2012 Wayne County Athletic League Football

[O-Trap]

I think it was the testing that last year's team got that made the difference. They had to survive a couple really tight games in the playoffs last year, including the championship. That wasn't a foreign concept to last year's team, having played a close game in both Smithville and Hillsdale. They were "battle" tested going into the playoffs last year.

Moreover, they knew the sour taste of losing, which I think can honestly serve as a solid advantage entering the playoffs. The team this year hadn't had to knuckle down in tight games, and they didn't have the nasty desperation of a team that still felt the sting of losing and not wanting to feel it again.

All in all, I think this team had more talent overall. Last year's team had a better understanding of how to win.

[99bobcatdb]

I think it was the testing that last year's team got that made the difference. They had to survive a couple really tight games in the playoffs last year, including the championship. That wasn't a foreign concept to last year's team, having played a close game in both Smithville and Hillsdale. They were "battle" tested going into the playoffs last year.

Moreover, they knew the sour taste of losing, which I think can honestly serve as a solid advantage entering the playoffs. The team this year hadn't had to knuckle down in tight games, and they didn't have the nasty desperation of a team that still felt the sting of losing and not wanting to feel it again.

All in all, I think this team had more talent overall. Last year's team had a better understanding of how to win.

I agree with you totally. However in a weird way this team created there own monster. They rolled over everyone they played with not much resistance they never really become, or I guess had the opportunity to become battle tested like the 2011 did. With this all being said I never want to underestimate just how good of a team St. Clairsville is. The best team won last Friday night.

Great season cats!! Once again you made Creston, Burbank, and Sterling proud, Thank you!

[kurty66]

Kurty...

don't take this as a "kick to the nuts" because it's not.

Some pages ago, you opined that the 2012 version of the Bobcats had a slight edge on the 2011 edition. Now that the seasons over and everyone has had time to digest the campaign, do you still feel the same way?

My nod goes to the 2011 team only because they won it all. The 2012 squad eclipsed them in just about everything else.

The competition each played is similar. I thought the Bobcats were quite fortunate in the Girard game of 2011. A few things go different there and there isn't even a regional championship, much less a state title...same with the Hillsdale game for a share of the WCAL in 2011.
Still, they always found a way to win.

The 2012 team steamrolled pretty much everyone until St. Clairesville, where they couldn't find a way to win. All the effort, records broken, female dog smackings of opponents and accolades just can't beat winning the title.

Of the Cat fans, I find your opinions the most honest and I'd really like to hear your take on the 2011 team vs the 2012 team now that it's all in the books.
It's also a good way to wrap up this thread.

Red Rum: your post sums up my thoughts very accurately. This 2012 team looked better on both sides of the ball, but they didn't win a championship. I agree with everything you said. I would say that the 2011 team seemed really prepared to play defense against Kenton and the 2012 team seemed a little surprised by St. Clairsville. Norwayne didn't play their best ballgame, but it's hard to forget the Monteroso kid making a catch over and between Beery and Harris - he was tough.

I also don't really agree with those who think a loss at some point would have helped this team. What game were they supposed to lose? I do think it helped them last year, but most of these kids were around then anyway. It might have had a totally different effect - after all, they were playing against the expectations of last years' team every game anyway. It was a great year regardless.

[1_beast]

darn you Otrap....dont be starting a new thread when we are still talking this season.

IM THE THREAD STARTER, ROOKIE.

[1_beast]

IMMA BOYCOTT THE NEW THREAD...See ya on FB numbnuts

[O-Trap]

darn you Otrap....dont be starting a new thread when we are still talking this season.

IM THE THREAD STARTER, ROOKIE.

LOL! The year is over, man. I just wanted to start talking 2013!

Didn't mean to rustle your jimmies.

[1486wd]

This years team may have had more talent, but I wod still take last years team because of one guy, Adam Wallace. You just don't see guys like that and sometimes it takes a guy like that to make the leap to truly great

[ghostrider]

Hows Wanedales offseason lifting going? Not seeing or hearing much about winter workouts. One should certainly speculate that SOMEONE would be heading the winter training into overdive.