Hardin

[2wedge]

Alright, they're forcing us to talk about them now, so let's do it. What is Hardin's ceiling? My thoughts, I think 3rd round is very attainable for this team based on what I have seen. Curious as to the thoughts of others. 

[UNT-AggieMan]

Depends on who the draw and what kind of match up it is. if they find a team that is just as physical as them and can throw it around a little bit. It will present problems. and Palestine Westwood is coming eventually . 

[BBfan061]

If they stay healthy then yeah 3rd round… Unless they have to meet  Yoakum, Columbus, or Hitchcock in the second round.. because only one of those teams can win that district. I’ve seen Hitchcock and Columbus and I believe their defenses have the ability to slowdown and even get stops vs the Hardin offense.

[BBfan061]

2 minutes ago, UNT-AggieMan said:

Depends on who the draw and what kind of match up it is. if they find a team that is just as physical as them and can throw it around a little bit. It will present problems. and Palestine Westwood is coming eventually . 

Honestly Westwood is probably the 3rd best team in the region IMO. I think Franklin and Hitchcock are better

[UNT-AggieMan]

Yes but I think they would run into Westwood first of the 3 but all 3 are really good 

[BBfan061]

1 minute ago, UNT-AggieMan said:

Yes but I think they would run into Westwood first of the 3 but all 3 are really good 

I like Hardins chances vs Westwood. I think Hardin has the best game plan for play against a team like Westwood who defensively isn’t amazing.

[UNT-AggieMan]

I went to the game last year when they played in round 1 and Hardin had the game won pretty much. so I can definitely see them winning 

[Old Bald Man]

Coach Taylor does a great job doing something many don't face all year. They are VERY hard to prepare for, they can control the pace of the game, They limit your possessions, and they test your physicality. Come playoff time those are some good traits to have!

[Vini vidi]

Sometimes spread teams lack the defensive fortitude to play in a 5 yard box. 

[Bobcat101]

Very few out of this district make it passed the 1st round. Hardin is one stop away from losing a game in the playoffs. 
 

& to be far it applies to Orangefield also. 

[oldschool2]

3 hours ago, 2wedge said:

Alright, they're forcing us to talk about them now, so let's do it. What is Hardin's ceiling? My thoughts, I think 3rd round is very attainable for this team based on what I have seen. Curious as to the thoughts of others. 

Coach Taylor's Hornets will be a tough draw this year.. despite Region 3 being traditionally loaded.  Hardin does what they do pretty well.  A big, physical line and a good combination of guys in the backfield make them tough to stop.  And the "keep away" strategy makes it increasingly frustrating for opponents I'm sure.  Having some guys that you know can put points on the board but have to stand on the sideline and watch the clock tick away has to be humiliating for both the offense and defense.  We all watched it play out against WW last year in the playoffs and it has definitely carried over into this year.

Having said that.. nothing is impossible to stop.  Even if Hardin is the one stopping themselves.  It hasn't been seen yet but turnovers and/or penalties will ruin this offensive game plan.  Especially if it's against a team they can't stop either.  Which.. let's be honest.  That offensive scheme isn't built for playing catch up or scoring quickly.  Which is why it was so effective against OF.  Keep it out of the other team's hands.. but Hardin has to score every drive.  And stop the other team at least once.. preferably more than once.

How far will they go?  Who really knows.  Strange things happen in must win situations.  I'd put money they go 2 or more.. but matchups matter.  And.. other schools have good coaching staffs too.  It'll be interesting.

[AggiesAreWe]

I haven't looked at how the brackets could potentially be once the playoffs start. So not sure how deep a run Hardin can make.

One things for sure, Hardin cannot afford for #10 and #77 to go down. Both those guys are extremely important on both sides of the ball.

[kirkwood29]

1 hour ago, AggiesAreWe said:

I haven't looked at how the brackets could potentially be once the playoffs start. So not sure how deep a run Hardin can make.

One things for sure, Hardin cannot afford for #10 and #77 to go down. Both those guys are extremely important on both sides of the ball.

And I read where 0 has just as many yards and the same amount of Touchdowns as #10 has ?

[kirkwood29]

I am not sure how to justify saying Hardin has a ceiling of 3rd round, if indeed the 3rd round game is against an opponent (Pal Westwood) that they were 3 minutes away from beating last year.  So, it sounds to me like they have a ceiling of Reg Finals vs Franklin who I think we'd all agree, is the heavy favorite to win Region III and probably the state title. 

The interesting thing to me is, according to another post on a separate thread, I read where Hardin has only won ONE playoff game in school history.  If that's true, this appears to be a season of firsts for that community.  My wife taught there many years ago and I got to meet a lot of great people.  I just wasn't able to drink the Hardin koolaid earlier in the season, with the history that says otherwise.  I can honestly say now, I believe in the hype.

[TxAthlete409]

Hardin should not struggle with Teague or Crocket which will probably take the forth position in District 9. Second round being Columbus, Yoakum, or Hitchcock who all have pretty good strength on the DL, should be more of a game. But Hardin hasn't really had to show if they have anything else in their play book because what they are doing has been unstoppable by any team they have faced so far. They have my full support once district is over but as of now I still need them to lose to Buna and Kirbyville. LOL

 

[kirkwood29]

5 minutes ago, TxAthlete409 said:

Hardin should not struggle with Teague or Crocket which will probably take the forth position in District 9. Second round being Columbus, Yoakum, or Hitchcock who all have pretty good strength on the DL, should be more of a game. But Hardin hasn't really had to show if they have anything else in their play book because what they are doing has been unstoppable by any team they have faced so far. They have my full support once district is over but as of now I still need them to lose to Buna and Kirbyville. LOL

 

I am not sure if this is correct or not?  This is what I found on the UIL website.  This ofcourse all hinges on if Hardin does win district 10-3A

[AggiesAreWe]

1 hour ago, kirkwood29 said:

And I read where 0 has just as many yards and the same amount of Touchdowns as #10 has ?

But no where near as important on the defensive side as #10.

[TxAthlete409]

1 hour ago, kirkwood29 said:

I am not sure if this is correct or not?  This is what I found on the UIL website.  This ofcourse all hinges on if Hardin does win district 10-3A

This is correct. My thought is that the third place team from District 12 is better than the 2nd place team from district 11. I really only know anything about Franklin and Troy in district 11 and they havent started district play yet so i may change my mind. Last year Yoakum beat Troy pretty easily in the second round. 

[kirkwood29]

1 hour ago, AggiesAreWe said:

But no where near as important on the defensive side as #10.

Excellent point.  I didnt think about it like that.  He's the head of that Defense too, right ?

[AggiesAreWe]

4 minutes ago, kirkwood29 said:

Excellent point.  I didnt think about it like that.  He's the head of that Defense too, right ?

Yep. By far their best player on that side of the ball.

As great a RB for that offense is #10, he is much more important on the defensive side of the ball.

Pretty difficult to play RB on a 99% run offense then turn around and play middle linebacker on defense. 

[TAMUC#1]

2 hours ago, kirkwood29 said:

I am not sure how to justify saying Hardin has a ceiling of 3rd round, if indeed the 3rd round game is against an opponent (Pal Westwood) that they were 3 minutes away from beating last year.  So, it sounds to me like they have a ceiling of Reg Finals vs Franklin who I think we'd all agree, is the heavy favorite to win Region III and probably the state title. 

The interesting thing to me is, according to another post on a separate thread, I read where Hardin has only won ONE playoff game in school history.  If that's true, this appears to be a season of firsts for that community.  My wife taught there many years ago and I got to meet a lot of great people.  I just wasn't able to drink the Hardin koolaid earlier in the season, with the history that says otherwise.  I can honestly say now, I believe in the hype.

I’m pretty sure that the 1 playoff win is correct. 

[89Falcon]

2 hours ago, TxAthlete409 said:

Hardin should not struggle with Teague or Crocket which will probably take the forth position in District 9. Second round being Columbus, Yoakum, or Hitchcock who all have pretty good strength on the DL, should be more of a game. But Hardin hasn't really had to show if they have anything else in their play book because what they are doing has been unstoppable by any team they have faced so far. They have my full support once district is over but as of now I still need them to lose to Buna and Kirbyville. LOL

 

Crockett will pose a problem for everyone. Running the exact same offense as Hardin and Shepherd and getting better every week. 

[TxAthlete409]

4 minutes ago, 89Falcon said:

Crockett will pose a problem for everyone. Running the exact same offense as Hardin and Shepherd and getting better every week. 

Crockett barely beat New Waverly early season though as you said they are getting better. So it will be interesting to see how that plays out. I’d argue with you about them being a problem. But I tried that early in the year on Orangefield beating Hardin so I’ll swallow my pride and say your right. lol