- Lincoln (13-0) at Monroe City (10-3)
- Prediction: I'm honestly not sure either team can stop the other defensively. Lincoln's speed and multiple weapons offset the Panthers strength nicely, but Monroe's power running and multiple looks should nullify the Cardinals speed. I think it comes down to who gets the breaks and who has momentum, and I'm afraid both will favor Monroe City. I'll take the Panthers.
- Result: Monroe City 34, Lincoln 28. Mistakes and missed opportunities abounded for the Cardinals, and yet they still had the game in their hands late. After having 1st and goal at the one yard line on their opening drive, a high snap and holding penalty drove Lincoln back to the 34 and they would not score. After Derek Stephens scored to give Lincoln their only lead of the game and momentum in the 1st period, Monroe City returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to take the lead back. The Cardinals scored right before halftime to get within 20-16 at the break, but their long drive to start the 3rd and take the lead ended in Panther territory as they turned it over on downs. And after pulling within 34-28 with almost 5 minutes left in the game, Lincoln twice forced Monroe City fumbles to have a shot at winning the game. But the first possession ended with a turnover on downs, and the second ended with a Stephens being tackled just a few yards from the end zone. Boone Kroenke was brilliant again in his final game rushing for 142 yards and throwing for 231 yards and 3 TDs 12-22 passing. Lincoln outgained Monroe City 429 to 308 but just couldn't capitalize on their opportunities as the best season in school history comes to an end.
- Lamar (12-0) at Brentwood (11-1)
- Prediction: Just as the Avengers are clearly better than the Justice League, Lamar is clearly better than Brentwood. The Eagles will get some shots in, but barring a Captain America: Civil War type breakdown for Lamar, the Tigers move on.
- Result: Lamar 62, Brentwood 19. The Tigers made short work of the day scoring 4 times on their first 6 plays from scrimmage. First Luke Hardman went 39 yards, then Matt Whyman from 42, Stuart McKarus from 44, and Whyman again from 58 yards to respond to Brentwood's first score. Lamar would expand their 28-7 first quarter lead to 42-13 at the half and it was academic from there. Whyman would finish with 212 yards and 4 TDs on just 11 carries, while Hardman had 115 yards and 2 TDs. 6 different Tigers scored on the day.
- Monett (12-1) at McCluer South-Berkeley (12-0)
- Prediction: The Cubs have to avoid what happened to Blair Oaks, not give up a ton of big plays. They absolutely could be blitzed out of the game early, but I think they keep the score close, and let their superior numbers take over in the 2nd half. This could be tense, but I think Monett pulls it out.
- Result: Monett 42, McCluer South-Berkeley 0. Neither the situation or the setting intimidated the Cubs who dominated from the opening kickoff. And they got a dream start when they recovered a McCluer fumble on the opening drive. 5 plays and 40 yards later, Michael Branch scored the first of his 3 touchdowns on the day. On their 3rd possession they went 65 yards in 15 plays to take a 14-0 lead on an Ian Meyer 1 yard keeper. Then the Bulldogs fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Branch scored 2 plays later, and the rout was on. McCluer had only turned the ball over 4 times all year before Monett forced 5 Saturday. And after averaging over 40 points per game, the Cubs shut them out allowing just 139 yards of total offense. Branch finished with 2 TD runs 169 yards, and a TD catch.
*nothing but crickets*
THE UGLY
*even the crickets are gone*
Record for the Week: 3-0, 1.000. Would have liked to have more games to pick but perfect is perfect.
Overall Record: 355-73, .829.
No comments:
Post a Comment