WCAL Football 2024

Wishing the best for Norwaynes Moyer
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I hope the Sonego kid is going to be ok. He took a shot to the head at the goal line and looked woozy getting up but stayed in and scored on Rittmans first drive but did not return to the game. He was on the bench with one of the trainers beside him.
You hate to see any player hurt, especially a player of his caliber and so early on… If you’re Smithville, you had to be thanking your lucky stars you didn’t have to face Sonego for 4 quarters. He was on pace for 290+ yards and averaged 8.2 ypc in that 1st quarter, and Smithville made ZERO adjustments to seal off the edge. Hopefully he’ll be able to suit up next week
 
Awfully quick trigger. I can’t agree or disagree with whether they were valid. But some of that laundry came out faster than one could reasonably assume a foul was committed. With that being said…Dalton has needed to clean some stuff up all year that they haven’t by week 8.

Was actually a very solid game outside of all that. Hate to see the injuries. One of those mentioned Dalton kids earned a root beer!
The officials were definitely quick with the flags on some of those plays. Even with all of the flags, I thought the game was pretty well played. Both defenses figured out the other offense as the game went on. I thought Norwayne missed on a couple of opportunities to return some interceptions, but they were unable to make the plays on the ball. I loved the wrinkle Coach Leek had in his game plan when he started running Heatwole in the 4th quarter. He was dragging multiple defenders with him on every play. Even with the penalties, Dalton was driving down the field in the 4th quarter handing the ball to Heatwole on every play. Then it stopped as soon as it had started. That had me puzzled. Not sure what his average yards per carry were, but it had to be really high. To completely abandon that strategy when it is 2nd and 7 inside your opponents territory and never go back to it while your offense struggles otherwise makes no sense. Dalton went back to throwing it on every down on that 2nd and 7 with about 9 minutes remaining. Pretty sure they only completed one pass the rest of the game. I guess coaches go back to what they are most comfortable with when they get in tough situations. The league will be decided in two weeks when Norwayne plays Hillsdale. Dalton will probably try to avoid Kirtland for as long as they possibly can in the playoffs.
 
The officials were definitely quick with the flags on some of those plays. Even with all of the flags, I thought the game was pretty well played. Both defenses figured out the other offense as the game went on. I thought Norwayne missed on a couple of opportunities to return some interceptions, but they were unable to make the plays on the ball. I loved the wrinkle Coach Leek had in his game plan when he started running Heatwole in the 4th quarter. He was dragging multiple defenders with him on every play. Even with the penalties, Dalton was driving down the field in the 4th quarter handing the ball to Heatwole on every play. Then it stopped as soon as it had started. That had me puzzled. Not sure what his average yards per carry were, but it had to be really high. To completely abandon that strategy when it is 2nd and 7 inside your opponents territory and never go back to it while your offense struggles otherwise makes no sense. Dalton went back to throwing it on every down on that 2nd and 7 with about 9 minutes remaining. Pretty sure they only completed one pass the rest of the game. I guess coaches go back to what they are most comfortable with when they get in tough situations. The league will be decided in two weeks when Norwayne plays Hillsdale. Dalton will probably try to avoid Kirtland for as long as they possibly can in the playoffs.
Amen. This was simultaneously the smartest & worst coaching decision I've seen in a long time.

As that drive went on figured there'd be a play action call off of it or, at the very least, just grind the Bobcats all the way down the field. And it gave the whole Bulldog team "juice", I could see the excitement through the screen.

If I'm Coach Indorf, I'd have swung through Orrville to pickup some Michael's donuts for the Dalton staff on Saturday morning as a THANK YOU.
 
I’m not saying Chippewa would have won the game, but again there were two bad calls against the Chipps that were momentum changers. The first was the Bears RB fumbled and the ball was picked up and ran in for an apparent TD, but the ref said he was down, when it looked clearly to the naked eye he wasn’t. Video shows the same. Then a very suspect holding call on another Chipps scoring opportunity. The Chipps ended up with I believe 9 penalties and the Bears only 3. If I was an outsider with no rooting interest, I’d say there was a bit of a bias against one team. The officiating in this league, especially in non marquee games seems to be subpar. I guess I’ve been spoiled by watching so many Federal League games over the years, where the crews look to be more seasoned and have been together for a long time.
 
That's the silver lining here. Bulldogs even with the loss, shouldn't have to worry about Kirtland until Region Finals.
Maybe. United/Dalton are projected very close to where one Level 2 game going a different direction could bump Dalton over United for the 5 seed. F50 seeding probabilities give Dalton a 49% chance to be either the 4, 5, or 8.
 
Maybe. United/Dalton are projected very close to where one Level 2 game going a different direction could bump Dalton over United for the 5 seed. F50 seeding probabilities give Dalton a 49% chance to be either the 4, 5, or 8.
Ouch. Saw the "projection" link had them at 6 and thought that's about as good as you could have hoped for. The "positive" is if you play Kirtland early, their QB broke his wrist and isn't supposed to be back until week 12ish. 🤷‍♂️

Of the rest of the WCAL, Hillsdale looks to be the team most likely to make a run. R25 is not what it used to be (ie no Dalton & JFK good but no where near what they used to be). They wouldn't face a team as good as Norwayne & Dalton until semifinals.
 
Ouch. Saw the "projection" link had them at 6 and thought that's about as good as you could have hoped for. The "positive" is if you play Kirtland early, their QB broke his wrist and isn't supposed to be back until week 12ish. 🤷‍♂️

Of the rest of the WCAL, Hillsdale looks to be the team most likely to make a run. R25 is not what it used to be (ie no Dalton & JFK good but no where near what they used to be). They wouldn't face a team as good as Norwayne & Dalton until semifinals.
What you don’t think kirtland is good with there back-up? Max Paul is a very good smart QB. The only difference between him and Jake is Jake has that X factor in being able to keep it and run all over you. Trust me nobody wants to see Kirtland. Especially in the playoffs just my 2 cents. There OLine is probably the best Kirtland has had since 2020.
 
What you don’t think kirtland is good with there back-up? Max Paul is a very good smart QB. The only difference between him and Jake is Jake has that X factor in being able to keep it and run all over you. Trust me nobody wants to see Kirtland. Especially in the playoffs just my 2 cents. There OLine is probably the best Kirtland has had since 2020.
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Nothing against Mr Paul, I was just pointing out that Dalton might still be shell shocked from the almost quarter mile of yardage Laverde ran for against them.
 
Ouch. Saw the "projection" link had them at 6 and thought that's about as good as you could have hoped for. The "positive" is if you play Kirtland early, their QB broke his wrist and isn't supposed to be back until week 12ish. 🤷‍♂️

Of the rest of the WCAL, Hillsdale looks to be the team most likely to make a run. R25 is not what it used to be (ie no Dalton & JFK good but no where near what they used to be). They wouldn't face a team as good as Norwayne & Dalton until semifinals.
JFK is still in that region! Danville got moved and Dalton moved up a division.
 
JFK is still in that region! Danville got moved and Dalton moved up a division.
JFK is very beatable after they showed the Dalton admin how to run a winning staff out of town… The upper ceiling version of the Falcons will roll that region. The version we’ve seen since the Dalton game will have their hands full with Monroeville, Malvern (dynamic receivers). I still think CH and JFK are capable rosters however
 
What you don’t think kirtland is good with there back-up? Max Paul is a very good smart QB. The only difference between him and Jake is Jake has that X factor in being able to keep it and run all over you. Trust me nobody wants to see Kirtland. Especially in the playoffs just my 2 cents. There OLine is probably the best Kirtland has had since 2020.
QB1 since graduating jr high. With that “x-factor” - yeah, I mean, same/same.

I’m starting to think I’ve watched more Kirkland ball than 1/2 the Hornet posters.
 
Not sure what Im expecting from Hillsdale..... I watched the Northwestern game and it just seemed like they were going through the motions. Maybe saving their energy for the Norwayne showdown in week 10.
 
Smithville did move the ball consistantly against Rittman but Senego was injured and did not play after the first offensive drive. I see a butt whooping coming this Friday for the Smithies as they travel to Norwayne. If the Smithies can get by Chippewa in week 10 they will finish at 7-3 and most likely host a first round game in the playoffs.
 
Smithville did move the ball consistantly against Rittman but Senego was injured and did not play after the first offensive drive. I see a butt whooping coming this Friday for the Smithies as they travel to Norwayne. If the Smithies can get by Chippewa in week 10 they will finish at 7-3 and most likely host a first round game in the playoffs.
Defense has looked worse then usual the last 6 quarters of football. Gave up nearly 400 yards to Northwestern (344 passing) and over 350 to Rittman (223 rushing) without Sonego. This should be a trap game for Norwayne but the way the defense is playing, Bobcats wont have to do much to put up 40+
 
Defense has looked worse then usual the last 6 quarters of football. Gave up nearly 400 yards to Northwestern (344 passing) and over 350 to Rittman (223 rushing) without Sonego. This should be a trap game for Norwayne but the way the defense is playing, Bobcats wont have to do much to put up 40+
And yet they won those games by big margins. The defense is not world beaters but made stops when they needed too and took advantage of the other teams mistakes. I'm thankful they are winning!
 
Defense has looked worse then usual the last 6 quarters of football. Gave up nearly 400 yards to Northwestern (344 passing) and over 350 to Rittman (223 rushing) without Sonego. This should be a trap game for Norwayne but the way the defense is playing, Bobcats wont have to do much to put up 40+
Norwayne will also be playing without Moyer so . Could be a closer matchup then expected
 
Smithville did move the ball consistantly against Rittman but Senego was injured and did not play after the first offensive drive. I see a butt whooping coming this Friday for the Smithies as they travel to Norwayne. If the Smithies can get by Chippewa in week 10 they will finish at 7-3 and most likely host a first round game in the playoffs.
I think norwayne pretty beat up after Dalton . You guys are playing them at the right time . Especially with Moyer being out .
 
And yet they won those games by big margins. The defense is not world beaters but made stops when they needed too and took advantage of the other teams mistakes. I'm thankful they are winning!
Not tough to do when you’re playing a team that’s been outscored 226-47 (almost half that 47 was against us 😂) in league games.. Or a team without their mister everything that was only down one score entering the 4th quarter. Regression this late in the year for a defense that should’ve been near the top of the league is concerning
 
I think norwayne pretty beat up after Dalton . You guys are playing them at the right time . Especially with Moyer being out .
If you looked up trap game in the dictionary (referring to football or course) this would be it! Smithville doesn’t have the line play to compete with Norwayne though. It’ll be over early
 
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That the only reason I believe hillsdale has a chance to win by a lot is Moyer is out. If Moyer is in I believe Norwayne wins it.
I agree I think norwayne would have put a few more scores up in the game against dalton if Moyer was playing just my opinion . he has a very good mix of speed strength and vision . Moyer is a game changer if he needs to be .
 
Regression this late in the year for a defense that should’ve been near the top of the league is concerning
“Regression”? Come on, it’s not like they have up 4 TD’s in a half or something. You’re just 1) playing the “we’re Smithville we should be perfect” card and/or 2) setting yourself up so if Norwayne scores a bunch you can say “see, just like I said the defense is terrible.”

Also, d@mn Chris Collingsworth for founding PFF and bringing words like “regression” into football…
 
“Regression”? Come on, it’s not like they have up 4 TD’s in a half or something. You’re just 1) playing the “we’re Smithville we should be perfect” card and/or 2) setting yourself up so if Norwayne scores a bunch you can say “see, just like I said the defense is terrible.”

Also, d@mn Chris Collingsworth for founding PFF and bringing words like “regression” into football…
They gave up 20 to Northwestern in the 2nd half. Rittman also outgained the Smithies without Sonego for 3 quarters and Smith for the 4th (who was also averaging 6 ypc) I don’t expect perfection, just a couple positives here and there. Also don’t need Norwayne to score to know it already is. But yeah, keep thinking what you want 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
I agree I think norwayne would have put a few more scores up in the game against dalton if Moyer was playing just my opinion . he has a very good mix of speed strength and vision . Moyer is a game changer if he needs to be .
Is there a timeline for a Moyer return? Hopefully he’s not out for to long
 
Is there a timeline for a Moyer return? Hopefully he’s not out for to long
This was the update as of 2 days ago …... I think once his lung inflates idk if he can return right back to okay or not ? … Update: Without getting into full detail…we had another scare today with Mason’s lung at his follow up X-Ray (showing more deflation since Friday) he is home and resting right now. ONLY and I honestly mean ONLY by the grace of God, he avoided a chest tube today🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
He will follow up with the Akron Children’s surgeons this week but until then he is to do NOTHING to exert himself.

This has been very difficult on Mason mentally as he just wants to be on the football field with his team so please continue to pray for quick healing❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
 
My prayers to the Moyer family and that young man. To WCAL fan. Smithville is winning games that they should win..... it's a step in the right direction. I do believe that Norwayne will name the score. Like I stated earlier the defense is not world beaters but I give them some credit from closing out these games the past few weeks. Last year Rittman beat Smithville.... I'm glad to have the wins regardless of the yards given up. Smithville is not the Smithville of the past and I'm not measuring them by that standard! It sounds like some people are trying to build a case for a coaching change and not giving some credit to the fact that they are winning more games this year.
 
I will not be fooled into thinking that the Smithies have a chance due to a couple of injuries suffered by the Bobcats. We would have to play a perfect mistake-free/penalty-free game, and that hasn't been our calling card at all.
 
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