Stratford 43, Northbrook 6

[78 Spartan]

A very low-stress win for the Spartans, who rested their starters from about the middle of the third quarter on. However, with the exception of a hitch pattern to Sorsby that turned into a 66 yard TD pass, Northbrook's defense played hard, tackled fairly well, and didn't allow big plays. The Raiders were overmatched but you could tell that Craig Cripps has them playing hard. They were still fighting in the fourth quarter (literally, in a couple of cases). If Craig can get the numbers up and get some kids over there lifting weights for four years, the program will definitely improve. He has already installed a tougher attitude.

Luck was 15/20/219 with one TD and zero INTs. He also had six carries for about 60 yards rushing. He was obviously head and shoulders the best player on the field tonight, but the game situation did not create a big statistical night for him. Brandon Carlin played for one series on a sore foot but came out. Sophomore Tim Graves stepped in at RB and impressed with several nice runs in traffic. But Carlin is a necessary ingredient to Spartan's chances to make a playoff run.

Overall Stratford's defense looked good shutting down Northbrook's option game. The Raiders O-line was just totally overmatched by Stratford's defense (first time all year I could say that).

Stratford's kicking game continues to show flaws that will hurt us in close, tough playoff games. The Spartans also shot themselves in the foot with a bunch of stupid penalties.

Not sure what to make of Nimitz getting blown away by MacArthur. They must be having a meltdown at Nimitz, as I wasn't all that impressed with Mac last week. Winner of Memorial / Aldine tomorrow night will probably come in second in the district, but I still expect Ike to close fast.

[sttirf111]

I just hope yal play Cy Falls in the playoffs...That would be an awesome aerial show.

[CyFallsMom]

I just hope yal play Cy Falls in the playoffs...That would be an awesome aerial show.

The chances are good that we will see Stratford in the second round. I wouldn't mind seeing that match up first but, speaking of first, we have Jersey Village coming up! Then Springs, then Round 1 - once we get past those, I can talk Stratford! I will say this - having gone to about 80 Stratford games and 65 Cy Falls games over my lifetime, and the fact that my husband taught at Stratford for 20 years and was their athletic trainer for many years, it would be just the most fun for us personally to have this game:p...I think I still remember some of the words to their fight song but they won't cross my lips on that night:) :)

[78 Spartan]

A lot of our kids watched the Katy / Cinco game this afternoon and the Aldine / Memorial game tonight. While I have no doubts they will stay focused on Nimitz and Memorial, you can see how the playoff picture is starting to form in their minds. We scrimmaged Cinco this year and beat them in games in two of the prior three years, so our kids can visualize being on that kind of stage and competing with the best.

19-5A playoff picture after week eight............

Stratford 5-0, 7-1 (Nimitz, Memorial remaining)
Aldine 4-1, 5-3 (Ike, Nimitz)
Eisenhower 3-2, 3-5 (Aldine, MacArthur)
MacArthur 3-2, 3-5 (Northbrook, Ike)
Memorial 3-2, 3-5 (Spring Woods, Stratford)
Nimitz 2-3, 5-3 (Stratford, Aldine)

Stratford is IN and clinches the district title with a win over either Nimitz or Memorial.

Aldine clinches playoff spot with win over either Ike or Nimitz, clinches 2nd in district with two wins, wins district title with two wins and two Stratford losses.

Eisenhower, MacArthur and Memorial can get in the playoffs with two wins, or one win plus outside help.

Nimitz not out of it but must win final two games PLUS get help.

[FeeltheHaka]

I like Stratford's chances of going far into the playoffs, after learning alot about the team, and watching them play. They have good chemistry, and work hard. The only thing I don't like is that my cousin won't be joining in the annual family football game we have on Thanksgiving day!

[pack_90]

I like Stratford's chances of going far into the playoffs, after learning alot about the team, and watching them play. They have good chemistry, and work hard. The only thing I don't like is that my cousin won't be joining in the annual family football game we have on Thanksgiving day!
One thing to note, Stratford beat Lufkin in 7on7 this year. I know its only 7on7, but with Lufkin having an explosive passing game and having so much speed in the defensive backfield, I was impressed Stratford could hang. Not putting too much stock in this, but it is in the back of my mind when I think of Stratfords chances.

[78 Spartan]

One thing to note, Stratford beat Lufkin in 7on7 this year. I know its only 7on7, but with Lufkin having an explosive passing game and having so much speed in the defensive backfield, I was impressed Stratford could hang. Not putting too much stock in this, but it is in the back of my mind when I think of Stratfords chances.

Ha, well I guess you can infer that the Spartans won't be intimidated by big name programs. Many of them went to Katy / Cinco on Saturday and came back totally unafraid of either team. (Not sure I agree 100% with them, but you know how bulletproof kids can be).

Beyond that, I think it means we have a QB headed for greatness, a RB and a WR who will play college ball somewhere, and a bunch of other kids who will light up the fraternity leagues in colleges throughout the southwest.

[grassroots]

i am very disapointed with nimitz. cant believe they are only a step away from not going to playoffs.

[HUM398]

i am very disapointed with nimitz. cant believe they are only a step away from not going to playoffs.

The lack of a passing game is what hurt them in the long run... Same thing is happening to Humble. Nimitz offense cant score on team that have a good Run defense... And they cant stop the pass or the run.

Nimitz didnt show up against Mac... Thier lose was suprising.

[AHS Mustangs]

A lot of our kids watched the Katy / Cinco game this afternoon and the Aldine / Memorial game tonight. While I have no doubts they will stay focused on Nimitz and Memorial, you can see how the playoff picture is starting to form in their minds. We scrimmaged Cinco this year and beat them in games in two of the prior three years, so our kids can visualize being on that kind of stage and competing with the best.

19-5A playoff picture after week eight............

Stratford 5-0, 7-1 (Nimitz, Memorial remaining)
Aldine 4-1, 5-3 (Ike, Nimitz)
Eisenhower 3-2, 3-5 (Aldine, MacArthur)
MacArthur 3-2, 3-5 (Northbrook, Ike)
Memorial 3-2, 3-5 (Spring Woods, Stratford)
Nimitz 2-3, 5-3 (Stratford, Aldine)

Stratford is IN and clinches the district title with a win over either Nimitz or Memorial.

Aldine clinches playoff spot with win over either Ike or Nimitz, clinches 2nd in district with two wins, wins district title with two wins and two Stratford losses.

Eisenhower, MacArthur and Memorial can get in the playoffs with two wins, or one win plus outside help.

Nimitz not out of it but must win final two games PLUS get help.

How do you think the last two weeks are going to turn out? I think Aldine can beat IKE, but it will be close, as usual. I will be at that game. Memorial will loose to Stratford, and Nimitz will also loose to Stratford. I don't know about Nimitz and Aldine in the last week. I have not seen Nimitz play, but getting killed by MacArthur doesn't look well. I am hoping that Aldine can beat both IKE and Nimitz, that would be a great morale booster for the Mustangs. That would also mean a rematch with Lamar in the first round...hehe.

[grassroots]

i dont think you may want a rematch with lamar. aldine caught them off-guard the first time ,i doubt that it will happen again. well atleast the qb from nimitz is only a junior. anyone know if he is getting recruited from anyschools because that kid has skills and speed ? ;)

[pack_90]

Hey 78 Spartan, you may have posted this already somewhere, but do you have Luck's stats for the year as of now?

[78 Spartan]

Hey 78 Spartan, you may have posted this already somewhere, but do you have Luck's stats for the year as of now?

OK, let's see. In eight games he is 121-187 (65%), 1,980 yards and 17 TDs, 2 INTs.

I wondered how this would compute in the NFL's QB rating system. Well, the answer is 126.0 according to my math (damn that is a complicated equation). By comparison, Peyton Manning leads the NFL right now with a passer rating of 108.0. (I know, the NFL has better defenses than 19-5A -- but it's still impressive).

He has also rushed 70 times for 422 yards (6.0 ypc) and another 9 TDs. Andrew ran a great deal more last year than this year.

The last two games have been easy wins so he's not had to crank it up like in a few earlier games when our defense was not playing as well.

[78 Spartan]

How do you think the last two weeks are going to turn out?

1. When I saw Aldine against Stratford I was not all that impressed.
2. When I saw Ike against Stratford I was very impressed.
3. When I saw MacArthur against Stratford I was not very impressed.
4. When I saw Memorial against Jersey Village I was not very impressed.

I have not seen Nimitz but know they have lost to Ike and Memorial in close games and to MacArthur in a blowout. So I've gotta believe Stratford will deliver the knockout punch to Nimitz this weekend, and with their season having cratered, Aldine will administer the coup de grâce in week ten.

Based on what I saw against Stratford, I would have to say Eisenhower looked much stronger to me than Aldine. However, they beat Spring Woods by only 3 last week, which I cannot explain. And Aldine is the hotter team. So that game I think will be very interesting and I have no idea who will win it.

If Ike wins against Aldine, I would see them beating MacArthur handily in week ten.

And I think Stratford is going to relish beating the tar out of Memorial in week ten.

BTW, I think Spring Woods will have too much for Northbrook, but damn I hope I am wrong and would love to see Northbrook finally get that long-awaited district win against their big rival.

[pack_90]

OK, let's see. In eight games he is 121-187 (65%), 1,980 yards and 17 TDs, 2 INTs.

I wondered how this would compute in the NFL's QB rating system. Well, the answer is 126.0 according to my math (damn that is a complicated equation). By comparison, Peyton Manning leads the NFL right now with a passer rating of 108.0. (I know, the NFL has better defenses than 19-5A -- but it's still impressive).

He has also rushed 70 times for 422 yards (6.0 ypc) and another 9 TDs. Andrew ran a great deal more last year than this year.

The last two games have been easy wins so he's not had to crank it up like in a few earlier games when our defense was not playing as well.
Nice job. A couple of more questions:
1. What were his season total last year?
2. Will he need to "crank it up this week" or will we have to wait for the Memorial game for that. I want to go see him play, but don't no when I'll get the chance.
Thanks for the response.

[78 Spartan]

Nice job. A couple of more questions:
1. What were his season total last year?
2. Will he need to "crank it up this week" or will we have to wait for the Memorial game for that. I want to go see him play, but don't no when I'll get the chance.
Thanks for the response.

Don't know where to find last year's stats for Andrew, but if I find them I'll PM them to you.

As for the next two games, I think they will be competitive games for at least the first half of each, so I think you'd get to see Andrew's full arsenal in either. If you can make the Memorial game, you'll see a big crowd (especially on the Stratford side) as it is a rivalry game.

[pack_90]

Don't know where to find last year's stats for Andrew, but if I find them I'll PM them to you.

As for the next two games, I think they will be competitive games for at least the first half of each, so I think you'd get to see Andrew's full arsenal in either. If you can make the Memorial game, you'll see a big crowd (especially on the Stratford side) as it is a rivalry game.
That's what I hear. Thanks for all of the info.

[bobcatDL07]

on that 100 top prospects of 2008 for the longhorns he is number 4 at the top for QB's wow :eek: im pretty excited that i even got a tackle on him yay

[mse]

78 Spartan

Thanks for the great updates on Stratford - I'm an 87 grad (50/50 Westchester Stratford) and always enjoy your observations.

[CyFallsMom]

Hey Spartan, we are sitting here watching an old teammate of yours (Craig James) do color for the SMU/UAB game that is on right now. My husband and I started talking about the old Stratford/Cripps days which somehow led to talking about Luck - my husband had him in class when he was at Stratford (just a year ago)!! I had no idea! He said he is a GREAT kid - very intelligent and polite - and he said I am not allowed to say anything untoward about him...not that I would have anyway because I don't do that. I reminded him that I never EVER pick on players like that - maybe their fans at times but not the guys getting it done on the field. He really wants us to play Stratford so he can watch a lot of his former students play, cheer, dance, etc. They called him Doc over there (the trainer tag stuck even after he left that part of the job behind to teach).

[panamamyers]

116-230 for 1530 yards and 8 td's for Luck last year

[78 Spartan]

My husband and I started talking about the old Stratford/Cripps days which somehow led to talking about Luck - my husband had him in class when he was at Stratford (just a year ago)!! I had no idea! He said he is a GREAT kid - very intelligent and polite - and he said I am not allowed to say anything untoward about him....

Let me tell you, Andrew Luck has it all. Forget the football talents, which are obvious (#4 2008 recruit in the state), but Andrew is probably going to be valedictorian of his senior class as well. He is unfailingly polite, not just to adults but amazingly enough to ALL of his classmates. He is not perceived at his school to be the least bit arrogant or even cocky off the field. He is universally admired by his classmates for his good-guy qualities. He has an "aw-shucks" way about him that is not only endearing, it is sincere.

This kid was raised by two GREAT parents and if you've met the kid you can tell right away. Sure, he's going to play bigtime college football somewhere, but his college decision will probably have more to do with the perceived quality of his degree. This is the kind of kid that, if he wanted to, could decide to go to West Point -- he would fit in perfectly there -- and would get Bobby Ross into significant bowl games for four years running while getting the best engineering and leadership education on earth.

Ok, so I like the kid. You get the picture.

[FeeltheHaka]

Let me tell you, Andrew Luck has it all. Forget the football talents, which are obvious (#4 2008 recruit in the state), but Andrew is probably going to be valedictorian of his senior class as well. He is unfailingly polite, not just to adults but amazingly enough to ALL of his classmates. He is not perceived at his school to be the least bit arrogant or even cocky off the field. He is universally admired by his classmates for his good-guy qualities. He has an "aw-shucks" way about him that is not only endearing, it is sincere.

This kid was raised by two GREAT parents and if you've met the kid you can tell right away. Sure, he's going to play bigtime college football somewhere, but his college decision will probably have more to do with the perceived quality of his degree. This is the kind of kid that, if he wanted to, could decide to go to West Point -- he would fit in perfectly there -- and would get Bobby Ross into significant bowl games for four years running while getting the best engineering and leadership education on earth.

Ok, so I like the kid. You get the picture.

I've heard the exact same things about him as you posted. Another important thing is that he has the respect and admiration of his team mates.

[mcmullen82]

Nice job. A couple of more questions:
1. What were his season total last year?
2. Will he need to "crank it up this week" or will we have to wait for the Memorial game for that. I want to go see him play, but don't no when I'll get the chance.
Thanks for the response.
He had 700 yards rushing. he was 116 of 129 passing for 1529 yards and 7 td's

[jordan]

BTW, 78 Spartan, (getting back to the actual title of the thread) thanks for the nice things you say about Northbrook. I'm a '78 Raider grad, so I have to root for my Alma Mammy even if they never win! :)

[CyFallsMom]

'78 - YAY - that's the year I graduated from Branch..NB had a pretty good team back then too. Back then, it was like 17-5a is now...always a battle no matter who you were playing. I would like to see NB beat Woods this year - that would be a huge step for them. We used to refer to it as burning the Woods - just ask my Tigerette friend how many times I've taunted her with that cheer...We Brigade girls never forget those cheers;)

[pack_90]

116-230 for 1530 yards and 8 td's for Luck last year
Thanks for the info.