The "Fighting Blues" will travel to Paige County this afternoon for another three squad scrimmage with Paige and Pedelton Co. WVa.
Offensively, the Blues are looking to improve on unnecessary penalties, continuing to have a strong balanced run game and to continue to strengthen the passing game.. The "O" Line is LARGE, STRONG and EXPERIENCED and should continue to improve fundamentally..
Defensively, the Blues line is basically the same as it was last season, only a little BIGGER and a little STRONGER.. If they can stay healthy they will be tough up front again this year.
The linebackers, corners and safety's are going to be quicker and more physical and should make a difference in the passing "D".. With the added speed in the secondary, the Blues should be able to play more press coverage (against passing teams) which will give the "BIG MEN" more time to get up field and put a little more pressure on the QB, hopefully, disrupting the opponents timing and rhythm..
I'll re-post here and update my thoughts after the scrimmage. The countdown to the 25th starts now!!! And as always, GO BLUES!!!
****UPDATE ON THE SCRIMMAGE @ PAGE CO..***
The Blues looked pretty good tonight. IT WAS HOT AND IT WAS HUMID, FOR BOTH TEAMS..
The 1st team "O" moved the ball with ease in their first couple of drives and were able to punch it in with a mix of run/pass plays.. They had way fewer penalties tonight however, they did have a few more missed assignments this evening, i.e., blocking schemes, double teams, and a few blown coverage's in the secondary, both 1st team and 2nd team "D".. The Blues scored on three of their drives (against what I believe was Pages' 1st team "D", and the PAT, kick(s) were good..
The Blues 1st team "D" started strong and had several nice plays (several 3 and outs) without Page converting a first down.. It looked as if they started to get a little gassed as did the Page Co. kids as the heat just wouldn't let up with the Blues eventually working in their 2nd and some 3rd string guys..
Page did start to move the ball pretty well and was able to punch it in a few times (I think 3 maybe 4) mostly on the Blues 2nd and 3rd team "D", with a couple of starters filling in here and there however, to the best of my knowledge it appeared that Page continued to play the majority of their starters, especially in the skill positions.. Page went for 2 on all their scores and was successful on two attempts.
IMO, I don't think the Blues were as sharp as they were last week but then again, it wasn't nearly as warm/humid as it was this evening, and the Blues did choose to rest a couple of key starters and several others were limited to just a few series.. I do think they will continue to work on conditioning and will eventually "play themselves into football shape", we'll see..
Not sure what the weather/temps will be next Friday night at kickoff but I'm more of a "cold weather" guy and like to watch/play in cooler weather... I have my fingers crossed (not so much for the kids, LOL) that the temperatures will find their way south and it will be a more enjoyable evening to kickoff the season.. FOR EVERYONE!!!
Best of Luck to all the teams opening the 2018 season next week and many, many prayers to all the athletes to remain healthy and stay injury free for the entire season.. Let's Pray!!
And as always, GO BLUES!!!!
Offensively, the Blues are looking to improve on unnecessary penalties, continuing to have a strong balanced run game and to continue to strengthen the passing game.. The "O" Line is LARGE, STRONG and EXPERIENCED and should continue to improve fundamentally..
Defensively, the Blues line is basically the same as it was last season, only a little BIGGER and a little STRONGER.. If they can stay healthy they will be tough up front again this year.
The linebackers, corners and safety's are going to be quicker and more physical and should make a difference in the passing "D".. With the added speed in the secondary, the Blues should be able to play more press coverage (against passing teams) which will give the "BIG MEN" more time to get up field and put a little more pressure on the QB, hopefully, disrupting the opponents timing and rhythm..
I'll re-post here and update my thoughts after the scrimmage. The countdown to the 25th starts now!!! And as always, GO BLUES!!!
****UPDATE ON THE SCRIMMAGE @ PAGE CO..***
The Blues looked pretty good tonight. IT WAS HOT AND IT WAS HUMID, FOR BOTH TEAMS..
The 1st team "O" moved the ball with ease in their first couple of drives and were able to punch it in with a mix of run/pass plays.. They had way fewer penalties tonight however, they did have a few more missed assignments this evening, i.e., blocking schemes, double teams, and a few blown coverage's in the secondary, both 1st team and 2nd team "D".. The Blues scored on three of their drives (against what I believe was Pages' 1st team "D", and the PAT, kick(s) were good..
The Blues 1st team "D" started strong and had several nice plays (several 3 and outs) without Page converting a first down.. It looked as if they started to get a little gassed as did the Page Co. kids as the heat just wouldn't let up with the Blues eventually working in their 2nd and some 3rd string guys..
Page did start to move the ball pretty well and was able to punch it in a few times (I think 3 maybe 4) mostly on the Blues 2nd and 3rd team "D", with a couple of starters filling in here and there however, to the best of my knowledge it appeared that Page continued to play the majority of their starters, especially in the skill positions.. Page went for 2 on all their scores and was successful on two attempts.
IMO, I don't think the Blues were as sharp as they were last week but then again, it wasn't nearly as warm/humid as it was this evening, and the Blues did choose to rest a couple of key starters and several others were limited to just a few series.. I do think they will continue to work on conditioning and will eventually "play themselves into football shape", we'll see..
Not sure what the weather/temps will be next Friday night at kickoff but I'm more of a "cold weather" guy and like to watch/play in cooler weather... I have my fingers crossed (not so much for the kids, LOL) that the temperatures will find their way south and it will be a more enjoyable evening to kickoff the season.. FOR EVERYONE!!!
Best of Luck to all the teams opening the 2018 season next week and many, many prayers to all the athletes to remain healthy and stay injury free for the entire season.. Let's Pray!!
And as always, GO BLUES!!!!
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