Bordertown

I watched the Huntsville game and was impressed with the Nederland running back. I saw a nominal passing game, which was effective as a “surprise” element against a secondary focused on the run. IF Texas High gets a couple touchdown lead going in the 4th quarter, I question the ability of Nederland to come back against the Tiger secondary. If Nederland can keep it close, then who knows. Huntsville was also a run first team and had success against the Bulldog defense. How the Bulldogs deal with the Tiger wide open offense will be a test. Texas High averages over 500 yds per game which are evenly distributed between the run and pass. Tigers have three good running backs and don’t have one “go to” receiver. Key for the Tigers is to limit the number of explosive plays by #1 and stop several drives each half. No matter what, I suspect this will be a good first round challenge for both teams. It is understood that Nederland is not a normal 4 seed.

Texas High is not a running offense. The Tiger offense is balanced with 50% coming from the run and 50% from the pass. They average north of 450 yds/game. Honestly if Nederland can shutdown THS’s offense, I will be quite surprised. Historically, our run defense has been our biggest weakness. But the Tiger defense is not soft. The story will be told on Friday at Grim.

For the Nederland fans, I will give you the Texas High report. The game will be decided on the field and not on message boards. In my opinion, this is the best Tiger team since they won state in 2002. As mentioned earlier they have a well balanced offense that is 50/50 between pass and run. David Potter, QB, makes good decisions and has only thrown 1 INT. He holds an offer from SMU. The running attack is three headed. Javari Johnson (SR), starts at RB and has committed to SFA over 8 D1 offers. Tradarian Ball (JR) is the crown jewel of the offense. 247Sports ranks him as the #2 RB in next year’s class and #46 overall nationally. He has committed to Oregon. When he is not spelling Johnson, he is a receiver. The #3 RB is Ahmad Moore (JR). His yards have come primarily with 2nd team, but I don’t see a huge drop off when he is on the field. The receivers to the passing attack is not focused on one individual. The line has provided good pass protection and opening holes for the run. The defense has given up some points, but are solid. I would say their strength is their secondary. Overall they have very good team speed. As a retired visiting coach related after they watched Texas High … “ They have athletes all over the field”. Grim can be a difficult venue for opponents, especially after a 5 hour bus ride. Looking forward to Friday and safe travels to the Nederland fans.

He was my MVP for Crosby versus any of your offensive players. He set the tone for your defense.

Just a question …. Why would one fake an injury at the end of a two point conversion? Why diminish a great football game, where the kids from both sides left it all on the field? Cougars earned the win in a very clean sportsmanship game. As hard as both teams were playing, tempers could have easily gotten out of hand. Good luck going forward.

Congrats to the Cougars. Gameball to #5 Cooper. Nice offense, but knew our offense was average. Road the back of our defense. Best of luck going forward.

I hope he is okay. T-High coach said he was a special talent and he is the only one to really gash our defense.

Who said folks don’t play defense in high school football. Heck of a first half.

Safe travels to all and may the best team win. Obviously I hope the Tigers are the best. I return after the game to congratulate the Cougars on a fine season or horrors at the thought best of luck going forward. Thank you to those of you willing to discuss the game.

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A good ballgame by two very good teams that match strength v strength. The best team will win. How many times do you want to flip the coin?

All for the don’t get respect card😎

Stanford is a straight up guy. I believe he understands the quality of life of students from the age of 19 to death is more important than a football game. It is all about priorities and hopefully it is a life lesson.

I think you have fairly assessed. The only thing I would correct is the assessment of Stewart as a track kid playing running back. He is a running back with speed. You are correct he is different from the AMC back who is a power back. He is a patient back. Some backs run full speed to the called hole in the line. He is patient for the holes to open and is deceptively strong. He is a quality back and his backup is a tough runner. Our OL is down a step from last year and they are going to open up some holes. I do expect the Tigers to try to have sustained drives to reduce the number of possessions the Cougar offense has and to keep the defense rested. I agree that the Tiger offense cannot win a track meet with Crosby.

They could have had same issue 🤷‍♂️

Someone posted on another board. The school calendar is correct and four players did not make their grades. The kids were ineligible for the Texas City game, but were eligible for the PNG game as TISD was off all week for Thanksgiving (UIL allows kids to play during the holidays). As school is in session this week, they are again ineligible. They were eligible for the Fulshear game as it was played on Thursday and grades came out Friday. Not sure exactly how it works, but I suspect they regain eligibility next Friday. Makes the task Friday harder for sure. Hope this answers the questions and quashes concerns on participation in previous games.

I don’t live in the area, so have no clue. Have no clue if any players out with grades. Another possibility is they broke team rules and are being benched. Honestly too far removed from the program. Thanks to live-streaming, have been able to watch 11 of 12 games. My views are through the lens of a camera held by a student in all but the PNG game.

I’m too far removed from the school to have any knowledge of the “players are out for grades” comments. I have no idea if there is any truth. I do know the school enforces the rules. Last year the QB tested the rule and sat for 3 weeks. Insert McHenry into the QB position and it was his job the rest of the way. The old QB became a pretty salty WR. Stanford is more interested in his players being productive members of society after football than winning a game (and yes if we work as a TEAM we can win). Many of these kids are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Don’t care for some of the innuendos.

If the game is within 7 at half, I like the Tigers chances. The D coordinator has done a great job making the adjustments at half. Most of the second half points have come against backups (sure same holds true for Crosby). Addressing a couple of previous comments, there seems to be too much focus on our D-line not having a lot of sacks against PNG. The week before Crippen was 25-30 in passing. Against Texas High, he went 16 - 39 per the PA News. It would seem to my untrained eyes, the rush did it’s job. In addition there were a number of running plays that the DL chased the rusher on the edge for a nominal gain. I disagree with the assessment of McHenry as QB. Kid holds a D-1 offer (New Mexico … albeit not Alabama). The issue has been our WRs that have had the dropsies. That cannot occur against the Cougars. McHenry does not run a lot, but he is deceptively fast and can do damage with his legs.

I was referring to the fact you gave up 50 to AMC and HAD to score 50. Tigers haven’t HAD to score north of 25 to win a game. Yes, that may change Friday (25).

That’s because we haven’t given up 50 points.😎 Could have easily hung 50 on PNG, but there was no need. Shut it down after 3 quarters. I think the Crosby offense will be tested. Likewise, the Tiger defense will be tested. Question to be decided Friday - which one passes the test.

I think it will be incumbent on the Tiger defense to make stops and disrupt your offense. Think the race is to 35. We have successfully handled your district mates that were averaging in excess of 35 ppg on offense. Crosby is a different animal and after last year they should be prepared. If you score 52, you have earned the win.

Actually we have three common opponents, which is unusual. Crosby 57 Texas City 28 Texas High 31 Texas City 0 I am interested in the Crosby district mates that have played the Tigers, honest assessment. I think your opening comments are fair. The key for Texas High will rest with the 11 that brought them to this point - the defense. They don’t need to over commit as they did last year. I think one of the interesting battles will be the Cougar passing game versus the Tiger’s secondary. I am impressed that Myles only has 3 interceptions. He will be facing an opportunistic group that has 20-25 INTs this season. Looking forward to the rematch.

Weasel, I am not hiding behind a computer screen. I am not condoning the hit. It was a penalty properly called by the officials in my opinion, but not a “targeting” subject to ejection. The THS player did not lead with his helmet, but I was a late block from behind. I have no idea of conversations players were having during the game. But I suspect if words were exchanged, both were guilty of engaging in the banter. By your detail knowledge l have to assume it was your kid. I hope he recovers. I hate it when a team loses they claim the other team did not play fair. PNG had a young team and a bright future. That is what you need to focus on.