Rake1

Well after seeing the social media trash you can forget about WOS pulling any starters. This will be like the scene from "Remember The Titans" when the coach said "run it up Herman, leave no doubt!" Truly embarrassing on every level. Lessons will be learned, some harder than others. Rake1

Classic response right here. "Over hyped" would be Tim Tebow in baseball, Johnny Manziel in anything, and the last 2 George Clooney movies. Having 2 very proud Cardinal fans engaging in some banter on a message board would hardly qualify as being overhyped. Nobody, and I mean nobody, outside of BC even remotely gives the Cards a chance in this game and we have 9 pages on this thread to prove it. WOS is the heaviest of favorites and with good reason. Let those "underdog" fans take up for their team, it's what makes sports great. Rake1

BC fans remember a "very fast" Morris from WOS getting caught from behind in the 2011 game so it's possible. As a fan I'd like to see Denton and Morris in a foot race or chasing one another on the field! They can both fly!! Great athletes!! Rake1

Going to take a shot at giving an opinion on this one without sarcasm or "homer" viewpoint so here goes... It cannot be disputed that the premiere football program in this part of the state resides in West Orange, all the numbers prove that point emphatically. Year in and year out they are the benchmark that all others, including larger class schools, are measured against. This particular group has been special for quite sometime and they continue to impress even the toughest skeptics. Besides the fact they are physically talented this group at WOS has been running basically the same overall system since they began playing ball and that fact cannot be overstated. The familiarity they possess with the offense, defense, and coaching style is amazing, it's all they have ever known and very few schools can even attempt to compare with that fact. With that being said it's not difficult to make a case for the Mustangs running the table this season and easily handling the Cardinals on Friday night. Only problem with that statement is that this is a high school game and anything can happen. I witnessed a BC vs WOS game in the early 90's where BC came out amped up, scored on the opening drive and thought "this might be the year we win!" and then watched WOS reel of 55 unanswered points. All the opening score did was "kick a sleeping dog and made him mad". On that note I know many BC fans cringed when they saw some of the social media stuff that got started last week and with good reason. Most would have rather not been so public about the comments aimed at WOS and preferred that talk stay in the locker room, no reason to "poke the bear" so to speak when the element of surprise may have been an advantage. Either way what's done is done. There are 2 potential scenarios that could take place.... 1. WOS dominates from start to finish like most are predicting. The speed advantage and experience in big games goes without saying, WOS is loaded with playmakers and a fantastic leader/QB along with a potentially historic defense. All signs point to this happening. 2.BC figures out a way to move the chains and keep the clock running which in turn keeps the potent WOS offense off of the field. Many on this board have made comments about one dimensional offenses not doing well against WOS and that's a true statement for the most part. I may be wrong but it seems like in the past several seasons Orangefield has been able to hang around with WOS in a few games doing exactly what BC hopes to do. If BC manages to somehow control the clock for a while and can get a big play from either the defense or special teams this game could be closer than many predict. Will that happen, we won't know until Friday night. BC does have a few things going for them and won't be showing up empty handed. Up front they have some size and experience which is a plus as long as they can play 4 quarters. BC does have a few guys that can run with almost anybody on the field and they are capable of scoring at any time. BC will have to limit the 3 and outs and turnovers to have a legitimate shot of keeping WOS anywhere close but it can be done. I personally look forward to the game and hope it lives up to the hype. One would think WOS would like to play a game where they at least get challenged and need to play their starters for more than 2 or 3 quarters, the blowouts don't help them in their quest for another title. Hopefully everybody plays well, comes out injury free, and both teams get better as they pursue the playoffs. Good luck to both teams! Rake1

Mike, thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Rake1

Okay, I'll take a shot at this one. These are 2 really well coached clubs that have some recent history between them in the playoffs. Robinson is a program that many folks here in east Texas don't really follow or know much about until it comes to the playoffs and that's when everyone finds out just how good they are. BC usually gets a look at them early each year during the pre-district tourney season and this year was no exception as Robinson defeated BC 4-3 in a thriller. Robinson is exceptionally deep on the hill and they have some guys who can really swing it as well. BC will have their work cut out for them in a 3 game series. BC's pitching staff will need to be in top form and the defense will need to play lights out because you can't give a team as good as Robinson extra outs. If BC can work an early lead and execute the small ball they will have a shot. BC has shown a great ability to battle back against some steep odds and this series would certainly qualify as that so I wouldn't count them out. This should be another classic match up just like the last 2 times these teams have met in the playoffs. Rake1

That's a shame it could get out of hand like that. Never let it be said AdminBabeRuth is not a stand up guy or a voice of reason on this site. Rake1

Sincerely hope for a full and speedy recovery for a great kid with plenty of talent. Get well soon KJ. Rake1

Good game tonite, great playoff atmosphere as well. Coach Landry and the Mustangs got it done with the opportunities that were presented to them, no denying that. Several really nice defensive plays turned in by WOS as well at very critical points. BC as a team didn't really show up to play and that's on them, the errors both on the field and on the base paths were not typical but that's part of the game. Lots of baseball left to play, every game matters. Congrats to Coach Landry and the Stangs on a nice win! Rake1

On this thread and across the district. The parity across the district this year will make the title race some kind of interesting! Rake1

This is going to get good very soon. Watching several different story lines. Rake1

Always nice to know I'm being thought about! Made my morning. Rake1 P.S. Look forward to seeing you at the park and listening to some baseball on the radio.

Wow...... that was less than nice right there don't you think AAW? I don't think that post said anything about any particular school or did I miss something? Only trying to get a little bit of talk generated and this is how it's received? Strange......to say the least. Rake1

Couple of things to consider here..... 1. Everybody (meaning playoff contenders) in the district this year has one guy who can beat anybody in the district. It's going to come down to who has the deepest staff or most dominant #2 pitcher. 2. Unless you have a catcher who can handle the game and staff you are behind the 8 ball. Teams that will have to use their primary catcher to play another position because of certain lineup combinations will be at a big disadvantage. 3. Strength up the middle will be key, solid defense will always win ball games. 4. Possibly most important of all will be scheduling. One team will draw a bad schedule where they play 2 of the top 3 teams in the district race back to back and that will put a strain on the pitching staffs while other teams will only get 1 contender a week and be able to manage their number 1's to throw accordingly. 5. Offenses will continue to struggle so the teams that can execute small ball and the run game will be ahead of the pack. It should be another wild season where nobody runs away and hides. Looking forward to it ! Good luck to all the teams. Rake1

Lots of good info here already but there is a huge hole in this that nobody has addressed yet and that's the JUCO option. So many kids and parents get caught up in the "I signed D1" race to really take a look at just what they got into. More often than not these kids end up being cheer leaders for a year or two while getting only a handful of AB's, innings pitched, or games played while they wait their turn. If you are not careful and don't research the rosters and commitments you can get yourself buried on the depth chart before you even start. Too many times the bright lights of "I signed D1" gets in the way of making a rational choice. Signing up with a quality JUCO and getting 150-200 AB's a year while playing 60-75 games is not a bad option. Couple that with the fact that you can get a 100% full scholarship and it's hard to deny the fact that JUCO is a very good option. Another thing to consider is that you are taking the exact same classes at JUCO as one would at a D1 without being just a number. For example take freshman english at Texas, A&M, U of H or wherever and you are in an auditorium with several hundred other students, good luck getting to know your teacher. Same class at JUCO and you are looking at a "big class" of 30 people. It's just my opinion but I'd take the chance to play for 2 years and go to a bigger school with a legit shot to be in the lineup over being a practice player and cheerleader for a year or 2. Now don't get me wrong, some situations are different and some freshmen walk in and play from day 1 but those are far fewer than the ones who sit and wait. You have to do your homework before you jump, check the rosters to see how many returning players are at your position and what class they are in. At times D1 coaches are much more apt give a JUCO transfer some scholarship money than they would take a chance on an unproven high school guy, especially after a JUCO guy puts up some good numbers in the classroom and on the diamond. This shows the JUCO has taken care of his business and proven himself, almost like being on probation at a job. Each and every kid has a different set of circumstances and no one route is best for everyone, take your time and explore all the options. Respectfully, Rake1

It's awful hard to believe that 4 years of Babe Ruth baseball has come and gone for our family. The Mid County Babe Ruth league has been one of the best things we ever did as far as baseball is concerned, hands down. The overall atmosphere and camaraderie that is shared in every game is like no other place. The quality of the league and the opportunity for kids from all over the triangle to get to see some top end pitching, get quality AB's, play new positions, and do it in a relaxed atmosphere is what summer baseball is all about. We have been fortunate enough to gain many great friends during our time in the league and it still hasn't quite sunk in that we won't be able play anymore as we move on to college ball. The coaches and full time fans who support this league are in a class by themselves and have my utmost respect for the dedication they show year after year. Very rarely do you get the opportunity to look forward to a weekday summer league game, but that's exactly what happened to us once we joined the league. The atmosphere is second to none and the baseball is really good. I want to personally thank all those folks who make this league what it is and for giving so much of themselves in order to provide a great place for our baseball players to continue to grow and more importantly have fun. Also a huge thank you to "AdminBabeRuth" and all the other baseball junkies who have been coaching in that league for so many years for allowing me to be a part of the league as well, it is very much appreciated. I want to encourage any and all local baseball players to give Mid County Babe Ruth a try, it's easily the best game in town.    With much respect and thanks,   Rake1

Wow, what a tough one to deal with after working their way back through the losers bracket and losing in extra innings. Great showing by the Mid County All Star team for sure.   Rake1

I may be stepping out on a limb but I think the game may be closer than some expect. Even though I'm a BC fan I still think Newton wins the game, they are very talented and will be hand full for anyone who lines up against them. BC has a nice balanced offense and will need to use ball control to shorten the game and stay in it. Newton appeared to be working out some kinks on defense against Buna and that may help BC put a few more points on the board than is expected. BC cannot afford to turn the ball over or go 3 and out on a routine basis or it could get ugly in a hurry. Hoping for a close game but realistic expectations are Newton wins by 17 or more. Rake1

[quote name="BCatGrad" post="1426441" timestamp="1377266517"] Silsbee Orangefield West Orange Bridge City Buna Hardin Jefferson Hamshire Fannett I'm an Orangefield fan so I'm kinda going out on a limb here, but I think they have a legitimate chance [/quote] Must have just reached in a hat and pulled these names out to get an order like that. Wow??? Rake1

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1423699" timestamp="1376346100"] [quote author=Farmer Frans BFF link=topic=113053.msg1423654#msg1423654 date=1376338403] Well, he is a Silsbee fan... Why would he ever pick against his home team? Objectively? Have you ever heard him broadcast a Silsbee baseball game? He is a little biased dontcha think??? [/quote] Well, it is a Silsbee broadcast, paid for by Silsbee sponsors, so it would stand a reason for a little bit of bias. ::) I have had many a person (not Silsbee folk) tell me I broadcast without too much "homerism". [/quote] AAW calls a good game, no matter what sport. He makes it a point to give credit where credit is due, no matter who it is or what school they play for. It's difficult to fill all the air time during a broadcast without talking about your hometown team but he certainly does his best. I enjoy both his broadcasts and his insight on High School sports both on the radio and on this website. His sarcasm is also the source for many laughs as well. I don't always agree with him but I certainly respect what he has to say. Rake1

Nothing like a Rumor Mill running on all cylinders or a Friday Assumption Party! Wow!! I love it when idle time gets the best of us all (myself included). 8) Rake1

Here is the All District team as reported by the Orange Leader.... [Hidden Content] Van Wade The Orange Leader The Orange Leader Thu Jun 06, 2013, 11:08 AM CDT ORANGE — Here is the All-District 21-3A Baseball Team as selected by the 21-3A head coaches: MVP: Jordan Gore, Silsbee Offensive MVP: Montana Garcia, Silsbee Defensive MVP: Nick Portacci, Bridge City Pitcher of the Year: Tyler Powell, Silsbee Newcomer of the Year: A.J. Broussard, Hardin-Jefferson First Team Pitchers: Hayden Guidry, Bridge City; Preston Pittman, Bridge City; Braxton Smith, Orangefield Catcher: Glen Patrick, Buna First Base: Brayden Griffin, Silsbee Second Base: Bryce Sampere, Bridge City Third Base: Chase Shugart, Bridge City Shortstop: Jacob Kelly, Buna Outfield: Adam Valencia, Silsbee; Keaton Langston, Bridge City; Ashton Hunter, Bridge City; Ryan Johnson, Hamshire-Fannett; Kreston Richardson, Buna DH: Hunter Uzzle, Bridge City Utility: Grant Anderson, West Orange-Stark Second Team Pitchers: Joseph Clark, Buna; Aaron Edelmon, Hardin-Jefferson; Ryan Gunstream, Orangefield; Aidan Anderson, West Orange-Stark Catcher: Colby LeBlanc, Silsbee First Base: Westin Crain, Orangefield; Jacob Hryborchuck, West Orange-Stark Second Base: Michael Mahaffey, Hamshire-Fannett; Kurt Haggard, Orangefield Third Base: Dusty Thibodeaux, Silsbee Shortstop: Dillon Duplant, Hardin-Jefferson Outfield: Blaine Huff, Bridge City; Quade Robertson, Hardin-Jefferson; Colin Shellhammer, Silsbee DH: Matthew Hartman, Silsbee Utility: Daniel Woodson, West Orange-Stark Congrats to all who made the team. Rake1

Great season Tigers! What a ride! Rake1

Congrats to the Tigers on a great win. If I was from Carthage I'd ask for some of the head coach's salary to be refunded! Never tried to force the issue, no sac, no hit and run, nothing! American League baseball at its finest, play for the 3 run bomb. Really poor job of coaching. In a game where 2 guys are getting it done on the mound you have to make things happen, that's exactly what Silsbee did and now they advance. Maybe if the Carthage coach spent more time coaching and less time hitting fungo in pre-game they'd have done better. 8) Rake1

Wow!! Bad call on double play! Rake1