West Caldwell @ Watauga

Me and my gal went tonight and basically saw a more athletic, more spirited, more in shape Roberson team just have their way with the McDowell Titans, 53-6. The Titans tried very hard, but just could not find a way to stop a lightning quick running game that torched them for over 250 yards.

At first, the Titans were doing well by stopping a couple of Ram drives and were advancing the ball....that is, until Roberson ran back a punt return 79 yards for the score and basically the wheels fell off. When I left midway in the 3rd period, the Titans had the look of defeat and were VERY winded.

Roberson is known for good track and cross country teams. Tonight, their athleticism and conditioning showed. Next week should be an interesting game as the Titans host the Mitchell Mountaineers in the "King of The Mountain" game at Titan Stadium

 

you know if McDowell didn't have bad luck, they wouldn't have any luck at all. I just now found out from another source that one of our players that we were counting on broke his arm or wrist this week and was on the sideline wearing a friggin cast. It dosen't help to lose people that play both ways when you only have about 35 on the team.

 

injuries with those kind of numbers are critical. whats more troubling though...... only 35 players on varsity for a 4A school! Soccer? just curious.

 

To be quite honest, I don't know why. In some of McDowell's better years which was the 80's through early 90's, we still only had probably 40 people (max) on a team. I guess the fact that McDowell has struggled since 1999, the kids don't wanna play anymore. I see bigger and stronger kids hanging out at the Wal-Mart Shopping Center in Marion on friday nights in the fall than those who are suited up to play for the Titans.

I'm also baffled by these kids and the fact that they are of no size. You can lift weights and work out till the cows come home, but when you got QB's that are 5'8" 150 pounds and cannot see over the offensive line, then you are in big trouble. And I don't even remember the last time McDowell had a receiver over six foot tall? The McDowell squad that played when I graduated in 1998 would absolutely destroy the team playing today, and that 98 team wasn't good enough to finish in the top 3 of the NW4A back then. In other words, we need some serious football genetics pumped into this area immediately.

 

To be honest gentlemen, it doesnt matter of how many people play on your team. As long as you field 11 on each side of the ball, that's all that counts. If I'm not mistaken (Big Dan, correct me if Im wrong), 2 years ago we played a Hendersonville team that only fielded 19 persons and managed to go 13-1 and lost to Albemarle by 6 points (But was a few yards away from the tie).

Another reason why McDowell High isnt the team it used to be is because we dont have the funding and support that school like Crest, Burns, Reynolds, etc has. Always remember, McDowell is not known for its accolades in football, we are known for our basketball and that's where our money comes in. I can only remember three or four times McDowell won any type of football title (Last was the NW4A Title in 1992) while The Silver Dome is FULL of titles and banners of past accomplishments. If I were just a casual observer, Id see that more money of the annual athletics budget would go to basketball to keep the winning tradition alive.

When it comes to support, about the only times you see Titan Stadium FULL is when they honor the McDowell Youth Football League (which brings in another 800-1000 people to the game) and of course, homecoming. Most of the time all you see in the stands are the band, parents & relatives of the players, cheerleaders, & band members, MHS faculty, and a handful of students. Everyone else is just shooting the breeze out near the concession stands.

In my humble opinion, you dont ever see too many real FANS come out to Titan Stadium to watch a football game. Im sure there are a few (and several come to mind) real fans, but not too many. MHS football isnt a spectacle, yet a social gathering. They could care less if McDowell won, loss, or tied. Its probably a good reason why I love going to other games, just to soak up the atmosphere that MHS will never have...The spirit and tradition of a good football team.

 

I remember playing a very good McDowell football team in 1987. I believe they were ranked 7th in the Sweet Sixteen at the time we played them. They were tough..... Big, physical, and athletic as can be.... IT was a very hard fought game.

I officiate football, but have only seen McDowell twice in the last few years. I can say this about them. THEY PLAY HARD! and never really heard anythings disrespectful from them. McDowell is a class act all the way around. I am sure they will have a competitive football team this year and in the near future. Go get 'em Titans. I will be honored to officiate you guys anytime.

Great job Pioneers and Coach Snow!! Keep it up. Would love to see something special happen for those kids at Watauga.

How does the rest of the conference look?

 

thanks for the compliments...

 

Good win Coach Snow, go get them this week