ktchamp97
10-14-2005, 11:13 PM
I just got in from Grande and I wanted to post my thoughts on the game.
First off, great job by Abilene. The Eagles were unquestionably the better team and they deserved the victory. They aren't clicking on all cylinders, but they still have a few weeks to work out the kinks. Midland was fortunate that this game didn't end up alot uglier than it was.
Let's go quarter by quarter...
1st Quarter:
Abilene got the ball first and executed a nearly flawless 80 yard drive highlighted by a nice cath by Lyle Leong.
Midland had an answer...and quick! Baron Batch took a beautifully executed shuffle pass 85 yards to the house. He absolutely torched everyone else on the field.
Abilene came right back with a big play of their own when Potts hit Leong for an apparent 85 yard TD, but Leong, caught up in a celebratory mode, got walked at the 4...Bell would score a play or two later...Eagles up 14-7.
Midland comes back to the shuffle pass (this would be a recurring theme) and Batch had desings on another 80 yarder, but is run out of bounds after a mere 40 yard gain. The Dawgs would drive into FG range only to have the kick blocked.
Potts & Co. took over. 2 perfectly thrown balls by Potts were dropped (another recurring theme) and the Eagles are forced to punt.
Midland had the ball one more time in the quarter, but went 3 and out. The Dawgs already showing signs of not being able to muster a consistent offense.
2nd Quarter:
Abilene's offense started to sputter...a quick 3 and out. Midland's defense had success when blitzing Potts and started to force him into some bad decisions. Midland's run D was stout all night.
On the Dawgs next possession, Midland tried to go to the shuffle pass, AGAIN, as it was really their only source of offense to that point, but Abilene sniffed it out and sacked Roseberry causing a fumble.
But, Midland's D rose to the occasion and forced Potts into a bad throw and picked him off.
Then, Roseberry came out and threw a pick of his own and Stephen Baker made a great run and took it to the house. 21-7 Abilene.
Midland's offense still couldn't get anything together. Again, they tried the same shuffle pass, and again, Abilene would have none of it.
Abilene then put together a nice 50 yard drive capped by another Potts TD. 28-7 Eagles.
As it appeared the Eagles would get another quick stop, Baron Batch took a draw and exploded for 71 yards and his 2nd TD. Eagles still up 28-14.
Midland's run D continued to be basically impenetrable, but Potts and Co. were driving. Another drop cost Abilen a sure TD...Eagles forced to punt.
HALF: Eagles 28 - Dawgs 14. Abilene in complete control. The score really should've been 35-14, at the least. Midland had no consistent offense, but, to their credit, played tough run D.
3rd Quarter
Midland still couldn't get the running game on track. Abilene did a great job defending the option all game long. A bad snap over the punter's head set the Eagles up at the Midland 17.
Yet another key drop led to a 3 and out and a disappointing FG for the Eagles. 31-14 Eagles.
The drops had, by then, permeated the Abilene defense as an easy INT is dropped. Midland takes advantage and puts together a nice drive. They tried the same exact shuffle pass, AGAIN, and again Abilene stuffs it and holds on 4th down.
4th Quarter:
Another good play by the Midland defense and another bad throw by Potts lead to a Kyle Davis interception. Midland gets another short field, but is picked again. At this point the home stands are clearing out.
Abilene still can't run on the Dawgs and they go 3 and out.
Another bad punt and another short field for the Dawgs, but another stand by the Abilene D leads to another turnover on downs.
Abilene, at this point, was just trying to run out the clock, but they still couldn't run. Full credit to the Dawg running D.
Abilene had yet another bad punt which set up another short field for the Dawgs. Abilene dropped another sure INT. Midland took advantage and added a cosmetic score. Midland tried the shuffle, again, on the two-pointer, but AHS stuffed it again. Eagles 31 - Dawgs 20...FINAL.
My final thoughts:
Abilene has alot of potential, but they've got to catch the dang ball better. Potts looked really good despite the 2 picks...you cannot give him time to throw, because he's deadly accurate when he gets to set his feet. They do need to get better production out of the ground game in order to sustain drives. Midland's run D was good, but they'll have to play teams, in the playoffs, with similar defenses. Abilene played pretty good defense despite the three explosive plays by Batch. They did show a little bit of weakness in pass coverage, but Roseberry was unable to make them pay. Also, the Abilene punting game is a glaring weakness. The punts come out as low, short line-drives...a very bad combination. However, they are well-deserving of their current ranking.
As for Midland...it's all about Batch. Baron Batch is the real deal. He will be perfect for the Tech offense. I'm not sure if I've seen a back hit the hole as fast as he does...in the open field, hardly anyone can catch him. Unfortunately, outside of Batch, Midland's offense doesn't pose much of a threat. On the other side of the ball, Midland has a stout rush defense, but they aren't nearly as strong against the pass. I could see Midland getting a couple or three rounds deep in the playoffs, but I don't see them getting any further.
First off, great job by Abilene. The Eagles were unquestionably the better team and they deserved the victory. They aren't clicking on all cylinders, but they still have a few weeks to work out the kinks. Midland was fortunate that this game didn't end up alot uglier than it was.
Let's go quarter by quarter...
1st Quarter:
Abilene got the ball first and executed a nearly flawless 80 yard drive highlighted by a nice cath by Lyle Leong.
Midland had an answer...and quick! Baron Batch took a beautifully executed shuffle pass 85 yards to the house. He absolutely torched everyone else on the field.
Abilene came right back with a big play of their own when Potts hit Leong for an apparent 85 yard TD, but Leong, caught up in a celebratory mode, got walked at the 4...Bell would score a play or two later...Eagles up 14-7.
Midland comes back to the shuffle pass (this would be a recurring theme) and Batch had desings on another 80 yarder, but is run out of bounds after a mere 40 yard gain. The Dawgs would drive into FG range only to have the kick blocked.
Potts & Co. took over. 2 perfectly thrown balls by Potts were dropped (another recurring theme) and the Eagles are forced to punt.
Midland had the ball one more time in the quarter, but went 3 and out. The Dawgs already showing signs of not being able to muster a consistent offense.
2nd Quarter:
Abilene's offense started to sputter...a quick 3 and out. Midland's defense had success when blitzing Potts and started to force him into some bad decisions. Midland's run D was stout all night.
On the Dawgs next possession, Midland tried to go to the shuffle pass, AGAIN, as it was really their only source of offense to that point, but Abilene sniffed it out and sacked Roseberry causing a fumble.
But, Midland's D rose to the occasion and forced Potts into a bad throw and picked him off.
Then, Roseberry came out and threw a pick of his own and Stephen Baker made a great run and took it to the house. 21-7 Abilene.
Midland's offense still couldn't get anything together. Again, they tried the same shuffle pass, and again, Abilene would have none of it.
Abilene then put together a nice 50 yard drive capped by another Potts TD. 28-7 Eagles.
As it appeared the Eagles would get another quick stop, Baron Batch took a draw and exploded for 71 yards and his 2nd TD. Eagles still up 28-14.
Midland's run D continued to be basically impenetrable, but Potts and Co. were driving. Another drop cost Abilen a sure TD...Eagles forced to punt.
HALF: Eagles 28 - Dawgs 14. Abilene in complete control. The score really should've been 35-14, at the least. Midland had no consistent offense, but, to their credit, played tough run D.
3rd Quarter
Midland still couldn't get the running game on track. Abilene did a great job defending the option all game long. A bad snap over the punter's head set the Eagles up at the Midland 17.
Yet another key drop led to a 3 and out and a disappointing FG for the Eagles. 31-14 Eagles.
The drops had, by then, permeated the Abilene defense as an easy INT is dropped. Midland takes advantage and puts together a nice drive. They tried the same exact shuffle pass, AGAIN, and again Abilene stuffs it and holds on 4th down.
4th Quarter:
Another good play by the Midland defense and another bad throw by Potts lead to a Kyle Davis interception. Midland gets another short field, but is picked again. At this point the home stands are clearing out.
Abilene still can't run on the Dawgs and they go 3 and out.
Another bad punt and another short field for the Dawgs, but another stand by the Abilene D leads to another turnover on downs.
Abilene, at this point, was just trying to run out the clock, but they still couldn't run. Full credit to the Dawg running D.
Abilene had yet another bad punt which set up another short field for the Dawgs. Abilene dropped another sure INT. Midland took advantage and added a cosmetic score. Midland tried the shuffle, again, on the two-pointer, but AHS stuffed it again. Eagles 31 - Dawgs 20...FINAL.
My final thoughts:
Abilene has alot of potential, but they've got to catch the dang ball better. Potts looked really good despite the 2 picks...you cannot give him time to throw, because he's deadly accurate when he gets to set his feet. They do need to get better production out of the ground game in order to sustain drives. Midland's run D was good, but they'll have to play teams, in the playoffs, with similar defenses. Abilene played pretty good defense despite the three explosive plays by Batch. They did show a little bit of weakness in pass coverage, but Roseberry was unable to make them pay. Also, the Abilene punting game is a glaring weakness. The punts come out as low, short line-drives...a very bad combination. However, they are well-deserving of their current ranking.
As for Midland...it's all about Batch. Baron Batch is the real deal. He will be perfect for the Tech offense. I'm not sure if I've seen a back hit the hole as fast as he does...in the open field, hardly anyone can catch him. Unfortunately, outside of Batch, Midland's offense doesn't pose much of a threat. On the other side of the ball, Midland has a stout rush defense, but they aren't nearly as strong against the pass. I could see Midland getting a couple or three rounds deep in the playoffs, but I don't see them getting any further.