Over 500 yards rushing and 47 points tonight against a big and fast South Hagerstown defense. Fort Hill had a 3 and out on their first possession and punted, their only punt of the game. After that, South Hagerstown NEVER stopped Fort Hill again, not once, outside of a fumble very, very deep in South High territory.
The 4 headed rushing attacks of Brown, Smith, Poling and Graves is a monster, all firing on all cylinders with the line blocking well. A word about each: Brown only needs a handful of carries to produce a few touchdowns with his speed, Smith showed tonight how much damage a big strong fullback can do and how much of a weapon he can be and grinding and maintaining a lead late, Poling is really producing while finally getting a chance to run the ball as he runs fast and hard, Graves is the best running quarterback at Fort Hill since maybe Mark Manges, I really believe that.
I think the passing game can be there as it has been with Graves, tonight it wasn't utilized much but didn't really need to be. When I say the passing game is there, I mean as little as it will be needed it will produce some big plays as everyone tunes in to stop the run.
There is however, much, much room for defensive improvement along with a problem with shooting themselves in the foot with key penalties (young team???). Overall I though the defense has played lights out since Keyser but gave up those three big plays tonight to that speedy back from South High (how fast was that guy...wow). Here's the thing though, even if the defense bends and occasionally breaks you are going to have to score 40 plus to beat Fort Hill.
The offense has improved exponentially since the Keyser game in my opinion and has Fort Hill poised to make another serious run at the Bank. Sherando will be a monster of a game and is a toss at this point (which is better than I thought a few weeks ago). Mountain Ridge will get crushed by Fort Hill and that leaves Allegany. Say what you want about Allegany underperforming and not being that good but I seriously think that the only thing standing in the way of Fort Hill making it to the Bank if not 3-peating is Allegany. I know Boonsboro is undefeated, I know Northern has really impressed this year, I know Smithsburg beat Northern to open the year but IN MY OPINION it is Allegany and Allegany alone that stands between Fort Hill and another shot at a ring. I see Fort Hill as at least a 3 touchdown favorite but suspect Fort Hill and Allegany times two could be nailbiters.
The Maryland 1A State Champion will come from the West Region this year, specifically, the Maryland 1A State Champion will come from Cumberland this year.
OK, I'll end my Big Red Cheerleading post now.
The 4 headed rushing attacks of Brown, Smith, Poling and Graves is a monster, all firing on all cylinders with the line blocking well. A word about each: Brown only needs a handful of carries to produce a few touchdowns with his speed, Smith showed tonight how much damage a big strong fullback can do and how much of a weapon he can be and grinding and maintaining a lead late, Poling is really producing while finally getting a chance to run the ball as he runs fast and hard, Graves is the best running quarterback at Fort Hill since maybe Mark Manges, I really believe that.
I think the passing game can be there as it has been with Graves, tonight it wasn't utilized much but didn't really need to be. When I say the passing game is there, I mean as little as it will be needed it will produce some big plays as everyone tunes in to stop the run.
There is however, much, much room for defensive improvement along with a problem with shooting themselves in the foot with key penalties (young team???). Overall I though the defense has played lights out since Keyser but gave up those three big plays tonight to that speedy back from South High (how fast was that guy...wow). Here's the thing though, even if the defense bends and occasionally breaks you are going to have to score 40 plus to beat Fort Hill.
The offense has improved exponentially since the Keyser game in my opinion and has Fort Hill poised to make another serious run at the Bank. Sherando will be a monster of a game and is a toss at this point (which is better than I thought a few weeks ago). Mountain Ridge will get crushed by Fort Hill and that leaves Allegany. Say what you want about Allegany underperforming and not being that good but I seriously think that the only thing standing in the way of Fort Hill making it to the Bank if not 3-peating is Allegany. I know Boonsboro is undefeated, I know Northern has really impressed this year, I know Smithsburg beat Northern to open the year but IN MY OPINION it is Allegany and Allegany alone that stands between Fort Hill and another shot at a ring. I see Fort Hill as at least a 3 touchdown favorite but suspect Fort Hill and Allegany times two could be nailbiters.
The Maryland 1A State Champion will come from the West Region this year, specifically, the Maryland 1A State Champion will come from Cumberland this year.
OK, I'll end my Big Red Cheerleading post now.
