Graham vs Strasburg

[Graham32]

12 minutes ago, jeffro said:

You’re exactly right.  Blow up the plays early and put them in 3rd and longs. I can see a lot of blitzing the gaps.  By Staus not playing wideouts will bring out Db closer to the action and hopefully this works for Graham.  As someone said earlier the safety for Graham better cover these pass plays the occasional slip out or they will big hitters

Honestly I think Graham playing Union twice will have them more prepared for the physicality of this game. Will the speed and quickness of the G-Men defense be more in their favor? I think it will help but the G-Men better be ready for a dog fight in the trenches.

Imo since Graham is the away team if they win the coin toss they need to receive the ball. Limit the amount of possessions the Strasburg offense gets. Palmer and staff need to preach ball control all week. 1 turnover in this game could be the dagger.

[jeffro]

I wouldn’t defer either. I want the ball first. IMO I would move  Edward’s or Graham back at safety and put me another linebacker in the game. 

[SwvaOG]

7 minutes ago, jeffro said:

I wouldn’t defer either. I want the ball first. IMO I would move  Edward’s or Graham back at safety and put me another linebacker in the game. 

Put your fastest and best athlete (DB) as a middle-high safety 15 years off the ball and centered between the goal-posts.  He is pass first and a true safety valve in run-support. Everyone else has a run-fist mentality......can't scream off the edge going after the QB.

[Graham32]

1 hour ago, SwvaOG said:

Put your fastest and best athlete (DB) as a middle-high safety 15 years off the ball and centered between the goal-posts.  He is pass first and a true safety valve in run-support. Everyone else has a run-fist mentality......can't scream off the edge going after the QB.

Graham might be able to afford 10 in the box with one single high safety. They move the ball with 10 in the box it’s going to be a long game for the G-Men.

[SXSW]

Let me first say congratulations to the G-Men and their supporters, you have it all, Good athletes, Great fan support, and Great Coaching! As long as the D "stays in their lanes" they will be fine, Don't over pursue as stated in OG's post. I fully expect the G-Men to win, your D is very, very sound! Strasburg doesn't scare me with athletes on film, but they are very solid, like Rye Cove, and until someone beats Graham I am not picking against them! Graham 28-7. 

[Hokiebird7]

2 hours ago, SXSW said:

Let me first say congratulations to the G-Men and their supporters, you have it all, Good athletes, Great fan support, and Great Coaching! As long as the D "stays in their lanes" they will be fine, Don't over pursue as stated in OG's post. I fully expect the G-Men to win, your D is very, very sound! Strasburg doesn't scare me with athletes on film, but they are very solid, like Rye Cove, and until someone beats Graham I am not picking against them! Graham 28-7. 

Great fan support? I was at the games the last 2 weeks and sorry but those crowds we're pathetic imo for games that big

[goose111874]

2 hours ago, Hokiebird7 said:

Great fan support? I was at the games the last 2 weeks and sorry but those crowds we're pathetic imo for games that big

Yeah Graham crowd seemed pretty small during Union game, of course Union side wasn’t any better 

[Real Sasquatch]

21 minutes ago, goose111874 said:

Yeah Graham crowd seemed pretty small during Union game, of course Union side wasn’t any better 

The cold weather didn't help.

[SWVAgridiron]

I’m hoping the G-Men pack the stands at Salem. I went to Mitchell 3 times this season to watch them play and while it is a huge stadium I was disappointed in the support that an undefeated team is getting. Union’s fan base did actually impressed me when they came to Mitchell despite it being what felt like 10 degrees 

[Real Sasquatch]

10 minutes ago, SWVAgridiron said:

I’m hoping the G-Men pack the stands at Salem. I went to Mitchell 3 times this season to watch them play and while it is a huge stadium I was disappointed in the support that an undefeated team is getting. Union’s fan base did actually impressed me when they came to Mitchell despite it being what felt like 10 degrees 

I've been to all 6 of Graham's state title games (89,95,01,18,21,22) and every one of them had thousands of fans and have outnumbered their opponents.  I don't expect anything less this time around.  

[BigWinners]

I see it this way: Graham needs three big plays on offense, TDs, and they’ll win. Unless the defense really can’t handle this attack (which could happen I won’t lie), if Graham can get to 21, it’s game over. Graham doesn’t allow many teams to get to 14 much less 21 and Stras doesn’t have the offensive design to put up scores quick. The physicality won’t affect Graham, Graham has played physical teams the last two weeks and won those battles both. But the offense can’t get a bunch of quick three and outs, that’ll kill the defensive get off and give up control of the game. Id also take 4-5 deep shots during the game. Make them cover your athletes in space. And as mentioned win on first down on defense. 2nd and 6, they’ll kill you. 2nd and 9 that leads to 3rd and 7? Then you can win. 

[Gridiron60]

5 hours ago, Hokiebird7 said:

Great fan support? I was at the games the last 2 weeks and sorry but those crowds we're pathetic imo for games that big

I have to agree. Mitchell is large obviously compared to most stadiums but I’ve always thought at least the past decade that Graham community doesn’t show up for home games unless it’s the Graham/Beaver game. One would think a state semifinal game, more folks would come out to support them. 

[Graham32]

1 hour ago, BigWinners said:

I see it this way: Graham needs three big plays on offense, TDs, and they’ll win. Unless the defense really can’t handle this attack (which could happen I won’t lie), if Graham can get to 21, it’s game over. Graham doesn’t allow many teams to get to 14 much less 21 and Stras doesn’t have the offensive design to put up scores quick. The physicality won’t affect Graham, Graham has played physical teams the last two weeks and won those battles both. But the offense can’t get a bunch of quick three and outs, that’ll kill the defensive get off and give up control of the game. Id also take 4-5 deep shots during the game. Make them cover your athletes in space. And as mentioned win on first down on defense. 2nd and 6, they’ll kill you. 2nd and 9 that leads to 3rd and 7? Then you can win. 

Bingo^

[tornado99]

1 hour ago, Real Sasquatch said:

I've been to all 6 of Graham's state title games (89,95,01,18,21,22) and every one of them had thousands of fans and have outnumbered their opponents.  I don't expect anything less this time around.  

Is this based on regional fans instead of the G-men faithful? I, myself, have both observed lukewarm attendance at Graham games throughout the years, although the few were passionate.  I haven’t recently, but have attended games supporting the local team and primarily noticed the crowds being mixed with other SWVA fans.

[tornado99]

Good luck to the G-men.

[Real Sasquatch]

12 minutes ago, tornado99 said:

Is this based on regional fans instead of the G-men faithful? I, myself, have both observed lukewarm attendance at Graham games throughout the years, although the few were passionate.  I haven’t recently, but have attended games supporting the local team and primarily noticed the crowds being mixed with other SWVA fans.

I think it's both.  A ton of Graham fans travel to Salem, Lynchburg and Fredericksburg in the past, too   A lot of regional fans show up too.  I know that I traveled to the Richlands title games too, so I assume some of both.  But you see a lot of Graham gear at those games.  

[frito gonzales]

If Graham can keep penalties to a minimum I think they win. 

G-Men 28

Strasburg 14

[Gridiron60]

21 hours ago, jeffro said:

I wouldn’t defer either. I want the ball first. IMO I would move  Edward’s or Graham back at safety and put me another linebacker in the game. 

Agree! Graham needs to score first! If at all possible, defense needs to force a stop on Strasburg’s first possession. If they can’t and allow Strasburg to drive the length of the field and score, could be a long day for GMen. Obviously, Strasburg will put up some points but will be Graham’s offense be able to put up more? If Graham commits numerous unforced errors , it will be harder to overcome than against Glenvar in my opinion. 

[Graham32]

2 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

Agree! Graham needs to score first! If at all possible, defense needs to force a stop on Strasburg’s first possession. If they can’t and allow Strasburg to drive the length of the field and score, could be a long day for GMen. Obviously, Strasburg will put up some points but will be Graham’s offense be able to put up more? If Graham commits numerous unforced errors , it will be harder to overcome than against Glenvar in my opinion. 

Agreed, the way they control the clock any errors could be the dagger. 

Gonna be real interesting though when Graham has all these athletes in the box with the run first mentality.

[jeffro]

I’m going out on a limb and say Strasburg hasn’t faced a D line Grahams and will have very difficult time.   Special teams likely to play into it as well.                Graham 21-7

[Mountain Football]

2 hours ago, frito gonzales said:

If Graham can keep penalties to a minimum I think they win. 

G-Men 28

Strasburg 14

Alright @frito gonzales you have been confident all season. You haven't put any disclaimers in your predictions. Don't mess with the mojo now.😂

Graham 28

Strasburg 14

[Gridiron60]

4 hours ago, jeffro said:

I’m going out on a limb and say Strasburg hasn’t faced a D line Grahams and will have very difficult time.   Special teams likely to play into it as well.                Graham 21-7

Another return kick like Blake Graham had against Glenvar would be pretty sweet. That was a fun TD to watch! That young man has some wheels on him! 

[Real Sasquatch]

16 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

Another return kick like Blake Graham had against Glenvar would be pretty sweet. That was a fun TD to watch! That young man has some wheels on him! 

If like to see him on an end around or 2..

[jeffro]

Hopefully Edward’s and Graham get the ball in their hands. ALOT

[Graham32]

15 minutes ago, jeffro said:

Hopefully Edward’s and Graham get the ball in their hands. ALOT

Final game of the year gotta get the ball into your athletes hands.