There was no thread but Manual did scrimmage Ballard. There is a podcast of it on Old Goats. Ballard won 21-3 I believe. Not a good sign for my Crimsons at all, I can't overstate that. While I didn't listen to all of it I heard enough to know that the offense is not gelling very well. Unless they see huge improvement real fast it will be a very ugly start for Manual.

Hmmm...not good.

 

One correction to the broadcast comments, Colerain is NOT ranked #4 in the country. The highest ranking we have is #13.

 

So was this a shock? Is Ballard expected to compete in their district/region? Are they normally "even" with a team like Manual?

 

Based on our 1 scriammage so far, the offense is behind the defense as well. The good news, for us, is that the defense looks good early. They will be seriously tested vs. St. Xavier (OH) and Elder early.

 

-CardianlsFan

Hmmm...not good.

 

One correction to the broadcast comments, Colerain is NOT ranked #4 in the country. The highest ranking we have is #13.

 

So was this a shock? Is Ballard expected to compete in their district/region? Are they normally "even" with a team like Manual?

 

Based on our 1 scriammage so far, the offense is behind the defense as well. The good news, for us, is that the defense looks good early. They will be seriously tested vs. St. Xavier (OH) and Elder early.

 

-CardianlsFan

Last season Manual and Ballard faced off twice. The first game of the season was very close with Manual winning 36 to 26. Then due to the severe wind storm several games in the area were effected and both Manual and Ballard needed opponents so they decided to rematch with Ballard winning the second game 30-14. It would be very fair to say that the two programs are close to each other in terms of strength, I would give a slight edge to Manual in the last few years but they are close. Ballard is in Trinity's district and much like Manual they are most likley competeing for 2nd in thier district (which will be a challenge).

 

Ballard is in there second season under a new coach (who I believe posts here on BGP) but it was reported that they are also filling a lot of holes. It isn't a tragedy that they lost to Ballard, but it is a major concern that they didn't score a TD.

 

CardinalsFan I hate to say it, because I'm very happy for us to play a program like yours, but it might not be doing your program any favors by playing us this season. It could get ugly.

Last season Manual and Ballard faced off twice. The first game of the season was very close with Manual winning 36 to 26. Then due to the severe wind storm several games in the area were effected and both Manual and Ballard needed opponents so they decided to rematch with Ballard winning the second game 30-14. It would be very fair to say that the two programs are close to each other in terms of strength, I would give a slight edge to Manual in the last few years but they are close. Ballard is in Trinity's district and much like Manual they are most likley competeing for 2nd in thier district (which will be a challenge).

 

Ballard is in there second season under a new coach (who I believe posts here on BGP) but it was reported that they are also filling a lot of holes. It isn't a tragedy that they lost to Ballard, but it is a major concern that they didn't score a TD.

 

CardinalsFan I hate to say it, because I'm very happy for us to play a program like yours, but it might not be doing your program any favors by playing us this season. It could get ugly.

Wow...that is a little disappointing. I have faith that Manual will right the ship but the early season schedule is ridiculous and honestly, I question the motives of creating the type of schedule that Manual has with a fair number of new players. I mean, at what point do you damange the psyche of the kids so much that if they get hammered by the likes of Trinity, Highlands and Colerain, they may never recover?

 

It seems I should be less worried about this contest than I was a month or so ago. I do hope it's a good contest. It will be our home opener and rumor has it there are some folks not happy with Manual's unwillingness to move the game to Saturday to help accomodate the fact that Colerain will be coming off their Sunday tilt with Elder. I know that isn't Manual's problem but a little understanding might have been nice. Oh well, what is it they say, "No quarter asked...no quarter given."

 

-CardinalsFan

Manual had a very strong Frosh team last year....it may take awhile for this group of sophmores to mature and get better.

Wow...that is a little disappointing. I have faith that Manual will right the ship but the early season schedule is ridiculous and honestly, I question the motives of creating the type of schedule that Manual has with a fair number of new players. I mean, at what point do you damange the psyche of the kids so much that if they get hammered by the likes of Trinity, Highlands and Colerain, they may never recover?

 

It seems I should be less worried about this contest than I was a month or so ago. I do hope it's a good contest. It will be our home opener and rumor has it there are some folks not happy with Manual's unwillingness to move the game to Saturday to help accomodate the fact that Colerain will be coming off their Sunday tilt with Elder. I know that isn't Manual's problem but a little understanding might have been nice. Oh well, what is it they say, "No quarter asked...no quarter given."

 

-CardinalsFan

 

 

While I understand your point about a little understanding being nice, but in all fairness, why should Manual lose a day of preparation for its next game just because Colerain chose to play on Sunday? Honestly, I think it's extremely unrealistic to think that a team would do make that accomodation. Heck, I'm a little surprised that a team like Colerain would even make the request.

If Colerain is anything like they have been the past few years, they will win by at least five TD's!!

 

Manual is not close to their level!

While I understand your point about a little understanding being nice, but in all fairness, why should Manual lose a day of preparation for its next game just because Colerain chose to play on Sunday? Honestly, I think it's extremely unrealistic to think that a team would do make that accomodation. Heck, I'm a little surprised that a team like Colerain would even make the request.

Why WOULDN'T Colerain make that request? We are only going to have 4 days in between games. And coming down off the emotions of playing at the Pit (Elder's Home field) for the first time in school history, as well as the game being nationally televised on ESPN, is going to be an overwhelming emotional roller-coaster for this team. In addition, isn't it easier for the Louisville folks to travel on a Saturday to see a game an hour and a half away vs. a Friday? Truth be told, I'm surprised Manual didn't accept the reschedule to allow the max number of their fans to attend.

 

Doesn't matter either way. We'll show up and do our thing and Manual will have to stop us. I am listening to the scrimmage broadcast and the Crimsons defense sounds relatively good. It's halftime and Ballard's two scores were defense/ST scores. In fact, the Old Goats say that Ballard didn't get a first down in the first half. Very impressive.

 

We will know a lot more after the first three weeks of the season. Colerain will more than likely enter their game against Manual at 1-1. Can't see them beating both St. Xavier and Elder while breaking in a new offensive line.

 

Best of luck to the Crimsons this week as Highlands comes to town. I hope everyone is healthy come their trip to Colerain.

 

-CardinalsFan