SWBL Southwest preview: Valley View at Milton-Union tops the docket
By Adam Adkins
Valley View @ Milton-Union
Let me state first, I do not care for the Spartans. Being a Brookville fan, I’ve sat through many a bloody beating at their hands. But, I can be objective.
I was a huge fan of last year’s QB, Johnny Day. He did everything, accurate and zippy passes, moved in the pocket, could throw on the run. Very nice QB. I think I liked Day more than most View fans.
So imagine my surprise to hear the hype surrounding new QB Kyle Pohl. I hear he’s the best QB they’ve had since Teddy Buehner. That’s high praise. Really high praise. Needless to say, I eagerly await the chance to study Pohl.
The story of the 2009 Spartans seems to be the same as the 2008 club. Great offense – if sometimes inconsistent – and an average at best defense.
Milton-Union, who I saw lose a slow and plodding game to Tippecanoe two weeks ago, is a very easy team to figure out. On to the trusty bullet-points:
• Strong running game, but generally with the same plays: sweeps and dives
• No passing attack whatsoever.
• Good defense, strong front seven, which means good rush defense
• Probably could be passed on
What does that mean? They are basically the opposite of the Spartans. MU has very limited big-play possibilities, while the View tends to need them to survive. Should be a great game.
I won’t give a score, but I will say that the View comes to West Milton and beats the Bulldogs on homecoming.
Bellbrook @ Franklin
You guys remember those jokes I kept making about a certain local paper? Yeah, turns out I had my facts wrong. The Dayton Daily News did not pick Bellbrook to win the SWBL – they reported that the coaches did. Apologies to Greg Billing.
Back to business. Bellbrook doesn’t suck, to be honest. They’ve lost to some good teams – you know, like Alter. But, they probably aren’t as good as Franklin, and would lose 60-70 times if they played 100 games. However, give me Bellbrook to get on the board at the Wildcats.
Franklin’s good, in the second-tier. A win would not be surprising, though. If they did win, they could pass MU on the imaginary totem pole and become third, behind Eaton and the View.
Oakwood @ Eaton
Not going to be pretty. Eaton wins, easily, perhaps scoring 45+ points. Oakwood’s road to 0-10 continues, and Eaton’s road to 8 (or so) wins continues.
I want to say something nice about Oakwood, I do. I feel like I’m piling on here. I can say this, I guess. Oakwood isn’t suddenly becoming a bottom-feeding program. They will be good again, perhaps great. 2010 could be a six-win year for them.
But, Lumberjack fans, you’ve got to stomach ’09 first.
As for Eaton? What else can I say? I love ‘em.
Brookville @ Dixie
The Blue Devils were blown off the field by Eaton. Dixie is not Eaton. Brookville will win, but the game might not be a blow out. Maybe 31-17? That’s not a blow out, not like the usual games.
Dixie is 3-1, guys. This isn’t a total pushover kind of team. But, they’ve beat teams with a combined three wins. Hmmm. And Lockland crushed them.
Give me Brookville.
Just for fun, let’s take a look at those pesky Carlisle Indians too:
Carlisle @ Northridge
How’s 5-0 sound, Indian fans? Pretty good?
Adam writes for his blog, www.adamadkins.net, and can be yelled at via adamdadkins@gmail.com.
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