BleacherCoaches.com

Portage Pride brings up some very good points about the recent history of Blairsville and Portage match-ups. Portage has had three pretty easy wins in the past two years with the common reason being that Blairsville was unable to stop the run. I am here to say that the issues that the Bobcats have had on defense are no longer issues. Eric Foust has brought a new system and a new swagger to the defense. I will not make a prediction on a game that is not even set yet but if any team wants to beat Blairsville it will have to be another way than running the football!

When the playoffs start Dragoncat. I will guarantee this much, someone will be able to run the ball against them. Its a fact of life. It may not be Portage but someone will

So I assume the phrase "Defense wins championships" means nothing to you 92 Alum?

Every team except for BG will have a very difficult time running on Blairsville. They definitely have a different mind set. Run the ball first and play very aggressive on defense. They tackle especially well. #66 will be a handful for any O lineman in the playoffs. #60 is very good on the edge too. If and when you see them play, you'll be very surprised how physical they are compared to the last 4 or 5 years. They are senior oriented and very experienced. It's going to be exciting to see the matchups.

I have seen Blairsville play every game since 1999. This is by far the best Defense I have seen them play. They have had some very successful teams throughout those years but this Defensive unit is very fast and aggressive like many have already said. The linebackers (Henderson#60, Lenhardt#44, Rydbom#11 and Tripodus#53) are very active and get to the ball with some nasty intentions. Once again I am not making predictions of games that have yet to be set but I will say this......I saw BG play McCort last week and they are not what I expected.

Defense does win championships. But to think that people aren't going to run the ball on your defense is crazy. Well unless you put 8 and 9 in the box and they just rack up the yards in the air. I guess the other difference is the fact that you are just worried about D6 and nothing beyond that. BG will run it. Steel High would run it, Old Forge would run it. A 225 pound lineman will get outsized and pushed around it you play long enough.

BG did not "run it" against Homer last year and defense won the championship. Right now Blairsville believes in themselves and they believe in their defense. 8 or 9 in the box making you throw it doesn't sound too bad in late November in Pennsylvania.

hey don't bring up BG not being able to run well against heritage teams last year! We aren't LHAC so we can't be any good!

I'm pretty sure if you watch teams in December, they will still be chucking the rock over top a 8 or 9 man front. Makes me wonder when a 5 yards slant goes for 80.

It goes for 80 when teams are unwilling to fly to the football. Good Luck getting to a state title game throwing the football around on frozen turf. I am just happy with the changes that Blairsville has made this year that makes it possible for me to be able to throw them in the mix of contenders. I do like their chances at a District Title and I do like that they have the athletes to compete beyond that as well. Not taking anything away from any other team I just feel they have enough weapons to be a force in the post season this year.