Essex vs Northumberland

[RappriverEHS]

What's everybodys thoughts on this game? Can the Essex defense do enough to contain Palmer? Personally I believe Essex wins by a couple touchdowns . Last time these two met Essex was still trying to figure out their offense. However what Essex was able to do in that game was run the ball in a formation they have gotten very comfortable with.

I do not believe that the Indians have enough size on defense to slow the Trojans down and will get worn down. I think Essex's defense will suprise people and be able to slow Palmer and the Indians offense down.

38-21 Essex

 

[woodlayer#952002]

What's everybodys thoughts on this game? Can the Essex defense do enough to contain Palmer? Personally I believe Essex wins by a couple touchdowns . Last time these two met Essex was still trying to figure out their offense. However what Essex was able to do in that game was run the ball in a formation they have gotten very comfortable with.

I do not believe that the Indians have enough size on defense to slow the Trojans down and will get worn down. I think Essex's defense will suprise people and be able to slow Palmer and the Indians offense down.

38-21 Essex

Northumberland has to jump on essex like Northampton did early in order to win the game because if essex gets the lead its ground and pound but it really does matter riverhead will put 40+ points on the winner just being honest

 

[RappriverEHS]

Either one of these teams can give Riverheads a game .Definitely not gonna put 40+ on Essex with the style of offense both teams use.

 

[RedPrideNation_RollPride]

This game should be interesting for sure and I will have an eye out east watching. The following is my take:

Northumberland has been kind of dismissed all year as not as good as their record. The win against WP should solidify all those thinking this is a fluke year. From afar I admit, I was still doubting that they could win that game. If all of the “experts” are correct then they certainly have matchups that are favorable. Can they capitalize and score enough against Essex?

Essex is a contender each year so are we shocked they have reached this game? There were several on here shouting the demise of the Trojans but the team has reinvented themselves and consistently gotten better. Can their D hold up under the air attack that NHS is bound to run? The only question anyone has asked lately about them concerns their ability to stop teams. The O has found new life and a few wrinkles that seems to have gotten them back to levels fans are more used to seeing.

From out here in the “west”, it does appear to be the two best teams in Region A. Good luck to both teams.

 

[uvacavs1]

As I mentioned in another post, imo -

Essex at Northumberland for the Region A Title is a toss up on who will win - 50/50 chance.

Being at home is a major plus for the Indians who have not been in a game of this magnitude (or even come close) since 1996.

 

[uvacavs1]

Game may come down to turnovers - definitely want to be on the plus side of the turnover battle.

I would give NHS plus a point for home field advantage but Essex gets a point for big time playoff experience. So it is a wash....

Plus, for NHS, must have a better 1st quarter. Cannot spot Essex two touchdowns at the beginning of the game like the 1st two playoff games - very impressive comebacks both but too risky...

NHS must win field positioning battle - you know Dameron will run it most plays - NHS kicker Harry Lee should boot it in endzone every time he can on kickoffs - make Essex go 80 yards - do not give Essex short field to work with. Improve special teams. WP game was really off there. Special teams may decide this one....

 

[RedPrideNation_RollPride]

@uvacavs1, both teams have had slow starts during these playoffs so that’s a concern. But seeing that adjustments were made during the games should encourage the fans. I am looking for a back and forth battle to be honest.

 

[uvacavs1]

This game should be interesting for sure and I will have an eye out east watching. The following is my take:

Northumberland has been kind of dismissed all year as not as good as their record. The win against WP should solidify all those thinking this is a fluke year. From afar I admit, I was still doubting that they could win that game. If all of the “experts” are correct then they certainly have matchups that are favorable. Can they capitalize and score enough against Essex?

Essex is a contender each year so are we shocked they have reached this game? There were several on here shouting the demise of the Trojans but the team has reinvented themselves and consistently gotten better. Can their D hold up under the air attack that NHS is bound to run? The only question anyone has asked lately about them concerns their ability to stop teams. The O has found new life and a few wrinkles that seems to have gotten them back to levels fans are more used to seeing.

From out here in the “west”, it does appear to be the two best teams in Region A. Good luck to both teams.

You mentioned Northumberland has been dismissed by many all year, yes, I have noticed that some posters have picked against them every week, no matter how many wins the Indians racked up.

Hey, those guys were correct once - out of 12 games lol.

Even a broken clock is correct twice a day

I hope they keep dismissing and doubting Coach Lewis and his boys.

 

[RappriverEHS]

@uvacavs1 will this game be Friday or Saturday?

 

[uvacavs1]

@uvacavs1 will this game be Friday or Saturday?

Saturday at NHS

I believe at 2 pm but will have to confirm.

 

[WP02alum]

What was up with Lee getting blocked on those PATs vs WP? Hadn’t seen him play until Friday, but had heard great things. He did have some great kickoffs.

 

[WP02alum]

IMO, this game comes down to defense on both sides. Can the Essex secondary keep Palmer & QB#12 at bay? Will their d-line be able to penetrate and contain? Can Northumberland’s smallish front four put up a stronger fight versus the Essex ground attack than they did vs WP?

 

[Jdavis54]

This is just as guess when it comes to Lee. Lee is a left footed kicker, and the place holds this year haven't been great at all along with some snaps. But for the most part its been the holder. the place holders have been right handed, meaning they're have to switch hands to place. Lee last year had a left handed place holder and hardly missed.

 

[NND Sports Fan]

Seems to me if he's left footed and the holder is right handed that's what you would want. How about knee placement by the holder. In my thinking for a left footed kicker the holder's right knee should be on the ground parallel to the block with his left leg extended.

 

[trutiger16]

You mentioned Northumberland has been dismissed by many all year, yes, I have noticed that some posters have picked against them every week, no matter how many wins the Indians racked up.

Hey, those guys were correct once - out of 12 games lol.

Even a broken clock is correct twice a day

I hope they keep dismissing and doubting Coach Lewis and his boys.

Essex 34 Northumberland 26

 

[MGF]

Northumberland by 2 TDs. If #12 passing game doesn’t break Essex, Palmer’s big runs will. Essex won’t win with a rushing game alone. WP #44 put up 279 yards rushing on NHS and WP still lost. WP dominated TOP 35 minutes to 12 minutes, 23 first downs to 10, 69 plays to 35 plays. It only takes a couple 12 second big pass plays for NHS to negate 4 quarters of hard work. Essex needs to be able to pass and run, defend the pass and contain Palmer in order to win. I don’t see that happening. JMO.

 

[Gladiatorfencepatrol]

Essex 42-21

 

[loyal2thesoil]

The Indians have proven they can win close games. Come from behind and win. All the things a team that was characterized as undisciplined should not be able to do. They have managed to overcome their mistakes, rely on their talent, but does it catch up with them here? I hope not, but that's why they play the game. Northumberland by 6.

 

[NNDanalyst]

Northumberland by 2 TDs. If #12 passing game doesn’t break Essex, Palmer’s big runs will. Essex won’t win with a rushing game alone. WP #44 put up 279 yards rushing on NHS and WP still lost. WP dominated TOP 35 minutes to 12 minutes, 23 first downs to 10, 69 plays to 35 plays. It only takes a couple 12 second big pass plays for NHS to negate 4 quarters of hard work. Essex needs to be able to pass and run, defend the pass and contain Palmer in order to win. I don’t see that happening. JMO.

Essex pass defense is better than WP so you can't really say Essex can't win on run alone

 

[HighestPoint]

I wouldn't say Essex needs to pass to win. If they can run and put up points they'll be okay. The way to beat Northumberland is contain them from making big plays which is very hard to do. It seems WP moved the ball but couldn't stop them. Looking at Essex offense the last couple weeks, it seems they can be pretty quick strike on the ground. So no need to pass just to pass the football. Throw the previous meeting between the two teams out, Essex has changed their offense and Northumberland is putting it on #3 where earlier it seemed they were trying to round out their offense with other guys. Both teams are better now than in their previous meeting.

 

[RappriverEHS]

If Essex has to rely on throwing the ball then they are already in trouble. They should be able to run the ball the whole game with a number of different runners.

 

[kwhs95fan]

Essex will stick to what works best for them. If Northumberland were to play Riverheads in the state semifinals, do you think the Gladiators are gonna suddenly morph into a passing team, just because Northumberland might have better athletes? Nope, they're gonna stick with what got them there. I look for Essex to do the same.

 

[WP02alum]

Doesn’t Essex have a dominant runner in Dameron? WP just had one guy rush for nearly 300 on NHS. I think Essex might focus on the run game...

 

[RappriverEHS]

Essex isn't going away from the run game, they won't need to.

 

[uvacavs1]

Essex will stick to what works best for them. If Northumberland were to play Riverheads in the state semifinals, do you think the Gladiators are gonna suddenly morph into a passing team, just because Northumberland might have better athletes? Nope, they're gonna stick with what got them there. I look for Essex to do the same.

As I mentioned before, Essex will run Dameron, then run Dameron, then run Dameron again.

 

[uvacavs1]

The offensive change from what I understand is maybe another Essex player will run some. Okay, Dameron runs the ball only 80% of the time, maybe 75%.

If Essex does pass, NHS has the two best safties in the NND to stop the pass or when Dameron and Company break a big run.

Still, as WP showed, a strong running game that pounds is tough to stop. Also, the size of Essex players overall is big as s--- and it will be a fight all night.

The tough and scrappy Indian D may bend, but (hopefully) will not break.

 

[RappriverEHS]

Essex had about 4 to 5 players that run

 

[kwhs95fan]

If you think that Essex is only gonna run Dameron, then Banks, Day and Gaines will make themselves known on Saturday.

 

[kwhs95fan]

In their last game, Dameron had 18 carries, but Gaines had 16, Banks had 9, Roane had 7, Hardy had 5. Day only had 4, but is a playmaker himself as evidenced by his game against Northampton. But definitely very balanced. Essex Trojan 1 can probably tell you for sure, but I don't even know if Dameron has had over 20 carries in a game this year.

 

[uvacavs1]

If you think that Essex is only gonna run Dameron, then Banks, Day and Gaines will make themselves known on Saturday.

Essex's Takeyo Day (Jr) did do well with 168 yards and like 2 TDs in the opening playoff win. Plus, Essex is working another few kids in so then they can then hit you with Dameron.

It sounds like Essex is running a similar system to CB. That's a good system. Must be respected.

 

[uvacavs1]

In Northumberland's win over Essex, Dameron was run in at least 80% of the plays.

I wonder how much of the change in offense was also needed as Dameron does not have the stamina of a West Point's Porter. Porter was a machine who seemed to never tire or wane even though he ran the ball like 55 times plus played tough D all night.

Whatever the reason, seems to have helped get the offense going. Should be quite interesting and an exciting championship.

 

[kwhs95fan]

Porter is definitely a beast for sure. Kid is only a junior and already has a full grown beard. Lol

 

[MGF]

Porter is definitely a beast for sure. Kid is only a junior and already has a full grown beard. Lol

He had a beard in 8th grade. LOL.

 

[MGF]

I wonder how much of the change in offense was also needed as Dameron does not have the stamina of a West Point's Porter. Porter was a machine who seemed to never tire or wane even though he ran the ball like 55 times plus played tough D all night.

It’s funny you mentioned that. Because there’s a WP coach who has been telling anyone who will listen for the past 2 years that #44 shouldn’t get more than 12 carries a game because he doesn’t have the endurance to go both ways for 4 quarters and 44 doesn’t have the speed to get to the outside. 53 carries and playing both ways against a very good team pretty much blows that fake sound bite out of the water. 44 only knows one speed and he’ll give you that for as much as you need him to.

 

[NNDanalyst]

You should be over that by now lol

 

[MGF]

You should be over that by now lol

I would be over if not for the fact I’ve had to hear it again this entire season. The NHS game should be the nail in the coffin.

 

[NNDanalyst]

Understandable...