We are about 3 weeks away from the season officially starting. What are the games you are looking forward to? (OOS or in state doesn't matter)
Texas isn't heavy with OOS games but the few we have I'm looking forward to:
Longview v Ruston LA
Anna v highlands AZ
Instate:
Desoto v north Crowley
Ridge point (my sleeper ) v bridgeland
SOC v North Shore
Carthage v Kilgore
Longview and Ruston have played 13 times.
Longview leads the series 7-6 with Ruston winning last year 21-10.
The two programs mirror each other. Quality athletes, quality coaching and quality facilities
I'm interested in the Melissa - Don Bosco Prep game. Melissa's no great shakes but it's always interesting to me to see these matchups.
A couple in-state that jump out early are
Parish - Bellaire Episcopal
Bellaire Episcopal - West Orange Stark
Parish - LBJ
Quote from: pied on Jul 30, 2025, 08:26 AMI'm interested in the Melissa - Don Bosco Prep game. Melissa's no great shakes but it's always interesting to me to see these matchups.
I forgot about that Melissa game, yes that's on the radar to keep up with. Are you going to go?
Both on 9/5:
Basha hosts Orange Lutheran - OLu is the only Trinity League team to lose to an Arizona squad. Basha should be very good and might send the visitors back 0-2 all-time versus the desert dwellers
Liberty travels to Corner Canyon - battle to decide who's the best of the rest in the West (after the TL, Gorman, and Southern Section at large)
John Curtis (NOLA) will be traveling to the Los Angeles area to play in the California Classic vs Cathedral (Los Angeles)...... that's where Bryce Young played two years before transferring to Mater Dei.
Eastlake, WA will be playing Williams Field, AZ In the California Classic also
The event is being held at San Juan Hills High School.....
De La Salle vs Lakeland
Folsom vs Mission Viejo
Quote from: Horsefly on Jul 30, 2025, 10:21 AMQuote from: pied on Jul 30, 2025, 08:26 AMI'm interested in the Melissa - Don Bosco Prep game. Melissa's no great shakes but it's always interesting to me to see these matchups.
I forgot about that Melissa game, yes that's on the radar to keep up with. Are you going to go?
Almost certainly heading to the Greenhill - TCA game that night.
Quote from: Redzone on Jul 30, 2025, 10:52 AMJohn Curtis (NOLA) will be traveling to the Los Angeles area to play in the California Classic vs Cathedral (Los Angeles)...... that's where Bryce Young played two years before transferring to Mater Dei.
Eastlake, WA will be playing Williams Field, AZ In the California Classic also
The event is being held at San Juan Hills High School.....
Quote from: Cal 14 on Jul 30, 2025, 10:59 AMDe La Salle vs Lakeland
Folsom vs Mission Viejo
Lakeland and DLS are both ranked fairly high nationally in the preseason. Should be a good one
From LA I'm also interested in Edna Karr v Heritage game. Hopefully it's streamed
Quote from: Wooderson on Jul 30, 2025, 10:34 AMBoth on 9/5:
Basha hosts Orange Lutheran - OLu is the only Trinity League team to lose to an Arizona squad. Basha should be very good and might send the visitors back 0-2 all-time versus the desert dwellers
Liberty travels to Corner Canyon - battle to decide who's the best of the rest in the West (after the TL, Gorman, and Southern Section at large)
Good games no doubt. How good is highland suppose to be this year?
Another interesting Texas/ Louisiana matchup.
Houston Legacy School Sports Sciences (LSSS) Will travel to New Orleans to play St Aug at Tad Gormley Stadium in NOLA.
Five-star LSSS QB Henderson (Houston commit) is the #1 rated prospect in Texas and he may well be the #1 player in the nation after all is said and done.
https://247sports.com/player/keisean-henderson-46129516/
LSSS has a WR committed to Texas A&M and a couple other standouts.
I don't think they're quite there yet, but they got some good players.
St Aug is St Aug. I actually have them #2 in the Catholic League behind Edna Karr this year. Athletes for days and they are coached much better with this new coaching staff. New attitude.
Quote from: Redzone on Jul 30, 2025, 12:02 PMAnother interesting Texas/ Louisiana matchup.
Houston Legacy School Sports Sciences (LSSS) Will travel to New Orleans to play St Aug at Tad Gormley Stadium in NOLA.
Five-star LSSS QB Henderson (Houston commit) is the #1 rated prospect in Texas and he may well be the #1 player in the nation after all is said and done.
https://247sports.com/player/keisean-henderson-46129516/
LSSS has a WR committed to Texas A&M and a couple other standouts.
I don't think they're quite there yet, but they got some good players.
St Aug is St Aug. I actually have them #2 in the Catholic League behind Edna Karr this year. Athletes for days and they are coached much better with this new coaching staff. New attitude.
Legacy is a very interesting school. Will be following thema nd curious to see what they have after Henderson leaves.
Quote from: Horsefly on Jul 30, 2025, 11:41 AMQuote from: Wooderson on Jul 30, 2025, 10:34 AMBoth on 9/5:
Basha hosts Orange Lutheran - OLu is the only Trinity League team to lose to an Arizona squad. Basha should be very good and might send the visitors back 0-2 all-time versus the desert dwellers
Liberty travels to Corner Canyon - battle to decide who's the best of the rest in the West (after the TL, Gorman, and Southern Section at large)
Good games no doubt. How good is highland suppose to be this year?
They seem to be in a bit of a light rebuild; breaking in a new QB as well as other pieces, but do have a young, good little back and guy with measurables at receiver/safety. Typically they're very well-coached but they did finish last season in a tailspin and just about every notable team in 6A are comparatively stacked. They'll likely be a lot better late in the year than early on.
IMG at Hoover August 22nd 8:00 central ESPN2.
I remember when being on ESPN was a big deal.
Quote from: HooverOutlaw on Jul 30, 2025, 08:42 PMIMG at Hoover August 22nd 8:00 central ESPN2.
I remember when being on ESPN was a big deal.
Where is Hoover ranked preseason in AL?
Quote from: pied on Jul 30, 2025, 12:24 PMQuote from: Redzone on Jul 30, 2025, 12:02 PMAnother interesting Texas/ Louisiana matchup.
Houston Legacy School Sports Sciences (LSSS) Will travel to New Orleans to play St Aug at Tad Gormley Stadium in NOLA.
Five-star LSSS QB Henderson (Houston commit) is the #1 rated prospect in Texas and he may well be the #1 player in the nation after all is said and done.
https://247sports.com/player/keisean-henderson-46129516/
LSSS has a WR committed to Texas A&M and a couple other standouts.
I don't think they're quite there yet, but they got some good players.
St Aug is St Aug. I actually have them #2 in the Catholic League behind Edna Karr this year. Athletes for days and they are coached much better with this new coaching staff. New attitude.
Legacy is a very interesting school. Will be following thema nd curious to see what they have after Henderson leaves.
Legacy (LSSS) plays 2 Top 20 5A teams this year
Port Arthur Memorial and
Richland.
Richland lost to Aledo last year 49-42 in OT.
Richland finished 10-3 last year and #10 in 5A.
Quote from: Horsefly on Jul 31, 2025, 04:07 AMQuote from: HooverOutlaw on Jul 30, 2025, 08:42 PMIMG at Hoover August 22nd 8:00 central ESPN2.
I remember when being on ESPN was a big deal.
Where is Hoover ranked preseason in AL?
Most have it
1. Thompson
2. Hoover
Thompson did not see the large number of recruits this year as in the past.
When the former state director Alvin Briggs was fired/quit it hurt Thompson because the DL coach at Thompson was Briggs nephew. Now that DL coach is not even at Thompson any more. So the recruiting safety net is gone.
The main reason outside of 4 and 5 stars transferring to Thompson and beating Hoover in the playoffs is qb play. We will much closer to being equal at the qb position than say the last 5 or so years. We have beat them in the regular season several times lately but they own us in the playoffs. Probably the best assistant staff in many years at Hoover.
We may can give IMG trouble for a half. I don't think IMG is as elite in the past still great but not national title good.
Milton vs Buford on August 14th.
This opening game will be for the Georgia World Championship......................
Rufus>>
Quote from: Rufus69 on Jul 31, 2025, 07:33 AMMilton vs Buford on August 14th.
This opening game will be for the Georgia World Championship......................
Rufus>>
Excellent game to be played at Buford's new state of the art stadium. Should be a good one...again
Quote from: HooverOutlaw on Jul 31, 2025, 06:41 AMQuote from: Horsefly on Jul 31, 2025, 04:07 AMQuote from: HooverOutlaw on Jul 30, 2025, 08:42 PMIMG at Hoover August 22nd 8:00 central ESPN2.
I remember when being on ESPN was a big deal.
Where is Hoover ranked preseason in AL?
Most have it
1. Thompson
2. Hoover
Thompson did not see the large number of recruits this year as in the past.
When the former state director Alvin Briggs was fired/quit it hurt Thompson because the DL coach at Thompson was Briggs nephew. Now that DL coach is not even at Thompson any more. So the recruiting safety net is gone.
The main reason outside of 4 and 5 stars transferring to Thompson and beating Hoover in the playoffs is qb play. We will much closer to being equal at the qb position than say the last 5 or so years. We have beat them in the regular season several times lately but they own us in the playoffs. Probably the best assistant staff in many years at Hoover.
We may can give IMG trouble for a half. I don't think IMG is as elite in the past still great but not national title good.
Hoover has 3 D1 prospects In the senior class.
IMG Academy has 25 D1 prospects in the senior class.
Hoover may be able to hang with Thompson and those kind of teams....... if Hoover were able to pick up 2 or 3 first downs in the first half that would be a win for Hoover.
This won't be pretty for ESPN.
For the record IMG Academy may have the best sophomore QB in the nation ...2028 class
Has close to 30 big time offers.......most all the recruiting players > Texas, Ohio St, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, and etc
They claim he runs a 4.49 forty. I doubt that
https://247sports.com/player/jayden-wade-46131982/
Two weeks from today IMG faces The First Academy. It will probably be a good game, but no one here cares much about those two. Two weeks from tomorrow, Miami Northwestern faces Lakeland at a neutral site (Vero Beach). Northwestern is/was thought to be near the top of the state, but the suspension of their coach may downgrade them some. Lakeland was humiliated by STA in the state title game. They are a serious wild card, and I have no idea what to expect. Can Arkansas QB commit awaken the passing game? Both MNW and Lakeland face California powers this month as well. MNW faces OLU, and Lakeland travels for a rematch with De La Salle. Both games will be played for real and to win, but will not count in the final record.
Quote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Aug 01, 2025, 04:52 PMTwo weeks from today IMG faces The First Academy. It will probably be a good game, but no one here cares much about those two. Two weeks from tomorrow, Miami Northwestern faces Lakeland at a neutral site (Vero Beach). Northwestern is/was thought to be near the top of the state, but the suspension of their coach may downgrade them some. Lakeland was humiliated by STA in the state title game. They are a serious wild card, and I have no idea what to expect. Can Arkansas QB commit awaken the passing game? Both MNW and Lakeland face California powers this month as well. MNW faces OLU, and Lakeland travels for a rematch with De La Salle. Both games will be played for real and to win, but will not count in the final record.
What/where is the First Academy?
What/where is the First Academy?
[/quote]
Private school in Orlando that recently hired a succcessful coach from Arkansas and has recruited a large share of talent this and last season. They play IMG, Milton, St. Frances, Venice, Lakeland etc. They figure, at worst, to be in all of those games. They will likely win multiple of those games.
Quote from: pied on Aug 01, 2025, 06:51 PMQuote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Aug 01, 2025, 04:52 PMTwo weeks from today IMG faces The First Academy. It will probably be a good game, but no one here cares much about those two. Two weeks from tomorrow, Miami Northwestern faces Lakeland at a neutral site (Vero Beach). Northwestern is/was thought to be near the top of the state, but the suspension of their coach may downgrade them some. Lakeland was humiliated by STA in the state title game. They are a serious wild card, and I have no idea what to expect. Can Arkansas QB commit awaken the passing game? Both MNW and Lakeland face California powers this month as well. MNW faces OLU, and Lakeland travels for a rematch with De La Salle. Both games will be played for real and to win, but will not count in the final record.
What/where is the First Academy?
I believe they had to forfeit all their games last year if this is the right First Academy.
👇
The First Academy (TFA) in Orlando, Florida, was the first high school football team to forfeit games in 2024 due to violations of recruiting and benefits rules, according to Yahoo Sports. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) penalized the school, banning its football coach, Jeff Conaway, from coaching for the 2025 season. The FHSAA also expelled TFA from the 2024 and 2025 football playoffs.
Quote from: Redzone on Aug 02, 2025, 08:52 AMQuote from: pied on Aug 01, 2025, 06:51 PMQuote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Aug 01, 2025, 04:52 PMTwo weeks from today IMG faces The First Academy. It will probably be a good game, but no one here cares much about those two. Two weeks from tomorrow, Miami Northwestern faces Lakeland at a neutral site (Vero Beach). Northwestern is/was thought to be near the top of the state, but the suspension of their coach may downgrade them some. Lakeland was humiliated by STA in the state title game. They are a serious wild card, and I have no idea what to expect. Can Arkansas QB commit awaken the passing game? Both MNW and Lakeland face California powers this month as well. MNW faces OLU, and Lakeland travels for a rematch with De La Salle. Both games will be played for real and to win, but will not count in the final record.
What/where is the First Academy?
I believe they had to forfeit all their games last year if this is the right First Academy.
👇
The First Academy (TFA) in Orlando, Florida, was the first high school football team to forfeit games in 2024 due to violations of recruiting and benefits rules, according to Yahoo Sports. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) penalized the school, banning its football coach, Jeff Conaway, from coaching for the 2025 season. The FHSAA also expelled TFA from the 2024 and 2025 football playoffs.
Yep, that's them. They've basically moved to a St. Frances approach, where they schedule very aggressively and nationally, and don't worry about a playoff. The watered down FHSAA playoffs make this move not as unappealing as assumed.
Quote from: DreadnaughtAlum on Aug 01, 2025, 04:52 PMTwo weeks from today IMG faces The First Academy. It will probably be a good game, but no one here cares much about those two. Two weeks from tomorrow, Miami Northwestern faces Lakeland at a neutral site (Vero Beach). Northwestern is/was thought to be near the top of the state, but the suspension of their coach may downgrade them some. Lakeland was humiliated by STA in the state title game. They are a serious wild card, and I have no idea what to expect. Can Arkansas QB commit awaken the passing game? Both MNW and Lakeland face California powers this month as well. MNW faces OLU, and Lakeland travels for a rematch with De La Salle. Both games will be played for real and to win, but will not count in the final record.
Is this a real game or a jamboree type game?
Quote from: Horsefly on Jul 31, 2025, 08:29 AMQuote from: Rufus69 on Jul 31, 2025, 07:33 AMMilton vs Buford on August 14th.
This opening game will be for the Georgia World Championship......................
Rufus>>
Excellent game to be played at Buford's new state of the art stadium. Should be a good one...again
Buford should have the upper hand. I don't think this will be the same Milton of the last couple of years. But...they will be formidable.
Rufus>>
Quote from: Rufus69 on Aug 05, 2025, 08:31 AMQuote from: Horsefly on Jul 31, 2025, 08:29 AMQuote from: Rufus69 on Jul 31, 2025, 07:33 AMMilton vs Buford on August 14th.
This opening game will be for the Georgia World Championship......................
Rufus>>
Excellent game to be played at Buford's new state of the art stadium. Should be a good one...again
Buford should have the upper hand. I don't think this will be the same Milton of the last couple of years. But...they will be formidable.
Rufus>>
I think so too, Milton reloaded with new faces and it may take them a few games to gel. Come playoffs they should be solid
Is this a real game or a jamboree type game?
[/quote]
Will be played as real games. In the case of MNW and Lakeland, both will travel a couple hours each to Vero Beach to play their game. Trash talking has started. If Lakeland loses, I won't claim the game didn't matter/wasn't real!
The Grayson - Thompson game should be interesting.
Quote from: Fred on Aug 06, 2025, 10:30 PMThe Grayson - Thompson game should be interesting.
Do you know if this one will be on espn?
I do not. I've been really busy this summer and am not as tuned into the program as I was.
Two underrated regional OOS games.
(Preseason rankings)
#4 Monroe Neville, La vs #7 Oak Grove, MS
#2 Brandon, MS vs #8 Clay Chalkville, AL.
All four teams are Preseason Top 10 in their respective states.
Note:
Clay Chalkville beat mighty Thompson last year 14-13 in OT.
Monroe Neville beat mighty Ruston 26-21 last year.
Florida plays (based on last years rankings)
Number 1 and number 2 Cali (MD and SJB)
Number 1 Maryland (SFA Twice)
Number New Jersey (Bergen Catholic)
Number 1 Utah (Corner Canyon)
Number 1 Georgia (Milton)
Number 1 Louisiana (Edna Karr)
Number 1 Colorado (Cherry Creek)
Number 1 Pennsylvania (St Joes Prep)
Number 1 Illinois (East St Louis)
Number 1 Ohio (Avon)
Quote from: Nolebull813 on Aug 11, 2025, 10:34 AMFlorida plays (based on last years rankings)
Number 1 and number 2 Cali (MD and SJB)
Number 1 Maryland (SFA Twice)
Number New Jersey (Bergen Catholic)
Number 1 Utah (Corner Canyon)
Number 1 Georgia (Milton)
Number 1 Louisiana (Edna Karr)
Number 1 Colorado (Cherry Creek)
Number 1 Pennsylvania (St Joes Prep)
Number 1 Illinois (East St Louis)
Number 1 Ohio (Avon)
Fla always plays tough OOS schedules.
Quote from: Redzone on Jul 31, 2025, 04:23 AMQuote from: pied on Jul 30, 2025, 12:24 PMQuote from: Redzone on Jul 30, 2025, 12:02 PMAnother interesting Texas/ Louisiana matchup.
Houston Legacy School Sports Sciences (LSSS) Will travel to New Orleans to play St Aug at Tad Gormley Stadium in NOLA.
Five-star LSSS QB Henderson (Houston commit) is the #1 rated prospect in Texas and he may well be the #1 player in the nation after all is said and done.
https://247sports.com/player/keisean-henderson-46129516/
LSSS has a WR committed to Texas A&M and a couple other standouts.
I don't think they're quite there yet, but they got some good players.
St Aug is St Aug. I actually have them #2 in the Catholic League behind Edna Karr this year. Athletes for days and they are coached much better with this new coaching staff. New attitude.
Legacy is a very interesting school. Will be following thema nd curious to see what they have after Henderson leaves.
Legacy (LSSS) plays 2 Top 20 5A teams this year
Port Arthur Memorial and
Richland.
Richland lost to Aledo last year 49-42 in OT.
Richland finished 10-3 last year and #10 in 5A.
Richland was pretty good. Their issue is being in the same district as the Sons of Ryan (Denton Ryan) and Aledo. They pretty much annihilated everyone else they played.
Those 2 teams gave Richland all their losses. (Ryan beat them twice, Aledo beat them in OT as ya said).