There is no sense in beating around the bush this week. I’m not gonna go through a bunch of stats and tell you how Midway should beat Oneida. What I am going to do is this…….I might be the only one on the panel who truly believes the Mighty Waves have a solid chance at handing the Indians their first loss of the season. BUT, with the game being played in Scott Co., I will have to give the edge to the Indians. So I guess what I’m trying to say is….I PICK THE………MIGHTY WAVES BY 2!
Jeff Hill
“The Waves proved me wrong last week with their road legs. I hope they can do that again this week. I’ll have to go with Oneida.”
Ralton Emory
“This hurts my heart, but I’m gonna go with Oneida on this one. I hope I’m wrong, but I think they’re gonna beat us this go round.”
Amber Johnson
“If you didn’t make the trip last week to Sequatchie County you missed a heck of a ballgame. QB Pressley had his best game so far, running and passing. But the new star is Blasko who had several catches including a touchdown and a couple of great runs after the catch. T-Stock and Poe both had timely interceptions. The line blocked a lot better and the game was just an enjoyable one to watch for the Greenwave fans. The fake punt was a great call for Poe, who also returned a kickoff for a TD early in the game. The excitement anytime this young man touches the ball is unreal.
This week we will need all this and a whole lot more. For the second week in a roll the Green will be facing a state ranked team. Oneida is looking for revenge after the last 5 years but the Green ain’t dead and Coach Moser won’t roll over for nobody. I’m taking Midway in the upset of the week.”
Barry Narramore
“Midway had a great win last week and continues to improve. Oneida has a good team that is playing well and is at home, which could be the difference in this game. I hope I’m wrong but I’ll take Oneida in a close game.”
Randy Rose
“Coach CF Moser’s Green Monsters of Midway hit the road again this week for the long awaited regional matchup against Coach Tony Lambert’s tribal band of perfect Indians from Oneida. The winner of this game emerges as the leader in the race for the regional championship, while the loser has a lot of work to do to stay relevant in the region race. This is the game in the region this week and traditionally for the year.
Midway (4-1), after a shaky start and miserable showing in week two against Rockwood, have found their footing in recent weeks with back to back thumpings of Coldfield and Sasquatchie County. The Waves led by R2 and the Raven, have even found a bit of an aWakoning in the passing attack in recent weeks. Some early season injuries have healed and this Green team may be peaking at just the right time.
As for Oneida (6-0), well simply put, the Indians are good. The preseason predictions were spot on for this Oneida team and the Indians have climbed to number 5 in the state in the latest power polls. Fast, balanced, strong, you name it and this team does it well. Coach Lambert’s defensive unit is particularly strong and stingy against the run, led by Sexton, Buttram and Terry. Oneida’s offense has been strong running the ball with Lewallen, Slaven and Hutson leading the way. The passing game can be a threat with Slaven and his favorite target Woodard. This team is deep, athletic and have been on a roll, soundly beating everyone in its path including the season opener against Rockwood.
If you pay attention to the message boards and prognosticators, this should be a cakewalk for Oneida. According to some websites, this Oneida team will : A) Win the region and go undefeated B) Win the state class A championship C) Win the SEC handily over Alabama and D) Defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl. I invite you to a quick search of some of the Oneida message boards to see for yourself. It is probably easy to forget that the last time Oneida defeated Midway, R2 was still an R1 and The Raven was just a hatchling. That’s right football fans, according to my math, Midway has defeated Oneida five straight years. The last loss to Oneida came in the 2002 season. Will this Midway team rollover and allow Oneida to break that streak? I would think not.
This should be a dandy with the paying patrons backed up beyond the furniture stores in Oneida. A tight defensive struggle is likely throughout with both teams risking little through the air. Expect close to the vest football with both teams trying to establish the running game early. Oneida will kick away from the Raven all night and try to clog the middle against R2. Expect Midway to return the favor on defense, playing tough against the run between the tackles.
This game will boil down to mistakes, and the team who makes the fewest will win the ballgame. Did Midway learn from the Rockwood game in which turnovers and penalties plagued them throughout? Will Oneida continue the perfect season? Unfortunately, I think the home field advantage will give Oneida the edge in this one. Oneida by 7.”
Michael Rose