Tampa, FL – Mayweather vs McGregor II happened last night. Just like the much anticipated fight of the decade, Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech was hyped and for most of the game… just right! Postponed last Friday due field conditions and weather, The Hawks and the Titans finally took the field for their very first game of the season…promised to be a good one.
Armwood won the contest 35-12. But the game was better than the score indicates. Tampa Bay Tech will have to wait another year before they get another shot to take down their interstate rival. Titans have not accomplished that goal on the field since 2001.
Now, you have to look at the game a few ways: 1) When playing a team like Armwood, every scoring possession has to be contested and mistakes have to be limited. Tech didn’t do that and Armwood capitalized on both. 2) When you have the opponent on the ropes, don’t let them off. Armwood did just that late in the ball wth a heavy does of RB Brian Snead.
REPORT CARD
A
Armwood’s Running Game – Armwood relied on the running of Brian Snead for much of the second half. The Ohio State recruit had more than 200 yards rushing and scored twice on short runs in the second half to help the Hawks pull away. If you don’t like Brian Snead as one of the top running backs in the area, you have to respect him. The senior Hawk carried the load and never seemed to wear down. He kept coming and coming and moving the line of scrimmage in Armwood’s favor.
B
Tampa Bay Tech’s offensive line (run) – Many times during the first three quarters the Titan offensive line created huge holes for their ball carriers. Chopping at the Armwood defense 5-10 yards at a time. The five men up front started leaking confidence and controlled the line of scrimmage, progressing the ball into scoring position. The combination of Jaquavious Johnson and Treshaun Ward took advantage of the offensive line’s effort producing quality yards on the ground.
C
Passing game of both teams was average at best. Neither team was able to establish a sufficient passing game mostly due to the constant pressure, soft turf (footing) and timing. Both Devin Black and Micahael Penix Jr. were out of sync with their receivers. Soft turf slowed down pass catchers and would not allow QBs to set their lower body. Pressure was constantly in the face of the QBs and receivers dropped too many passes in a game where each possession is crucial.
Both teams will need a big weekend and great week of practice next week. Armwood and Plant will dance next Friday in the most competitive rivalry in the area. Tampa Bay Tech has Sickles on deck for the same day. Sickles seems to always present a challenge for the traditionally favored Titans.