Week 2 is upon us in D IV...and while it still remains to be seen who will lead the pack in this young season, I can't help but look forward to week 3 and the Laconia, Trinity match up. I must admit that prior to the season, my thoughts were that this year would be a 3 horse race.
Initially I thought there would be a strong possibility that we would see a rematch in the Title game this year between Lebanon and Trinity. I had the opportunity to watch both those teams play last year and the returning players from both teams made this seem like a very real possibility. Barker and Drew would have provided a veteran 1-2 punch in the Raider backfield to compete with Hughes, Chambers and Carrier in the Pioneer backfield. From there, the nod would IMO have to go to the Raiders line with returning lineman of Morril, Davidson, Henry (2 honorable mention all staters and 1 first team all state). The third team in my preseason scenario was a veteran Sachems team with Mahoney, Steele, and Kemos behind there beast of a line, Hollis, Mahoney part deux and company (all all staters in their own right).
All 3 of these teams would be replacing their QBs so it's a wash there, and all 3 have basically the same core returning on Defense.
All of that being said, I am a speed guy. Chris Barker is simply lightning in a bottle...he was poised to have as good a season as Patch had last year and as fast as the Laconia backs are Barker just had that explosiveness that's innate to good running backs. Add to that Dylan Drew at FB with Morril, Henry, Davidson and whoever would replace Geno on the line and it would be hard to argue with them as preseason favorites.
The Pioneers bring much power to their game and with Masuku at safety and perhaps taking the spot that Hoaglund left they'd also have that speed back to compliment Carrier and Hughes power running.
My how the landscape has changed...it is true from what I understand, that (as one post recently noted). Barker and Judd are not on the Raider roster for disciplinary reasons and Davidson did not come out this year. The Pioneers have lost their speed guy as Masuku did not come out this year.
This leaves the Raiders with 3 returning starters from last years team. Drew, Henry and Morril. This means they have 2 veteran lineman and 1 back offensively. For the Raiders to contend this year, someone needs to step up and make plays for them offensively. Drew is a power runner who was the perfect compliment to Patch and Barker last year, but he excels defensively at Linebacker. That needs to change this year. He will be running behind a pretty good line led by Morril and Henry, but it remains to be seen if a power running game will be enough to get them to the playoffs. Usually the championship teams have that one speed guy who has the chance to break one each time they touch the ball. We'll see as time goes on how this works out for the Raiders.
The Pioneers I think can get away with a power game due to the hide and seek double wing offense they run (and run well). No team in D IV runs this offense with the precision these guys do. Hughes, Chambers and Carrier don't need to have blazing speed. The misdirection and ball fakes allow them to put a hand on the lead blocker and waltz there way up field until the hole opens up. Chunk after chunk they chew the field up burning the clock down and absolutely wearing down defenses.
However, with the departure of the speed and the number of veteran leaders on the Raiders...and the loss of that true speed guy on the Pioneers it's hard not to consider the Sachems the front runners this year. Mahoney and Steele have that break away speed. Their power game will come behind the biggest and baddest line in D IV. Hollis, Hurley and Mahoney will flat out run people over and open holes you can drive a truck through. If Scott Ruggieri can stay consistent for them and provide leadership at QB it's difficult to not see them scoring pionts. So many weapons...and both of their backs are the type that can explode on any play at any point in time. This team will keep their opponents Defensive Coordinator up late that much is for sure.
How's that saying go...defense wins championships. So, this must also be true for the Sachems right? While they gave up 33 to a Hanover team that is also loaded with weapons in Cavallaro (who did show serious potential in a week 1 loss), Cyrus Rothwell-Feraris, Carl Keating, Dan Gorman. All with good speed and size, the Spirits (you remembe those from last year right :)) tell me that if you score 55 that means you can let the other team score 54 if you want, and you're still gonna win! So we'll see how things go.
Finally this week let's not forget about Plymouth. Just last year this time we were all abuzz with the win streak and the powerhouse that is Plymouth. No one needs to be reminded of the names Goodale, Newberry and Brooker. Is it just me or does it seem like these guys have been playing high school football for like 10 years... Anyway, this backfield is just as good as the others mentioned above, Goodale is the speed guy and Newberry and Brooker are the power guys (though Taylor can turn the jets on as well if he sees daylight). Does anyone have higher knees when they run than this kid? They won a tough one against Monadnock last week and are pervasive contenders come playoff time.
Okay, well I've already typed more than I intended and I'm getting tired so let's get to the picks this week.
Hanover visits Trinity - Hanover will not be able to stop the Pioneers in this one, though they will not allow them to run away with this one. Pioneers win this at Gill 32 - 21 (does Trinity kick extra points this year or still only go for 2)?
Stark goes to Kennett - Massa had a great game to start the season. He's a good strong runner with decent speed. If Jesse Wheeler can help the Eagles establish some balance on offense these guys can be right in it come November.
Kennett wins this one 21-8.
Lebanon visits Monadnock - The Raiders need this one. Morril, Henry and Drew need to mold this young team into a unit that can defend the D IV championship. They will have their hands full with Nick Dragon and company though...but I'm going with the Raiders in this one 14-7.
Plymouth travels to Kingswood this week to try and get to 2-0. Goodale and Newberry will have big games. Bobcats win 28-14.
MV travels to Laconia. While Cody Thurston, Dylan Sargent and Justin Abbot are all very good football players. It's always difficult to play in Laconia and it's hard to think they'll be able to match the pure firepower that Laconia can bring to bear. Sachems win big 44-7.
Finally, thanks for all the Facebook adds, hehe I guess I might be up to maybe 20 friends :) please keep them coming. Thanks for reading and until next time good luck to all the teams this week!
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