Three Rivers Conference predictions

[Screamin' Monk]

This is the worst time of your for sports with very little going on ... So lets get the conversation going

My picks for the Three Rivers

1. Whiteville (Very strong showing last year and deep run in the playoffs ... Lost some key players, but QB is back. "To be the man ... You must beat the man")
2. South Columbus (The stud of the conference for many years, but took a hit last year. Should bounce back with Fonvielle helping the entire season)
3. Fairmont (Mark Heil is a good coach at a school that traditionally has good athletes - I like the mix)
4. Red Springs (Seems to have a decent pool of athletes for a 1A school .... Always surprise a team or two every year. Has rival St. Pauls' number over the past several years)
5. St. Pauls (Solid over the past couple of seasons, but a small O line and a mass exodus of good coaches over the past couple years spells trouble)
6. South Robeson (Jernigan in his 2nd year should see improvement)
7. West Columbus (I felt like they were making some ground last year ... West and South Rob are interchangeable)
8. East Columbus (Bless Rocky Lewis' heart ... Very tough situation)

 

[Screamin' Monk]

Where are the South Columbus fans on here? They usually have been active in past and I have enjoyed their comments.

I guess they are not expecting much from the Stallions this year.

 

[Core31]

Way to early to tell bud...

 

[Screamin' Monk]

Way to early to tell bud...

I mentioned it was the slow time of the year and several have made predictions for other conferences across the state.

Core, when is a good time to make predictions? August 1st, August 14th or the end of the non conference schedule?

 

[Core31]

I like wait til after the jamboree to get worried or excited not that it's a great measuring stick but at least get a couple scrimmages under our belt.

 

[dirty stallion]

South Columbus has plenty of players coming back this year. Lost Coach Willie Gore who always fielded a good defense but did hire Scott Johnson who has coached defense before, I believe. Coach Hutch went to the triple option last year and didn't have much success from it, from what I saw. Coach has had a year now to work with the kids and help them build confidence in the TO. I think this season will mostly ride on how well the offense improves with the TO, or does Coach Hutch go back to the wing-t. Only time will tell, hope to be more competitive this year though with whatever Coach decides to do.

 

[Screamin' Monk]

Hutch still the coach at South Columbus? I heard he wasn't at the conference presser yesterday.

 

[hotterhand]

Monk, I think you gave a good honest opinion on the schools in this conference but I have 2 teams being a little higher and that's Fairmont and West Columbus. Fairmont has the ability to score a lot but has yet to find the defense to make a serious run but could this be their year? West Columbus will be a middle of the pack type of team after their surprising playoff run and having key skilled people back.

 

[tcdevils86]

Where are the South Columbus fans on here? They usually have been active in past and I have enjoyed their comments.

I guess they are not expecting much from the Stallions this year.

We're here. Just waiting to see if Coach Hutch can get the Stallions back on track. Looking a little better than last year but still not the same stampede as previous years.

 

[tcdevils86]

Hutch still the coach at South Columbus? I heard he wasn't at the conference presser yesterday.

He was not at the presser. Not sure why. It looks like Coach has tossed the triple option for the most part. Appears to be running a version of the wing T but out of the shotgun.

 

[swett2victory]

Monk, I think you gave a good honest opinion on the schools in this conference but I have 2 teams being a little higher and that's Fairmont and West Columbus. Fairmont has the ability to score a lot but has yet to find the defense to make a serious run but could this be their year? West Columbus will be a middle of the pack type of team after their surprising playoff run and having key skilled people back.

Fairmont has great QB and the receivers are an even equal/better sight to see. They have one big kid that has Carolina looking at him. Coach Heil has very talented kids this year that really listen and have great control of their position. They did not do bad at all in the Scrimmage. Like to see what they bring tonight in Lumberton Senior High School at the Battle of the Carolinas jamboree.

Latta vs. East Bladen, 6 p.m.
Lake View vs. Fairmont, 7 p.m.
West Brunswick vs. Purnell Swett, 8 p.m.
Dillon vs. Lumberton, 9 p.m.

 

[chipshot1]

Fairmont has great QB and the receivers are an even equal/better sight to see. They have one big kid that has Carolina looking at him. Coach Heil has very talented kids this year that really listen and have great control of their position. They did not do bad at all in the Scrimmage. Like to see what they bring tonight in Lumberton Senior High School at the Battle of the Carolinas jamboree.

Latta vs. East Bladen, 6 p.m.
Lake View vs. Fairmont, 7 p.m.
West Brunswick vs. Purnell Swett, 8 p.m.
Dillon vs. Lumberton, 9 p.m.

 

[chipshot1]

Waiting to see these scores S2V.....keep me up.....

Once a getchi....always a getchi......(SP)

 

[Core31]

Couldnt make it out tonigiht....is there away to listen on the radio?

 

[tcdevils86]

Couldnt make it out tonigiht....is there away to listen on the radio?

89.9

 

[gotoblueg]

I think West Columbus has a chance to be a good team this year. If that big OL comes around they have McFadden at QB that is very talented. Tommy Bryant is very big and strong in backfield with
Fred Evans,Marvin Edge very quick and good hands. Defense line is big and quick and LBs look to be ready. Question,are they ready as a team to believe in themselfs? I think they finish 3 or 4 in conf.

1-- Fairmont
2--Whiteville
3-- St. Paul's
4-- South Columbus
5-- West Columbus
6-- Red Springs
7-- South Robeson
8-- East Columbus

Just my out look on standings.
Whiteville may not have enough
for very talented Fairmont team.

 

[Screamin' Monk]

My thoughts on the two teams that played in the BB&T jamboree....

South Columbus has bigger issues than I thought. Defense had problems in stopping Laney and the Offense looks sluggish. Looked like the team had more energy than what they had a year ago. My prediction of second in the Three Rivers doesn't look good right now.

Whiteville is not what they were a year ago, but still have some athletes and mover the ball and kept New Hanover's offense off the field, They weren't able to score, but did have their chances (dropped TD pass). I still like them winning the conference, but Fairmont might be the ones challenging them ... not South Columbus

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

I think West Columbus has a chance to be a good team this year. If that big OL comes around they have McFadden at QB that is very talented. Tommy Bryant is very big and strong in backfield with
Fred Evans,Marvin Edge very quick and good hands. Defense line is big and quick and LBs look to be ready. Question,are they ready as a team to believe in themselfs? I think they finish 3 or 4 in conf.

1-- Fairmont
2--Whiteville
3-- St. Paul's
4-- South Columbus
5-- West Columbus
6-- Red Springs
7-- South Robeson
8-- East Columbus

Just my out look on standings.
Whiteville may not have enough
for very talented Fairmont team.

The Golden Tornadoes were the only county team to claim a victory, beating Lake View 16-15 in arguably the best game of the night. I'm hearing from eye witness accounts that Fairmont has a downright committed offense. Hard to say how Fairmont will start but so far so good for the Tornadoes. A friend of mine there said defense looked ok but progressed as the game went on and offense was playing really well. Room for improvement on both ends. Overall from what I've heard they've looked better Thursday than last year. Should be an interesting first game for Westover.

It's early, but the Tornadoes' effort Thursday sounds encouraging!

 

[WINGT Tradition]

South needs to go back to WING T....Not even a question. They have the speed but took zero snaps under center in the Jamboree, all from the shotgun. Offense looked confused with a lot of penalties only passing the ball once and only completing one first down. Defense can possibly come together if they work on pass D. All in all they need a spark.

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

South needs to go back to WING T....Not even a question. They have the speed but took zero snaps under center in the Jamboree, all from the shotgun. Offense looked confused with a lot of penalties only passing the ball once and only completing one first down. Defense can possibly come together if they work on pass D. All in all they need a spark.

How far are you measuring South to rise in the standings 4th, 5th?

 

[Screamin' Monk]

WINGT, Stallions don't like they have the horses (yes, pun intended) like they use to. They don't have the look of past South Columbus teams

 

[WINGT Tradition]

If they make changes now and get leadership on the field they could go for 2nd or 3rd possibly giving the 1st team a run. If they stick with what they're doing now... 5th or 6th at best. Hard to say because no one knows what they'll change if anything.

 

[WINGT Tradition]

WINGT, Stallions don't like they have the horses (yes, pun intended) like they use to. They don't have the look of past South Columbus teams

Agree!

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

If they make changes now and get leadership on the field they could go for 2nd or 3rd possibly giving the 1st team a run. If they stick with what they're doing now... 5th or 6th at best. Hard to say because no one knows what they'll change if anything.

Hope the best for South as I have been told they dominate the game every season. Very early and long football to be played.

 

[WINGT Tradition]

Hope the best for South as I have been told they dominate the game every season. Very early and long football to be played.

Yes very early. A lot of work to do!

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

Yes very early. A lot of work to do!

Was not aware St Pauls could fall in the 3rd spot. Hardly hear from that fan base but should wait after the first game. Sounds like Fairmont will make noise this season. They were the big talk this past week after impressing the fans at the Battle Of The Carolina's. Great group of kids down that way

 

[Core31]

Sad times for Tabor City football.... And it boils my blood.... Something, someone, somewhere has to change ....and soon

 

[dirty stallion]

South Columbus has a lot of work to do on offense and defense. I totally agree with everything Screamin Monk said about the Stallions. South has a brutal schedule in the beginning of the year.

 

[gotoblueg]

Sometimes talent level falls in cycles for most all schools,although I've not seen it happen at SC in years. Coaching change with some talent young has not been good to South. U do not want to start a coaching caramel there. I saw Whiteville go through that for few years. Until all fans and players get behind a coach with full support it will not be pretty. I would get behind these kids with full support and just play.
Changing Coach's will not necessarily be the answer. Kids are different from year to year and response can be better as support gets strong. SC always has tremendous support in Football.
If u folks are set on finding new coach
Homegrown may be the answer. Good luck to the Stallions this year I think it will be good year for u.

 

[Screamin' Monk]

Here are my thoughts on the standings after the scrimmages ... Some of the thoughts are from talking to people at scrimmages that I couldn't get to.

1. Whiteville - Is still my pick, but hearing Fairmont has looked really good. Whiteville is well coached and I like what their QB can do. Played very well against New Hanover.

2. Fairmont - I always like the combination of Heil and the athletes at Fairmont. The offense is strong and Heil is going to bring that toughness on the defensive side of the ball.

3. West Columbus - It's a stretch, but I don't think anybody else is stepping up as of now. The Vikings looked good last year and have several key players coming back.

4. St. Pauls - From what I heard they have given up a lot of TD's in their scrimmages, but have several weapons coming back. They seem to always fit in the middle of the conference.

5. South Columbus - What hasn't already been said about this situation? People are talking about changing the offense again ... That is going to put them behind and they are going to try to climb out that hole all season. I don't have any answers, but contending for a conference championship is not in the cards right now.

6. Red Springs - Don't know anything or heard anything about them right now. If somebody has heard something throw in your two cents.

7. South Robeson - They might end up a the bottom of the conference, They had a big line last year and that is gone, Very tough situation with a small amount of athletes, but nobody can block for you.

8. East Columbus - From what I heard there is improvement and Rocky Lewis is working them hard. I hope they do well

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

Great breakdown monk. Whiteville coming out this season with weapons or are they just balanced out for now?

I am so glad football is back. High School Football is a great sport to watch for the young, old, male and- yes lets not forget them females. To me, high school football is the purest form of the sport and most exciting. This time every year reporters, websites, blogs and fans hype their favorite teams and tell us why a specific player or team is going to be better than last year. This year is no different- already we’ve heard about the star athletes at many schools through the scrimmages and jamborees, not only in the Tabor City, Lumberton or even Whiteville area, but also around the state.

We all hope the very best for each team and this season is no different. I hope all athletes are 100% ready and stay 100% healthy. Lets have fun and enjoy this new season watching talent and wins.

 

[gotoblueg]

I do think Whiteville has good coaching and Carr is solid,Fairmont had a lot of athletes.

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

I do think Whiteville has good coaching and Carr is solid,Fairmont had a lot of athletes.

Been told more than enough about Fairmont. Hope the best for them and their new coach. They may end up with wins, conference champs or even champs period from what everyone is spreading about Fairmont.

 

[gotoblueg]

Monk has it right to be the u got to beat the man.

 

[Screamin' Monk]

Here is the coaches poll that was in the Whiteville newspaper
http://whiteville.com/three-rivers-football-preseason-poll-results/

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

Great link monk. Sounds like all teams have some sort of issues. Curious if come November the polls will be different from the Whiteville newspaper. Momentarily I am looking forward to everyone's first game

 

[gotoblueg]

Monk,I have a good feline about West Columbus this year. I was down on them last two years but this team is talented. Young somewhat but that's not all bad when mixed with veteran players such as Mcfadden,Tommy Bryant,Fred Evans.
Also OL will average about 275 and they have speed for lineman. Now question is can they go to next level. I think so with coach Lamb driving offence. I think with some playing time this team will make a run that will surprise some people.
I saw SC at Green Sea and got to get better on both sides of ball. Funny seeing Willie on sidelines not coaching,this is hard to replace in one years time. You got to let coach Hutch do it his way for this year,u know why I'm saying this,maybe it will work this time around. Nevertheless he tried it his way.
I feel Jakes hands are tied to a point,not head coach now. I'm waiting for SC to get that stout DEFENSEback. Good luck to all teams especially my Vikings.

 

[hotterhand]

I think West Columbus has a chance to be a good team this year. If that big OL comes around they have McFadden at QB that is very talented. Tommy Bryant is very big and strong in backfield with
Fred Evans,Marvin Edge very quick and good hands. Defense line is big and quick and LBs look to be ready. Question,are they ready as a team to believe in themselfs? I think they finish 3 or 4 in conf.

1-- Fairmont
2--Whiteville
3-- St. Paul's
4-- South Columbus
5-- West Columbus
6-- Red Springs
7-- South Robeson
8-- East Columbus

Just my out look on standings.
Whiteville may not have enough
for very talented Fairmont team.

I like your picks on this one. We shall see!

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

I like your picks on this one. We shall see!

and you represent who?

 

[hotterhand]

and you represent who?

I represent myself. If your asking where I went to school then all I can say is merger. My high school no longer exists but I love high school football and have for 35 years. My favorite saying this time of year "Is it Friday yet?"