I think that it will be a high scoring affair much like last year. I think that Abingdon has improved on the defensive side of the ball but.... I have seen the G-Men on film some and I think that they are much better as well. It looks like the G-Men have a physical offensive line. I would have loved to watch this bunch under Coach Carlock. I say this without trying to offend the current staff at all. They are doing a fine job. I just remember how hard he was and how they played under him. I'm not sure how many on the current staff played for Coach Carlock other than Coach Palmer.
It is becoming increasingly harder for high schools to play great defense from a schematic point of view. (IMO) Thirty years ago, you could take a group of tough, hard nosed kids and shut down a team because of fundamental play and toughness at the LOS. Now, you have all of the different offenses week in and week out. Those really good coaches (like all good ones) try to match their strengths against a teams weaknesses. The spread offense is a great equalizer to that physical style of play that used to exist. Abingdon has done a really good job in doing that. Defenses that are big/physical can play the run well but have match up problems against a fast break offense, so finding that balance is difficult, especially in smaller schools. The caveat to that is when team sees a Lord Botetourt for the first time, it takes time to adapt to that style. It is hard to blitz those teams every play and not have a break down from time to time. You have to try and get as many athletes on the field as possible to make plays in the open field. The rule changes have taken some of the physicality out of the game too.
Hope to see another great game.
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