.
They are scary but that has been a weakness against the Darby D anyways so I expect the Cats to hit a handful of big plays.

Darby MUST take care of the ball AND eliminate the constant penalties and fumbles. They do not run an offense designed to make up for mistakes. They can however throw the ball. I dont know if they will need to unless Rocky stacks the box on them. Im sure Darby will try to run it at them, but like I said the WS D loves to send the house so darby better have a game plan to hit some of those quick hitters and flood the zone routes. If they can get them to soften up their run D with the pass then they will be able to score. I think Longwell will be able to make the right reads on the veer and make a blitzing D pay.

Lou Dew · (#7)

Any word on the suspended players for WS for this week?

Walking Boss · (#8)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou Dew

Any word on the suspended players for WS for this week?

No clue from this end, maybe Insider can tell us something. Ol' Steelboy used to be good for WS info but I haven't seen him in 6 months or so.

If I am not mistaken, Prentiss went to mid-field as a Captain dressed in plain clothes (at least I think it was Prentiss...could be wrong). That would tell me that he is likely not suspended and perhaps injured. Built like a fire plug and clocking a 10.7 or whatever he ran last year, he'll be a definite addition should he dress this year.

I caution folks to not be too quick to write off South just because of the Scioto loss. Seems like many did that with Westerville Central and they're still plugging away at 5-1. South's receivers can get open and get up after the ball and make plays. That TE of theirs is a big weapon. Scioto had to gameplan him in the 2nd half or things would have gotten pretty ugly.

Will be a very good test for Darby's D. They haven't seen a passing attack like South's yet this year. They'll need to show they can do it with teams like South and Coffman being likely playoff hurdles and Scioto yet to play in the regular season.

Really tough one to call. Kilbourne is the only common opponent. I'd love to hear from a Wolves fan what they think about the two teams.

ADG · (#9)

If Darby can control the ball and limit WS's possessions, then I think they will frustrate South and will cause them to make mistakes. Darby can't afford to get behind or in a shootout. Winner is in good shape for the playoffs while the loser will have an uphill struggle to get in. Should be a great game.

bgfalcons86 · (#10)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walking Boss

I caution folks to not be too quick to write off South just because of the Scioto loss. Seems like many did that with Westerville Central and they're still plugging away at 5-1.

Not sure why anyone would write off W South (or W Central, for that matter) just because of a loss to a very good Scioto team. And who knows what a South team at full strength could have accomplished vs. Scioto.

By FAR, W South is the best team Darby has faced. I just hope the Panthers are ready and don't get off to a slow start. That has seemed to happen way too often this year.

bgfalcons86 · (#11)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADG

If Darby can control the ball and limit WS's possessions, then I think they will frustrate South and will cause them to make mistakes. Darby can't afford to get behind or in a shootout. Winner is in good shape for the playoffs while the loser will have an uphill struggle to get in. Should be a great game.

Agree on your analysis of the game. IMHO, it is not a must-win, though -- YET -- for either team. Both have realistic shots at getting in with an 8-2 record, but it might be a little nerve-wracking, too. Cardinal has a nice shot at getting 3 in the playoffs, due to a very good OOC record.

cthelites · (#12)

I believe Prentiss played in the Bradley game and got hurt.

With Gahanna and St Chuckies both losing i think the Cardinal is a shoe in for 3 in the playoffs.

Walking Boss · (#13)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgfalcons86

Not sure why anyone would write off W South (or W Central, for that matter) just because of a loss to a very good Scioto team. And who knows what a South team at full strength could have accomplished vs. Scioto.

"Write-off" was too strong a phrase on my part. Clearly no one is going to write them off at this point, what I meant was to imply was that they still need to be included in the discussion of the elites in R3 in my opinion, or at least in the cluster of teams right behind Coffman & Pick North. I'm not inclined to consider them a bubble team or a team who has to win X game to make the playoffs, unless they flat out lay an egg in their remaining games, South is in the playoffs and not a team anyone should be anxious to face week 11.

As for the reference to Westerville Central, I'm not going to post quotes, but after they lost to Scioto 34-14 in week 4, there were several posts suggesting that the Warhawks would be the odd man out in the Cardinal playoff derby, only to have them back to back games, get a boost from New Albany and BW turning things around and now they stand at 5th in the region.

bgfalcons86 · (#14)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walking Boss

As for the reference to Westerville Central, I'm not going to post quotes, but after they lost to Scioto 34-14 in week 4, there were several posts suggesting that the Warhawks would be the odd man out in the Cardinal playoff derby, only to have them back to back games, get a boost from New Albany and BW turning things around and now they stand at 5th in the region.

You're right, WB!!! Kinda silly to write a team off after one loss. For all we know, Darby could lay an egg vs. W South this Friday and come back and right the ship vs. Scioto. Things have a funny way of working out like that in HS football.

Hossxdeez333 · (#15)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou Dew

Any word on the suspended players for WS for this week?

I hear their suspension was a 5 game suspension and they played Week 1, so I assume they'll be back for this one. Not sure how reliable my source is though...

cthelites · (#16)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hossxdeez333

I hear their suspension was a 5 game suspension and they played Week 1, so I assume they'll be back for this one. Not sure how reliable my source is though...

Not sure about that, but I have no idea.
I do remember listening to Rock on the radio after week 1 and he was saying that he had about 7 starters missing due to suspensions and eligibility.

Walking Boss · (#17)

If Gary Brown is back this week, Brown vs. Caleb Day will be Must-See-TV. That will be one heck of a matchup.

InsideRedWhite · (#18)

Prentiss suffered a back injury and his returning for this Friday is day to day. The suspensions are indefinite, so the 5 game thing is just rumor. It is frustrating that South has not been at full strength at all this year. The players who have been asked to step up have performed remarkably.

This game will no doubt be another tough one for South.

Walking Boss · (#19)

Insider: That must have be one heck of a transgression to last this many games. Without getting into too many details, can you advise whether all were involved in a common event/activity that violated team rules or whether it is just coincidental that so many players happened to get suspended for separate incidents? PM if necessary. I don't want to breach anyone's privacy, I'm just curious really.

jagsfan · (#20)

If Panthers control the ball, the clock and eliminate big plays they will win. If not it could be a long night.