Neuqua v GBW. 31-28 Hitters. Final

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

Thanks Randy.

I do not want to get away from the thread without echoing Chuck by saying I was hugely impressed with the creative game plan put together by NV. GW's run game was so solid they could get creative on 2nd & 5. NV average 2nd down yardage was 8-9. NV converted a ton of 3rd & 7 or 3rd & 9 by mixing in some great play calls and execution. West showed some backbone against that huge NV oline. NV is a very good football team and that was a most entertaining football game. A true classic.

Don't worry - someone will probably come in and turn it into a MOunt Carmel or Brother Rice thread before too long.

 

[capnbillhitters]

Voodoo I am a believer. That is the best kicker I have seen in years. Booming kickoffs into the end zone into the wind is impressive. The extra point he kicked to make it 28-28 was easily good from 50. Any word on where he is playing in college? Maybe Edgy knows but that kid looked fully D-1 to me.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

Voodoo I am a believer. That is the best kicker I have seen in years. Booming kickoffs into the end zone into the wind is impressive. The extra point he kicked to make it 28-28 was easily good from 50. Any word on where he is playing in college? Maybe Edgy knows but that kid looked fully D-1 to me.

Haven't heard. I'm sure he will play in college. I'm guessing the recruiting for him will start up hot and heavy this year after his junior film is released? I get the impression that Oline/Dline/punters/kickers seem to be more post junior season recruiting activity dominant versus the skill guys Unless you are a crazy talent that has a full year of Soph season on varsity and dominating hudl tape floating around on the internet universe.

 

[chuck998]

NV proved that they are a dangerous and talented team. If you're GW, you do not want them with the ball late, from the 39, and not even the 1. I think that NV running back returns next year, and they have a good coaching staff.

Don't you just love HS football?

 

[capnbillhitters]

Haven't heard. I'm sure he will play in college. I'm guessing the recruiting for him will start up hot and heavy this year after his junior film is released? I get the impression that Oline/Dline/punters/kickers seem to be more post junior season recruiting activity dominant versus the skill guys Unless you are a crazy talent that has a full year of Soph season on varsity and dominating hudl tape floating around on the internet universe.

Wow. A junior? I didn't think that big dude was a junior. Usually kickers do the circuit during the Summer before their senior year so he has time. Have you heard anything brewing about that kid @EdgyTim

 

[jwarigaku]

Capn,

Just to be clear the ball was on Neuqua's 36. The wind while stiff was not blowing directly out of the North at Neuqua's back but rather out of the Northeast setting up a cross wind. A 50+ yd field goal at any level regardless of leg power is less than 50/50.

Your coach made a logical decision to go for it on 4th and 7 ( this was the official D/D but I'd agree that 4th and 8 was likely more truthful on video review ) inside Neuqua's 36. It was the safest call, ask Gene K at Fenwick about a late punt block resulting in a loss a few years ago. Likewise the potential to block the long field goal or return it. Honestly I'm surprised he didn't try the middle screen, as Neuqua has been vulnerable to it historically.

With this weeks relatively dry forecast you better get those sprinklers going now. Hopefully you haven't cut the grass since September too.

A couple of things. If you saw the kickoffs and extra points, you know that NV kicker had a huge leg. He actually kicked a touchback into the wind in the first half. His extra points disappeared into the night like no other kicker we played this year. With a stiff breeze, that kid is likely money from 50.

Second, it was 4th and 9. Not sure what you mean by "you assume GW gains no yards." On 4th and 9 you are forced to throw downfield. A screen pass would not be an option because GW already had run that on a 3rd and 13 earlier and came up short due to the correctly predicted pursuit speed of NV. You were right about the sideline to sideline ability of Rhat the LB.

So that play has four likely outcomes. First, it could be a sack, which if Brady doesn't coyly step up, happens as pocket collapsed. Second, an incomplete pass. If so NV needs 25-30 yards in :40 seconds and a good kick which I put as 50/50 proposition. Third, NV gets interception. This one would likely help GW unless the interceptor is #1 which might have been returned to at least the line of scrimmage or maybe more. Fourth is the completion for the first down.

Now we get to the fun part. GW under Hetlet has not won a game on a game winning FG to my knowledge. In 2012, we beat WN 3-0 in the mud bowl but pretty sure the FG was first half. I won't put any of my impressions of GW as having any truth, but from the seats, it has seemed like Hetlet strongly dislikes the kicking game. Some, not me, have even accused him of not kicking enough FGs. Going back four weeks against HC, he chose to go for two in OT which I applauded but others cited as his history of disdain for the kicking game.

Finally, that stiff breeze. I'm not talking Friday night at Wrigley stiff wind, but it was 10-15 steady that had the flags pointing directly into GW's face on that drive. And granted that final FG was only 32 yards, but add it all up and most of us were betting that we would see a punt on 4th & 9.

I will be happy to let others chime in that we're at the game and saw what that NV kicker was doing all game. And someone who felt the wind and saw the direction. And someone who had the context of seeing Hetlet coach for many games. For those of us that were at the field, it was a ballsy call.

 

[capnbillhitters]

Capn,

Just to be clear the ball was on Neuqua's 36. The wind while stiff was not blowing directly out of the North at Neuqua's back but rather out of the Northeast setting up a cross wind. A 50+ yd field goal at any level regardless of leg power is less than 50/50.

Your coach made a logical decision to go for it on 4th and 7 ( this was the official D/D but I'd agree that 4th and 8 was likely more truthful on video review ) inside Neuqua's 36. It was the safest call, ask Gene K at Fenwick about a late punt block resulting in a loss a few years ago. Likewise the potential to block the long field goal or return it. Honestly I'm surprised he didn't try the middle screen, as Neuqua has been vulnerable to it historically.

With this weeks relatively dry forecast you better get those sprinklers going now. Hopefully you haven't cut the grass since September too.

zzzzzzzzzzz... you still talking about this?

 

[Nape]

Ruiz is Neuqua's kicker. He's a Junior. As all of you have said he has a massive leg. At 6'4 225+ he should.

The wind to start the game was straight out of the South and it was barely 5mph. In the second half it switched around to the NNE and picked up to about 10-15.

As it has been said, what a tremendous football game by both teams and coaching staffs. Too bad it was a first round matchup. Congrats to the Hitters....I'll be pulling for you going forward.

 

[jwarigaku]

Capn,

You responded this morning sorry/not sorry, I was at church. Having been a private guy(while in Illinois) and all, I don't get to edgy till later on Sunday. Like I said good luck going forward. I agree with Buck, it was a great game to watch, and certainly could have been a quarter or semi game.

zzzzzzzzzzz... you still talking about this?