I think Smithville opens with Tuslaw, can the Smithies get back to their winning ways? After that they have St. Thomas and then Mogradore this will not be an easy non league schedule. If they go 2-1 this would be a great start.

I see Smithville starting 1-2 or 0-3.

Smithville beats Tuslaw in week one.

1486wd;455906 wrote:dhs - have you heard if Lint is full go now?

No I havent. But I talked to some people at the Fairless scrimmage. They said he has been practicing (no idea how much). But they said he was probably not going to suit up for the Triway scrimmage. It mostly is precautionary. I would put a high likely hood that he plays against Garaway but we will have to wait and see.

With Bates gone (their top cover corner from what I've been told), it's going to be very tough for them to contain Tuslaw's spread offense. Also, with Tuslaw's good D-line and Smithville's RB being moved to QB (from what I've been told), the focus will be more, umm, "focused" than if they had the depth they were expecting. Some Smithville fans seem to think losing Bates is going to hurt more than we think. But we'll see. I'm rooting for our league buddies since we play them and would like the potential points (if we beat them).

thePITman;455976 wrote:With Bates gone (their top cover corner from what I've been told), it's going to be very tough for them to contain Tuslaw's spread offense. Also, with Tuslaw's good D-line and Smithville's RB being moved to QB (from what I've been told), the focus will be more, umm, "focused" than if they had the depth they were expecting. Some Smithville fans seem to think losing Bates is going to hurt more than we think. But we'll see. I'm rooting for our league buddies since we play them and would like the potential points (if we beat them).

The loss of Bates is a big blow for Smithville, on both sides of the ball. His versatility is something the Smithies won't be able to replace, especially at WR where Smithville is already thin. The QB position is in good hands with last years starter returning, the biggest question is who he will throw to. I expect Smithville to grind it out this year with 5 capable backs and what should be a strong O-line. Secondary will also be a concern, height wise.

WCLfan who are the running backs this year? I understand that the spread is the going style right now, but I wish they would not fall in love with the pass and smash mouth football like they use to do it. I know you have to play to your strength but it has not been working in Smithie land for a while.

The Smithies have the pieces to grind it out this year with Ian Steiner, Mark Hilty, Austen Spurlock, Jake Blough and Tyler Buss, all of whom have looked good in scrimmages this year. But I wouldn't be shocked to see a little spread mixed in (like the last few years). Roseler has the mobility to keep teams on edge so it will be interesting to see what Smithville does this season.

dhs22p;455966 wrote:No I havent. But I talked to some people at the Fairless scrimmage. They said he has been practicing (no idea how much). But they said he was probably not going to suit up for the Triway scrimmage. It mostly is precautionary. I would put a high likely hood that he plays against Garaway but we will have to wait and see.

I heard he had been practicing as well. I assumed they were being cautious with him in scrimmages as this is his third year starting and he doesn't have a lot to prove. I actually think if he is not out there, it hurts us more defensively and in the return game as he is probably our best guy in coverage and a very dangerous returner. Blevins at rb is no step down, though - extremely fast back.

I ran into somebody today that told me Dalton is down to 19 players total . Said that some of the kids quit because they had problems with the coach. Just wondering if someone from Dalton can confirm this or was this just a bunch of CRAP.

I call BS on that.

haven't heard that but can't say i know for sure - that would mean liek 25 kids quit, seems unlikely.

I stayed for two 12-minute quarters of the Waynedale/Indian Valley scrimmage tonight down in Gnadenhutten (or a little short of it). IV started off pretty well with a 12+ play drive to start the game that took 6 minutes of the clock, but it ended with a fumble deep in Waynedale territory (after getting a first and goal taken away by a holding penalty). After that drive, Waynedale's defense shut down IV for the most part. I think every single 1st and 2nd down for IV was a running play, and they only passed in obvious passing situations. #30 is a horse for them, and their FB wasn't bad, either. They will try to ride those two all year. Their QB tried a few flag patterns and streaks to a quick WR #7 but didn't connect on any that I saw. Even with IV's running game so prevalent, Waynedale shut it down. In the first drive, it was run, run (both stuffed), then pass for first down. Run, run (both stuffed), then pass for first down. They had maybe 2 or 3 nice runs on the night. Otherwise, they weren't that great, IMO... but definitely an improvement from last year.

Indian Valley's defense was pretty small, in my opinion. They made up for it with a little quickness to start off, but after a while Waynedale wore them down with their 3-4 running back committee with the option, dive, and such out of the no-huddle shotgun. Waynedale looks like they're really going to try to hurry up the game this year, as both scrimmages they've been working on it. #10 and #2 were fun to watch running the ball, as were #25 and another person who pitched in.

It was fun to get out and see some football. We will see both these teams later in the season, but good luck to both of them!

The best Waynedale QB did not dress tonight. May be out at least 1-2 more weeks??? No one real sure on that.

I am getting texts that I didn't share enough about Waynedale in my Indian Valley/Waynedale comments. So, here you go.

Their defensive line, for as undersized as it was when Mullins wasn't in, did very well against Indian Valley's short-but-stout offensive line and two bruising running backs. They gang-tackled especially well and oftentimes had 5-6 kids on the running back as he went to the ground. Size still isn't there for the Golden Bears defense, but they are DV and a WCAL school, so it's understandable. They still hit hard and stuffed the run for the most part. Their first drive gave up a lot of yards but held tough the rest of the night.

On offense they were missing their QB, obviously, but still had some kids that ran well out of the shotgun spread. #25 started at QB while #10 was the primary RB at first. Then #2 got in on the action. All three of them ran the ball well on dives, counters, sweeps, and the option. Spacing was good, and the backs got a good 4-5 yards before being touched. They didn't throw much; but when they did, it was nice play action to mid-range routes for first downs.

The kicker #41 did a nice job kicking off and getting the PAT's way through the uprights. They attempted one onside kick, but it was way too high and allowed plenty of time for IV's front row returner to have the presence of mind to signal for a fair catch (which he dropped but recovered). Waynedale was running the hurry-up offense all night, at times going no huddle. When the offense came off the field, it was common to see Coach getting on some of the key offensive members, including the O-line, for not being set and ready to go as soon as the referee blows the whistle. So as an opposing defense, you better be ready when the ref puts the ball in play.

On the night, Waynedale was definitely the better team but only were up 9-0 at halftime (safety and a TD). I think part of that is the 6-minute drive that IV sustained to start the game which didn't result in any points. After that drive, Waynedale got confidence and momentum and won the field position battle the rest of the night.

As for a prediction for the season (also requested via text message), I'll guess 6-4 or 7-3. Good luck, Bears!

Thanks for the additional information Slacker

Thanks for the insight Pitt.....and I agree with 4RINGZ....enough of this Slacker stuff.

My poor Bears.....undersized and slow....and now the QB is hurt........

So who is the team to beat in the WCAL this year? I would think Dalton is gonna be good with talent coming back. Hillsdale again? Northwestern? Rittman?

I think Dalton has the best skill players back, but the offensive line needs to be good lost a lot on the o-line, as well as Lint not 100%. Also it sounds like they are pretty thin in numbers according to other post. Northwestern should be good as well but their starting QB (McKean) broke his leg and is out for a while. Rittman will be better but I still think not ready to make a run yet but I can see them 5-5 this year. Hillsdale will be solid again not as strong as in years past, Smithville has talent but where have they been the last few years??? Waynedale sounds like they will be okay but not as good as the last couple of years. Norwayne has some solid talent could see them towards the top, not sure on the Chipps, but I am hearing they will be bottom feeders this year.

I think from top to bottom you can go all kinds of ways you just never know who is going to stay healthy. This league is a straight toss up this year. I think from what I can remember in WCL this is the first year in a long while when you ask who is going to win the county and get 4-5 different answers.

I do not know if I really answered your question but it is truly a toss up in my mind this year with the slight edge going towards Dalton.

any scrimmage reports from friday night ?

1486wd;457438 wrote:any scrimmage reports from friday night ?

I did not attend but I heard what happened. I will best describe it from what I was told...the Triway guys can help fill in where I can't. Dalton won the half that was played 14-6. The dogs did not move the ball on offense that well. It sounds like the dogs did not show much of the offense. I believe Triway scored on a pass that was a jump ball to go up 6-0. Next it sounds like Moyer picked off a Triway pass and gave the dogs a short field. Then converted on a option keeper by Hackett for TD. Then all I know after that is Blevins picked off a pass and took it to the house for another Dalton TD. I was told the Dogs D played well...missed a few tackles but not too bad.

We went up against a very good, athletic defense tonight when we scrimmaged Dalton. They forced us into some turnovers, one of which was returned for a TD. The other turnover set them up for a short field, which they easily converted for a TD. After two 12-minute quarters, Dalton won 14-6. The Bulldog defense, as I mentioned, was athletic and fast and gave us some fits. Their offense still featured lots of running with good fakes, but not what we're used to seeing out of them. Our defense held them OK for a while but broke down a few times. Our offense couldn't get into a consistent rhythm because of the Dalton "D". As always, it was a successful scrimmage, in my opinion. I'm sure both teams took good and bad away from it. Good luck to Dalton this season!

1 half game like:

East Knox - 14
Smithville - 0

EK also scored once in the 10 play series.

good updates Pitman Thanks!

You better bring your A Game when you play Dalton this year WCAL teams.