Predictions: Buckeye 8 -- Week 1

[announcerguydrew]

Bellaire is in the same Region as Newark Catholic, State Runner up from last season and huge favorite to win the State this season. The NC quarterback 6'4 219 has signed with D1 Illinois.

Well, as long as Bellaire can stay out of the same part of the playoff bracket as NC then they can reach the 3rd round (sectional final).

[bwana]

Well, as long as Bellaire can stay out of the same part of the playoff bracket as NC then they can reach the 3rd round (sectional final).

Columbus Ready is also in this region, a div IV playoff team that dropped all the way down to div VI this year. They beat Newark Catholic last year and some think they are better than NC at this point. These two meet in week one, so we won't have to wait long to find out. Ready has a senior lineman who is considered one of the state's top prospects with over twenty college offers, many div I.

[BL Panther Fan]

Columbus Ready is also in this region, a div IV playoff team that dropped all the way down to div VI this year. They beat Newark Catholic last year and some think they are better than NC at this point. These two meet in week one, so we won't have to wait long to find out. Ready has a senior lineman who is considered one of the state's top prospects with over twenty college offers, many div I.

I just looked up the player you are referring to... a pretty nice offer sheet...
Brady Taylor - 6'5" 285lb... OT... Offers include: Akron, Ball State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Toledo, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Western Michigan

[Jello Man]

Bellaire's offense was just about unstoppable at times last season but their defense could not stop anyone. If Bellaire had more players that actually played defense and could take the pressure off the offensive players that wind up playing on defense as well (2 way players) then this could have the makings of a very special season (a.k.a STC last season). Bellaire wins 11 games but will ultimately not advance out of their sectional.

I still say that this is absolutely set up to be Bellaire's year to dominate.

1. First of all, they return 8 starters on each side of the ball from a team that was 8-2 last year. The most important one of those starters, Spencer Badia, is extremely good. He obviously does not have the arm strength that Jose or Nate had, but he is very smart, very accurate and very mobile. For the Bellaire system, Badia is the perfect QB.

2. Including Badia, this team is going to have like 18 or 19 seniors this year. For a Division 6 team in 2013, that is unheard of.

3. The Big Reds get 4 of their 5 toughest games (Ferry, Shadyside, St. C. and Steubenville Central) at home. Only Indian Creek should be a challenging game on the road. And home field advantage for Bellaire is more of an advantage than it is for most teams because they are used to playing in the daytime, while their opponents are not. Also, their playing surface is not the best anymore, so that also gives them even more of advantage against teams that play on turf (Ferry, St. C. and Steubenville Central).

Most likely 10-0, with huge scoring and passing numbers!

[Jake]

Columbus Ready is also in this region, a div IV playoff team that dropped all the way down to div VI this year. They beat Newark Catholic last year and some think they are better than NC at this point. These two meet in week one, so we won't have to wait long to find out. Ready has a senior lineman who is considered one of the state's top prospects with over twenty college offers, many div I.

Many actually believe Ready to be better then NC. Watch out for Lucasville Valley (Bellaire played them in 96) They finished 12-1 last season and return 15 starters.

[sonofsam]

I still say that this is absolutely set up to be Bellaire's year to dominate.

1. First of all, they return 8 starters on each side of the ball from a team that was 8-2 last year. The most important one of those starters, Spencer Badia, is extremely good. He obviously does not have the arm strength that Jose or Nate had, but he is very smart, very accurate and very mobile. For the Bellaire system, Badia is the perfect QB.

2. Including Badia, this team is going to have like 18 or 19 seniors this year. For a Division 6 team in 2013, that is unheard of.

3. The Big Reds get 4 of their 5 toughest games (Ferry, Shadyside, St. C. and Steubenville Central) at home. Only Indian Creek should be a challenging game on the road. And home field advantage for Bellaire is more of an advantage than it is for most teams because they are used to playing in the daytime, while their opponents are not. Also, their playing surface is not the best anymore, so that also gives them even more of advantage against teams that play on turf (Ferry, St. C. and Steubenville Central).

Most likely 10-0, with huge scoring and passing numbers!

I still say your wrong. Score a single point against us then run your mouth.

[Jello Man]

I still say your wrong. Score a single point against us then run your mouth.

No Montell McClelland +
No Monty McClelland +
No Shane Winland +
No Alex Young +
No Merik Ludwig +
No Tyler Shape +
No Logan Woods +
No Ricky Hinerman +
No Mandella Lawrence =

No problem with Indian Creek's defense for Spencer Badia.

[gcs1204]

So a D3 team beats a D5 or D6 team you ought to be sooo proud.

[firstward4ever]

I still say your wrong. Score a single point against us then run your mouth.

You got thumped by Bigred and it never stopped you from running yours

[goodrunners]

After watching Ferry and Shadyside in a passing scrimmage, I feel like the Buckeye 8 will go thru Ferry. Originally,I thought Bellaire would be the team to beat, but Ferry's kids looked like they were going to have a special sEason. Shadyside will also have a solid year, but they are going to miss Kinnamond.

[Jake]

Spoke with a Ferry Dad today about the 7 on 7 and he said it was even, maybe Shadyside by a bit. He said he will give a better opinion after the actual scrimmage between the two.

[Jello Man]

After watching Ferry and Shadyside in a passing scrimmage, I feel like the Buckeye 8 will go thru Ferry. Originally,I thought Bellaire would be the team to beat, but Ferry's kids looked like they were going to have a special sEason. Shadyside will also have a solid year, but they are going to miss Kinnamond.

Not that I really disagree, but shouldn't Ferry be expected to beat Shadyside in a scrimmage? I don't consider that a surprise.

[Winnersville]

I know it's early, but here I go.

1. Steubenville Central @ Bellaire -- The Crusaders will win plenty of games this year, but this will certainly not be one of them. Bellaire, 68-28

2. Pittsburgh Taylor Alderdice @ Martins Ferry -- Alderdice is probably athletic enough to keep this interesting for a half, but the Purple Riders will pull away in the 2nd half.
Martins Ferry, 36-14

3. St. Clairsville @ Claymont -- Claymont are the Mustangs, but St. C.'s Jaylon Brown is a Stingray Corvette -- and Mike Ferns is a Ram 2500 truck.
St. C., 38-20

4. Weir @ Indian Creek -- Not much to see here.
Indian Creek, 24-0

5. Harrison Central @ Wheeling Central -- Don't think Harrison has enough juice to hang with the Maroon Knights this year.
Wheeling Central, 34-13

6. Edison @ Oak Glen -- O.G. always seems to find a way to sneak by Edison.
Oak Glen, 20-19

7. Union Local @ Monroe Central -- One head coach is in his very first game, while the other has been at it for more than 40 seasons.
Monroe Central, 20-7

8. Pittsburgh Westinghouse @ Buckeye Local -- It's a good thing Buckeye has this game on the schedule.
Buckeye Local, 28-6

Same here

1. Bellaire
2. Martins Ferry
3. St. Clairsville
4. Indian Creek
5. Wheeling Central
6. Oak Glen
7. Monroe Central
8. Buckeye Local

[goodrunners]

Not sure what he was seeing, but I felt Ferry looked much better. There was no scoring, because after a catch, the play was over. Shadyside threw a few interceptions.I don't think ferry threw any. And Ferry just looked more active and aggressive on D. I know that passing scrimmage are not a good indication of how the real games will go. But, when looking at the two teams out on the field, Ferry's kids looked like they were much bigger and faster. Looked like they lived in the weight room. Vargo looked much bigger and had some nice catches. Fitch and Barret caught the ball very well, plus looked like they put on some muscle since last year. They had 3 or 4 backs rotating in, and they all seemed to be fast and could catch. Ferrys QB looked to have a very strong arm and is a pretty big kid. On the defensive side of the ball, Ferry looked much better than last year as far as coverage goes. Only two plays all scrimmage were blown coverages. They picked off and knocked down countless balls. They just looked faster. Plus both of Ferry's LB were pretty good size. So,I imagine against the run they will be tough. While I was there, the linemen are doing drills, and they may be the most impressive of the bunch. They looked big and athletic. If Ferry can mix in a little bit of passing this year to keep the other teams honest, the Buckeye 8 will be theirs to lose.
Shadyside looked to be just a step behind most of the time. Not sure what grade the Shadyside kids were in, but they looked young. They were well coached and ran nice patterns. They had one back that looked like a bigger kid, and he caught the ball well. Dorris was one of the better receivers I saw last year. But, out of necessity, he is the QB now. He didn't have the big arm that I thought he would have, but he throws an accurate, catchable ball. They will miss him at receiver. They don't have that go to guy out there now.
To me, both teams look like they are going to have good years. But, when you look at Ferry's kids, they look impressive. They grew up in a year. They are not the young sophomores and juniors that teams beat last year. They are big, fast and strong, and at Ferry that usually wins some games.

[mlproc]

I can't believe ferry, ul, and st.c all dropped to d5! http://ohsaa.org/sports/ft/boys/2013...ls-2013-14.pdf