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not sure why you see norwalk as a top contender? care to explain?Believe it or not, it's still Pella and Norwalk.
What are his plans next year?Brady is a special talent. If he is healthy I would not rule Norwalk out at all.
Can someone please explain to me where Xavier and Storm Lake just suddenly becomes the Titans? Xavier has almost the identical skill players offensively last year. I agree that a year of experience will gain improvement, but did they make a quantum leap. Last year they barely made it out of the first round and didn't survive the 2nd. I am a believer in improvement, but its more likely that their district this year is very weak. Benton, who went 5-5 last year is now the second team in their district. They were blown out by Marion this year? Xavier's one tough game might have been Regina, who is also down this year? I guess I am a little skeptical to ride the Xavier train after 2014, first year back in 3A and this board was yet again all about it's Xavier L A R G E gap and the rest of the field. Then Xavier meets Pella, gets shut out for the first time in a decade, and I'm left wondering where this Large gap is. I've heard that Wilson is a phenom, why was he stoppable last year. I've heard the defense is incredible. Of their top 11 tacklers last year only 3 returned. Again if these guys are so great why did they not play last year. Last year's team was hardly phenomenal. Maybe I am too analytical, but I don't think the large gap is for real. What I am seeing is the bottom 2/3 of many districts are just not very good. I also find it interesting that the Register picks Xavier #1, but the Gazette has Pella, odd?Ok I am a Fan of the West side of Iowa, that being said Xavier wins in a blowout. I like Storm Lake or Carroll from the Westside but no one plays with Xavier.
You're right, there isn't that big of a gap. This is probably their best overall team since they moved down to 3A and I think they're certainly one of the contenders but I don't think there's a huge gap between them.Can someone please explain to me where Xavier and Storm Lake just suddenly becomes the Titans? Xavier has almost the identical skill players offensively last year. I agree that a year of experience will gain improvement, but did they make a quantum leap. Last year they barely made it out of the first round and didn't survive the 2nd. I am a believer in improvement, but its more likely that their district this year is very weak. Benton, who went 5-5 last year is now the second team in their district. They were blown out by Marion this year? Xavier's one tough game might have been Regina, who is also down this year? I guess I am a little skeptical to ride the Xavier train after 2014, first year back in 3A and this board was yet again all about it's Xavier L A R G E gap and the rest of the field. Then Xavier meets Pella, gets shut out for the first time in a decade, and I'm left wondering where this Large gap is. I've heard that Wilson is a phenom, why was he stoppable last year. I've heard the defense is incredible. Of their top 11 tacklers last year only 3 returned. Again if these guys are so great why did they not play last year. Last year's team was hardly phenomenal. Maybe I am too analytical, but I don't think the large gap is for real. What I am seeing is the bottom 2/3 of many districts are just not very good. I also find it interesting that the Register picks Xavier #1, but the Gazette has Pella, odd?
Storm Lake? Can a team bounce back from last year's 3-6 record and now be a contender? With many of the same players? Again I fully understand improvement, but in a similar district that SBL won last year, and then got destroyed in a Semi-Final with Norwalk, I question the strength in that district this year. SBL had a great runner last year. This year average. It will be interesting to see how Storm Lake's smaller more agile defense would match up with a bulldozer like Creston.
I am not sure that any district leader has been too challenged this year to say that anyone is a cut above the rest. I am still a believer that Defense wins championships, and I only see a few teams out there that appear to have that. With that said here are my 4 in Alphabetical order,
Creston (Defense not as strong, but they can really eat clock with the running game, can be a strength or a weakness)
Pella
Solon (The Regina loss still baffles me, not so much the loss but how bad of a loss)
Xavier
Creston loses tonight against Carroll, you heard it here first. Also as much as I want the champ to come out of the west is won't.
Can someone please explain to me where Xavier and Storm Lake just suddenly becomes the Titans? Xavier has almost the identical skill players offensively last year. I agree that a year of experience will gain improvement, but did they make a quantum leap. Last year they barely made it out of the first round and didn't survive the 2nd. I am a believer in improvement, but its more likely that their district this year is very weak. Benton, who went 5-5 last year is now the second team in their district. They were blown out by Marion this year? Xavier's one tough game might have been Regina, who is also down this year? I guess I am a little skeptical to ride the Xavier train after 2014, first year back in 3A and this board was yet again all about it's Xavier L A R G E gap and the rest of the field. Then Xavier meets Pella, gets shut out for the first time in a decade, and I'm left wondering where this Large gap is. I've heard that Wilson is a phenom, why was he stoppable last year. I've heard the defense is incredible. Of their top 11 tacklers last year only 3 returned. Again if these guys are so great why did they not play last year. Last year's team was hardly phenomenal. Maybe I am too analytical, but I don't think the large gap is for real. What I am seeing is the bottom 2/3 of many districts are just not very good. I also find it interesting that the Register picks Xavier #1, but the Gazette has Pella, odd?
Storm Lake? Can a team bounce back from last year's 3-6 record and now be a contender? With many of the same players? Again I fully understand improvement, but in a similar district that SBL won last year, and then got destroyed in a Semi-Final with Norwalk, I question the strength in that district this year. SBL had a great runner last year. This year average. It will be interesting to see how Storm Lake's smaller more agile defense would match up with a bulldozer like Creston.
I am not sure that any district leader has been too challenged this year to say that anyone is a cut above the rest. I am still a believer that Defense wins championships, and I only see a few teams out there that appear to have that. With that said here are my 4 in Alphabetical order,
Creston (Defense not as strong, but they can really eat clock with the running game, can be a strength or a weakness)
Pella
Solon (The Regina loss still baffles me, not so much the loss but how bad of a loss)
Xavier
Well then, Pella Christian probably will be your second favorite team in 4A, because they dethrone Regina this year. Regina is down, and Xavier's district way down, so not sure you have a good baseline.
Meant 4A, trying to imply PC at another level. I do think PC can beat Regina, but I don't think that either team could beat the top 2 teams in 3A, just as I don't believe that Xavier, Pella could beat Valley or Dowling. Mostly adding sarcasm to views that hold Xavier/Regina at this elite status.Did you mean 3A or 4A?
Meant 4A, trying to imply PC at another level. I do think PC can beat Regina, but I don't think that either team could beat the top 2 teams in 3A, just as I don't believe that Xavier, Pella could beat Valley or Dowling. Mostly adding sarcasm to views that hold Xavier/Regina at this elite status.
Not being negative on Xavier or Regina, Cid, just stating that I don't drink the kool-aid that automatically puts these programs on the pedestal.....have to earn it each year. Regina, thus far has done that, but I think this year might be a year they are a little down. I wouldn't use ICW as a 4A powerhouse. They have more than their share of high quality players, but then it comes down to coaching and systems. ICW has shown that the magic doesn't come from how many 4star recruits you have. I know that Regina will consistently have an edge due to coaching. Xavier also has a good coach and good system. Wish them both luck this year, just not thinking either will come out on top.Interesting that you would lump Regina in like that. I haven't heard many people say they could compete with Valley and Dowling. I watched their line more than hold their own against ICW. As far as them being held up at an elite level I guess they have earned that. When you do something that has never been done you get some of that. If PC knocks them off they will tip their hat to them like they have to each of the 8 teams that have beaten them in the last 127 games.
Not being negative on Xavier or Regina, Cid, just stating that I don't drink the kool-aid that automatically puts these programs on the pedestal.....have to earn it each year. Regina, thus far has done that, but I think this year might be a year they are a little down. I wouldn't use ICW as a 4A powerhouse. They have more than their share of high quality players, but then it comes down to coaching and systems. ICW has shown that the magic doesn't come from how many 4star recruits you have. I know that Regina will consistently have an edge due to coaching. Xavier also has a good coach and good system. Wish them both luck this year, just not thinking either will come out on top.
Not a pedestal, not saying they are on Mt. Olympus looking down. I think they have 2 skill guys that can play somewhere at the next level, that have played together for 3 years (that's a serious advantage in QB/R relationship.) They also have significantly better than average other players with a good coach and system of dedication. So I think that gives them the edge. ( I don't think Regina has the skill players developed yet, they could prove me wrong) Making the playoffs in 4A not as difficult as the other classes. After the top 10 teams the quality drops off severely. W.Dubq, also made the playoffs this year in 4A, last year they were 3-6 in 3A. Bringing this back to 3A, I don't think a win by Xavier over Regina, gives them anymore cred than a win by Pella over Norwalk(whose defense is much worse than last year). And a beat down by Regina over Solon (even though it was early) leaves me with serious questions on Solon.ICW may not be a powerhouse but they are a 4A playoff team. I do need to ask what have you seen to put PC on the pedestal that you are putting them on? Or is it just a different flavor of kool aid?
Not sure I would use Carlisle to "guage" my defensive strength. Giving up almost 40 to Pella might be a good test. Not sure there are any other offenses in that district you could use, but giving up 28 points to Grinnell, which were not garbage points, would also be an indicator. No way does last year's defense do that. If Brandsfield is limited on mobility, and Garner is still out, the offense will struggle and will be in for dogfight with Webster City.Ask Norwalk's last opponent's punter how much worse Norwalk's defense is this year!
His 8 punts for 261 yards outgained his offense by quite a bit.
Do you recall when Regina beat SOlon a few years back? Solon and Regina went on to win titles in their respective classes. Losses have 2 outcomes, you reel and fall back or you regroup and get better.Not a pedestal, not saying they are on Mt. Olympus looking down. I think they have 2 skill guys that can play somewhere at the next level, that have played together for 3 years (that's a serious advantage in QB/R relationship.) They also have significantly better than average other players with a good coach and system of dedication. So I think that gives them the edge. ( I don't think Regina has the skill players developed yet, they could prove me wrong) Making the playoffs in 4A not as difficult as the other classes. After the top 10 teams the quality drops off severely. W.Dubq, also made the playoffs this year in 4A, last year they were 3-6 in 3A. Bringing this back to 3A, I don't think a win by Xavier over Regina, gives them anymore cred than a win by Pella over Norwalk(whose defense is much worse than last year). And a beat down by Regina over Solon (even though it was early) leaves me with serious questions on Solon.