This week Midway host Bledsoe County on Patriot Day. This is the first time these schools have met. The Warriors are 1-1 with a 20-14 win over Coalfield and a 6-21 loss to a very good Marion Barber County team.
The Waves are 1-1 and for the most part, have played well in both games. The Waves are coming off a 21-14 loss to Harriman. The Waves had little success running the ball but the passing game did have several big plays; especially in the 2nd half. Looking at the talent and size along the Blue Devil sidelines, you would have expected the Devils to win by at least 40. The Waves do deserve credit for playing up to their opponent. The men in the trenches showed heart & strength.
Can Midway’s running game improve enough to be effective against the Warrior defense? Can Bledsoe Co. stop the aerial attack from the Waves? This one is gonna be tough…..
Panel members…make your picks!
“Now we find out the measure of the 2009 Wave team; how we respond to a loss will say much about the intestinal fortitude of the players. I know the coaches will do the job to prepare the team.
Bledsoe County Warriors will be meeting the Mighty Green Waves for the first time. The Warriors are also coming off a loss to Marion County so both teams are looking to get back on track.
This is also the Warriors third road game in a row to start the season. Will the road legs get tired? I hope so.
This one could go either way, but I think the travel will hurt the Warriors even though it will be a good battle. Waves in another nail-biter.”
– Ralton Emory ’91
“Waves win late with Young Tom Viar making a couple big plays in the fourth quarter.”
– Michael Rose ’91
“Midway lost a tough one last Friday Night. If not for the 1st two series this game might have turned in the Waves favor. Viar continues to impress but the running game must improve. Defense was not bad after those first 2 Harriman drives.
Bledsoe Co. will have to be a much improved team from last years squad to beat this years Green team. According to MaxPreps web site, Bledsoe Co. finished last season with a record of 1-9, being outscored on average 33 to 11. The message boards do note that this years team has improved and Bledsoe did manage a close game 20-6 with usually powerful Marion Co in their first game of the season. Marion Co shot themselves in the foot several times with fumbles and penalties. A close win in week two against a weak Coalfield team is not much to get excited about for the Bledsoe fans.
I predict that Bledsoe will not be able to get much pressure on QB Viar and this week Thomas will put up 300 plus with Wakon making two TD catches. Also Moser will get the running game going and this may be a repeat of the Wartburg game except Midway will get at least three TDs. Midway 21 Bledsoe 6.
Youth League starts at 3 pm at Loudon High School on Saturday.”
– Barry Narramore ’84
“Well I only got to see half of the Midway/Harriman game and at times they looked good and at times they didn’t. If Midway can do a good job on defense and stay consistent on offense they should be able to put together a win. I don’t know much about Bledsoe County but from what I have read they’re “so-so.” I’m taking Midway in this one.”
– Kyle Canup ’09
“I caught some grief for picking Harriman last week. I had a phone call from a disappointed Coach O’Toole. I was on the fence, literally for the Harriman game. I saw some things that needed improvement. Our defense had some hit and misses. One thing i liked was the 4th quarter effort out of the boys in green. If we would have seen play like that for 4 quarters it would have been a different outcome. The short, quick passes were effective. We need to eat up the field 10 yards at a time.
However, that game’s over, and it’s on to this week. We don’t have too much background on the Bledsoe Co. bunch, but one thing I do know, is the boys in green have some fight in them when they’re down…so I’m taking the Waves this week. We’re gonna tighten down and bounce back.”
– Amber Johnson ’99
“Can the Green bounce back from a tough loss last week? The answer is yes they can, but will they? I think so, give me Midway.”
– Randy Rose ’79