Final:  SWO - 14.  Jacksonville - 28.

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Photos (courtesy of Kay McCloskey):  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/l6l1ehr2groyvhznsdmsd/ANbY1ublayNizG_DbX5x8sg?rlkey=pnvgcyumwkwjg6017tybx8f6n&st=v4pytiqq&dl=0

Stallion Video Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmjhvQfE-n4

Stable Talk Postgame Analysis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i0P7T9tU8U&t=5s

It was a beautiful night for the opening of the 2024 NC high school football season.  The typical August heat and humidity was pleasantly hiding behind an almost cool breeze and clear skies at Bobby Simpson Memorial Stadium in Jacksonville.  Once again, the Stallions opened their football season with a very difficult task by playing a powerful team of Cardinals from Jacksonville HS.  While SWO is a relatively small 2A school, Jacksonville is a relatively large 3A school.  What this means is that the student body of Jacksonville is roughly twice the size of SWO.  The larger talent pool results in a significant advantage for the Cardinals when it comes to both talent and depth.  Jacksonville dressed over 60 players (including D1 talent) and could have easily fielded 2 SWO teams.  But it's still a football game and only 11 can play for a given team at any given point in time.

In a lot of ways, it was exactly what you would expect from an opening game.  Both teams suffered from penalties and miscues throughout the contest.  To their credit, the Cardinals were able to use their superior weaponry and depth to coast to a comfortable 28-14 victory.  

SWO had an excellent chance to take the early lead as the Cardinals muffed a punt deep in their own territory.  SWO secured the loose ball and potentially had great field position.  Unfortunately, a penalty on the Stallions resulted in a re-kick and the Cardinals never looked back.  Led by UNC bound Demon June, the Cardinals rushing attack pounded until June ultimately broke loose for a 25-yard TD putting Jacksonville on top 7-0 midway through Q1.

SWO simply could not get anything going offensively in the first half and, as a result, the Stallion D was on the field a lot.  However, the Stallions were hanging in there late in the half when disaster struck.  Deep in their own territory, the Stallions had to to punt with only a few seconds remaining before halftime.  I'm not sure exactly what happened, but the kick looked rushed never got any height as the ball basically went directly into the body of players along the line of scrimmage.  Jacksonville took possession inside the Stallion redzone and quickly scored to push the lead to 21-0 at the half.

SWO opened Q3 with a nice drive as Deo Roberts strung together 3 tough runs (but was injured and had to leave the game).  Unfortunately, the Stallion drive stalled on 4th-and-1 around the Cardinals' 35 yard line.  Jacksonville took advantage and pretty well put the game away with another TD to push the margin to 28-0 to end Q3.

Both teams (especially Jacksonville) subbed significantly in Q4.  To their credit, SWO did not quit and rallied for 2 TDs to tighten the final score.  Isaiah Green broke through on 4th-and-goal from the 1 for the Stallions first score of 2024.  Late in the contest, Sr QB Tyler Randolph led the Stallions on a gritty drive.  Sr. RB KJ Blue was the workhorse grinding out tough yardage and eventually reaching paydirt.  When the clock reached 00:00, the final was 28-0 in favor of the Cardinals.

Most experts agree that the biggest improvement comes between games 1 & 2.  So I'm expecting a much better performance next week when we travel to Richlands.  Key areas to work on:

1.  Reducing penalties (should be a given going from game 1 to game 2)

2.  Ability of the Stallion OL to control the line of scrimmage (should be better vs. a Richlands team that is physically closer to SWO's size and depth)

3.  Improved punting (not just punter himself, but everyone).  Something was "weird" with the Stallion punt formation.  In the first half especially, it appeared that we were lining up in a "quick kick" formation with the punter only 7-8 yards behing the line of scrimmage (whereas normal setback is 12-15 yards).  With Jacksonville defenders quickly penetrating, the punts were "one steppers" that lacked effectiveness.  In the second half, the setback was deeper and the punts significantly better.  I feel the Stallions would benefit by devoting some increased practice time to this aspect of special teams play.

4.  Channeling the energy and passion of the players.  Frustration boiled over a few times on the SWO sidelines.  If left to fester, this could turn into a season-long disease that will plague the team.  However, these outbursts showed spark and grit and a desire to win!  I'd much rather have this than player apathy.  What must happen, however, is that the team and coaching staff channel this energy in a postive way and use it to better the team.  We've got a lot of scrappy players with passion.  This passion is fuel we can use power our way though the 2024 season!

I know it's Labor Day weekend but we really need your support in Richlands.  Our multi-decade win streak vs. the Wildcats came to an end 2 years ago in Richlands. Now the Wildcats own a 2-game winning streak over the Stallions.  It's time to start a new streak of our own!

GO STALLIONS!!!

#OnceaStallionAlwaysaStallion