Open dates

[Waggle Pass]

Per the MPSSAA board, Allegany is looking for weeks 1 and 4. Now week 4 was Keyser and I understand they will be playing Alco later in the season, but Southern at week 1, did they drop Allegany or will they also play them later?

Many Frederick county schools are looking for week 1. Would love to see FH and Allegany pick them up.

 

[bigsavage]

Yes, on Maryland open dates exchange Urbana, Tuscarora, Walkersville, Middletown and Linganore are all looking for week one and other multiple week games... Shouldn't be a problem for FH and Allegany to fill out their schedule... We'll see, just waiting on the excuses...

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

Yes, on Maryland open dates exchange Urbana, Tuscarora, Walkersville, Middletown and Linganore are all looking for week one and other multiple week games... Shouldn't be a problem for FH and Allegany to fill out their schedule... We'll see, just waiting on the excuses...

At least we got rid of playing Tuscarora in Week 1! Not a fan of playing a conference game right off the bat.

As for Fort Hill, I think Middletown would be a fantastic pick up for them; however, with the new 2A west having Damascus, Seneca Valley, Middletown, Walkersville, Oakdale and several Carroll County schools (who will have good records because of a weak county schedule), I dont see any of those teams taking a chance against Fort Hill....or Allegany for that matter.

The 3A West lost a little steam so you may have better luck with Linganore, Tuscarora, TJ, etc....but in my opinion, there are still 5-7 legitimate teams (Blake and Watkins Mill seem to be up and coming in Moco) in the 3A West that will be vying for 4 spots so that may be a stretch too.

 

[bigsavage]

At least we got rid of playing Tuscarora in Week 1! Not a fan of playing a conference game right off the bat.

As for Fort Hill, I think Middletown would be a fantastic pick up for them; however, with the new 2A west having Damascus, Seneca Valley, Middletown, Walkersville, Oakdale and several Carroll County schools (who will have good records because of a weak county schedule), I dont see any of those teams taking a chance against Fort Hill....or Allegany for that matter.

The 3A West lost a little steam so you may have better luck with Linganore, Tuscarora, TJ, etc....but in my opinion, there are still 5-7 legitimate teams (Blake and Watkins Mill seem to be up and coming in Moco) in the 3A West that will be vying for 4 spots so that may be a stretch too.

Damascus is now 2a I doubt very seriously that they would be afraid of playing FH definitely not afraid of playing Alco. Especially when South Hagerstown and Brunswick could muster up the courage.. I doubt linganore or Urbana would shy away either.. I do get your point though and who knows in this day and age where everyone expects a participation trophy... If everyone is afraid of a potential loss then what's the point of scheduling anyone? You only have so many Silver Oaks and Capital Christians.... It would just be nice to see some good area teams playing each other for a change instead of complaining about not being able to find games...

 

[bigsavage]

Lhslancerfan do you know if any of those 2a teams will be playing each other? If so, that would cancel out any potential loss to FH.. I'm not even considering Alco as a potential loss. Allegany would be a 7-14 point dog to most of those teams.. I don't see them being favored in any of those games...

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

Lhslancerfan do you know if any of those 2a teams will be playing each other? If so, that would cancel out any potential loss to FH.. I'm not even considering Alco as a potential loss. Allegany would be a 7-14 point dog to most of those teams.. I don't see them being favored in any of those games...

Most likely Walkersville, Middletown and Oakdale will play one another and I look for Oakdale to also keep their rivalry games with Linganore and Urbana. Seneca Valley and Damascus will most likely play each other, but the Carroll County teams will probably stick to Carroll County. I see the potential for multiple 8-2 teams to be left out of the 2A West playoffs so yes, a loss to Fort Hill or Allegany could significantly impact their playoff chances.

And yes, South Hagerstown did "muster up the courage" to play Fort Hill and it cost them a playoff spot. I dont think being "afraid" is the correct way to word it, it's more like smart scheduling due to a crappy playoff system.

 

[FHHSAHS]

Correct, using the word "afraid" is sensationalizing it for effect.

Think of it this way, if FH were already playing a schedule of tough teams in their class (which I know, 1A doesnt have a lot) would it behoove them to play "one more" tough team?

That's what these 2A west teams are looking at. If Middletown is already playing Walkersville, Oakdale, and some other Frederick County teams like TJ or Linganore or whatever...it doesn't behoove them to add FH to the schedule. Because unlike the 1A west, where a few losses could still allow you to out point some teams to make the playoffs, the 2A (or 3A west for that matter) is not like that. Case in point, Seneca Valley.

So while I would love to see FH pick up one of those teams, it's legit to say they might not take the offer.

 

[bigsavage]

Most likely Walkersville, Middletown and Oakdale will play one another and I look for Oakdale to also keep their rivalry games with Linganore and Urbana. Seneca Valley and Damascus will most likely play each other, but the Carroll County teams will probably stick to Carroll County. I see the potential for multiple 8-2 teams to be left out of the 2A West playoffs so yes, a loss to Fort Hill or Allegany could significantly impact their playoff chances.

And yes, South Hagerstown did "muster up the courage" to play Fort Hill and it cost them a playoff spot. I dont think being "afraid" is the correct way to word it, it's more like smart scheduling due to a crappy playoff system.

"And yes, South Hagerstown did "muster up the courage" to play Fort Hill and it cost them a playoff spot."

South Hagerstown went 7-3. On the flip side you could say they lost a playoff spot because they couldn't beat teams in their own region like your Linganore squad and got blown out by Westminister. They win those games a loss to FH doesn't matter..

 

[bigsavage]

Correct, using the word "afraid" is sensationalizing it for effect.

Think of it this way, if FH were already playing a schedule of tough teams in their class (which I know, 1A doesnt have a lot) would it behoove them to play "one more" tough team?

That's what these 2A west teams are looking at. If Middletown is already playing Walkersville, Oakdale, and some other Frederick County teams like TJ or Linganore or whatever...it doesn't behoove them to add FH to the schedule. Because unlike the 1A west, where a few losses could still allow you to out point some teams to make the playoffs, the 2A (or 3A west for that matter) is not like that. Case in point, Seneca Valley.

So while I would love to see FH pick up one of those teams, it's legit to say they might not take the offer.

I said I saw his point.. That argument doesn't hold water for teams in the 1a West where its always a 4 man race... But I conceded the point about already playing a tough schedule and adding more tough teams doesn't make sense. I've said that before when people were trying to compare Mt. St Joe playing Silver Oak to FH playing Silver Oak when Mt. St Joe had 9 other tough games and FH had 10 cream puffs... But back to my point it really wouldn't make a difference if several of those teams scheduled FH and Alco and then had to play each other.. They still have to play each other so in effect it would come back down to beating the teams in your region.... Just like South Hagerstown didn't miss the playoffs bc they lost to FH they missed the playoffs bc they couldn't beat the teams in their region...

 

[Waggle Pass]

I said I saw his point.. That argument doesn't hold water for teams in the 1a West where its always a 4 man race... But I conceded the point about already playing a tough schedule and adding more tough teams doesn't make sense. I've said that before when people were trying to compare Mt. St Joe playing Silver Oak to FH playing Silver Oak when Mt. St Joe had 9 other tough games and FH had 10 cream puffs... But back to my point it really wouldn't make a difference if several of those teams scheduled FH and Alco and then had to play each other.. They still have to play each other so in effect it would come back down to beating the teams in your region.... Just like South Hagerstown didn't miss the playoffs bc they lost to FH they missed the playoffs bc they couldn't beat the teams in their region...

South missed the playoffs by 2.2 points. So say they play Silver Oak instead of FH, finish 8-2, they would have made the playoffs.

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

"And yes, South Hagerstown did "muster up the courage" to play Fort Hill and it cost them a playoff spot."

South Hagerstown went 7-3. On the flip side you could say they lost a playoff spot because they couldn't beat teams in their own region like your Linganore squad and got blown out by Westminister. They win those games a loss to FH doesn't matter..

And that is a valid argument but I have a feeling you wont see South Hagerstown on the schedule this year. And that wont be by Fort Hill's choice.

As Waggle said, South replaces Fort Hill (or Linganore or Westminster) with a lesser opponent and they make the playoffs. I don't disagree with the way of thinking that Fort Hill and Allegany can afford some losses to "tougher" opponents because of their current region, but that is a luxury that many of these larger schools that are perennially on the playoff fringes dont have. What is good for Fort Hill and Allegany is not always good for everyone else.

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

I said I saw his point.. That argument doesn't hold water for teams in the 1a West where its always a 4 man race... But I conceded the point about already playing a tough schedule and adding more tough teams doesn't make sense. I've said that before when people were trying to compare Mt. St Joe playing Silver Oak to FH playing Silver Oak when Mt. St Joe had 9 other tough games and FH had 10 cream puffs... But back to my point it really wouldn't make a difference if several of those teams scheduled FH and Alco and then had to play each other.. They still have to play each other so in effect it would come back down to beating the teams in your region.... Just like South Hagerstown didn't miss the playoffs bc they lost to FH they missed the playoffs bc they couldn't beat the teams in their region...

I disagree saying that it wouldn't matter about playing Fort Hill and Alco since they all play each other. Take Middletown, Oakdale and Walkersville. They all play one another and all 3 come out of that at 1-1. Say Middletown decides to play Fort Hill (and loses) while Walkersville and Oakdale schedule Silver Oak and Frederick. You are telling me the choice Middletown made to play Fort Hill doesnt make a difference?

 

[kkram]

The Southern / Alco game was moved to week 9. Southern picked up Smithsburg for week 1. I do know that Southern is looking for a week 3 game because Petersburg dropped them.

 

[Waggle Pass]

South missed the playoffs by 2.2 points. So say they play Silver Oak instead of FH, finish 8-2, they would have made the playoffs.

Silver Oak is a 1A school with one win = 6 points., if South would have beaten them or any 1A with just one win they would have tied Tuscarora for third seed in 3A West. Since South beat Tuscarora during the season, South would have ended up as the 3rd seed. That's how close it is, so you can't blame South for not renewing with Fort Hill.

 

[LinemenWinGames]

If South can fill the spot with a weaker team then they are dropping FH. That is a done fact right from a source at the school. They will drop FH before they drop Westminster, Linganore, Tuscarora or Urbana. It's a risk vs rewards. I was told by someone at SHHS who is infuential that they would probably not beat FH next year and if they did they would only get 14 points if FH goes 9-1 losing to SHHS, where they will get 14 points by beating a less threatening 7-3 Tuscarora. I threw money into the equation about the big gate FH brings, its next to the SHHS-NHHS gate. I was left with the impression that SHHS likes the gate but it probably isn't worth missing the playoffs.

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

I was left with the impression that SHHS likes the gate but it probably isn't worth missing the playoffs.

You hit the nail on the head! With Damascus, Seneca Valley and Oakdale all dropping and essentially being replaced with Blake, Watkins Mill and Magruder, the 3A West is much more manageable for South. Watkins Mill and Blake have been willing to play outside of Moco so I would not be surprised to see South take a shot at scheduling them. A few responses above highlighted the importance of beating teams within your region during the regular season. This may happen at the expense of Fort Hill.

 

[Rob_o76]

Watkins Mill isn't willing to play South. They passed on the most recent cycle after having lost both games the previous cycle by a combined 83-0.

 

[ed r forshey]

PETERSBURG 2017
8/25 (H) Berkeley Spring
9/01 (A) Pendleton County
9/08 (A) Grafton
9/15 (H) Hampshire
9/23 (A) Weir
9/29 (A) Philip Barbour
10/6 (-) Open
10/13 (H) Frankfort
10/20 (H) Moorefield
10/27 (A) Tucker County
11/3 (H) East Hardy

 

[Waggle Pass]

Watkins Mill isn't willing to play South. They passed on the most recent cycle after having lost both games the previous cycle by a combined 83-0.

Watkins Mill is the team Boonsboro dumped Northern for.

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

Watkins Mill isn't willing to play South. They passed on the most recent cycle after having lost both games the previous cycle by a combined 83-0.

I also think Watkins Mill is in a better place with their program right now than they were 3-4 years ago. Not saying they are top tier by any means but getting better. They did schedule Tuscarora this year; however, they did take a pretty good beating. Blake may be a better option for South as they have played Walkersville the past 2 seasons so they don't seem to be afraid.

 

[ed r forshey]

Who does South Garrett play in 2017?
They had 6 WV teams in 2016.

 

[Ramtrainer1]

Not in date order:
Northern Garrett
Allegany
Clear Spring
Smithsburg
Catoctin
Tucker County
Notre Dame
Moorefield
Pendleton County
Spring Mills

Unconfirmed but what i am being told.

 

[WVUPride247]

What dates Fort Hill and Allegany playing Keyser on?

 

[Rob_o76]

The problem at Watkins Mill is that they can't keep their best players in their school. The QB and RB are are solid but they have had several players in recent history attend privates. Scheduling Tuscarora prior to Ahern was a safe bet for them and was certainly more favorable than playing South again.

 

[kkram]

As far as I know, Southerns' schedule is as follows:
Smithsburg
Mooorefield
Open date
East Hardy
Tucker County
Clear Springs
Berkeley Springs
Pendleton County
Alco
Northern
I believe this is the correct order but not sure. Also heard they contacted Fort Hill for possible renewal of contract but again not sure.

 

[bleedred]

Fort Hill said no thanks..........they're scared!!!!!!

 

[kkram]

I'm sure you are kidding. On the other hand, I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but I would like to see all the area teams play each other. I'm sure there would definitely be some mismatched games but that happens every year with teams from out of our area. I can imagine the frustration of trying to find games year in and year out.. With Mtn Ridge now being reclassified to 1A, we have 5 1A schools in 1 hour of each other so why can't they play each other?

 

[TDHelmick]

Any further questions can be sent here: http://www.mpssaa.org/about-us/contact-us/

If you don't like the way the cards are dealt, don't complain about the card holders. They just try to win the hand.

 

[kkram]

Southern has completed their schedule with the addition of Catoctin for week 3.