Perhaps I will be wrong, but...

[MCsoccerplex]

I view this game as having the potential to be like FH’s game with Mountain Ridge in 2018.

MR came in with a high-profile back who had scored six touchdowns in the previous game, and he was averaging almost 200 yards per game. Against FH, he had three yards.

Catoctin’s back had six touchdowns last week. While the Sentinel defense is not as fast as it was last year, it has improved, especially over the last two games. The bottom line: I don’t see FH getting run over by one player, and if one specific player scores more than twice against FH I would be quite surprised.

Now, while FH’s pass defense is always suspect, with the exception of the CP game FH’s pass defense has adjusted. Fans need to keep in mind the FH secondary was missing a few key players a few weeks ago which made the secondary a bit more suspect. It is now at full strength.

As Coach Charlie Lattimer used to say, “When you throw the ball three things can happen, and two of the three aren’t good.”

Bottom line: It will be a minimum of 50-50 if the Cougars decide to go to the air early and often throughout the game.

Again, this will not be a CP offense, and I certainly don’t expect the QB to be as elusive as Brunswick’s QB.

No 1A team will out prepare FH’s scouting report and preparation based on it.

I look for this game to either be really close early with FH perhaps falling behind early (like the Williamsport game), or I expect FH to take control early in its typical manner.

If FH falls behind early, the Sentinels’ defense will adjust, accordingly.

This will be a good game, but FH will prevail by at least two touchdowns.

If FH does not come out on top, I will eat crow, accept that FH lost to a better team, and cheer for the Cougars in the state title game.

 

[4R341]

...
If FH does not come out on top, I will eat crow, accept that FH lost to a better team, and cheer for the Cougars in the state title game.

I'll root for any team that plays Dunbar. If FH loses, Catoctin will have my full support, too.

 

[BoyznBlue]

No 1A team will out prepare FH’s scouting report and preparation based on it.

FH is going to win this game by 3 TDs because they are the better team but where do people get the idea other teams don't scout and prepare and work hard?

 

[MCsoccerplex]

FH is going to win this game by 3 TDs because they are the better team but where do people get the idea other teams don't scout and prepare and work hard?

That’s not what I said, Sid. I simply said no 1A team will out prepare FH based on a solid scouting report. Deny it if you will.

 

[Tony54]

FH is going to win this game by 3 TDs because they are the better team but where do people get the idea other teams don't scout and prepare and work hard?

He said no team would out prepare Fort Hill. That’s meant to be a complement to Fort Hills coaching staff.

 

[OneRing]

As Coach Charlie Lattimer used to say, “When you throw the ball three things can happen, and two of the three aren’t good.”

Off topic, but this is one of those coachspeak phrases that has always bugged me.

If the idea that a pass can be complete, incomplete or intercepted (turnover), is that really any different than a run play, which can result in a gain (completion), a loss/no yards gained (incomplete) or a fumble (interception).

It's a phrase that sounds smart at first, but doesn't make the most sense.


To get on topic, I'm with you though for the most part. A Catoctin win wouldnt put me into shock, but I just cant see it happening.

Here's hoping to a good game, and not that it needs to be said, but it's Black Friday, so anyone going down to the game please be on alert with the heavy traffic and DRIVE SAFE!

 

[BoyznBlue]

He said no team would out prepare Fort Hill. That’s meant to be a complement to Fort Hills coaching staff.

What game this year or in recent years did FH win because they out prepared the opposition? They win because of depth and a bigger/better OL. Did ECP out prepare FH?

 

[Tony54]

I hope you are right. I can see this being a great game and I would go so far as to say Catoctin would be the favorite. Walkersville played Middletown to overtime. Of course Catoctin played Walkersville to overtime.Around the state people think this was a great year for 2a ball and Middletown may win it all. Fort Hill was beating the crap out of somebody so I listened to the Middletown Catoctin game in The second half and Walkersville was on the ropes I really thought they were going to lose to Catoctin. Appel is a fantastic coach so I’m hoping he sees something to exploit

 

[BoyznBlue]

That’s not what I said, Sid. I simply said no 1A team will out prepare FH based on a solid scouting report. Deny it if you will.

I said in August Dunbar and FH will play in the title game this year but it's not because the other schools don't work as hard or prepare. It's depth and talent.

 

[Tony54]

What game this year or in recent years did FH win because they out prepared the opposition? They win because of depth and a bigger/better OL. Did ECP out prepare FH?

Fort Hill out prepares everybody. We have been through this 1000 times but kids don’t grow bigger in South Cumberland. They’re not faster in South Cumberland either. It’s too bad that you and lag don’t get it Fort Hill has kids playing that are less than 150 pounds. It’s all coaching,And yes they do have a better offense of line because of coaching

 

[MCsoccerplex]

What game this year or in recent years did FH win because they out prepared the opposition? They win because of depth and a bigger/better OL. Did ECP out prepare FH?

FH lost to a much, much better team of athletes when they played CP.

I know you will consistently support other well-known 1A teams, but to be honest Dunbar was not prepared to play Douglass last year and they lost.

There are those, such as yourself, who believe FH consistently wins due to an abundance of talent. In reality, FH is not any more talented than most 1A teams.

However, FH prepares in every way that is critical to winning, and that includes better than satisfactory scouting, including watching live games and not depending on video exchanges. It is followed up by teaching players tendencies of the team scouted and, as a consequence, players acting upon such tendencies once the game is played.

I know your stance on FH football, Sid, and it is consistently less-than-favorable. We will simply have to agree to disagree on the topic.

Yes, FH will lose to better athletes across the board like they did against CP. While other 1A teams in MD might have better athletes overall, FH will always be in the game due to high-quality scouting and high-quality preparation.

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. Regardless of touchdowns that were called back due to penalties (you always bring this up), FH had no business being as close to the TA led Dunbar team as they were in 2010 (20-19). This is one prime example under the APPEL era.

End of story.

 

[PowerRamRight]

Fort Hill out prepares everybody. We have been through this 1000 times but kids don’t grow bigger in South Cumberland. They’re not faster in South Cumberland either. It’s too bad that you and lag don’t get it Fort Hill has kids playing that are less than 150 pounds. It’s all coaching,And yes they do have a better offense of line because of coaching

If coaching didn't matter, Robert Pence, Roy Lester, Chet Payne, Ed Schwarz, George Stimmel, Jim Chaney, the Korn and a few others would have had longer tenures.....but they did not.

 

[BoyznBlue]

FH lost to a much, much better team of athletes when they played CP.

I know you will consistently support other well-known 1A teams, but to be honest Dunbar was not prepared to play Douglass last year and they lost.

There are those, such as yourself, who believe FH consistently wins due to an abundance of talent. In reality, FH is not any more talented than most 1A teams.

However, FH prepares in every way that is critical to winning, and that includes better than satisfactory scouting, including watching live games and not depending on video exchanges. It is followed up by teaching players tendencies of the team scouted and, as a consequence, players acting upon such tendencies once the game is played.

I know your stance on FH football, Sid, and it is consistently less-than-favorable. We will simply have to agree to disagree on the topic.

Yes, FH will lose to better athletes across the board like they did against CP. While other 1A teams in MD might have better athletes overall, FH will always be in the game due to high-quality scouting and high-quality preparation.

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. Regardless of touchdowns that were called back due to penalties (you always bring this up), FH had no business being as close to the TA led Dunbar team as they were in 2010 (20-19). This is one prime example under the APPEL era.

End of story.

FH is more talented and deeper than almost every 1A school. Talent is more than just 2 or 3 skill position players, which is probably what you are talking about.

In the 2017 Dunbar game after they sold out against the run FH had no answer, was that a lack of preparation?

If they lose this week or next week I don't want to hear any excuses about better athletes, just say you got out prepared.

 

[MCsoccerplex]

FH is more talented and deeper than almost every 1A school. Talent is more than just 2 or 3 skill position players, which is probably what you are talking about.

In the 2017 Dunbar game after they sold out against the run FH had no answer, was that a lack of preparation?

If they lose this week or next week I don't want to hear any excuses about better athletes, just say you got out prepared.

Stop misconstruing my words, Sid.

I was rather clear in my assessment that FH will be in any game against a 1A team in MD, due to preparation. I never once said FH would beat any given 1A team at all times due to preparation. There is quite a difference.

Bottom line: Be it Catoctin or Dunbar, FH will be in the game from beginning to end.

If FH loses this week or next week, I will accept they lost to a better team, and, yes, there will be times when 1A opponents put better athletes on the field. The latter doesn’t equate to better prepared. Again, 2010 is a prime example.

 

[BoyznBlue]

Stop misconstruing my words, Sid.

I was rather clear in my assessment that FH will be in any game against a 1A team in MD, due to preparation. I never once said FH would beat any given 1A team at all times due to preparation. There is quite a difference.

Bottom line: Be it Catoctin or Dunbar, FH will be in the game from beginning to end.

If FH loses this week or next week, I will accept they lost to a better team, and, yes, there will be times when 1A opponents put better athletes on the field. The latter doesn’t equate to better prepared. Again, 2010 is a prime example.

We agree that FH will be in any game against a 1A team, but it's not because of preparation, it's because of the status of 1A football right now. Yes, FH will be in the 1A title hunt this season and next season, and they have a chance to win it every year. Most 1A schools have problems putting a roster together.

 

[bigsavage]

All my years of watching FH I can only think of one time when FH made adjustments to win a game they shouldn't have. That was against Sherando. Usually if FH is outmatched the coaches don't make adjustments. They stick to their game plan and concede defeat. On the other hand, I've seen many times especially throughout the 90's where FH lost games they never should have due to being out coached.

 

[theprocessworks]

2008 Dunbar and 2011 Perryville are the worst losses this century. Over coaching was the issue in both these games.

 

[OneRing]

2008 Dunbar and 2011 Perryville are the worst losses this century. Over coaching was the issue in both these games.

Trying to get the games right, is 2008 the one where Appel went for two and failed trying to put the score out of reach? Allowing Dunbar the chance to win?

 

[novaunicorn]

All my years of watching FH I can only think of one time when FH made adjustments to win a game they shouldn't have. That was against Sherando. Usually if FH is outmatched the coaches don't make adjustments. They stick to their game plan and concede defeat. On the other hand, I've seen many times especially throughout the 90's where FH lost games they never should have due to being out coached.

You called this one

You're down 21-0 and you run up the middle, run the wildcat and it's simply two keepers...is this an adjustment?

 

[MCsoccerplex]

Yep, I was wrong!

It happens sometimes in life.

I wish the Cougars the best next week in Annapolis. I will be rooting for you.

 

[Tony54]

All my years of watching FH I can only think of one time when FH made adjustments to win a game they shouldn't have. That was against Sherando. Usually if FH is outmatched the coaches don't make adjustments. They stick to their game plan and concede defeat. On the other hand, I've seen many times especially throughout the 90's where FH lost games they never should have due to being out coached.

I couldn’t agree more. That game in Linganore is stuck in my memories up the middle all game long for 2 yards

 

[novaunicorn]

Trying to get the games right, is 2008 the one where Appel went for two and failed trying to put the score out of reach? Allowing Dunbar the chance to win?

Not sure, I remember the game with Tavon Austin where he tried a field goal with only a couple minutes left deep in Dunbar territory instead of going for it on fourth and short...it missed, Dunbar took over and went right down the field like a knife thru hot butter, game over.

 

[alco65]

FH is going to win this game by 3 TDs because they are the better team but where do people get the idea other teams don't scout and prepare and work hard?

Not