MEC WEEK 9

[portcity FB]

Hoggard @ Laney
NH @ WB
SB @ AHS
Topsail Bye

 

[hotterhand]

Laney +3
Hanover +10
Ashley +6

 

[JohnnyDollar]

New Hanover beware of West Brunswick. They have a big team that really wears on you. The big drawback
is they started slow in the two games I saw them. They make good adjustments on the field. A quick team such
as NH may get out of the gate to quick.

 

[portcity FB]

The big question for Hoggard is can they play a clean game. The pretty much did against 71st and beat a good team by 11. I think 71st is better than Laney but Hoggard hasn't played a good game since. Way to many mistakes and their offense is sputtering. Since Hair was injured the offense hasn't been the same. He was dressed against NH but did not play. He is a difference maker for the Vikes. I thought Hoggard defense actually looked much better against NH. NH scored 34 points but they had 4 short fields and a punt return for a TD. NH has 1 nice drive when they drove from their 1 all the way down the field. The key to stopping Laney is getting them into 3 and long but that is hard to do. They got 3-5 yards minimum on almost every carry against NH. They can really wear on a team. I don't know if Hoggard is that type team defensively. I think for Hoggard to pull the upset they will need to be able to pass the ball to open up the run game and finish drives. They will have to outscore Laney.

 

[JMACDE99]

The big question for Hoggard is can they play a clean game. The pretty much did against 71st and beat a good team by 11. I think 71st is better than Laney but Hoggard hasn't played a good game since. Way to many mistakes and their offense is sputtering. Since Hair was injured the offense hasn't been the same. He was dressed against NH but did not play. He is a difference maker for the Vikes. I thought Hoggard defense actually looked much better against NH. NH scored 34 points but they had 4 short fields and a punt return for a TD. NH has 1 nice drive when they drove from their 1 all the way down the field. The key to stopping Laney is getting them into 3 and long but that is hard to do. They got 3-5 yards minimum on almost every carry against NH. They can really wear on a team. I don't know if Hoggard is that type team defensively. I think for Hoggard to pull the upset they will need to be able to pass the ball to open up the run game and finish drives. They will have to outscore Laney.

can hoggard win out in your opinion?

 

[portcity FB]

If they play clean they can but if I were a betting man I would not bet on it. Hoggard has shown they can play with good teams. They beat 71st, who is 6-1 and ranked from 25-30 in polls. Pine Forest is 6-1 and ranked just below 71st. Carolina Forest is ranked 21 is SC with only 1 loss on the year which was to Myrtle Beach by 3 who is ranked 2nd in 4A. If Hoggard plays clean on special teams they beat both PF and CF and probably NH (ranked in the 30's).
My point is, Laney and WB aren't any better than the teams listed above. However Hoggard is what their record shows. They have not played consistent and I do not think they are a better team right now than they were week 2. The offense doesn't look the same and special teams have been awful. I do see some improvement on defense. So if they can get Hair back and their offense clicks again and they can somehow turn around the special team blunders they can win out.

 

[Trench Fighter]

Hoggard @ Laney - Laney played better than I thought they would against New Hanover and appear to be more athletic than Hoggard. Laney's run game can be a problem, but like port mentioned ... I like Hoggard if they can make Laney go third and long. Hoggard's offense is going to be the difference. QB for Hoggard is having a identity crisis though. Is he a passer that runs a couple of times or is he a runner that passes a couple times ... The former seems to be more successful. For some reason I think Hoggard puts it together this week and comes away with a victory.

New Hanover @ West Brunswick - New Hanover has figured a way to win their first two conference games (not pretty) against two of the three top teams in the conference. Number three is this Friday. Walston is improving each game and looking more and more confident. The defense has done just enough to give the offense a chance to score and win. West Brunswick has a big offensive line and Bubba. Simple formula for New Hanover ... Stop Bubba and you win the game. It wasn't that easy against Laney and won't be that easy Friday night. New Hanover once again finds a way to win.

South Brunswick @ Ashley - Ashley lost a heartbreaker last week in the last minute with a chance to win. South Brunswick was crushed by West Brunswick last week. Ashley is better coached and has better talent, but South Brunswick should be able to compete in this game. South's problem is they don't have a passing game and Jeff Turner will shut down the one dimensional Cougars. Screaming Eagles by at least TDs

Topsail (Bye) - Great win last week for the Pirates ... I wasn't expecting that

 

[portcity FB]

Laney
NH
Ashley

 

[portcity FB]

Hoggard 13 Laney 0
NH 14 WB 26
SB 0 AHS 34
WB flexed their muscles against NH. I still don't think this is a strong NH team. Hoggard and Laney all but gave their games to NH. WB can close the deal next week against Hoggard. WB is big and physical and can throw enough to keep you honest on defense. NH is still sitting pretty. WB still has Hoggard and Laney.
Hoggard played clean and beat a good team on the road. This is the first road win against a 4A team for this staff. Hoggard can put themselves in a position to share a conference championship with a win over WB Friday. The defense looked outstanding against Laney and will need to continue to improve. The special teams looked like vintage Hoggard. Two made FG, good execution punting and good coverage on kick off. They also blocked a FG which set up one of their own FG. Passing game still isn't where it needs to be.
AHS took a 14-0 halftime lead and wore down SB. The Eagles snap a 4 game skid.

 

[Diamonds are forever]

Port - I keep seeing your posts about Hoggard and Laney GIVING NH the wins. Yet you come on here and say WB "flexed their muscles" and beat NH last night. You fail to mention:

1. NH picked up a fumble on WB's first possession last night and looked as if they would score only to have the defensive player get striped and fumble it back to WB.
2. NH had a punt return for a TD in the first quarter with the score 0-0 called back.
3. NH had a fumble by a WR after he had picked up a first down inside the WB 25 recovered by WB.
4. NH had a pick inside their own 20 returned to the NH 9.
5. NH had a fumble around their own 40 recovered by WB.

NH had 5 turnovers, a punt return for a TD called back and a few other key penalties. I guess when NH is sloppy the credit goes to the other team. When NH is the beneficiary of sloppiness from the opposition then NH is just lucky.

By your own standards, did NH give WB the game last night? NOPE. You believe WB just flexed their muscles. If Hoggard has five turnovers next week against WB and looses, are you going to say WB flexed their muscles or are you going to go with your old "Hoggard gave the game to them" or maybe your "WB was just lucky"?

Your Vikings got Laney last night after Watkins had 38 (THIRTY EIGHT!) TOUGH caries against NH last week. Next week you get Bubba after 41 (FORTY ONE!) TOUGH carries against NH last night. NH got a fresh Watkins and a fresh Bubba after they were able to rest the week before against SB. If we are going to throw the work "luck" around here perhaps we should start with that bit of good fortune for JTH.

 

[portcity FB]

Oh boy, here comes the crying. Where have you been? Have you not been reading much on the boards this year? I have been very critical all year about Hoggard and Laney. I was giving WB some props for a big win. I have been fair with NH this year, I have said that I feel they are the best team in the conference even though I don't feel this is a strong NH team. Even with their loss to WB they are probably still the best team in the conf. Did you go to the NH vs Laney and NH vs Hoggard games? If so what did you you see? Even with the gifts I gave NH credit for taking advantage of what was given to them. NH got the job done where Hoggard and Laney didn't. That's what I said! I didn't use the word "luck".