[More Cowbell]

Depth was the problem for Prestonsburg in both games. This was the only game i seen Leslie play this year, but it was as i thought, you stop Whitaker you stop Leslie. I think Valley has enough horses to keep Whitaker contained.
We kept him contained for most of the game, but he took over late 3rd and in the 4th. Leslie seemed to have trouble stopping the run of Prestonsburg as we had over 300 yards rushing with 2 players over 100 yards. Valley on the other hand held us to under 100 yards as a team.
I feel Valley's 3 headed monster of Hampton, Rowe, and Tackett will have a field day on the Leslie defense. I also think if Leslie falls behind and tries to air it out Whitaker will force the issue at times. If he does Wright, Layne, and Elswick will be there to make him pay.
Valley will control the ball and clock on offense. I think the defense will get pressure on Whitaker and make him force plays and make mistakes. I think Valley will capitalize on those mistakes and pull away by 2 scores. If they get Whitaker rattled and can contain him it could be more, but i feel he makes some plays in this game and keeps it within 2 scores.

Thanks for the analysis. I know a lot of posters on here have mentioned Leslie's depth as being the key factor why they will win, but I don't see it being an issue. The way Valley plays is a slow, methodical, ball control offense that eats up clock and keeps their defense on the sidelines. If either team's defense would be in danger of wearing down, I would think it would be Leslie's. In any case, I don't see Leslie's depth being any advantage whatsoever.

I also didn't know that P-Burg ran for over 300 yards in that game. If Leslie's rush defense is weak, that plays right into Shelby Valley's hands. On the flip side, though, P-Burg was able to attack SV through the air and get some big plays that way. SV's defense may struggle to control Leslie's passing attack.

The more I think about it, this may be a shootout. First one to 35 points wins... :rockon: