LaDue looks athletic......but not sure about them
- Thread starter WCCardinalPride
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anon_utvqikut1knht
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How many times has West Plains played their starters for a full four quarters? The Rams will be by far the toughest team they've faced all season at least in terms of speed. Their lowest margin of victory was 31 in a 44-13 win over Waynesville. I've seen West Plains on film and they're undoubtedly good, but I wonder how much they really know about themselves if nobody has tested them up until now.
I guarantee West Plains will not have seen an offense as well balanced and a defense so good they've allowed seven points per game. These last games they haven't been able to do as they please on offense because of the rain and then the snow. The offense was so sloppy in the district semifinals against St. Mary's, which honestly felt like a tougher opponent than Rockwood Summit. Obviously, with snowy conditions like last tonight, it's pretty tough to move the ball fast and consistently.
Nonetheless I'm expecting a great game. IMO this will be both teams biggest challenges.
I guarantee West Plains will not have seen an offense as well balanced and a defense so good they've allowed seven points per game. These last games they haven't been able to do as they please on offense because of the rain and then the snow. The offense was so sloppy in the district semifinals against St. Mary's, which honestly felt like a tougher opponent than Rockwood Summit. Obviously, with snowy conditions like last tonight, it's pretty tough to move the ball fast and consistently.
Nonetheless I'm expecting a great game. IMO this will be both teams biggest challenges.
Don’t follow that train of thought. There’s teams including in your area like Lutheran North and Trinity who don’t play starters all game. If they get wore out? Than it’s bad conditioning. Or Ladue is simply too fast. The best team will win, unless if significant injuries occur. Or weather conditions play a major factor. Just a thought.
I’m sure without a doubt Ladue is a great team. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. WP will be a huge test for Ladue. And Webb will be more than likely a opponent at some point as well. I like how Smithville plays too.
Have to go with the Zizzers on this one. Think they will take the boys from St Louie to the woodyard
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What I'm saying is West Plains' starters probably haven't had to hit hard or go hard for four quarters all season long while Ladue has had to do that on really three occasions (SLUH, Pattonville, and Kirkwood). Ladue is definitely more battle-tested as well. The Rams have played against some fast teams, but the Zizzers will be the most physical they've come across.
I see Lidgard totes the rock a ton. It's easy to assume the Zizzers are a one-trick pony, but watching them on film they don't seem like that. Rackley is a good quarterback who's very accurate by looking at his stats and can move a bit as well but makes big plays whenever he's needed. What I'm very impressed by West Plains is their line who are big and move very well as a unit. Lidgard most likely will keep getting a bunch of carries but Ladue usually does well against teams who give the ball consistently to one player.
Offensively for the Rams, I can see them putting up a lot of points if they balance things well and if McIntosh gets off to a good start throwing the ball. It wouldn't be a bad idea for WP to blitz every so often since McIntosh has little quickness and kinda panics sometimes when a defense brings the house. However, if they can get Andrew Hunt going (25 rushing touchdowns) then that opens up the passing game.
Score lots of points like against Webb last year? That’s what everyone predicted Lol Ladue May get over the hump this year. But no comfy sheduale left for them from now onward.
Ladue had to play all game against that team Kirkwood that JOPLIN turboclocked?????
Havent seen WP this season, but if memory serves they returned all but one lineman from last year on both sides. The guys I saw last year were big and strong and could flat move. Very impressive group.
They gave Webb City a scare for the whole game. And I think they can possibly make the move to be the team beat in the playoff. But I like all the remaining schools left in class 4. I think Ladue is at or near the bottom of who’s left. I like Smithville (a little more) than Ladue. But everyone else I think has a chance.
I’d venture a guess it’s Webb and WP, then a group of Ladue, Camdenton, Smithville, and MICDS. I’m not sure Warrensburg and Hannibal are near the level of the other six. It’s hard for me to see any of the other six being at the level of Webb and WP though. I know score comparisons don’t always hold up. Weather and injuries can be a huge factor this time of the year.
Yes maybe Ladue is closer to 3rd from the bottom. Camdenton is going to be slaughtered by Webb.
Purple Haze baby!!!!!!!!
I hope that’s not the case. But I really think the Lakers will need about everything to go their way. Certainly a ton of tradition and success on that field Saturday.
Speaking of the STL teams, Ladue is a threat to win the title. MICDS is not, they will in an even game with Hannibal. Ladue has some very good players on both sides of the ball, I would not sleep on them. Have not seen West Plains play, but that should be a heck of a ballgame, but Ladue is easily one of the Top four teams left.
Wow. Let me unpack this.
I guess i’ll be the contrarian.
I think Ladue’s 2 TD win over Kirkwood is impressive. Yes Joplin did whip Kirkwood but despite what might happen against CBC next weekend this is the best team Joplin has had since Parkwood in early 80’s. Joplin had WC on their heals early before WC rallied to take charge and Carthage is very strong too. So bottom line beating Kirkwood by “only” 2 TDs is a resume enhancer, not a knock on Ladue.
Ladue pushed WC hard last year in the state championship game. You think they are so much worse this year that not only WP blows them out but that they aren’t in the same class as WC or WP?
I think WP looks very strong so far but my gut feeling is Ladue wins a close game. I could be wrong but Ladue is reasonably close to playing for a state title for the 3rd straight year. I think this could be the game of the year in Class 4 to date.
I guess i’ll be the contrarian.
I think Ladue’s 2 TD win over Kirkwood is impressive. Yes Joplin did whip Kirkwood but despite what might happen against CBC next weekend this is the best team Joplin has had since Parkwood in early 80’s. Joplin had WC on their heals early before WC rallied to take charge and Carthage is very strong too. So bottom line beating Kirkwood by “only” 2 TDs is a resume enhancer, not a knock on Ladue.
Ladue pushed WC hard last year in the state championship game. You think they are so much worse this year that not only WP blows them out but that they aren’t in the same class as WC or WP?
I think WP looks very strong so far but my gut feeling is Ladue wins a close game. I could be wrong but Ladue is reasonably close to playing for a state title for the 3rd straight year. I think this could be the game of the year in Class 4 to date.
yep nothing like smoking it up with Jimmy
So if Ladue and Webb wins the semifinal would be at cardinal Stadium ???
Yeah, don't get the Ladue hate either. I like West Plains in the game, but Ladue is in the upper half of teams remaining in C4.
Not really hate. Like other teams better. Maybe it’s Ladue’s style of play? It’s so boring watching them play.
Comparing margins in a game so heavily reliant on match ups and with as much in season improvement as football is dubious at best.
Ladue certainly gave WC a close game last year and that’s never something to take lightly but WC realized they could win by only relying on the run game and exceptional defense, a strategy that allowed turnovers to keep the score tight. If Webb was confident in their passing game, the score would have been a lot different and from what I’ve seen this season, Webb has a bit better passing game.
To be honest, I’m not 100% sure about how things will play out for Webb this year. They have won all their games but there’s been a lot of up and down play. I’ve seen similar scripts go both ways for the Cardinals in the past. I just don’t see them as a lock to repeat but I won’t be surprised if they do.
I know zip about the Zizzers other than they probably haven’t been seriously tested by their schedule. This may or may not play a factor. They certainly look the part of a contender but how will they react when faced with the challenge of knocking off arguably the two best teams in Class 4 back to back? I think that’s an awfully big challenge.
I see Ladue and West Plains beating each other up, I’d favor whomever is hosting the West Plains Ladue game of advancing but having the door slammed shut on taking out WC. As always it’s going to come down to who doesn’t make mistakes and holds on to the ball. I don’t see any reason to expect any of these teams blowing out the others.
Yes Ladue would have to travel regardless of opponent for semis. WC would have to travel to WP but Cam would host WP for semis if that happens.
The thing about Kirkwood was they started to play very inconsistently during the middle of the season and onward. Ladue was up 27-0 on them in the third quarter during the Pioneers senior night. Then they got Massey (Mizzou commit) the ball and he scored a couple of touchdowns, but the Rams were able to hold them off. I won't insult people for their opinions, but to infer that Ladue beating Kirkwood on the road by two touchdowns is a knock, leads me to scratch my head.
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I agree that these two teams will most likely beat each other up and give Webb City a good advantage.
Maybe Kirkwood isn’t good. I think how you finish is what you are. If major injuries are not occurring? If a star QB isn’t out? Maybe they were at their best, during the start of the season? STL bias should be sat aside to fully judge teams. Kirkwood just wasn’t good enough this year. Sorry. (In compression to previous years)
I still believe that LaDue looks the most athletic. I only watched them for a quarter in snow. I personally don't like it when people walk on and off the field. It always makes me wonder about discipline.
How exactly is that a St. Louis bias when I'm comparing two St. Louis area teams against each other? Nobody is saying were really good and yes this turned out to be one of their worst seasons in a long time unfortunately for them. However, I think to regard them as an average team is a bit unfair.
Thanks. LaDue was great last year and I think there is no doubt that they are the most athletic team in Class 4. WC does have a few comparable athletes but not the overall athletes. One thing we do know in WC is that the better athletes don't always win. I hope they match up because I think it would be a great game just like last year and I would not be shocked to see LaDue win. But we both need to win this weekend to see this come to life.
Peter Quill
Well-Known Member
