Third day in pads for NC schools. Teams still working out kinks. All three teams showed some bright spots and some definite improvement areas. Missed the first round of 1s with Weddington and Catholic. General consensus was Weddington got the better of Catholic. Saw the 2s and Wedding didn't appear to drop off much from the 1s. Catholic v Pinecrest 1s, Catholic definitely got the better of Pinecrest. With Weddington and Pinecrest, Weddington got sloppy and Pinecrest probably had the better of the matchup. Saw round 2 with Catholic and Weddington and pretty much even. Generally keeping score is a waste of time. Credit to the coaches as they obviously were trying things out and seeing who could play. They used it as a scrimmage and a learning tool. Format was each team got 2 sets of 10 plays on offence with the 1s getting a set and the 2s getting a set. Then one team rotated out. A second round looked like each team took 8 plays and the coaches appeared to have some pre set down and distance situations set up. Additionally had varsity on one side of the field and jvs on the other.
Full disclosure, I am a Catholic alum and played there years ago but simply enjoy high school ball. Observations,
Weddington probably a bit ahead of Catholic and Pinecrest at this stage. Passing game is ahead of schedule and they have a couple of skill players at wideout that are burners and cause problems if they get the ball in space. They did. Defense was a little soft on the corners. Both Catholic and Pinecrest able to throw the ball effectively. Of the three teams, they were definitely the deepest with little dropoff from 1st to 2s. A necessity at the 4A level. They looked ragged against Pinecrest on offense but would rate them as slightly ahead of Catholic and Pinecrest at this stage.
Catholic 1s able to move the ball on both Weddington and Pinecrest, especially when in base offense. They monkeyed around with the gun a little, not something in their usual wheelhouse. What is scary is that they have a couple receivers that can catch including a D1 commit to Notre Dame. The quarterback also has several D1 offers. In the past they would throw it when they wanted to. Now they can throw it when they have to and want to. They have a big fullback and will be able to grind it out like past years. The can truly be balanced with the run and throw. The defense looked a little more porous at this stage than past years and will need to be shored up. Also the depth could cause problems if they have any key injuries during the season.
Pinecrest had some bright moments. Several skill players that could catch and run when they got the ball in their hands. Their D struggled with Catholic but did much better against Weddington. Of the 3 teams, they appeared to be 3rd of the 3 teams, but not a distant 3rd.
All three will improve between now and opening day and have a chance to make some noise. Catholic and Weddington has been a rivalry game because of proximity and conference affiliation in the past. Realignment has placed them in different conferences so they only way they could meet this year would be in the playoffs. A good test for all three teams.
With regards to the JVs. Catholic appeared to dominate both other teams. They had numbers and size and some of the players looked like they were ready for varsity now and may get moved up.
Happy to see the pads on and smell grass. Opening day kickoff drawing close. Also credit to Weddington. Tremendous facilities and in tip top shape. Scrimmage was on a practice field most schools would envy.
Full disclosure, I am a Catholic alum and played there years ago but simply enjoy high school ball. Observations,
Weddington probably a bit ahead of Catholic and Pinecrest at this stage. Passing game is ahead of schedule and they have a couple of skill players at wideout that are burners and cause problems if they get the ball in space. They did. Defense was a little soft on the corners. Both Catholic and Pinecrest able to throw the ball effectively. Of the three teams, they were definitely the deepest with little dropoff from 1st to 2s. A necessity at the 4A level. They looked ragged against Pinecrest on offense but would rate them as slightly ahead of Catholic and Pinecrest at this stage.
Catholic 1s able to move the ball on both Weddington and Pinecrest, especially when in base offense. They monkeyed around with the gun a little, not something in their usual wheelhouse. What is scary is that they have a couple receivers that can catch including a D1 commit to Notre Dame. The quarterback also has several D1 offers. In the past they would throw it when they wanted to. Now they can throw it when they have to and want to. They have a big fullback and will be able to grind it out like past years. The can truly be balanced with the run and throw. The defense looked a little more porous at this stage than past years and will need to be shored up. Also the depth could cause problems if they have any key injuries during the season.
Pinecrest had some bright moments. Several skill players that could catch and run when they got the ball in their hands. Their D struggled with Catholic but did much better against Weddington. Of the 3 teams, they appeared to be 3rd of the 3 teams, but not a distant 3rd.
All three will improve between now and opening day and have a chance to make some noise. Catholic and Weddington has been a rivalry game because of proximity and conference affiliation in the past. Realignment has placed them in different conferences so they only way they could meet this year would be in the playoffs. A good test for all three teams.
With regards to the JVs. Catholic appeared to dominate both other teams. They had numbers and size and some of the players looked like they were ready for varsity now and may get moved up.
Happy to see the pads on and smell grass. Opening day kickoff drawing close. Also credit to Weddington. Tremendous facilities and in tip top shape. Scrimmage was on a practice field most schools would envy.
