Diboll @ Silsbee Saturday 6pm

[ballwatch]

In their Week 1 loss at Kirbyville, the Diboll Lumberjacks suffered a slow start that ultimately spelled a 36-28 loss to the Wildcats. Penalties, dropped passes and missed tackles were the primary culprits, some of which Diboll head coach Tom Sheppard described as "first-game jitters."

Still, despite spotting Kirbyville a 28-7 lead, the Lumberjacks came within a touchdown and two-point conversion of tying the game late, testament to their ability to fight back and put points on the board. Two touchdowns in a four-minute, fourth-quarter span very nearly allowed Diboll to pull off the big rally.

Tonight, the 'Jacks will travel to Silsbee, which dropped a 38-34 decision to Houston Davis in the Tigers' season opener. To avoid a repeat of last week's disappointment, the Lumberjacks will have to focus on the following areas:

* Penalties — Diboll committed a total of 14 penalties for a whopping 111 yards, including eight flags in the first quarter alone. While the overall penalty discrepancy may have suggested a little Kirbyville home cooking — the Wildcats drew just five penalties the entire night — the Lumberjacks know they'll have to stay disciplined enough to prevent giving up the free yardage.

* Wrap up — There was no doubt the Diboll defensive unit could lay some serious licks on ball carriers. On numerous occasions, 'Jack tacklers hit with such force that Wildcat runners were propelled several yards back. However, those runners went back but not down, and Kirbyville managed to amass 280 yards on the ground. Sheppard acknowledged that "we have to tackle better."

* Catch the ball — 'Jack quarterback Jacolby Spencer threw for more than 300 yards and connected on 15 of his 28 pass attempts for an impressive 53 percent completion rate. Unfortunately, he should have notched at least six more completions and another 50 yards had it not been for a plague of dropped passes by Diboll receivers. Four of those drops would have picked up first downs, possibly allowing the Lumberjacks to sustain several much-needed scoring drives.

* Gain some ground — Diboll gained less than 100 yards on the ground, with three runners — Spencer (10 carries for 29 yards), Kenneth Curry (7 for 31) and Kendal Jackson (9 for 29) accounting for all the ground gains. The highly mobile Spencer has proven he can put the ball on the money; but without a rushing attack, defenses will eventually shut him down. The Lumberjacks will need far more than 99 yards to beat Silsbee.

Despite their first-game frustrations, the Lumberjacks looked like a team that will move the ball and roll up points — and it's obvious they won't quit in any situation.

If the 'Jacks can manage to get off to a quicker start — and negate some of last week's mistakes — they won't need to play from behind against the Tigers.

Kickoff for tonight's game in Silsbee is 6 p.m.

[Guest tigersvoice]

In their Week 1 loss at Kirbyville, the Diboll Lumberjacks suffered a slow start that ultimately spelled a 36-28 loss to the Wildcats. Penalties, dropped passes and missed tackles were the primary culprits, some of which Diboll head coach Tom Sheppard described as "first-game jitters."

Still, despite spotting Kirbyville a 28-7 lead, the Lumberjacks came within a touchdown and two-point conversion of tying the game late, testament to their ability to fight back and put points on the board. Two touchdowns in a four-minute, fourth-quarter span very nearly allowed Diboll to pull off the big rally.

Tonight, the 'Jacks will travel to Silsbee, which dropped a 38-34 decision to Houston Davis in the Tigers' season opener. To avoid a repeat of last week's disappointment, the Lumberjacks will have to focus on the following areas:

* Penalties — Diboll committed a total of 14 penalties for a whopping 111 yards, including eight flags in the first quarter alone. While the overall penalty discrepancy may have suggested a little Kirbyville home cooking — the Wildcats drew just five penalties the entire night — the Lumberjacks know they'll have to stay disciplined enough to prevent giving up the free yardage.

* Wrap up — There was no doubt the Diboll defensive unit could lay some serious licks on ball carriers. On numerous occasions, 'Jack tacklers hit with such force that Wildcat runners were propelled several yards back. However, those runners went back but not down, and Kirbyville managed to amass 280 yards on the ground. Sheppard acknowledged that "we have to tackle better."

* Catch the ball — 'Jack quarterback Jacolby Spencer threw for more than 300 yards and connected on 15 of his 28 pass attempts for an impressive 53 percent completion rate. Unfortunately, he should have notched at least six more completions and another 50 yards had it not been for a plague of dropped passes by Diboll receivers. Four of those drops would have picked up first downs, possibly allowing the Lumberjacks to sustain several much-needed scoring drives.

* Gain some ground — Diboll gained less than 100 yards on the ground, with three runners — Spencer (10 carries for 29 yards), Kenneth Curry (7 for 31) and Kendal Jackson (9 for 29) accounting for all the ground gains. The highly mobile Spencer has proven he can put the ball on the money; but without a rushing attack, defenses will eventually shut him down. The Lumberjacks will need far more than 99 yards to beat Silsbee.

Despite their first-game frustrations, the Lumberjacks looked like a team that will move the ball and roll up points — and it's obvious they won't quit in any situation.

If the 'Jacks can manage to get off to a quicker start — and negate some of last week's mistakes — they won't need to play from behind against the Tigers.

Kickoff for tonight's game in Silsbee is 6 p.m.

This is a good, straight-forward analysis.  Well done ballwatch.

[bd04]

Diboll should win this game by at least 14.