Keep your heads up Bears. Finish the season strong and get to the post season.

1_beast;1754808 wrote:Keep your heads up Bears. Finish the season strong and get to the post season.

Agreed!

Why so quiet? 5 Team in the playoffs right now and no talk? Huh?

I am thinking that maybe 4 might make it in! This week will be very interesting. Rittman at Hillsdale, Waynedale at Northwestern, Chippewa at Dalton and the big one Norwayne at Smithville! The league games have been very up and down. It is supposed to rain Friday and that may play into Smithville's game plan. I think that Norwayne wins but it will be closer than people might think.

excited for Smithville vs Norwayne game. Both teams can find ways to score, whether its on the ground or through the air. it will come down to who plays the best defense on friday. GO SMITHIES

What are the predictions for this week? I'll take...

Hillsdale
Northwestern
Ooh Aah Chippewa
Norwayne

Buck sweep;1755734 wrote:excited for Smithville vs Norwayne game. Both teams can find ways to score, whether its on the ground or through the air. it will come down to who plays the best defense on friday. GO SMITHIES

Chipps will take care of business this week, hoping the smithies do to setup a big one next Friday, GO SMITHIES.

HUNTINGTON - Prior to Saturday's contest against Old Dominion University, even the most die-hard Marshall University football fan might not recognize the name Ryan Bee.
The 6-foot-7, 263-pound redshirt freshman from Ashland, Ohio, had logged limited minutes on the field and hadn't really gotten a big opportunity to step into the limelight for the Thundering Herd.
With rain beating down Saturday, however, that all changed. After impressing coaches with his play, Bee got the chance to make a name for himself and took full advantage with 12 tackles (three for loss) with two sacks, a fumble recovery and two quarterback hurries.
As the time wore down in the fourth quarter of the Herd's 27-7 win, Bee's name flashed up on the Jumbotron at Joan C. Edwards Stadium as the Player of the Game - a moment he won't soon forget.
"It was a feeling like no other," Bee said. "(Marshall defensive tackle) Jarquez Samuel told me that I was going to get it before that and I was like, 'Nah, they're not going to give it to me.' When I found out, it was a great feeling."
Marshall coach Doc Holliday had spoken in the last two weeks about Bee's progression and made mention during his weekly press conference that he would likely log more snaps against Old Dominion after having success against Kent State.
However, not even Holliday could have expected Bee's performance.
"Somebody told me after the game he was the MVP," Holliday said. "I said, 'I've never heard of a backup defensive end being the MVP in the game, but I guess there's a first for everything.' He's a tremendous young player that's very athletic for a 6-7 guy."
Sept. 26 against Kent State, Bee graded out well on the 13 snaps he played, Holliday said.
For a redshirt freshman to go from 13 snaps in a game to 12 tackles from a defensive end spot is one of the more remarkable statistical lines that you'll see.
According to research by Marshall's sports information office, there have only been six instances since the Herd's return to FBS football when a defensive lineman recorded 12 or more tackles. Dewayne Lewis (1998, Wofford) and Albert McClellan (2009, Bowling Green) recorded 15 each in games while Ricky Hall (1998, Eastern Michigan) and Jamus Martin (2003, Western Michigan) both had 13. Girardie Mercer also had two games in the category - a 13-tackle performance against Ohio in 1998 and a 12-tackle game against Wofford in 1998.
Tack on the sacks and the ability to jump on a turnover and Bee made his presence felt often.
"Some guys have a knack for making plays and he's one of those guys," Marshall defensive ends coach Sean Cronin said. "He's young, so it's a comfort level deal with us. The more we feel comfortable with him, the more he's going to play. For us, the guys who make plays need to be on the field. The past few weeks, he's made more plays and he earned a lot more plays tonight."
With Marshall's next opponent a Southern Miss team with a hot quarterback in Nick Mullens, who has thrown for 300 yards in each of his last three games, Bee will go from virtual unknown to being a central figure in getting Mullens out of rhythm with the pass rush.
Southern Miss (3-2 season, 1-0 Conference USA) and Marshall (4-1, 1-0) meet at 7 p.m. Friday in Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
It's a tall task, but the 6-7 pass rusher is looking forward to the challenge.
"When your time comes, you have to step up to the plate and make a play," Bee said

Looks like rain early and then clear for the games tonight! Nice article in the Wooster paper about the Smithville/Norwayne game. The field in Smithville is really torn up and will probably be a muddy mess. I do imagine that the Smithies will want to try to control the tempo of the game and will probably pass a little more than usual. The Cats will pumped for this game and bring a VERY talented group of players. The Smithies need to keep it close as they are not built for coming from behind when down by 2 or 3 scores. Sould be a huge crowd on hand, so get there early! GO GREEN!

oldsmithie;1756037 wrote:Looks like rain early and then clear for the games tonight! Nice article in the Wooster paper about the Smithville/Norwayne game. The field in Smithville is really torn up and will probably be a muddy mess. I do imagine that the Smithies will want to try to control the tempo of the game and will probably pass a little more than usual. The Cats will pumped for this game and bring a VERY talented group of players. The Smithies need to keep it close as they are not built for coming from behind when down by 2 or 3 scores. Sould be a huge crowd on hand, so get there early! GO GREEN!

El Choppo believes the smithies get the upset.. 21-20 is my preditiction. Norwayne struggled with a bad Manchester team in similar weather conditions.
Chippewa will roll the dawgs
Waynedale beats the Huskies by 2 scores
Hillsdale wins by at least 5 scores

Rain? What rain? Sprinklers running in Smithville. #slowjeremymiller

That field was tore up a month ago!

1_beast;1756084 wrote:Rain? What rain? Sprinklers running in Smithville. #slowjeremymiller

That field was tore up a month ago!

LOL I remember everyone wanting Smithville to run the sprinklers back in 2011.

I say Norwayne wins by 10+
Chipps win by how ever many points they want to
Hillsdale in by 10
Bears by 3 points with an inspired effort for Strasbaugh who has to sit out the game with injury from last weeks Chipp game.
Game of the week is in Smithville so that is where I am headed.

Bears on their way to 4-6 or 5-5 maybe...but he's a great mentor or role model or whatever. So it's OK.

Regardless of whether or not the Bears lost because of Northwestern was the better team or things just didn't go their way, no one is bought into this program anymore. Things need to change at Waynedale I will not sit at another game and watch fans leave early and hear everyone complain about why they have to be subjected to Coach Z's excuses week after week! The kids are putting their hearts into this game and he has crushed them year after year. This team bought into everything the coaching staff was telling them and they lost it for them! 100% kids are in the wrong positions. Nice guys and good football players do not equal good coach give it up Waynedale Administration!

iced earth;1756135 wrote:Bears on their way to 4-6 or 5-5 maybe...but he's a great mentor or role model or whatever. So it's OK.

Sad Bear;1756141 wrote:Regardless of whether or not the Bears lost because of Northwestern was the better team or things just didn't go their way, no one is bought into this program anymore. Things need to change at Waynedale I will not sit at another game and watch fans leave early and hear everyone complain about why they have to be subjected to Coach Z's excuses week after week! The kids are putting their hearts into this game and he has crushed them year after year. This team bought into everything the coaching staff was telling them and they lost it for them! 100% kids are in the wrong positions. Nice guys and good football players do not equal good coach give it up Waynedale Administration!

Waynedale FB is in the shitter. Look at the Norwayne game!!!! Tonight it was 7-7 at half, Goodness! I know we miss Nick, but my goodness, how do you go from 7-7 to 28-7? This team has so many athletes and so much potential. I just don't understand. It's all on 1-2 kids. Put Riebe in the slot and give Wirth a shot at QB. Something needs done. I'm just at wits end. These boys have won at every level until they got to Coach Zuercher.

Whoa! Sad Bear and MamaBear putting it out there. Kinda harsh but maybe a truth. Keep in mind we were missing Strasbaugh. But again...i dont understand the 2nd half. Norwayne, Chippewa, Nwn?

Get your popcorn out, the annual Waynedale implosion show has begun! Seriously, for two years I have questioned their choice in personnel use. Have always thought Strausbaugh should be QB, and allow him to be a dual threat. There is still enough talent at wideout with Lewis, Spidel, and could use Riebe as another. Running backs would be set with both Stanley kids. That leads to line play, and coaching. The line against Norwayne looked excellent at times, and nonexistent at others. The line was awful against Chippewa. Lastly, the second half has been an issue. They were beaten badly against the last three teams in the second half. It seems as if little to no adjustments have been made, while the three opponents have all made major changes that led to lopsided victories.

I know what a bunch of whinners right? Well I have been watching Waynedale football for the last 35 years and yet nothing is being done about this circus going on. We continue to let Coach Z ruin senior years and blame everything that goes wrong on his players. DO you know how many parents will never step foot in our stadium again because of what he did to their kids. Yet he is such a great role model and mentor!! I am just tired of the not being able to stomach going to work on a Monday after a loss because of giving up field position on those dang squib kicks or how funny it is that the other team couldn't stop the run so we threw all night. Can we get another tackle on the line please!!! And those SIGNS if you cannot call plays without pictures maybe it is time to pack it in. As the paper said coach Z has the skills to pay the bills this year too bad those skills are lacking on his coaching staff. Yes these seniors are talented but so have been several other senior classes that have gone through during King Z's reign and he couldn't win with all the talent in the world. Everyone can see this except the ones who makes the decisions. I love the WCAL it is so action packed every year, and you cannot get caught sleeping cause someone will take advantage of your every weakness. I just wish ours was something the kids could correct and that is the biggest problem. SO once again lets start the Wayndale pitty party, man am I tired of this crap!! I challenge you to sit in the stands at a Waynedale game or talk to some Waynedale Alumni and get there response cause there is only one person sticking up for him now! I am embarrassed so embarrassed! My grandson asked if we can just not go to anymore games great way to get kids on board huh?

I will say if your QB is not a dual threat, you will not win in the WCAL. Period. If the Bears had put Strausbaugh at the QB spot his freshman year, this team would be better. Your best player has to touch the ball the most. You cannot have a QB who refuses to use his legs or is told not to run and still win.
I did not get to see the game last night. At Chippewa it was obvious who had the more talented team. Same with Norwayne. Maybe NW was just better too? Yes there are personnel in the wrong place. I agree completely with that. But in the games I saw the Bears lose, it was because they were clearly not the most talented team on the field. Just because you won at pee wee and junior high doesn't mean you can win in high school.

Maybe we should transfer a Rittman kid into our district & have him write a poem ?

Losing season,
Favoritism,

Non stop passes from best friend to best friend,
Continuously doing what doesn’t work,

The inability to separate being a father and a coach,*

Dropped passes,
But yet still the “super star”,
Yeah right.

Where’s my scholarship?
I can drop passes,
Run backwards,
Miss tackles,
And be afraid to take a hit.

That’s top of the line Div. 1 material right there.
If that’s what they wanted,

They definitely got it.
This whole town will be glad when he’s gone.
For anyone who doesn’t understand what I’m saying,
AKRON’S SCREWED!*



(worked for their program & they're starting to rebuild & are winning games again)

Disclamer:

*Not all the lines apply here but many do.

The real question is how can a school that loves football so much have the worst football field I have seen in my life. Smithville should probably just play in the parking lot it might be a better surface to play on.

As a long time Smithie supporter, I have to agree with unc4life, Smithville has a horrible playing field and really should put some money into a revamp!! Remove the sod in the off season, level the field and re-sod the entire playing surface. On a brighter note, 5 teams are still in the hunt for playoff spots!!! The out of conference wins are paying off!

Hunter86;1756155 wrote:Maybe we should transfer a Rittman kid into our district & have him write a poem ?

Losing season,
Favoritism,

Non stop passes from best friend to best friend,
Continuously doing what doesn’t work,

The inability to separate being a father and a coach,*

Dropped passes,
But yet still the “super star”,
Yeah right.

Where’s my scholarship?
I can drop passes,
Run backwards,
Miss tackles,
And be afraid to take a hit.

That’s top of the line Div. 1 material right there.
If that’s what they wanted,

They definitely got it.
This whole town will be glad when he’s gone.
For anyone who doesn’t understand what I’m saying,
AKRON’S SCREWED!*



(worked for their program & they're starting to rebuild & are winning games again)

Disclamer:

*Not all the lines apply here but many do.

Other than Strasbaugh, I would say from the games I have seen for the last couple years, everyone is afraid to take a hit. They all run sideways while stopping and starting looking for a hole. Accelerate, square up and hit the hole closest to you. More than half the kids in the WCAL can't tackle and are afraid of a runner coming right at them. You make it easy when you dance around and let 5 people gang tackle you. My guess is most of them are trying to avoid injury for basketball season. Another sport where this senior group has a lot of talent but has never really lived up to that potential.
In the Bear losses they have been outplayed by teams that are much more physical than they are. True fact. Another thing no one mentions is the best player on the team last year was two-way lineman and an All-Ohioian who could not play this year. He dominated on both sides of the ball and anchored the O and D lines. His lose hurts badly.
I am not defending the play calling which probably could improve. I also think #22 is the best back on this team and he plays behind seniors most of the time.
To save the rest of the year, I would put #32 in at QB and #22 and #29 in the backfield. At least you have three kids in the backfield who will run at the defense instead of trying to run around it. #4 and #28 can run pass routes with #26 and #3. We need a dual threat at QB or Dalton may be the only team the bears can beat the rest of the way?

Not a Bears Fan, but agree with Havin Fun totally. I said the exact same thing last year, and the Jimmy and Joe crew showed up. Part of coaching is putting players in proper position, and setting up a best possible situation for success. That concept isn't unique to Waynedale; that's the case at any level, anywhere. In regards to tackling; again I agree. Why is Norwayne and Miller successful? Sure, he's a very good high school back, but he's not an elite level prospect. However, he runs hard, and through the tackle! Most WCAL kids dive, arm tackle, or get out of the way. Waynedale, despite their issues, should still make the playoffs. Let's hope they get it together before it's too late.