RattlerWebWonk wrote:Unless there are key injuries to ranked teams, I don't expect the polls to change much after week 4. Most of you jokers on this board are from out east, so I'll share what I've noticed in the west.
Despite the opinion that "age doesn't matter", it does. These are high school kids that are still developing. There's a difference between size and strength. Strength comes with age, and Ryan and Killdeer seem to be the 2 teams that have this luxury of size and strength. So far, Wyatt Carr of Hazen has looked like the best athlete in the west, so they can't be counted out.
Region 3 was a treat to watch last year...no great teams but 4 or 5 really good ones. Every week, there was going to be a "big game" or two. This year, not so much. It's Bishop Ryan and then the rest. Ryan has a big, strong front line and is dominated by seniors. If they can figure out how to defend the pass and are disciplined (a lot of penalties and turnovers in the first few games), they're my pick to make the DakotaBowl from the west.
If not Ryan, then I choose Killdeer.
Coach Dobitz has a nice bunch of lineman; big and strong, dominated by seniors. Dillan Jepsen does some good stuff especially at Linebacker. If we see a Killdeer/Ryan semifinal, it may sound like a couple bighorn sheep lining up and bashing heads play...after play...
The only other team I see crashing the party would be Hazen, because of the athleticism of Wyatt Carr. When you have an elite talent like Carr, you can sometimes throw conventional football wisdom out the window (see WN-G's Hunter Braaten circa 2012-2013). Here's hoping Carr stays healthy and out of trouble this year.
Does anyone have an unbiased opinion of the east???
I believe this quote is about a response I had in another post, where the question was asked "How do you beat a team full of seniors? I said " It's like saying how do you beat a team with a big offensive line, or speed, or height....
age has little to do with it. Talent, hard work and dedication any day, all day." I still believe that. Most of my knowledge is Region 1 but just to look at that you'll see the three hardest running what I would call bruiser backs are all Juniors I believe in Hoggarth, Gruneich, and Wicka. One of the if not the arguably best lineman is a Sophomore from M-NS Nuestal. And I don't think anyone would argue that Hankey from PRFL was there last year as a junior. Now for an unbiased opinion of the region.
EEK- First because they have the style of game that translates well to the playoffs. Run hard, and play tough D. Can run it down your throat but have the ability to pass.
NC- I think they are battling injuries to key players if they can be healthy could be dangerous.
M-NS- Best quarterback in the region and Sakary hasn't played much since the Lisbon game and I don't think he will this week. Still they are putting up big numbers through the air. doesn't translate as well to playoff time.
OG- Definitely buying into the new coaching system and think they can only get better. Still not buying them as a competitor for the title, YET!
Car- I think this is a rebuilding year but they have good talent and a strong tradition. Will improve all season not sure its enough for this year.
Oakes- Young, Young, Young and yes it matters. Never said it didn't. I just said age can be overcome with talent and determination. They have a strong Freshman class and allot of them are getting valuable experience. Not their year but it could be soon.