With Oak Grove sitting atop the CCC with a record of 6-0, and Ledford tied for second with Salisbury, this has the makings of an instant classic. After Salisbury discombobulated Ledford by twenty four and Oak Grove beating Salisbury by sixteen, this seems like an easy Oak Grove victory , but the schools are five miles apart and anything can happen. If one goes by score comparisons, Oak Grove should win by about fourty, but doubtful this will occur. I'll say Ledford by three in a rivalry " upset. " Thoughts from the Davidson County patrons ?
Ledford at Oak Grove
- Thread starter GSO-Triple5
- Start date
I’ll say this, I never expected OG to have a realistic shot at an undefeated regular season but here we are heading down the home stretch. Ledford offense is pure trash, same as it was last year. That being said, it’s a rivalry game and I could see Ledford pulling out an upset or could see OG dominating this one in a big way.
Oak Grove winning by 40 is absolutely nuts. This game is going to be way closer than that.
Probably not great for OG to have to play Ledford after they lost to Salisbury.
I do think it might be time to start trusting the kicker a little more. West bottled up the 2 point attempts that had been working so well earlier in the season.
I don’t know what to think about Salisbury’s success keeping Ledford’s QB at bay. I had expected more from him, as I hear he is quite mobile and makes defenses pay in that RPO offense.
I agree that anything can happen here. Schools are close in proximity, there is some bad blood brewing, as I always thought would happen once Oak Grove started winning. Ledford keeps this one tight.
The interesting thing about this game is that, with a Ledford win, it could create an unbreakable 3 way tie between OG, Ledford and Salisbury. Drawing straws for playoff seeding is the most nerve-wracking thing in the world.
All good points. I think OG wins, but I agree it will be close. I had picked Salisbury to beat Ledford, but I'm not sure that score was indicative of the difference between the two teams. Same can be said for the OG - Salisbury score. I believe OG is the better of the three teams, but like GSO-Triple5 said, definitely not by the margin those scores would seem to indicate.
Simmons computer model will probably have Oak Grove favored by 10 or so after this past weeks results are entered, and that's more like it in my mind.
It will be chippy I'm sure, so OG will need to be disciplined and not get goaded into stupid penalties. A few of those and a turnover or two at the wrong time can be the recipe for an upset.
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Oak Grove and Ledford both want to power the football down the field. The difference is that Oak Grove has a better offense and their defense is just about as good if not equal. Ledford has to hope special teams play out in a way for them to seize advantage.
Holcomb is the better coach and knows when and how to make adjustments if something isn't working. I think that will be the difference. If OG gets a lead of two TDs or better it will be pretty much over.
Also of note, last year was the first time Holcomb has ever lost to Ledford. However, OG was playing with juniors and sophomores against the best team Ledford has ever had. This time the playing cards are even.
Holcomb is the better coach and knows when and how to make adjustments if something isn't working. I think that will be the difference. If OG gets a lead of two TDs or better it will be pretty much over.
Also of note, last year was the first time Holcomb has ever lost to Ledford. However, OG was playing with juniors and sophomores against the best team Ledford has ever had. This time the playing cards are even.
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Went back and looked at some posts from last year. Ledford was accused of giving a middle finger to the stands and a few hits out of bounds. I wasn't there but just read about it. Think OG will be up for this game lol?
I wasn’t in on any of the post from last year but was at the game. Not sure on the middle finger to the stands but could have happened. I will say that there were some very questionable hits especially out of bounds and late hits. One to the QB out with a broken collarbone. Hey that happens in football but it (IMO) was a late hit. I think due to the fact that so many kids went or were supposed to go to Ledford that are now at OG it naturally creates a rivalry just as I does with ND. However I don’t understand the hate that I see so much of. ADULTS acting like the kids has anything to do with the drawing of the lines for the schools. DUMB!! But nevertheless this is going to be a great game. I’m choosing OG by 13 but feel that OG could be caught off guard in either of the next 2 games.
It could be chippy, indeed... But this quote from the paper, from Coach Holcomb, makes me feel confident that this game is going to be more about football than all the fringe drama:
So did penalty flags. The Grizzlies drew a pass interference call on the West touchdown drive, one of their four 15-yard flags in the first half.
“I was disappointed with all the penalties in the first half,” Holcomb said. “I don’t want our school and our kids to be known for that. We came out a little chippy in the first half and that’s unacceptable. I take full responsibility for that and I promise we will take care of that.”
Will be a good game. Ledford played really conservative Friday and was without 50 on the DL and that is a person they cannot backfill. I think OG wins but Ledford is good enough to get the victory if they play smart and find a way to throw the ball a little.
I know this an OG- Ledford posting, but I am going to put it out there. The game people are overlooking is OG-Thomasville. The Dogs are a different team now that the weather has changed and numbers aren’t an issue due to cramps. Their athletes are as good as anyone in the CCC and very hard to contain. Defensively, they can hang take away the big play. The Dogs have found their offense and are playing their best eleven on both sides and it is paying off big for them. Looking forward to it!
I know this an OG- Ledford posting, but I am going to put it out there. The game people are overlooking is OG-Thomasville. The Dogs are a different team now that the weather has changed and numbers aren’t an issue due to cramps. Their athletes are as good as anyone in the CCC and very hard to contain. Defensively, they can hang take away the big play. The Dogs have found their offense and are playing their best eleven on both sides and it is paying off big for them. Looking forward to it!
Great for the game to see the CCC go from a two horse race the last two years to a five horse race this year....remember though, that there are only 3 automatic bids for the playoffs.....while it is unlikely that this will happen, as the rankings change so much every week, and every win gives teams a slight boost, there is a slight possibility that one, or more, of the top five in the league miss the playoffs....if, for example, whoever finishes 4th has a final adjusted maxpreps ranking of 64 or lower (maybe even 62 or lower), then that would cause them AND whoever finishes 5th (regardless of ranking) to be left out of the playoffs..just giving a heads up reminder
I can live with that... CCC is better, but its nowhere near good enough to say that 5 teams are playoff worthy... Well, that being said, St Pauls, Cummings, First Flight, and numerous other playoff teams really didn’t deserve to be there last year... Nevertheless, 4 from the CCC is a plenty.
Agree with you. Thomasville is not a team that anyone in the CCC can afford to look over.
Their coach is excellent and has found a way to make his team play with a chip on their shoulder “be relevant”. I like it.
I really think playing them right after Ledford could be a potential stumbling block, but I like OG’s philosophy about taking one game at a time.
It is great to have these things to talk about this year. 5 horse race is infinitely more exciting than just 2.
Definitely taking note of the Tville improvement. At the first of the year, they appeared to have regressed to 2017 levels and I kind of wrote them off. Their results from the last few weeks have gotten my attention and I could see them playing the spoiler for OG if OG doesn't come in focused. It certainly makes things more exciting down the stretch.
Thomasville was playing bigger squads with a roster of 23-25 kids. Heat, cramps and lack of depth cost them late against M Central and Ledford. They stayed in games just wore down. Now the weather has changed and they can play 11 on 11 with anyone in the CCC. The Dogs have found an OL that is working for them and the defense is solid.
Predicted CCC standings.
OG 11-0 or 10-1. 2AA. May not survive tilts with Ledford and Thomasville back to back. Still has a rival game with Ledford and Thomasville whooped them bad last season. Still favored to go 11-0 right now.
Salisbury 10-1 8-1 2A. Don’t think they lose to ND North and wins out for second place.
Ledford 7-4/6-5 2AA. Big games with OG and ND left. Could lose one or both of those if they don’t find a way to pass the ball.
Thomasville 7-4 or 8-3. Potential to spoil the OG perfect season and in the drivers seat for the 3 spot with WD, OG and Lex to go. If Ledford loses to OG and ND.
ND 5-6 or 6-5. 6-5 may get them in but not likely they can beat Ledford and Salisbury to finish with a 6-5 season. There is talent, size and athletes, just not putting it together to beat a team with a winning record yet.
No one else has a chance. CD and WD play a big game for 6/7. CD can get to a 6-5 record which would be hue for them but wouldn’t get the job to 2AA playoffs. ED, SR and Lex battle it out for 8/9/10.
I am guessing they will get five, the team most in danger right now is North Davidson, they really need to run the table, and if they do, I feel confident they would get in, as that would include a ranking boosting wins over Ledford & Salisbury....if they lose both of those and still beat Central Davidson, they'll be right on the bubble, if they win either or both, then they might even get one of the automatic bids for either 2nd or 3rd place
I"ve been to Ledford four or five times, but never Oak Grove. Are there enough seats to accommodate the expected overflow crowd, or places to place lawn chairs ? Is there a hill overlooking the stadium so spectators can view from the overlook ? I Googled the stadium, but couldn't tell diddly squat from the photos. Thanks in advance.
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there are No hills to sit on. The visitor side is adequate, larger than Ledfords but far from enough seating for this big game. Make sure to enter on the visitor side
To save yourself a bit of a walk. My suggestion is to get there early. I guess they’d let you sit in a chair you brought but I don’t know for sure. The Oak Grove AD’s family usually sit in chairs on the track. Extra parking will be available at the middle school and the middle school baseball field.
As with most rival events, and as the previous poster, PrepFanNC , had previously stated, arriving early would be advisable to attend this event, but thank you so very much for your valuable information.
I like the TV option. But last time I tried to watch a high school game on tv, it was disappointing. ESPN has spoiled me with all their cameras and angles.
The gates will open at 6. I plan to walk through the gates shortly after that. Last year I was at the Ledford / north playoff game. I was in line on the visitor side when the gates opened. I barely got a seat.
Would love to meet up with some posters this Friday. I'll be wearing my green Marine Corps jacket so I should be easy to spot if anyone wants to say hey. Probably on the Oak Grove side on the hill if there is no room in the stands when I get there.
Any word on games maybe moving back this week due to the rain forecast for Friday? I will be at the Thomasville game, so I will have to record the My48 game and watch it later.
was told last night they were making a decision this morning fo OG but that with it being televised unlikely it would be changed.
What kind of world are we becoming when you can't play football in the rain?
Just playing devils advocate here, but what does that cold rain do for that expected huge gate?
I my opinion...NOTHING. Maybe I’m just speaking for myself though. Televised is going to keep several at home anyway. There were over 3100 at the ND game. I personally expect the same at this game. So even if you reduce that to 2500 still A LOT of people. But looks like forecast changing slightly in the favor of less rain.
As for me, I have season tickets, so my money is already spent. No way my wife goes if its raining. It’ll keep the crowd at bay. But there will still be a better gate that most, even with the rain.
I hadn’t heard the official head count for the ND game... but 3100+ is pushing 19,000 dollars. That’ll help with a lot of needs. Tennis team and golf are needing hotel rooms for states, and so many other athletic needs.
But, I don’t think the reason most games are moved are due to anyone being soft... It’s money. Reduced gates... Field damage.. .etc. North Davidson has the luxury of playing soccer and lacrosse on a dedicated soccer field. Oak Grove, Ledford and many others can’t do that. Wet conditions do a real number on a field like that, and then add in the other sports and it gets even more expensive than it already is.
I think North has a pretty large budget for field maintenance if I remember correctly. Sanding, plugging, etc... It’s easily over 5,000 a year just for that... probably way more.
Looks like the game is on for Friday night. Fingers crossed for no rain!
I guess it could change if things get squirrely on Friday. For now, it looks like the rain is coming in late evening.
I guess it could change if things get squirrely on Friday. For now, it looks like the rain is coming in late evening.
I was at the ND Oak grove game several weeks ago and I was sitting on the hill on the home side by the field house...It was a good view from there....at least it was for me
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I'm hoping OG wins this game,so the Dogs can have a chance to knock them off from the ranks of the unbeaten ....if they do watch out!!
I stand corrected. I didn’t even think of that as a place to sit.
I look forward to seeing the battle of Dogs #22 ILB that leads the entire state in tackles vs. OG's Shewcow who is close to the top in rushing in the state. Those two are top candidates for CCC Defensive and Offensive player of the year.
Greatest part of that is that they used to be teammates in PeeWee and Little League.
I'm going OG...Lackey is the Ledford offense, control him and the D wins this one. Plus OG's OL has gotten a lot better and are playing well. Ledford could hurt the OG "D" with a pass, but not enough to win the game. Ledford is good, but not as good as last year and OG has seniors this year!
Absolutely. It's a pretty good place to discuss football. Only advice I would give is support your team win or lose, and don't feed the trolls lol!