I hate to be the wet rag in a trash talking session, but I am as big a "homer" as they come. All this talk of leagues "bowing down" is fun and all, but I will bow to every kid and coach on the field tonight in acknowledgment of a job well done. I am not at all on board with the PC "everyone gets a trophy", but I am appreciative of the time, effort and sacrifices that all the players and coaches make to succeed.
I will be quiet (in comparison to others) win or lose. A simple statement acknowledging the effort given and respect earned doesn't take long to pen and I imagine that's about all I could offer after the game. Strength of league, injuries, refs, weather, long bus rides, D1 talent, speed, strength, even a bad test score at school that day, can all effect the outcome of a HS football game. I won't let the outcome cloud the fact that these 2 teams have EARNED the opportunity to play each other by beating everyone put in front of them, playing under coaches and a system that they had no say in. They showed up, put in the work, did what was asked of them and enjoy the results.
I would expect a GREAT football game. A marked contrast in styles offensively, defensively, even on special teams! As a homer, I am hoping that the end result is a Folsom win. Win or lose, I will be relatively quiet AND will bow down to everyone on the field for the respect that they have earned.
Just to not be a total PC idiot, I will say that as I have watched every Folsom game over the last 8 years I have seen 1 truism in every game;
Folsom wins IF: Opponents # of punts > Folsoms # of INT's & lost fumbles. I know it's not 100% but it's damn close. Every time Folsom gets a defensive stop and a team punts, I think "There's the ball game". And with the '15 team, it has consistently been the 4th qtr when this shows itself. Folsom's depth, conditioning and strength makes them look as if they are getting better as the game goes on. We saw it against CVC to start the season and even more so in the last 2 play-off games. Down 14 @ half against SM and down 7-0 after 2 plays against EG and they kept battling.
I see Bellarmine striking 1st as the Folsom D adjusts to the speed & deception of the double wing, maybe even getting a defensive stop or 2 in the 1st half, could be up at halftime. But I think (hope) that Folsom has been great at making adjustments and finding what works as the game goes on and will do so again tonight.
Prediction (again a hope); Folsom score 2x's in the 4th to pull away with a 42-27 victory after being down at half 14-20.
Safe travels to everyone going to the game and apologies in advance for the parking (If you didn't know, there is a basketball tnmt starting at 4pm through 8:30 and a theater presentation of The Nutcracker starting at 7pm.....it's gonna be PACKED!!)