The Pickerington North Panthers head to Cruiser Stadium for a Friday night, conference opener against the Cruisers of Groveport Madison.

Pickerington North lost their season opener to powerhouse (Youngstown) Cardinal Mooney by the score of 31-14. Week #2 brought a welcomed win over semi-rival Logan and then a week #3 win over speedy Northland, and the Panthers are now 2-1.

Much of the early chatter concerning the Panthers was their size. After the Mooney game, some questioned the not the size of the athlete, but the size of the heart. My guess is the Panthers are ready to travel into Cruiser Stadium and show the size of their heart.

As for the Cruisers, they are currently undefeated at 3-0. They have garnered wins over a consistent Westerville South team, the Warriors of Westerville North and a stout Dublin Jerome team. The Cruisers seem to be winning using a balanced attack of running and passing, as well as a bit of grit and guts thrown in. Average margin of victory: just over 7 points.

As for the upcoming game, it’s going to come down to which team scores the most by the end of the game! In the mean time…

GO CRUISERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps: Nobody likes former Panthers that used to wrestle and play baseball and may have graduated in 07. Also, nobody likes P. North attendees that frequent Tuesday night open mat sessions. One last thing, we also don’t like Panther wrestling coaches… unless their wife is a facebook friend, their wife runs tournaments, the coach that has been ejected from a tournament makes KILLER!!! salsa, or if that coach invited and welcomed me over for a UFC fight… if any of those are true, then they are good. Just sayin’.

North's starting QB separated his left (non-throwing) shoulder last night. They have two sophs backing him up. Not sure if he's going to be ready to go against Groveport.

I'm not trying to be a North hater. Several of the kids I coached in youth football are playing for them, and I am friends with many of the parents. That said, I attended the Logan game and was thoroughly unimpressed.

I have not seen Groveport, but the win over Westerville South impresses me. I'll take Groveport in this one.

Walt;480057 wrote:North's starting QB separated his left (non-throwing) shoulder last night. They have two sophs backing him up. Not sure if he's going to be ready to go against Groveport.

I'll believe it when I see it. Not calling you a liar... just trying to use wisdom when it comes to interweb statements.

Walt;480057 wrote:I'm not trying to be a North hater. Several of the kids I coached in youth football are playing for them, and I am friends with many of the parents. That said, I attended the Logan game and was thoroughly unimpressed.

I'll allow for mid-season adjustments for a positive impact.

Walt;480057 wrote:I have not seen Groveport, but the win over Westerville South impresses me. I'll take Groveport in this one.

You obviously didn't see what they (we) are capable of in the way of Westerville North 1st half. It IS high school football... just sayin'.

I heart smilewhenyoulose!

I am sure North has revenge on their minds, after the lost the Cruisers handed them last year. Groveport stole the game right out of the Panthers hands.

Maybe we will get to see if GP is for real. But if PN's starting QB is out this might not be a true test.

Tiernan;482165 wrote:Maybe we will get to see if GP is for real. But if PN's starting QB is out this might not be a true test.

Didn't Groveport Madison show that Week 1? Or was that pure luck....

This will be a good one. Is this groveport team better than last year?

I haven't seen them first hand, but everything I've heard is good. They beat Westerville South which is an impressive win. According to other forums, they have size up front, a good QB, good RB, and size & speed on defense.

I really think they are a better team. Yes they don't have LeVeon but they do have some home run hitters....Also Denny the QB is in his junior year and is making some plays and being smart with the football. I was at the South game and I was very very impressed with the defense. They didn't let the South running back break the big one, and was held out of the endzone. South's loan TD came on there first play which was a 48 yard pass on a play action, after that the defense picked off 2 or 3 passes. The Cruisers have speed on offense and defense...

Where is all the North and Cruiser fans....or will they jump on late in the season if they are going to make the playoffs....

Hey... this (the fact that this day ends in 'y') reminds me... Go CRUISERS!!!!!!!!!!

RED RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Columbus Dispatch had a DI Central District poll out today with the Cruisers holding the #4 sport and Pickerington North at #7. Joe Eitel has a #2 vs. #9 match-up. <---If I have this right, Joe Eitel adds the Dayton area teams. So if you subtract the two Dayton schools (#4-Springfield and #6-Troy) you end up with a #2 vs. #7. Pretty close.

All in all, I'm excited. Should be a great game.

cruiser_96;485106 wrote:RED RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Columbus Dispatch had a DI Central District poll out today with the Cruisers holding the #4 sport and Pickerington North at #7. Joe Eitel has a #2 vs. #9 match-up. <---If I have this right, Joe Eitel adds the Dayton area teams. So if you subtract the two Dayton schools (#4-Springfield and #6-Troy) you end up with a #2 vs. #7. Pretty close.

All in all, I'm excited. Should be a great game.

Yes he does add them because they are Part of Region 3.

Guess who's back!!
I don't get it, some guys lobbied so hard to charge for the huddle but yet they post on here........just doesn't make sense does it ?!

On a side note I think that Coach is going to have to Cruiser's ready to play this Friday night!!

GelBlast69;485356 wrote: On a side note I think that Coach is going to have to Cruiser's ready to play this Friday night!!

Couldn't agree more. Coach Brown has done a great job at Groveport Madison, and has this group of guys believing they can win, and compete with anyone on there schedule.

Talked to a couple of Jerome coaches last night...they say they gave the game away to GP. Taking Pick North in this one tonight.

Tiernan;486978 wrote:Talked to a couple of Jerome coaches last night...they say they gave the game away to GP. Taking Pick North in this one tonight.

HAHAHAHAHA.....
Jerome has no clue what they are talking about, still pissed off they cant be the poor kids from Groveport Madison. The Cruisers own Jerome have never lost to them. 28-7 at halftime......Well I watched the Cruisers and they physically beat the crap out of South, North and Jerome.

First off, the worst thing about Groveport is their class of 96, which is ruined by one very, very bad apple.

As for the game, if North's QB is out that doesn't make me totally worried because Phillips has proven he can win with running the football and solid defense. Now, this team isn't the same running team they had last year, but they still have a solid line with talented backs. Even if the QB does play, the formula to beat Groveport is the same: play solid defense and field position, control the clock, protect the football, and have a dip 'n' dots stand to distract them.

pnhasbeen;487110 wrote:First off, the worst thing about Groveport is their class of 96, which is ruined by one very, very bad apple.

As for the game, if North's QB is out that doesn't make me totally worried because Phillips has proven he can win with running the football and solid defense. Now, this team isn't the same running team they had last year, but they still have a solid line with talented backs. Even if the QB does play, the formula to beat Groveport is the same: play solid defense and field position, control the clock, protect the football, and have a dip 'n' dots stand to distract them.

Whos is the bad apple from 96.....curious on that one, and whats up with the dip 'n' dots stand?

Calpreps.com projects Groveport-Madison to win, 22-21

Tiger2003;487117 wrote:Whos is the bad apple from 96.....curious on that one, and whats up with the dip 'n' dots stand?

Ask cruiser_96, he knows the answer to both!

Tiger2003;487093 wrote:HAHAHAHAHA.....
Jerome has no clue what they are talking about, still pissed off they cant be the poor kids from Groveport Madison. The Cruisers own Jerome have never lost to them. 28-7 at halftime......Well I watched the Cruisers and they physically beat the crap out of South, North and Jerome.

That makes no sense....why would they want to BE the poor kids from Groveport?? Way to insult both schools Tiger!

How Ironic that Tiger is on Groveport's side while their winning, I remember years past where you would bash these same coaches when they lose a game or two. On a side note I talked to Coach and the Cruisers are ready to roll tonight!!

GelBlast69;487180 wrote:That makes no sense....why would they want to BE the poor kids from Groveport?? Way to insult both schools Tiger!

How Ironic that Tiger is on Groveport's side while their winning, I remember years past where you would bash these same coaches when they lose a game or two. On a side note I talked to Coach Watters or Coach H2o + s and the Cruisers are ready to roll tonight!!

Thats great I remember I bashed on the offensive play calling, and guess what the OC is not longer calling the plays at Groveport Madison. I am pretty sure on here and JJ I am one of the bigger GPort supporters, so get yous facts straight little man.

That's funny because I distinctly remember you bashing the OC and the Head Coach, and calling for their jobs. Funny how your story changes after 11 months. Wow, what a Gport supporter!! But that's right, you would have done a much better job than the coaches last year, your a football god and your knowledge of the game is just that much better.

It's no lie, you are a Gport supporter........as long as their winning!!!!

So go ahead and cry to the admn again because you think your getting picked on.

GelBlast69;487207 wrote:That's funny because I distinctly remember you bashing the OC and the Head Coach, and calling for their jobs. Funny how your story changes after 11 months. Wow, what a Gport supporter!! But that's right, you would have done a much better job than the coaches last year, your a football god and your knowledge of the game is just that much better.

It's no lie, you are a Gport supporter........as long as their winning!!!!

So go ahead and cry to the admn again because you think your getting picked on.

First off no Crying here. LOL only when they are winning that is great. I have been going to Groveport Madison games sine I was 5 years old and now I am in my late 20's. Someone does not know what they are talking about. If I recall I said they did a horrible job coaching down the stretch and they did. To start out a season at 5-1 and miss the playoffs that is not acceptable. But I guess since we are Groveport winning season are all that matters. I never said I would do a better job coaching one time. So first you need to get your stories straight. You are probably what fresh out of high school don't remember the Cruisers when they were on a 24 game losing streak. You need to know Losing is not acceptable, and lately that all there is. Cool they finished 6-4 you do that at some of these other schools you job is on the line, but you do that at Groveport "You did a great damn job"