If Mercer did not dominate lines of scrimmage ... the 2a race is wide open ...

 

Russell has enough skill players to play with anyone at any level. Both Devil lines and backers and ends need to step up - more physical play before the playoffs.

 

This will continue to improve with experience ...

 

Based upon last year , and listening to the radio against Ashland , Belfry is power so both these teams will be able to take Mercer to the 4th ...

 

In the 4th , you have to know how to win .... Belfry has it , Devils learned it last year , Mercer has to get over this hump ... looking forward to the playoffs .. Bring back the Scottie ...

Why does EVERY Mercer thread have to end up about Russell? You guys are the Champs....why do you think you have to defend yourself in the MC threads?

If you can match up with their skill positions you can beat them. They dont dominate you up front but they dont get dominated either. An offense that can score points and stop the run can take them.

 

 

I don't know if you can stop the Titan running game completely. This was their lowest output. It's going to be hard for a team to score much on the Titans. They bend some but they hardly break. As stated earlier, it was nice to see Mercer have to sustain drives throughout. They haven't had to do that and they showed that they can. Once again, hats off to a great defensive effort by Newport. They have some quality players. I think by the time the playoffs come around those young recievers of theirs will be alot better.

Just to add to the Red Devil fans who are pumped about this result; Belfry is a little lean in terms of speed/skill, but has looked solid on both lines all year.

 

This result just makes Mercer look much more HUMAN.

Just to add to the Red Devil fans who are pumped about this result; Belfry is a little lean in terms of speed/skill, but has looked solid on both lines all year.

 

This result just makes Mercer look much more HUMAN.

 

They are. They can be beat just like everyone else. It just wont be easy to beat them. I believe that Newport deserves a little respect here. They slowed the Titans down. Mercer dominated in one area,and that was eating up the clock. So Newport did well in preventing the big plays but still their was little time left for anything else.

I don't know if you can stop the Titan running game completely. This was their lowest output. It's going to be hard for a team to score much on the Titans. They bend some but they hardly break. As stated earlier, it was nice to see Mercer have to sustain drives throughout. They haven't had to do that and they showed that they can. Once again, hats off to a great defensive effort by Newport. They have some quality players. I think by the time the playoffs come around those young recievers of theirs will be alot better.

 

Well I guess I shouldn't have said stop the run, what I really meant was that you have to be able to defend the run and not let it kill you. You guys did do a good job of sustaining drives and finishing. I thought the key for Newport was gonna be to make you guys put together long scoring drives and not give up the big plays because on the high school level most teams arent able to sustain drives and usually turn it over if they have to put together 9 or 10 play drives.

Well I guess I shouldn't have said stop the run, what I really meant was that you have to be able to defend the run and not let it kill you. You guys did do a good job of sustaining drives and finishing. I thought the key for Newport was gonna be to make you guys put together long scoring drives and not give up the big plays because on the high school level most teams arent able to sustain drives and usually turn it over if they have to put together 9 or 10 play drives.

I never thought of it quite that way, but that is what happened in last years Mercer/Newport meeting.

This year however was slightly different. Mercer scored on 2 clock eating drives, 1 big pass play, and broke a big one for 40 something yards. Three distinctly different ways to score 4 TD's.

I thought both defenses overshadowed both offenses.

I never thought of it quite that way, but that is what happened in last years Mercer/Newport meeting.

This year however was slightly different. Mercer scored on 2 clock eating drives, 1 big pass play, and broke a big one for 40 something yards. Three distinctly different ways to score 4 TD's.

I thought both defenses overshadowed both offenses.

 

I agree both Defense's should be proud.

I agree both Defense's should be proud.

 

I agree, both D's came to play.

 

NHS BD, tell your O-coordinator to open things up a little and spread the field. Even though the wideouts aren't the same as last year, I think your offense would be better served trying to do a little more run and shoot type offense.

I agree, both D's came to play.

 

NHS BD, tell your O-coordinator to open things up a little and spread the field. Even though the wideouts aren't the same as last year, I think your offense would be better served trying to do a little more run and shoot type offense.

 

I agree and I would if I even knew who the OC was. Last night was the first time that they struck me as being to predictable. I think they need to throw more of the short passing game and that they could be successful with it. Seems likes its always either a handoff to the rb or a qb keeper or a deep pass.