DeafNation Scholastic Football Coverage

Weeks 1–4 · August 16 – September 12

Alabama Silent Warriors

Talladega’s Silent Warriors often reputed to open with tough foes, this year was no different, Donoho School faced the always low keyed Silent Warriors and this time Alabama came out on top of a 18-13 thriller, registering their first season opener win in seven years. Also counted as first over Donoho in four tries. Alabama proved too much for South Carolina in a 34-0 silencer. In no time valuable practice time was realized before hosting Florida for a battle with lots stakes on the line. No but and ifs. In preparation for Florida, very possible adversary only lies in excessive rusting. The prior weekend has an open date which calls for two weeks of practice before facing the Dragons with lots of pride on the line. Alabama will dominate Mason-Dixon circles shall they get past Florida on September 19. Silent Warriors has opportunity in facing well reckoned Ragland on October 25 to redeem themselves of one botched opportunity of a win last year. Quite painful the loss to Ragland last year fuels the determination to erase what was a 22-20 lead at halftime turned sour towards a 34-22 loss all in the past with a win this season.

Arizona Sentinels

Now fully varsity, the Sentinels found the going harder with depth lacking as threatened by injuries and attitude. Starters has Class A 8-Man 3rd ranked Joseph City came in schooling the Sentinels of the daily grinds of varsity ranks in winning 46-0. Three Sentinels went down during the game. Rather than chins up and looking forward more varsity ranks down the stretch, Sentinels encountered attitude problems among certain players and realized extent of such injuries leaving them with only seven players, one short of minimum for a 8-man game. Clifton picked up the forfeit win. Up next has unranked Arizona Lutheran Academy, a 41-0 winner of Arizona’s lone competitive varsity match-up last year lest facing very tiny East Fork Lutheran of only 64 students enrolled and also a very thin Phoenix Day squad. Good fraction of the squad is relatively young with some returning from last year. Heads should look up when Tucson’s pride face the likes of still unproven New Mexico look forward to smart from their own year old 46-8 loss on hands of Arizona. Phoenix Day’s match-up hopes to be more competitive than last year’s 73-28 sleeper.

California-Fremont Eagles

Already looking to improve on a much needed note. Eagles suffered loss of certain factors to graduation. Preseason opened with stellar coaching unit of outstanding depth. The Eagles of the Bay Area never balk formidable competition. Richmond started last year with a bang with a 30-0 rout of the Eagles, they added to the domination with a 48-0 whipping to help the Eagles open this season. Fremont’s forces woke up to the reality of a 21-0 score after playing defense the entire quarter short of four offensive snaps. Six turnovers were the impression of the 1st Half. A factor in Eagles’ rushing attack suffered a bad ankle injury adding to woes of losing the starting quarterback to a broken hand. The stitch up is about timing. October 19 has California-Fremont facing Point Arena, a quite winnable game amid these adversaries. The offensive unit is scrambling beyond reason while a currently weak defensive unit remain content only in need to improve. May need to get act together in time especially for facing rival California-Riverside on October 3 before more tough foes looking for the Eagles. Perseverance is the buzz word down the stretch.

California-Riverside Cubs

California-Riverside lost a number of offensive and defensive starters off last year’s Southern Section Division XII qualifying squad which got eliminated 51-0 on hands of top seeded Boron. On overall note, it was a respectable showing, Cubs’ best in nearly two decades. California-Riverside looks for improvement, this time on the road against Texas after being schooled in a 31-3 humbling last year at home. The Cubs faced West Shore in place of Buckley School which could not field a squad this year despite being quite competitive in a losing effort against the Cubs last year. West Shores responded to the challenge with a spread offense featuring passing ninety percent of the times, presenting a challenge of mental stamina let alone physical for Cubs’ secondary. Turnovers marred any progress as five were marked with four lost. Bright spots are found in rushing attacks nearly producing two sets of 100 yards efforts. California-Riverside looks to avenge a narrow defeat of last year in Ribet Academy. Possibly better opportunity at home versus sister school CaliforniaFremont await on October 3. Texas faces only Deaf school encounter in the Cubs on the following week on October 10.

Colorado Bulldogs

With change of coaching on the helm, Colorado Springs’ Bulldogs looked to bite deeper than their previous 3-4 record states so after going 3-0 before being humbled in and out after an triple overtime thriller over by 1-8 Elbert. Although previewed in local press to be bigger and better despite situated in a possibly tough Black Forest Conference, timing played charades as the Bulldogs was too slow out of their doghouse in facing rival New Mexico to open this season. New Mexico was more than determined to erase memories of last year’s 50-0 Bulldog rout and wasted no time in a 36-27 shocker leaving Colorado hurting in confidence. The Bulldogs picked up shattered pieces of pride and faced unranked Simla, trying to improve on last year’s performance versus Simla. Such efforts proved futile, losing 40-22. Win hungry and improved Oklahoma looks to give the Bulldogs a serious run for their bones. Very determined Kansas looks to get much needed respect on October 31 in facing Colorado. Match-up may be settlement of geographical power considering Kansas already lost to Iowa and New Mexico stealing the show in Santa Fe to Bulldog’s dismay.

Eastern North Carolina Hornets

Unpredictable Eastern North Carolina’s season already took several interesting turns. Suffered hardship preparing due to Hurricane Bonnie causing insufficient preseason practice time. The troops were sent home and returned with couple of days to prepare for Lejeune Model Secondary both within five days. Lejeune repeated domination in winning 39-12, a near repeat of last year’s 34-8 blowout. Last year Eastern North Carolina came back from a 14-0 halftime deficit turned into a 26-14 defeat of Model Secondary. This year marked possible talks in debate of what is now a fluke on part of last year. Yes that is Hornet’s failure to sting Model Secondary on consecutive notes, losing 27-10 at home. Mightily struggling Chatham Central added more salt to Hornet’s wounds, capitalizing on an injury to Hornet’s starting quarterback in a 30-24 defeat to add to Hornet’s woes. It does not look any easier down the stretch of the season, tough foes in line are Florida, Oak Ridge and Rosewood and finally Mattamuskeet. Will face a depth thin squad in North Carolina in addition to South Carolina looking for an upset win taking note of Model Secondary overcoming the Hornets.

Georgia Tigers

Coaching ranks flip-flopped, still Georgia still looks the same but like rival Mississippi, looks forward to better opportunity in fair shakes of competitive opportunities. Cave Spring’s Tigers opened with a cannon blast of North Carolina’s Bears in an 72-42 offensive outpouring never mind defense to open season on a winning note on the road. The Bears and Tigers combined for 1,209 yards. The Bears surprised all with a 6-0 before the Tiger roared with 42 points in the 2nd quarter, North Carolina could not match enough with 22 points in that quarter. In playing host the following week against the Bears, the Tiger’s defense played a role in a 32-0 stifling of North Carolina, allowing only 9 rushing yards, 16 passing yards with 26 returning yards for a total of only 51 yards testimonial to the shutout. A predominantly Deaf 8-Man schedule features this year. Mississippi again featured in home and away format. Look for a possible repeat of both games going down to the wire in exciting offensive display of fireworks. In line are eager Louisiana and revenge seeking Kentucky, by virtue of Tiger’s downplayed 28-14 win over the Colonels last year.

Florida Dragons

Florida’s ultimate team goal was to go undefeated, despite sputtering to a disappointing 4-4 record last year and not being that dominating in recent preseason play. That lofty goal took lots of publicity in the local press. That took a humiliating backseat in a 41-0 devastation on hands of Class AA 8th Ranked Bell. In a sudden turn of fortunes, heavily rebuilding Father Lopez already dropping one to Saint Joseph 27-0 a week earlier, fell victim to dragon fire, losing 34-8 to Florida. That registered as Dragon’s first win over the Green Waves in three decades. Keep in mind, last midseason Florida notched their first win over a non-Deaf foe in five years. October 19 may be the ultimate test for Florida in a historic match-up of lots at stake. The struggling Orioles of Maryland can’t be overlooked by the Dragons but on an additional note, by perfect opportunity, Model Secondary proves to be able to bring enough respect down in Saint Augustine on the weekend prior to visiting Maryland. All possible by the Eagles improvising dropping North Carolina from schedule and replacing with the Dragons on the 24th of October.

Indiana Deaf Hoosiers

Despite a discouraging 30-0 loss to Eastern Hancock, one of Indiana’s smaller Class AA outfits, the Deaf Hoosiers already looks quite improved coming in season with more offering of size on both sides of the line and experience in skill positions. Bells of opportunity rung for Palestine, an Illinois Class A cooperative outfit of three small high schools as mental mistakes were costly in a heartbreaker 22-20 loss marked by four failed red zone penetration into scoring including one stumble right after the two minute warning. Competitive Union Dugger added to Indiana’s misery of close call losses in a 28-20 thriller, again laced with missed opportunities that could easily had gone the Deaf Hoosiers way. Deaf Hoosiers rallied from a 22-0 distance before closing out the first half trailing 22-14. Scoring exchanged and with one minute and thirty seconds on clock found Indiana in possession barely past halfway down the field but no movement towards scoring position occurred. Following through opportunity will win games for the already improved Indiana Deaf Hoosiers whom will face Model Secondary in addition to Wisconsin, all three figures to be respect seeking teams looking to be winning.

Illinois Tigers

Illinois looks to garner more purple hearts of valor putting up with tough schedules featuring formidable conference foes. Last year had three conference foes and one non-conference adversary qualifying for Class A state playoffs out of thirty-two bracketed out of selection among one hundred and ninety-two eligible to contend. Two advanced to the Round of 16. Progress in form of winning is cause for celebration for Illinois. Rebuilding Tigers aims for at least a few wins to call a season a resounding success. Improvement from last year’s 48-0 loss is already noted in progress in a 28-6 loss to Carrollton following a discouraging 49-0 loss to Pleasant Hill already improving over last year’s 39-12 drubbing of the Tigers. One quick turnaround really rescued the hopes of the young season in a long awaited 38-14 rocking of Meredosia a score nearly reversed from last year’s 36-12 loss.Tigers are eager to avenge 27-0 loss to Winchester before embarking a tough stretch of foes. Post three, four or even five wins on board, the Tigers will be easily reckoned as one of the nation best, given their schedule power rating.

Iowa Bobcats

Four seniors factored in Iowa’s prior successful 5-4 campaign. This year has lots of question marks as depth dried out by loss to graduation. One big answer came on a 28-12 winning note over Kansas already looking to prove their own mettle before facing Colorado in a very opportunistic match-up. Bobcats said to be quite balanced in offense and defense and capitalizing a turnover of an interception into scoring. Yes, Kansas paid dearly for looking too far ahead when it comes to facing the rebuilding Bobcats. Tests for the reloading Bobcats come right away in facing DawsonVerdon, Macy and most especially strong Minnesota. Bobcats are to be held accountable in expectations to overcome Class AAA Thomas Jefferson’s Junior Varsity. before facing a more favorable slate of foes for the second-half’s duration of the season. Second half of season consists of Nebraska City Lourdes’ Junior Varsity, a rebuilding Missouri squad, Omaha Christian and Central Christian’s Junior Varsity. Last year’s 8-Man Team of the Year, Minnesota looks to be Iowa’s most crucial match-up come October 3 in a homecoming game despite last year’s 52-22 drubbing of the eventual runnerup Iowa Bobcats.

Kansas Jackrabbits

Two sets of scoreboards really smoked fast twice last year in facing Olathe Christian, first on a 58-48 win followed by a 88-62 shootout nearly breaking the National record for most points scored in a 8-Man football game by two teams. This year’s odds remained tight but Olathe Christian came out on top for openers, 36-20. There will not have a second shot this season when it comes to facing Olathe Christian. Playing on higher terms of accountability in facing rebuilding Iowa, the Jackrabbits could not move their offense nor the rush the chains enough in a 28-12 loss to the Bobcats. Season does not get any easier as September 18 has 8-Man power Saint Paul facing the Jackrabbits followed by Minnesota for Kansas’ homecoming on September 26. Rival Missouri takes in hosting Kansas on Oct 3. Oklahoma hosts Kansas, keep in mind of home advantage and an improved squad by October 10. White City and Williamsburg finish off a tough stretch before the date with Colorado also playing for pride on October 31 after already falling to New Mexico never mind the pending outcome of facing Oklahoma who nearly overcame New Mexico.

Kentucky Colonels

Last year had the colors of a very strange season that came to a screeching end losing to Beth Haven 51-8 in the 1st Round of State Class A – 8-Man playoffs despite a 3-6 record coming in. Put aside respectable showing in losing against formidable foes such as Alabama and Maryland both in depth scaling form, Kentucky managed to capitalize on three Indiana miscues enabling an 20-19 upset win. Those were last year’s colors that also tells of a near upset of Eastern North Carolina in a 32-30 scramble coupled with inconsistency as marked by a 32-6 loss to South Carolina. This year looks to be more consistent result producing with much improvement in progress. Still very green this year when facing non-Deaf competition. Danville’s Colonels went wild again in more comfortable cushions of 8-man football, crushing North Carolina 45-0. Only a few days were needed to wake-up the Colonels. State Class A – 8-Man power Beth Haven shoved the Colonels in a 52-7 quick pushover. Kentucky stabilized forces in time for a much needed message sending 35-24 defeat of Mississippi. Another test comes facing Caverna.

Louisiana Fighting Eagles

Already eager for favorable competitive terms after a period of drought. Baton Rouge’s boys got a good break, adding one extra opponent on schedule, playing CHPSC’s “B” for starters, winning 38-12. East Iberville showed up ready to play in the tropical storm Frances and showed why in a 48-14 rout of the Fighting Eagles, nearly echoing last year’s score. The Fighting Eagles were quick to join the 8-man ranks of the Mason-Dixon this year. Louisiana has Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi on schedule. The Fighting Eagles looks to repeat on last year’s 48-21 romp over Kentucky but this time should not be any easier. Put aside the above mentioned, Louisiana still classifies as a 11-Man football school. Five games are to be played in 11-Man format, however all against non-Deaf schools. Season is far from getting any easier with a couple of intimidating slates in two opponents, Northwood and Montgomery. Note of consolation acknowledged that Louisiana faces all toughs at home. By virtue of last year’s 28-14 competitive defeat, Ecole Classique proves to be one golden opportunity to capitalize despite having to do on road to close the season.

Maryland Orioles

Yes, mind over matter always. Ninety percent mental over 10 percent physical. Stumbling mistakes and lack of power depth after an injury, cost Maryland their second consecutive season opener loss and this time followed by a humbling at home. In facing Maryland’s Orioles, long winless Saint James wasted no time showing the Orioles that old numbers do fool at times in shocking the Orioles 33-24. As previously noted, the Orioles lost a huge factor to a severely bruised knee only two plays into the season and then projected to play without him for five weeks. Last year the Orioles stumbled on three touchdowns called back to no end as Maret capitalized on all counts enabling 19-12 win instead of what could have been a 33-7 Orioles win last year. The present remains the same on a much worse note, a much improved edition of Maret School opened their own season invading Frederick and played it all as matter of mind over matter. The scoreboard read a 20-6 loss for the Orioles in a game ranking of six turnovers in addition to yellow flags flying all over the places amounting to 100 yards in penalties.

Minnesota Trojans

Last year’s 6-8-9-Man Team of the Year looks to dominate albeit very twisted circumstances coming out of Faribault that reeks of injustice done towards the football program despite loading with 10 Seniors anchoring a team of plenty talent and play hungry depths for such 6-8-9Man depths. Last year was already a sour note in terms of numbers of games played, only six not including State 9Man playoffs’ sectional round where matters soured in a 60-28 loss to Cleveland quickly. To add to the insult, this year’s schedule only had six foes including three Deaf Midwest encounters with two on the road. Scenario worsening, Class AA Zumbrota Mapezza could not field a Junior Varsity team in spite of well more than thirty strong signing up for the football program. Opened against LeRoy-Ostrander’s Junior Varsity on September 14 with result to be posted in the future. The Deaf midwest cards has Iowa, Kansas and Missouri on schedule. Reported by announcement that this season is to be Minnesota’s last in football for the time being. Such premature declaration, giving further insult to the Trojans rather than evaluating situations at end of season.

Mississippi Bulldogs

Recent long years in facing more than frustrating one-sided situations of nonDeaf opponents, on the losing side with as many as many as nine to ten touchdowns scored on the Bulldogs in some games. The Bulldogs looks forward to more competitive terms amid schedule taking a new facelift of nearly opposite situations to face. Until then, the Bulldogs only saddled for Deaf schools competition in facing Georgia in a home and away series, splitting the series down the wire both times in high scoring affairs last year losing 44-42 at home before avenging defeat on an exciting 42-38 note. Golden opportunity struck but not yet realized in facing upstart Kentucky, a 35-24 loss, the first game of a series of home-away games. Tough Thomastown is the lone non-Deaf opponent in the waiting for mid-October. Overall the Bulldogs look to improve in terms of potential realized over the duration of a new outlook on schedule to feature Georgia, Louisiana and again Georgia, North Carolina and again Kentucky in a homecoming encounter. All in its remaining slate among Deaf schools. Fair shakes in opportunities strikes gold for Bulldogs of purple and gold.

Missouri Eagles

After suffering through a very long winless season spotted with humiliating and lopsided losses including one bout with Wisconsin lest their heavy factors not hauled in from Delavan to Fulton for the 76-12 8-Man format whipping leaving long lasting scars in Fulton for remainder of the season. The Eagles already surprised many this year for starters. Well marked with great progress. The respectable program is on serious rebuilding note with a bright future in due time. Wisconsin’s Junior Varsity is instead spotted on schedule in a 8-man game. Other than that, they look to continue taking part in Deaf Midwest circles butting heads with Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota. The Eagles opened up taking on Kemper Military Academy coming away with a close 28-20 defeat that speaks of lots of potential for Missouri to utilize in improving. The well fought game Missouri trailing by two touchdowns, 12-0 to rally back to lead 14-12 at half only to lose reins to a 20-20 tie before faltering in the 4th quarter in losing. Team preview states of no Seniors with only four Juniors. The rest should carry the Eagles very well into the future.

New Mexico Roadrunners

After suffering through a very short season marked with 50-0, 50 12 and 56-8 losses to Colorado, Kansas and Arizona respectively, the Roadrunners are determined to improve on last year’s more than troublesome woes. Staying healthy and injury free will do the Roadrunners wonders. Signs of improvement are already showing in the clear at Santa Fe. This year had Colorado previewed to be better, once again to start with. It did not intimidate New Mexico’s Roadrunners, the tables were turned upside down in no time with New Mexico outlasting the Bulldogs in a 36-27 shocker. Win hungry, Oklahoma took up New Mexico in a series resumed hoping to post a hard to find win but such efforts proved futile on the scoreboard with the Roadrunners standing pretty at 2-0 after winning 28-25. Real tests comes their way in facing Moutainair the following week to open a stretch of games against Pine Hill, Corona, Vaughn and Roy before closing out with rival Arizona provided Arizona does not qualify for that elusive spot in Class A – 8-Man state playoffs. Look for more to come out of the hard earned magicdom of Santa Fe’s.

Model Secondary Eagles

Real respect. These are two words the then old powerhouse Eagles seek this season. Long known for unpredictable situations from year to year in recent times, given its status as a national school. Attracting students from all over the country, enrollment numbers more than 300, a far cry from mid 1980’s 500 range. The Eagles Opened season on road at always very unpredictable Eastern North Carolina, hoping to prove last year’s win was a fluke. Yes, success realized in winning 27-10. Coaching staff scouted Saint James showing Maryland the real works winning in a 33-24 shocker. Coaching staff came home unfazed and the following week showed why, a 27-26 nail-biter on the road against the Saints of Saint James. Should press their cause for more than respect in more crucial match-ups to come up such as Indiana, Florida and Maryland. Not to mention Maret and a couple of other match-up possibly going one way or other. Yes, respect already restored but not yet to national prominence. Bottom line has to be realized, its no mythical affair for the Eagles this season as face to face encounters reads well on their schedule.