Bishop Guilfoyle at Somerset Official Game Thread

[12HankQB]

how can't you compare the same competition? You were saying how BG had let Richland score two touchdowns against them. Like Ghost stated, BG has only given up 3 touchdowns and as I stated, to the schedule Somerset gave up 9. And no I didn't count Bedford in these. Some people are just loud

Yea Ghost, mind blown.


What about infinity times infinity? "poof"

[TheScribbler]

Here's how I see it, as someone who has been exposed to decent levels of football, seen enough tape (film don't lie), and has no dog in this fight:

BG & Somerset are near mirror images of each other -- QBs who are more athlete than passer, a stable of talented offensive skill players, big tight ends as their leading receivers, stout defenses who have dominated every opponent they've seen so far this year. Because of such striking similarities, I think both teams will (or, at least, should) employ the same gameplan: load up the box to stop the offensive ground game, rely on your athletes in the defensive secondary, and force these two QBs to beat you through the air.

After seeing both teams in person and watching a fair amount of tape, I'd personally say BG by a touchdown or two in this game, but this matchup is more entertainment than season-altering, if you ask me. The most interesting point about these two teams, I believe, is this: that their overwhelming dominance in the regular season has actually worked against them in terms of their chances of playing deep into the playoffs. Both teams have thoroughly relied on the easiest thing for an offense with a superior line and playmakers to do -- simply give the ball to your best athletes (Chadbourn & McCloskey, Heipel & Barnes) and let them go be athletes. I don't blame these teams for doing so, because it plays to their strengths and minimizes risks offensively.

However, there's gonna come a time -- whether it's in the district playoffs, state playoffs, or state championship game -- where these squads will face a team that can match up with their beef up front and skill in the backfield... and that is when they might run into some problems. Both Barnes and Chadbourn are tremendous playmaking, freelancing athletes, which makes them entertaining as hell to watch. But take a closer look at their actual passing skills and you'll find two kids who have a sub-standard grasp on timing, reads, and the actual mechanics of throwing the football. They can get away with locking on to Mostoller or Gormley against the inferior competition here in conference, but that won't fly against a team that has the athletes and proper understanding of how to play pass defense. I don't how the statewide competition well enough to say when this will happen (could be in the state title games, for all I know), but I do believe that it will, and I hope that both teams have the foresight to prepare for and combat such an issue before it's too late.

[TheRealBleacherCoach]

I was planning on making a thread but since crimson beat me to it ill do a sub topic if that's even a thing. I just wanted to compare some players. Lets hear what you think!

Ill give my thoughts also. BG listed first. Somerset second.
QB- B. Chadbourn : D. Barnes / I have to give this one to Chadbourn. Kids a stud.
RB- S. McCloskey : J. Heiple / Seen both make crazy plays. McCloskey has more power Heiple has the speed. Equal.
TE- M. Gormley : B. Mostoller / IMO Mostoller is hands down the best TE in the area. Gormley is good. Adv. Mostoller.
ATH- E. Chadbourn : R. Beeman / E.C. is a nice weapon but Beeman can do it all. Adv. Beeman.
LB- D. Kitt : L. Eller / Both are studs. The rocks in the middle of their defenses. Equal.

Somerset will have a little adv. with home field and the crowd they are bringing. But with the matchups above I cant wait to see what it brings. Again these are my opinions, if you disagree then lets hear yours!

[TAHS92Alum]

I can tell some have serious ties to these teams. I don't think either side should be bad mouthing the other. Its a big match up and are you really that sure of yourselves on the outcome?

[Crimson's Ghost]

Great insight, TheScribbler. I couldn't have said it better myself. It's rare that in this big end of the game season that the two teams are so similar. I know in past years you'll see a team that runs 5 wide go up against a pro style. Or a the Wing T go up against a shotgun read offense. These 9-0 showdowns don't aways happen but it's rare in such a big game the two teams are very similar.

The point you make about the teams running into trouble in states is valid. I just think of the 2009 McCort team that was 14-0 and bigger, stronger, and faster than everyone until the state championship game. Not only did Clairton realize they didn't want to pass, they realized they couldn't pass either. I'm not comparing these two teams to that McCort team, just an example of how a team can figure out your game plans at some point.

So in a sense, I agree both of these teams will run into a defense that can take them out of their comfort zone. BG just may get away with it longer in single A. That's the difference.

[TAHS92Alum]

Crimson, I remember that one, was a good and bad weekend for this area as State College was there as well. Both coming up short in the cold and snow.

[SFB14]

West I understand you are a Somerset fan and they are one heckuva team. In one of your posts though you said they'd take advantage of BG's weak secondary. You may want to re-think that one. BG's secondary consists of B. Chadbourn (all-state last year), and McCloskey at safety and E. Chadbourn and Keating at corner both who are returning starters from last year. I've seen 7 of their games this year and no one has thrown the ball on them. Far from being weak, it is my humble opinion that they are among the best, if not the best, secondary in the area.

They did scrimmage last year and I was also there. B. Chadbourn broke his hand on the first or second play (can't recall exactly) of the scrimmage and didn't play. In addition, McCloskey and other didn't play much because of injury concerns. Somerset may well have employed the same strategy with their team but I can't say for sure as I'm not as familiar with their personnel. BG did lose to Bedford last year without Chadbourn at QB due to the broken hand which was a big factor although I don't want to take anything away from Bedford which has a good team. The most important part of all this is that the scrimmage and game were LAST YEAR. Much has changed since then for both teams and I'm sure both have gotten much better.

Any defense can be scored on especially when a big play is busted. However, when you've given up 23 points all season it is really splitting hairs to pull out 2-3 plays and say that a team is vulnerable. I have seen both teams play this year (saw Somerset play PC last week in a game against a team they struggled with for a while that BG throttled) and I too believe they are very similar. At the end of the day the best thing that can happen for both teams is that the come out of the game healthy as both have bigger games hopefully left on the schedule.

I'm admittedly a biased toward BG but have a healthy respect for Somerset and all they've accomplished. My pre-game opinion is that BG will win but I wouldn't be shocked at all if it went the other way. Turnovers and injuries are the x-factors that can swing the game in a big way. It should be a great Friday night in Somerset.

[CCDevil2012]

Will RMG be covering the game?

[TAHS92Alum]

Won't be there so I hope, I'll catch it on youtube afterwards

[Guru]

Fall of 1983...
CC 9-0
Somerset 3-6????
Game at CC and the Final: Somerset 16 CC 12


Fall of 2014....
UBG 9-0
Somerset 9-0
Game at Somerset and the Final: *Somerset 27 UBG 21

*Somerset if you kick the ball deep you will lose!!!