I will eat crow for my predictions. I was wrong, I admit it.
This was a game that had all the billings. What a game it was.
IF you missed it, I will inform you of what I took from the game.
Here is my assumption.
Living Stones came out and played just like I figured they would. INSPIRED-PHYSICAL FOOTBALL and they did during the 1st qtr. They really took it to Pine Drive. By the way it started out, I leaned over to my wife and said... OH BOY, This is going to get ugly really quick.. I was thinking that dreaded 45 word.
LS scored on their opening drive, then PD fumbled the kickoff, and LS scored again bring the score to 13-0.
After that Pine Drive settled down, Their passing game was accurate, their running game looked good and this all took affect in the 2nd/3rd/4th qtr and Living Stones had no answer. For the first time I saw frustration from Living Stones (#4 slamming his helmet to the ground) confusion (#11) & a coaching staff that didn't have any answers offensively/defensively from the LS sidelines.
Key plays or momentum shift was opening play of the 3rd qtr. (entire game shifted here)....
LS kicked the ball deep, #14 ran it back for a td to put PD up 24-19 (i believe).
PD put the final nail in the coffin in the 4th qtr when #2 caught the pass, ran through 4 Living Stones defenders and took it 60(+) yards for the td, putting Pine Drive up by 3 scores.
The 3rd and 4th qtr was dominated by Pine Drives defense. PD gave up a cheap td very late to make the score closer than the final. (which was a very good catch and run by my little shifty #2, dudly)... I think lscs shoud've used him more offensively.
THIS I WILL GIVE THE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.
Pine Drive had a brilliant game plan for #11. I saw several different blitz packages from their defense.
This had #11 (Pedro confused as he could'nt find a receiver and was running for his life all the entire 2nd half). The fresh legs of 31, 12, 8, 2 gave constant fresh pressure on him and they just wore him down, along with 14 and 11 who did most of the chasing the entire ball game.
This strategy had him confused most of the night and getting up VERY slowly the entire 3rd and 4th qtr. (never saw #11 git up that slow when I saw him play the other games)
I asked coach ware what was his game plan to stop or slow #11 down.
He replied back, we are not going to fear him.
We will kick it deep to him -- and hit him
We will pressure him all night, with a HARD RUSH -- and hit him
We will keep him off-balance guessing where our rushers will come from -- and hit him
What we really want to do is let him run around as much as possible, HIT (not tackle) him every-time we get a chance to wear him down.
END OF PM QUOTE
In my opinion, this defensive game plan was executed to perfection
I will say this, Pine Drive weathered Living Stones on-slaught in the 1st half and played a very good football game.
Like I said before after the PD-Logos game is that Pine Drives defense is VICIOUS, If you play them...
READ MY WORDS...
THEY DON'T TACKLE..... THEY HIT, AND THEY HIT, AND THEY HIT....AND THEY COME WITH KIDS OFF THE BENCH THAT ----- DON'T FALL OFF.
I believe I counted 12 different #'s (players) that played when the game was close.. which means to me Pine Drive has depth or they've developed depth for a playoff run.
My stud spread back (11) that I was boasting about all week was carted off after the game with what looked like broken ribs, (which is what one of the LS parents told me)
also, #14 looked to have a broken arm or collar bone during the game and didn't return and one other player from LS was injured as well.
PLEASE KEEP THESE YOUNG MEN IN YOUR PRAYERS
In closing,
My opinion was Pine Drive came in expecting to play 4 qtrs...
Living Stones put it all on the line in the 1st qtr....And they hit pine drive with hay-mackers, jabs, judo-chops, heck they even hit them with the kitchen sink.
I will say this as I leave here.
Now I see why Pine Drive went out and got Waco Live Oak, because playing teams that takes you 4 qtrs only prepares you for games like this one.
I believe living stones was hurt by not playing good/talented teams, AND I SAY THIS BECAUSE, IF LIVING STONES COMES OUT LIKE THEY DID IN THE 1ST QTR, THOSE OTHER TEAMS WOULD'VE OF NEVER SCORED A SINGLE POINT VS LIVING STONES... THEY WOULD'VE PACKED THEIR BAGS AND WENT HOME EARLY (halftime) BECAUSE LIVING STONES WOULD'VE 45ed THEM...
Now I understand the argument of playing better teams/competition because I truly didn't think it mattered at-first.
None of those coaches had an answer for my stud spread back (11) until last night.
Great game by both teams...
I'm looking forward to see how this district finishes.
Kck,
Which player was your brother & I'll go eat my crow and I will continue to follow Living Stones, Pine drive, orange community as well.
Hoping to talk my wife into traveling to District 1, that seems to be turning into a great district race as well.
Good Luck to all ... AND MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO #11, #14, #23 (i think those #'s are correct)