CoachOnTheRun

This will dictate the winner of District 4. District 4 has some tough competition this year, but I don't see any teams stepping up against FC and NO. Coach James has made FC an absolute force in class 4A and yearly contenders to make deep runs. Coach Roberts has turned the corner with NO and has that team firing on all cylinders. I think this game will be much closer than anyone anticipates it being. Expect a few home-run plays from both sides and a very physical matchup. I'm a sucker for good football and a good underdog story...Give me North in a close one.

Western Hills is coming off their first loss of the season and first district loss in a 30-6 final against Spencer Co. They are led by a heavy ground attack in which they are averaging over 350 yards per game solely through rushing. Their was not much through the air until the played Morgan Co. where they had 214 and 3 TDs passing. Even then, they still rushed for 240 with 4 TDs. Shelby is coming off another district loss at the hands of the Franklin Co. Flyers. A tough 1-0 forfeit as the team was going through some mid-year coaching changes and player injuries. Productivity for the Rockets has been subpar at best, being outscored 224-21 on the season without any help from senior RB, #5 Hunter and little brother at QB, #6 Hunter. Word is both brothers could be cleared and ready to suit up this week for a crucial home district matchup. Can the Rockets right the ship with a new staff and have a full offensive threat with the Hunter brothers in the backfield to lead the team to their first win of the season? or Does Western Hills continue to fine tune their dominate rushing attack before heading into the teeth of their district with Henry, North and Franklin waiting?

The game was forfeit because the administration and AD did not feel like the team was mentally prepared for the game and they had safety concerns for the athletes.

The word from a few close to the program and school, team is forfeiting the game because they know what the outcome would be and they are thinking about the safety of the kids. Eddie James and the Flyers would try to see how bright that scoreboard can truly get. FC was planning a blackout and had special shirts for the youth program teams to be recognized at the game.

You do. He put in last time when they hired Harris but either did not receive an initial interview or only made it through the first round.

Some rumors are swirling that there have been 17 applicants put in for the position. A hiring time is working to narrow down the applicants but interviews haven't been coordinated yet. At this rate, the team will miss out on spring practice. I have heard that they attempted to open the weight room but only 4-6 kids show up, none of which received considerable time in the past. Whoever takes this job will be fighting an incredibly steep uphill battle to change the culture and try to draw in players. Rumors around returning starters planning to move or making comments they won't play.

Agreed. I don't think WH record represents them as a team seeing their schedule.

Western Hills (4-1) will host the Rockets (2-4) for a chance to earn a spot in the district post season. Both teams coming off big loses, WH 0-38 to district opponent Spencer, SC 7-50 to district opponent Franklin. Both are winless in the district with a lot riding on this game. The Rockets will roll into town with a heavy run game led by #5 Giaonni Hunter who has already eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark. They will also bring 2nd year standout, #11 Issac Estrada at the MLB position. One the other sideline, WH have the #1 sack leader in 4A, Javeon Campbell, posting 9.5 sacks through 5 games. The Rockets have struggled giving the QB time early in the season, however, through the grapevine, starting senior QB, Chandler Hill, is no longer with the team. #6, Javon Hunter is expected to make the start for Shelby meaning they will have a seriously dangerous run game. The story tonight will come down to... can the Rockets give the young QB time to make downfield plays and can the defensive box of the Wolverines contain the big, explosive run game of Shelby. Shelby-35 Western Hill-13

I think both NO and FC have great DLs. DEs Gavin Clark (NO) and Jon Griffin (FC) are both outstanding. I would easily rank them #1 (Griffin) and #2 (Clark) DEs in 4A. I think Trahan moves well in the pocket but I don't think he sees the field as well as Bullock when working the pocket nor does he look as comfortable throwing under pressure. FC has a big OL but I don't think they move all that great. NO has a smaller OL but when your QB has almost a 2.5 second release on just about every throw, you just have to get a piece of the guy. Both teams have big backs in the backfield and I think Moore (FC) is a hell of a player and is easily D1 material. I like Delano Collins (FC) in the secondary but I don't think he covers Schmittell. I know the score last year 38-20 FC on the road but neither of these teams are the same as last year obviously. This is a home game for FC so I will change my score prediction but I still lean in the favor of NO. North-24 FC-20

Honestly, I think FC struggles with Henry this year as well.

I have seen both of these teams play this year. I am going with North in a close one. Both Defensive fronts are strong points but I think the Bullock/GS connection will give the FC secondary a tough time. NO-35 FC-20

Hopefully they can continue trending in the right direction. I heard that they had an ex coach that was in Jefferson County wanting to move back into the mix. The #1 and #2 seed will have a very favorable matchup if district 3 is sister district, at least for this first year of transitioning.

This was great, thank you. I did not realize Coach Brown at NO was out. Is there a reason? They played a close game against FC this past season and placed 3rd in the district. Eddie has done great things with that Flyers program and always has talent pouring in. With the exit of Central and all the info on the other teams, I don't see this district being as lopsided as years past.

I think district 4 is a lot wider open than people may think. The additions of Spencer, who had one of their best seasons in a decade...WH, who just revamped their entire program...and Henry make it more competitive even after losing Central. It is being tossed around that FC has lost a lot and Ledford is contemplating giving up coaching. Shelby and NO were both very young and return a lot of key players. Will be a very very interesting district to watch.

FC always plays a decent schedule, but with the addition of Spencer and Henry in the district and losing the players they lost, I think this district is a little more open than years past.