WMAC 9/21

[BD Warrior]

West Hendo at TCR
ACR at North Hendo
Asheville at Enka
Tuscola at Smoky Mtn
North Buncombe at Erwin

My Picks...

WH 48 TCR 14...For the life of me I can not figure out how TC can be so bad.

ACR 63 NH 0...Can they have a running clock in the 1st qtr?

Asheville 42 Enka 7...Asheville may have a losing record but my eye test last Thursday says they are still a formidable opponent on any given night.

Tuscola 24 SM 21...This game should be a really good one. Who would of thought SM would be 4-0. Tuscola looks solid as well.

Erwin 50 NB 21...Surprisingly this is the game of the week in the conference. Two one loss teams going at it. One that was expected and one that nobody seen coming. I think NB is much improved but I just cant see them having the defense to stop Erwin's passing game.

 

[mrbud]

West 35-7
Reynolds 55-0
Ash 44-14
Smokey 28-21
Erwin 56-14

 

[Greenman12]

ACR by whatever they see fit.
West by 21
AHS by 35
Smokey by 3
Erwin by 21

 

[BD Warrior]

Big loss for Erwin losing starting rb Don Mosley for the season with an ACL tear. I really think this kid was about to break out.

 

[artvandelay]

no respect for north huncombe?

 

[BD Warrior]

no respect for north huncombe?

What's your prediction for their game? Strength of schedule has to count a little.

 

[AhsCougar1]

I’m beginning to hear some grumblings over at AHS regarding the coaching. The last 2 1/2 years we are just above a .500 team.
Not good.
I think a lot of people I’ve spoken with believe the coaching search for us was all a sham and they knew 10 years ago who the next coach was going to be.

 

[artvandelay]

i nhink erwin smokes nb they just haven't seen any speed yet at nb. different story when you play the big boys

 

[BD Warrior]

i nhink erwin smokes nb they just haven't seen any speed yet at nb. different story when you play the big boys

Ok. I thought you were saying we were disrespecting NB by not picking them to be closer in this game.

 

[BD Warrior]

I’m beginning to hear some grumblings over at AHS regarding the coaching. The last 2 1/2 years we are just above a .500 team.
Not good.
I think a lot of people I’ve spoken with believe the coaching search for us was all a sham and they knew 10 years ago who the next coach was going to be.

I kind of figured that was coming.

 

[Greenman12]

I am glad NB is better but you have to look at who they have played so far this season.

Cherokee (1A) 2-2 record
Madison (2A) 1-3
Smokey (2A) 4-0
W. Hendo (3A) 2-2
TCR (3A) 0-5

combined 9-12

I could also argue that Smokey hasn't played a very tough schedule either with that 4-0 mark.

 

[Reynoldsrocks2]

I am glad NB is better but you have to look at who they have played so far this season.

Cherokee (1A) 2-2 record
Madison (2A) 1-3
Smokey (2A) 4-0
W. Hendo (3A) 2-2
TCR (3A) 0-5

combined 9-12

I could also argue that Smokey hasn't played a very tough schedule either with that 4-0 mark.

AND......NB lost to that 4-0 team. So the one team that they played that is above .500 they lost.

 

[Reynoldsrocks2]

West Henderson in a closer game then people think
AC Reynolds I think the clock has already started running for this one
Asheville very easy
Tuscola wins by a couple TD's
Erwin will score with ease, but I bet NB puts up a good fight and scores 28, but it won't be near enough!

 

[Wncvol]

I’m beginning to hear some grumblings over at AHS regarding the coaching. The last 2 1/2 years we are just above a .500 team.
Not good.
I think a lot of people I’ve spoken with believe the coaching search for us was all a sham and they knew 10 years ago who the next coach was going to be.

Don’t worry Erwin pulled the same crap, but I know for a fact that there were other candidates who weren’t even given the chance to apply for the Erwin job. At least you guys had a legitimate coaching search.

Reynolds coaching staff is the difference every year. I wouldn’t trade rosters with them outside of Flinn.

 

[jumbob]

AND......NB lost to that 4-0 team. So the one team that they played that is above .500 they lost.

ACR is clearly the best team in the mountains and I'd expect Reynolds to manhandle NB (as I expect Erwin to do as well). North Buncombe hasn't played a high level of competition (at least by 3A standards), but have beaten 4 teams that beat them last year. In short, a banner year for a perennial door mat with the possibility of adding to their wins with Enka and NH still on the schedule.

With that in mind I was inspired by the Reynolds faithful interest in schedules/opponents records, so I thought it would be neat to look at Reynolds opponents:

S. Durham (3A) 2-3 record
Shelby (2A) 2-3
Owen (2A) 1-3
Erwin (3A) 3-1
Enka (3A) 0-5

combined record: 8-15

ACR lost to one of those 2-3 teams and has played one team that currently doesn't have a losing record. With only two teams with a winning record left on their schedule (and one of those being NB), I'd expect ACR to pile up wins.

 

[Greenman12]

ACR is clearly the best team in the mountains and I'd expect Reynolds to manhandle NB (as I expect Erwin to do as well). North Buncombe hasn't played a high level of competition (at least by 3A standards), but have beaten 4 teams that beat them last year. In short, a banner year for a perennial door mat with the possibility of adding to their wins with Enka and NH still on the schedule.

With that in mind I was inspired by the Reynolds faithful interest in schedules/opponents records, so I thought it would be neat to look at Reynolds opponents:

S. Durham (3A) 2-3 record
Shelby (2A) 2-3
Owen (2A) 1-3
Erwin (3A) 3-1
Enka (3A) 0-5

combined record: 8-15

ACR lost to one of those 2-3 teams and has played one team that currently doesn't have a losing record. With only two teams with a winning record left on their schedule (and one of those being NB), I'd expect ACR to pile up wins.

I can’t argue with that about ACR’s opponents records but the comment wasn’t made about ACR not getting any love/respect. One of those 2-3 teams ( that ACR beat BTW ) just beat the #4 team in 3A this past week also. Time will tell about NB. They are improved this year though. Like I said in a previous post, I am glad NB is better. I have some good friends over there.

 

[bsthomas15]

I've seen NB play. Gotta give them credit for winning 4 games at this point and they will beat Enka and North Henderson giving them 6 wins which is excellent for NB. They will lose to ACR/AHS and Erwin because they do not have the athletes to compete with those schools.

This week:
ACR 63 NH- O (clock should begin running when the buses pull out to head there.
Erwin 42- NB 24
Asheville 56- Enka 0
SM- 28- Tuscola 21
TCR 24 WH 22 Rams get a win.

 

[Reynoldsrocks2]

ACR is clearly the best team in the mountains and I'd expect Reynolds to manhandle NB (as I expect Erwin to do as well). North Buncombe hasn't played a high level of competition (at least by 3A standards), but have beaten 4 teams that beat them last year. In short, a banner year for a perennial door mat with the possibility of adding to their wins with Enka and NH still on the schedule.

With that in mind I was inspired by the Reynolds faithful interest in schedules/opponents records, so I thought it would be neat to look at Reynolds opponents:

S. Durham (3A) 2-3 record
Shelby (2A) 2-3
Owen (2A) 1-3
Erwin (3A) 3-1
Enka (3A) 0-5

combined record: 8-15

ACR lost to one of those 2-3 teams and has played one team that currently doesn't have a losing record. With only two teams with a winning record left on their schedule (and one of those being NB), I'd expect ACR to pile up wins.

I get what you're saying about our opponents records, it doesn't look good, but I would bet S. Durham, Shelby, and Erwin are all better then any other team in WNC despite what their records say. Not to worry, looks like Owen will be off the schedule next year if the rumors I hear are true.

By the way, I'm glad to see NB improving, no matter who they are beating, like you said they are beating team they used to lose to, I hope they keep it going for years to come.

 

[artvandelay]

i think it's a mistake for acr and owen to stop this series. acr can hardly get non-conference games now heck we had to go to durham to get one. how are we going to get 2 and this confernce setup could change and we could go to 7 or even 6 conference games. if that happens how will acr find enough games to fill out their schedule?

 

[Greenman12]

Playing Owen recently has had diminishing returns both at the gate and on the field. The game isn't good for either school.

 

[Reynoldsrocks2]

i think it's a mistake for acr and owen to stop this series. acr can hardly get non-conference games now heck we had to go to durham to get one. how are we going to get 2 and this confernce setup could change and we could go to 7 or even 6 conference games. if that happens how will acr find enough games to fill out their schedule?

Based on what I've heard it's not ACR making the decision on the Owen game, it's Owen backing out, although I don't believe it's upsetting anyone on staff. Also, Coach Laws really doesn't mind traveling down east to play games early, usually it's against top quality opponents, and it's preparing them for the playoffs when they have to travel down state. It's all about playing good teams (most "good" WNC teams that are not in our conference won't play us), and having the players experience the travel and playing good teams on the road. That helps come playoff time because the players won't be "shocked" about the travel distance or playing good teams on the road, they can draw from the experience from early in the year. I really believe that is how Coach Laws sees these early season games down state.

 

[bsthomas15]

Based on what I've heard it's not ACR making the decision on the Owen game, it's Owen backing out, although I don't believe it's upsetting anyone on staff. Also, Coach Laws really doesn't mind traveling down east to play games early, usually it's against top quality opponents, and it's preparing them for the playoffs when they have to travel down state. It's all about playing good teams (most "good" WNC teams that are not in our conference won't play us), and having the players experience the travel and playing good teams on the road. That helps come playoff time because the players won't be "shocked" about the travel distance or playing good teams on the road, they can draw from the experience from early in the year. I really believe that is how Coach Laws sees these early season games down state.

I totally agree with his. Reynolds has been a good high school program for a very long time and should be playing good competition early in the season to prepare for the playoffs. Much has changed in WNC and Asheville High is not like it used to be in terms of challenging the Rockets every year. TCR tried to schedule good competition way too early under Dinwiddie. The program dropped off when Houston left and was not ready to take on teams like Crest so early. The result is winding up 0-4 and the kids feeling battered before they enter conference play. if your building a program then schedule for success to teach your kids how to win before taking on the sustained programs. Laws is doing exactly what a good high school coach should do.

 

[AhsCougar1]

Much has changed in WNC and Asheville High is not like it used to be in terms of challenging the Rockets every year. .

We have been down the last 2 1/2 years no doubt about it and in that time, Reynolds has been the top dog in the mountains. HOWEVER let us not forget that Asheville has a winning record head to head against AC Reynolds.

 

[Reynoldsrocks2]

Hey AshCougar1, I'm wondering how the Asheville fans feel about not having a JV team this year? Seems that would seriously impact the future of Asheville football. Do the fans feel the same way?

 

[AhsCougar1]

Hey AshCougar1, I'm wondering how the Asheville fans feel about not having a JV team this year? Seems that would seriously impact the future of Asheville football. Do the fans feel the same way?

You know I think it’s actually ridiculous that a school as big as Asheville high with the demographics we have and tradition we have to not have 30 guys on a jv team and 40 on a varsity is nothing short of pathetic.
As I said in my previous post, we have been bad for the last 2-3 years and to be honest, I don’t see anything on the horizon that makes me optimistic about future. Because our conference has so many awful teams, we will very likely never have a losing season, but the fact that we haven’t won a playoff game in a couple years would been unfathomable to think years ago when we were going to the fourth round or beyond 4 years in a row. And 5 out of 6.
The booster clubs, fan support etc are light years behind Erwin Reynolds and even enka! Like I said before, MANY people I’ve spoken to think that coaching search a couple years ago was a sham.
I think the lack of participation you are beginning to see at Asheville could be due to that and our lack of success recently. Winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing.

To answer your question in short.....nobody that I’ve spoken to is optimistic we will get it turned around in the next few years and people can’t believe we don’t even have a jv team

 

[AhsCougar1]

I’ve been informed that we do have a jv team, but I’m not sure how many games we’ve played. I know there was talk about us not having one or having like 18 players. Apparently they have at least 1 win.
I stand corrected

 

[CougarsOfAHS]

Hey AshCougar1, I'm wondering how the Asheville fans feel about not having a JV team this year? Seems that would seriously impact the future of Asheville football. Do the fans feel the same way?

We have a JV team, our first game was vs hendo, we beat TC, and played Erwin last week. We just didn’t play franklin or the west Knox team.

 

[artvandelay]

acr had to go to durham to get a game and remember these teams have to be willing to come here as well. . i hope we can work out our schedule but as a fan i do not like 3 hr trips to games

 

[AhsCougar1]

We have a JV team, our first game was vs hendo, we beat TC, and played Erwin last week. We just didn’t play franklin or the west Knox team.

Webb

 

[Reynoldsrocks2]

Okay, everyone I had talked to said Asheville didn’t have a JV team, glad to hear they do, hate to see their program fall off, we need them to be good.

 

[AhsCougar1]

Okay, everyone I had talked to said Asheville didn’t have a JV team, glad to hear they do, hate to see their program fall off, we need them to be good.

The D1 talent doesn’t seem to be there anymore. Kids don’t want to work as hard. You can see that just by looking at how few players have their names on their jerseys. I.e. they didn’t go to enough summer workouts.

 

[rocketfan73]

the acr owen rivalry used to be great when kenny was at owen. he hated acr and made no bones about it and the games used to be spirited and close. for the most part the games now are not. i agree its time to end them and move on. as for this week reynolds big asheville big tuscola by 14 erwin big

 

[Greenman12]

acr had to go to durham to get a game and remember these teams have to be willing to come here as well. . i hope we can work out our schedule but as a fan i do not like 3 hr trips to games

I feel quite sure Coach Laws will get us a really good opponent for a non conference game if/when we need to get one. I think the Owen game would have been gone before this if it weren't for the previous school superintendent making all Buncombe County schools play each other.

 

[Magnum45]

You should schedule Murphy or Robbinsville. According to their fans on the 1A boards everyone in WNC is afraid to play them. It would be fun to see a big school/small school matchup. They are delusional because we all know Reynolds would destroy either of those teams but give them what they want.

 

[Greenman12]

You should schedule Murphy or Robbinsville. According to their fans on the 1A boards everyone in WNC is afraid to play them. It would be fun to see a big school/small school matchup. They are delusional because we all know Reynolds would destroy either of those teams but give them what they want.

There is no upside for ACR to play those schools. While they are excellent schools and programs, ACR would get nothing from playing them. When you beat them all you hear is " oh yeah, big 3A school beating the little 1A schools" . It's a no win situation. This isn't like a college program ( like Alabama) playing Western Carolina as a tune up or something. High school has the scrimmages for that.

 

[Magnum45]

There is no upside for ACR to play those schools. While they are excellent schools and programs, ACR would get nothing from playing them. When you beat them all you hear is " oh yeah, big 3A school beating the little 1A schools" . It's a no win situation. This isn't like a college program ( like Alabama) playing Western Carolina as a tune up or something. High school has the scrimmages for that.

Yeah I realize that but they are comical about it. They are literally saying ACR is scared to play them. I just wish they would schedule a series with them just to shut them up

 

[Mbulldog42]

I believe if you look into the threads it's Magnum stirring the pot. I don't recall one Murphy supporter saying ACR is afraid to play them. The same things have been said about it not being worthwhile for ACR because they are expected to win. Murphy does have trouble with scheduling and scheduling up to 2A is easier than anything above. Murphy is a good 1A program and that's all the Murphy and SMC fans claim. The only thing that is comical is Magnums obsession with badmouthing smaller schools.

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

Mag pie comes to the 1a boards talking down to every one. Some murphy fans do thiink every body is afraid of them but most of us 1a guys simple state that bigger school dont want to play us because 1. Even winning gets bigger school no respect and 2. a lose would be terrible for big school. Some years murphy swain or Robbinsville would give a really good game. 2012 swain, 09 Robbinsville, 2014 Robbinsville.

 

[mrbud]

Reynolds is the big dog in the mountains they need to play schools their size. But murphy is really strong football program you know they have beat couple good asheville teams in the past.

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

Also SMC teams dont have JV ball, only Junior high football si any non SMC team that playes us has to find another team for their JVs or go open.