Now I wasn't there, but going by the box score, Battle only had 284 total yards with Union getting some reserves in during second half, averaged about 3.5 ypc, and take away the 54 yard TD run and Battle barely had 200 yards. Union put up 461 total yards, 323 rush yards on 37 carries. Battle did turn balk over three times, but its not as if the game was ever in doubt.
I'm seriously not trying to be an ass, but the Union offense had their way with Battle, could've scored more. 9-14 passing for 138 yards (almost ten yards per attempt, that's extremely good), and rushing for 300+ yards on 9+ YPC. Union put up only four less yards at Battle than Burton did v, Thomas Walker.
Again not trying to down JSB at all, I really thought game would be tightnand Battle had a chance to win, but for Union to go on road and put up 400+ yards and 42 points against a team that held GC under 20 at GC is impressive. Union averages 42 PPG and wins by 28 PPG. Only one team held Union under 30, at Richlands (who also held Abingdon under 30), and that was a 27-28 loss in OT. I just think Union could play wit Abingdon. They beat Richlands by one possession in Abingdon with Richlands turning it over a ton and JLA playing uncharacteristically badly. Abingdon is very good, but Union isn't a slouch and they have a balanced attack, unlike Richlands so Abingdon would have to respect the run and the pass.
I agree. Union is definitely no slouch. But I've only seen one game from both of these teams. Someone on here asked me for my opinion about what I thought about UHS/AHS. I'm sure if you asked 50 more people you might get 25 answers one way & 25 the other. I'm just being honest about what I saw. That was just my opinion that was asked for. And you know what they say about opinions ;)
Union has a great team. But it's just not the same impression Abingdon gives. They are very different. Union is really good. Battle moved the ball pretty good against Union, too; right at 300 yds. There was no chance of that against Abingdon.... It's not easy to explain. But that's just what I think with seeing both teams & both games @ Battle.
He has it between his legs and he had poession. Someone came in after the play was dead and kicked it away. But I do not believe Union could hang with Abingdon. Abingdon has depth at every skill and doesn't drop off much. Too explosive of an offense.
Yep. Abingdon gives me the impression that they can score as much as they want. Very impressive at almost every position.
I was really surprised in Battle's defense not being able to adjust to the sweeps. They went in at half knowing what they needed to stop, the 2nd half started and nothing changed defensively for Battle. Union just controlled the LOS and executed a good gameplan. Speaking of officials, I wish GC could get some officials like what this game had, very well done and kept the game moving along. Only thing I questioned is the onside kick recovery and from where I was sitting, it looked like a catch on Battle's 2nd drive.
Those sweeps to #9 killed Battle. That kid really had some wheels... Onside kick was nutty. They blew the play dead, started getting kids out of the pile, & the Battle kid let the ball go too soon while trying to get out of the pile. He definitely had it. But the refs most likely hadn't seen him yet. So that was that. I couldn't see the catch. The receiver had his back to me & I couldn't see the ball.
I don't know how the offense looked with the starting QB in there, but it looked pretty good tonight. I enjoyed watching it. Was impressed with Battle's speed as well. Good, clean, and fair game all around.
The Offense looked pretty much the same. I really thought there wasn't any drop-off. He ran the Offense very well. Unions DBs took away any chance of throwing the ball deep. That hurt. Because we usually take a few shots down the field.
If Battle had even a little of a passing threat they could score on anyone. They ran the ball on us better than anyone all season. Game was a lot better than the score indicated.
You can only take what the Defense gives you. The deep passes were not open tonight. I thought Battle did a really good job with the short to medium passing game. And I agree, the game was better than the score.
Good luck going forward, but it woint get any easier, a trip to Richlands will be a tough road to hoe.
How do you think Union compares to Abingdon?
I thought Abingdon was better. They put it on us pretty bad & pulled the starters after the 1st drive of the 3rd Quarter. They are very solid.... and yeah Richlands will definitely be tough. But we moved the ball very well tonight. You could really tell a difference in the second half on Offense. I think they should do even better next week.
Battle did fight hard. And Larry is right. The sweep with #9 killed them. Plus Battle left some points out there. They made 3 trips inside the 20 only to come up empty handed. But that was probably the best team on both sides of the ball we've seen all year besides Abingdon. Anybody who was there will tell you that Battle moved the ball well & played hard until the end. There is no quit in this team. I've been watching JSB since 2001 & this team plays harder than any that I have seen there... Very good crew officiating the game tonight also. I feel that they called it very fair both ways. I didn't see them miss anything obvious all night. Both teams played an extremely clean game. My hat's off to both teams for a class act on the field. Congratulations to Union & good luck to both teams moving forward.
And to my knowledge, they've also already lost their #3 QB to an ACL tear (was QB of the JV team at least) earlier in the season. I don't know if this would ever come into play (and I certainly hope not), but for a team the size of Battle, I believe that leaves them down just a few options at the spot, and only one of whom whose primary position is QB. For example, if they (as has been rumored above) have to move Scarbrough to QB (who's listed as a QB/RB/DB on their official roster), they'd be taking his playmaking ability at other positions.
But, I do have to say, he's a GREAT kid. I'm not denigrating anyone else in saying that, just saying how impressed I've been with Mr. Scarbrough in my limited interactions with him. It's ALWAYS yes sir, no sir, and he's an affable kid that I think most of the student body at JSB considers a leader. So best of luck to both him and the Trojans this week and beyond.
You're right about him being a leader. My son talks about him all the time. It should work out pretty good with him being a RB all season. So he is very in tune with how it works. I think the transition will be more seamless than most people think.
If u can't throw the ball u will have a hard time beating union. Best DL I've seen in a few years. Last 2 games were against weaker opponents and union held them to - yardage.
I think they'll be fine. JSB is a triple option offense. And they run it well. They don't rely on throwing the ball. They take shots when the opportunity presents itself. That's what they have done all year. The kid replacing the QB is a tremendous athlete. He plays very hard. And like I said earlier, I think he will run the Offense fine. He has been part of this Offense all year. If he can get on the same page with a couple of the receivers, knowing their speed & tendencies etc, things could open up downfield. He definitely has the athletic ability plus some. And I don't think the stage is too big for this kid. He has been a leader on & off the field all year. His confidence & his teammates' confidence in him are on point.
No not so sure he won't do bad. Yes he has no game experience or qb experience. But I believe he has more speed that Tipton. That may spark us if we can use that. I think this will be a close game.. honestly. Yes Union has talent but so does Battle. 1 injury won't destroy this team.. yes it hurts a lot. Tipton carrried this offense most of the season. But don't be so sure this will be a blow out without him.
I agree. I just talked with Lane's mother. She is just as optimistic as I am. She & I both agree that if anyone can step up it is this group of kids. I think any of these guys that are looking for a game to attend would be making the right choice to make the drive to Bristol. These kids play the game the way it should be played.
Who would have ever thought at the beginning of the season, that the Union/JSB thread would have been 3 pages. That defiantly says something about Battles progression through out the season.
They have made tremendous progress since the start of the season. I would say that they are the most improved team in SWVA. They are only 2 plays away from being 7-2. They play very hard for their coach & fans.
I'm of course pulling for JSB to pull off an upset tonight for the points. But I'm not sure that can happen with their QB being out. Tipton definitely was and is the cog that made the offense work. Not saying JSB doesn't have the athletes but good lord losing your starting QB and going up against Union. That's a tall order for a backup QB with little to no game experience.
Union 49
JSB 7
I think these JSB kids will surprise you. They are the most improved team in SWVA.
No not so sure he won't do bad. Yes he has no game experience or qb experience. But I believe he has more speed that Tipton. That may spark us if we can use that. I think this will be a close game.. honestly. Yes Union has talent but so does Battle. 1 injury won't destroy this team.. yes it hurts a lot. Tipton carrried this offense most of the season. But don't be so sure this will be a blow out without him.
The Defense had a good week of practice. They are more confident right now than they have been all year. I hope they can do what they did last week by creating turnovers to set up a short field for the Offense. I also think Lane will do a good job running the Offense. As far as passing goes, I think he'll do a good job in the short game & hopefully the receiving corp can make some plays with their speed. And maybe the running/short passing game might create some open looks downfield. You won't find a better group of kids or a team that plays harder than them. I've been watching JSB Football since I moved to Washington County in 2001 & this group of kids stands out the most to me. There is no quit in them. Britt has really got them playing hard for him. The next 2 or 3 years should be alot of fun. JSB Football is only gonna get better.
JSB will be using a Junior who has never played QB before this year. And other than the last 2 quarters against Lee & a handful of plays throughout the season, he has no game experience at QB. He has thrown less than 10 passes in his life during games. Hopefully they had a VERY good week of practice.
I don't think we will know for sure until Friday night, but like Larry said, possibly Richlands. Could also be Appomattox or Dan River. I'm afraid that there's too much that could happen to make a prediction on that.
Keeping my fingers crossed. Of course I'll go anywhere they go. We had to go all the way up to Essex 4years ago just to watch my Daughter cheer. But hopefully it will be close.
Union_Fan.... Where will Battle be traveling to next week? I just wanted to get an idea so I can let work know if I'll be leaving early Friday and/or coming in late on Saturday. Can't miss my Son getting to play in a playoff game.
The craziest thing for Battle was that they lost the Patrick Henry game the EXACT same way. They had a 4 point lead, went for it on 4th & short around the 20 with about 4 minutes to go & didn't get it (like tonight). Then PH went about 80 yards (like tonight), aided by two 15 yard penalties (like tonight), allowed a TD with about 90 seconds to play (like tonight), & tossed a pick to end the game(just like tonight)..... Now what are the odds of that happening twice in the same season?
If the offense can get going Battle will be fine! The defense is solid. And I believe they can stop Gate City's offense. But if we allow their offense to stay on the field long enough they have athletes and will adventually break one for a big gains or touchdowns. Gotta put more points up than we have the past 2 games or Gate City will pull it out.
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Union @ John Battle
in SWVA Football
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I agree. Union is definitely no slouch. But I've only seen one game from both of these teams. Someone on here asked me for my opinion about what I thought about UHS/AHS. I'm sure if you asked 50 more people you might get 25 answers one way & 25 the other. I'm just being honest about what I saw. That was just my opinion that was asked for. And you know what they say about opinions ;)