Well
@DinwiddieProud and
@mbonape1 I am impressed. I figured this would end up as an analytical post with very little smack talk and you guys didnt disappoint me. The respect we have for each others teams and one another personally is evident.
Well lets throw a little change up into the mix. I have said all year that our lack of experience at receiver, linebacker and d line would make things tough. Well, I must admit that two of these groups have pleasantly suprised me.
We lost our entire linebacker corps. They are small by our normal standards and only have 11 games of experience, but they find the ball and make plays. With only one returning starter (Jake Edwards) the defensive line has played very well. For the past two years we have replaced four first or second team defensive ends. Two freshmen and a first year starter have gotten better each game. After giving up 120 yards of rushing to Courtland in the first half this young defense held the run happy Cougars to 60 yards in tge 2nd half.
Our receiving corps has speed and consistently get open, but they just struggle to make that clutch catch. They will need to step up against Monacan or its going to be a long night.
@mbonape1, you can beat around the bush all you want, but the truth is Henderson is going to force Pope to beat Monacan with his arm by putting a spy on him. Personally, its a smart move, but its going to open up running lanes for Dalton and Lucess. If I am coach Mills I invite it. In 2016, Dinwiddie rushed for 435 yards against the Chiefs and only passed 13 times for 140 yards. He knows how to rattle Hendersons cage. Monacans defensive backs are as sound as they come, so dont look for Mills take too many risk throwing the ball. My guess is Monacan will see exactly what Colonial Heights did. Pope and two backs with a heavy package built to reduce Monacans possessions.
Offensively, Monacan bothers me. Traditionally, Dinwiddie struggles against big and strong quarterbacks. I am not super concerned by the running backs, but Snyder reminds me a lot of Sam Rogers, Clay Cheatham (both from Hanover), Shaheem Johnson ( LT) and Malik Bell (Louisa). With our smallish linebackers we will be forced to get support from our db's and this could spell disaster as Stone Snyder has great touch on intermediate passes. That and a great receiving corps will make it hard on our young defense.
I have the utmost respect for the Monacan program, but I will not lie. This is exactly what I wanted in round two. Why you ask? Henderson has not proven he can beat Mills in big games. In 2014, with arguably his best team and us virtually replacing everyone he only beat us by six and it took a red zone turnover to do it.
If Popes thumb is better and he can pass when needed I look for the Generals to take this one. Its not going to be easy and we cannot shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties. Sorry
@mbonape1, but your boys go home early again 26-21.