TDHelmick said:

I would rather see Morgantown on the schedule. Closer, great game day field, biggest school in WV. They beat Bridgeport last season.

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Morgantown beat Parkersburg this weekend and play Bridgeport next weekend, Maddox Twigg who played in the local youth league then went to Morgantown had surgery before the game and won’t be playing for a while. Does anyone know of what happened to him?

Can’t wait till Friday!

Looking forward to a fun and entertaining season. A roller coaster ride of highs and lows watching young men develop vs a great schedule. I love the FH coaching staff. How can u not? They all played and graduated from the Hill. Love for the game and the school.

Thanks Todd for the great insight. Thanks Guys, for the great follow-up comments.

My takeaways, I'm in agreement with the OL/DL comments, No offensive holding penalties though. Pass defense looked shaky at times. Because of his offensive prowess, we sometimes forget how much Jabril means to the defense. He can cover opponents best receivers, or step up and stop the run. In his limited time because of the Ross 75 yd run, I think the offense looked smoother with #11 under center. # 8 was serviceable, but I just think #11 gives them a bigger upside. Bender is bigger, faster, and stronger than last year. Liked that Ross was lining up at WR when not in the backfield. He is a weapon at both spots. Every time he shifted, the defense looked like they were going to crap themselves. While the QBs didn't really target him, I think film will show him running wide open on every pattern he ran. He and Bender blocked very well out of the backfield, and it was a Ross downfield block that got Bender into the end zone for the first score. Just one man's opinion.

Bleedred4life said:

Todd, thanks for the insight, but I'll put my two cents in. I feel that you were pretty much on the money, except that I felt that the line played inconsistently. I liked the pad level, but they really need to work on their feet and hand fighting. I don't think that I saw any missed assignments which is really good. The line also needs to block ahead of the play, not where a defender is standing prior to the snap. (ie...LBs react, they don't stand in one spot.) The Defense needs to get off on the snap, and again they need to move their feet. They got better as the scrimmage went on but needs work. Looking forward to this year and watch these kids develop.

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The line is all sophomores and juniors. Yes, to say it will be massive work in progress would be an understatement. Knowing your assignment has to happen before getting the confidence to explode instead of think.

Agree, the LB were not attacking. Sitting back waiting for the play to come to them 4 yards off the ball. I think I counted like 5 or 6 different LB combinations. Same with the DL. Hard to find consistency when you are rotating young kids to find the ones you want.

Todd, thanks for the insight, but I'll put my two cents in. I feel that you were pretty much on the money, except that I felt that the line played inconsistently. I liked the pad level, but they really need to work on their feet and hand fighting. I don't think that I saw any missed assignments which is really good. The line also needs to block ahead of the play, not where a defender is standing prior to the snap. (ie...LBs react, they don't stand in one spot.) The Defense needs to get off on the snap, and again they need to move their feet. They got better as the scrimmage went on but needs work. Looking forward to this year and watch these kids develop.

FH did well versus Catoctin. OL looked crisp the first half. Created some nice holes. Catoctin could not stop them. The ball carriers are very, very good and lots of them. Ross took a sweep and cut up field for a 65 yard TD run. Has the speed but even better cutting skills and vision compared to last year. Jabril sat this one out. Could have used him if needed but didn't need him today. He is good for Northern. Younger filled in at fullback and looked exactly like Jabril was in there. What a load he is going to be this year and next. Defense was stout until 2nd quarter. Catoctin went to the I-formation and jammed it right down the field for a TD. Big question marks for the middle of the FH defense that quarter. Catoctin was gashing them up the gut for like 8 yards a carry. FH was alternating linemen almost every play but didn't solve the problem. The LB unit was one big carousel ride of multiple players all evening. That's what FH does in the preseason and I applaud it.

If you were keeping score it was 14-7 FH for one full half. On one drive FH dropped an easy 65 yard pass for a TD. Could have been 21-7. Receiver was too wide open and the pass went off his hands. The second half was from the 40 yard line in with all FH and Catoctin subs. 10 plays at a time with no first down chains.

I could not give you an exact starting lineup for the OL, but have a good idea. The DL and LB are another story, have no clue. Coaches have tried a ton of bodies at all these units this preseason.

On the flip side, some people had mentioned that Catoctin might be able to make another push in the 1A playoffs after giving Mtn Ridge all they could handle last post season. My reply to that is not likely. Seems like they could throw the ball much better last year in this scrimmage. No threat to throw this year.

"We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there." Jerry Reed Hubbard

beall02 said:

I was not able to attend the Boonsboro one with the date change. Anyone have word on how we looked this preseason?

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The only thing I have really heard is that they have looked OK, but there is going to be some growing pains. I have not witnessed anything in person.

beall02 said:

The Mtn Ridge/Boonsboro scrimmage has been postponed until tomorrow evening at 6pm.

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I was not able to attend the Boonsboro one with the date change. Anyone have word on how we looked this preseason?

Coaches deserve the pay. Is Georgia the highest paid, wonder what Texas makes

Keyser keeps getting worst each year. Pattison transferred from Keyser to Frankfort he will put up numbers at FB/LB. We don’t like discussing Frankfort with their weak schedule, etc. They should have a good team this year.

Ouch

Keyser loses 48-7 on opening night. They score a touchdown late to avoid the shutout. Keyser fans aren't happy.

Alco/Williamsport cancelled

beall02 said:

I am hearing that the Catoctin/Fort Hill one has been postponed until tomorrow evening as well.

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Correct. Thunderstorms cause for concern. Although there is as much chance for rain and thunder tomorrow.

I am hearing that the Catoctin/Fort Hill one has been postponed until tomorrow evening as well.

The Mtn Ridge/Boonsboro scrimmage has been postponed until tomorrow evening at 6pm.

Common sense37 said:

Did you have the same opinion a few years ago when the Fort Hill faithful was complaining about Dunbar recruiting? I don't really care where anyone goes to play.

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There is a big difference between kids moving and going into a program. Dunbar literally has a different team members midseason than they did at the beginning of the season.

Common sense37 said:

Did you have the same opinion a few years ago when the Fort Hill faithful was complaining about Dunbar recruiting? I don't really care where anyone goes to play.

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Recruiting? Define recruiting.
The world has changed through a term called the transfer portal ideal - even in high school. It is widespread in every state now. West Virginia went crazy with the new transfer rules.

Recruiting is the art of contacting players not already at your school and selling them the idea of entering your school. Like private schools are currently involved with on a deeper level using money. High School NIL will cause an even greater transfer concept moving forward.

I have mentioned here that FH has lost a kid from this year to Frankfort, Hampshire and Northern. Another just decided to not play football. Alco through the years has had plenty of players who resided in South Cumberland. None of them were "recruited". I'm sure if this were not small town USA that the kids coming and going would be in larger numbers as opposed to just one or two kids. The transfer concept has gotten out of hand in my book. It's happening everywhere.

For the record, Martinsburg does not recruit. NO need... Everyone just goes there to play football on their own.