ACAC Mid-Season 2024

[FlyingHigh]

We have a clear championship-deciding matchup in a few weeks between AC and Bluffton. Heritage came close to playing spoiler last night, but proved less dynamic offensively than many in the 260 media thought them to be going into the game. Heritage is a good team, but will struggle to beat any one solid defensively. Fortunately for them, Bluffton is not very good up front. 

How likely is it for Bluffton to pressure the Jets week 8? I honestly think that AC will win a share of the conference no matter what the result of the AC v Bluffton game because Heritage will likely beat Bluffton. Bluffton is good, but mostly because of 2-3 skill players. AC is solid from top to bottom if they play to their potential. They haven't played their best game, which is scary for 2A.

Outside of the top of the conference:

• Heritage is a really good team. Unfortunately, they have a difficult sectional and will likely be fortunate to make it past the sectional final.
• Bluffton has some of the best athletes in the conference. Per usual, good for them. I think that they'll struggle against teams that have a decent line. Jay County is big, but not very good up front. I have no idea how things looked up front, but if they struggled stopping JC from scoring, they'll really struggle to stop Heritage and AC.
• Good for Jay County putting pressure on Bluffton last night. They're decent up front and that'll cause many teams problems. After AC, Heritage and Bluffton, JC is the team to beat in the ACAC
• SA is probably tied with JC as the 4th team of the ACAC. They're well-coached, but do they have the guys to handle JC and Woodlan?
• I think that Woodlan is far improved from what they've been in the past. They have a system and run it relatively well.
• Proud of SW for grying to push thesing z233ZZ

 

[FlyingHigh]

*Proud of SW for trying to push through the season....not sure what happened there.

[Basementbias]

Doesn't it feel weird to have everyone hate our Flying Jets for winning so much in the ACAC? I think Heritage & Bluffton will be a good game. I know Bluffton is gunning for AC as is everyone in the ACAC and their new sectional.

[FlyingHigh]

Heritage @ Bluffton this week. Any thoughts on the winner? I say Heritage by 10.

[Basementbias]

On 10/1/2024 at 11:10 AM, FlyingHigh said:

Heritage @ Bluffton this week. Any thoughts on the winner? I say Heritage by 10.

Maybe Heritage but should be close. Heritage seems to be lacking conditioning for so many going 1 way. Also a bit of discipline at times lacking. Which Bluffton team shows up? The one that did against South Adams & Southern Wells or the one that struggled vs Jay County. I think the ACAC has more parity but I'm not sure if it's better or worse than last year just yet.

[First_Backer_Inside]

1 minute ago, Basementbias said:

Maybe Heritage but should be close. Heritage seems to be lacking conditioning for so many going 1 way. Also a bit of discipline at times lacking. Which Bluffton team shows up? The one that did against South Adams & Southern Wells or the one that struggled vs Jay County. I think the ACAC has more parity but I'm not sure if it's better or worse than last year just yet.

More than likely more parity due to the better teams still being better, just not as dominant, with the lower teams being better than they were in previous years. Last years AC and Bluffton teams were just on a different level than the rest of the conference. Both teams are still better than the rest of the conference, both have just looked beatable at times.

[Basementbias]

32 minutes ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

More than likely more parity due to the better teams still being better, just not as dominant, with the lower teams being better than they were in previous years. Last years AC and Bluffton teams were just on a different level than the rest of the conference. Both teams are still better than the rest of the conference, both have just looked beatable at times.

Probably right. I definitely & unfairly want to see them all trending more to that level AC & Bluffton were last year. Felt Heritage was near that level last year too.

[First_Backer_Inside]

Any chance Bluffton gives Adam Central a run for their money this week. I don't think so, but wondered if others that have watched them more closely can give any insight? Gotta think these are the best two teams in Sectional 35, but Bluffton hasn't looked as dominant this year as they did last year up until this point. I know they graduated a lot of talent from last years team.

[260AC]

6 hours ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

Any chance Bluffton gives Adam Central a run for their money this week. I don't think so, but wondered if others that have watched them more closely can give any insight? Gotta think these are the best two teams in Sectional 35, but Bluffton hasn't looked as dominant this year as they did last year up until this point. I know they graduated a lot of talent from last years team.

Bluffton got exposed last week, they have little to no chance this week. They give up way to many points to weak teams. Can AC lose? yes but i would bet it being 17+ point game.

[Basementbias]

15 hours ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

Any chance Bluffton gives Adam Central a run for their money this week. I don't think so, but wondered if others that have watched them more closely can give any insight? Gotta think these are the best two teams in Sectional 35, but Bluffton hasn't looked as dominant this year as they did last year up until this point. I know they graduated a lot of talent from last years team.

Always a chance. Especially if Bluffton’s defense comes to play. The very few plays I switched over to watch Bluffton, they had a hard time stopping some runs. That could just be luck from when I turned to their games. For AC, they will need to sure up the run blocking. At least 2 if not 3 of those 40+ yd touchdowns could have been 5+yd losses if the first Southern Wells defender completes the tackle. The Jets are going to have to find some more passing success to balance the offense come playoffs.

[Bonecrusher]

Just now saw this thread.

Looks like Heritage put it to Bluffton pretty good.  Was the game actually as lopsided as the score, or was it one of those where the score is misleading?

It appears that Heritage has a chance to finish second in the ACAC.  Should win their last 2 games, while Bluffton probably has their hands full with AC, and Franklin is an unknown to me.

Heritage is going to have to find something for that sectional with Mississinewa & Luers easily the top 2.  Don't know about Oak Hill & Delta; their records aren't as good but maybe SOS is more difficult?  Nice to see Heritage with some success again.

[FlyingHigh]

47 minutes ago, Bonecrusher said:

Just now saw this thread.

Looks like Heritage put it to Bluffton pretty good.  Was the game actually as lopsided as the score, or was it one of those where the score is misleading?

It appears that Heritage has a chance to finish second in the ACAC.  Should win their last 2 games, while Bluffton probably has their hands full with AC, and Franklin is an unknown to me.

Heritage is going to have to find something for that sectional with Mississinewa & Luers easily the top 2.  Don't know about Oak Hill & Delta; their records aren't as good but maybe SOS is more difficult?  Nice to see Heritage with some success again.

The score isn't misleading in that one. Heritage dominated the entire time.

[Basementbias]

Watching the game, AC came out on fire, especially on special teams and Bluffton shooting themselves in the foot. Then AC forgot to tackle and it was a ball game for a bit. Bluffton had trouble stopping the run unless they sold out. AC had trouble in the secondary & containing the QB at times. Felt like Bluffton at first may have been reeling from Heritage & questioning themselves until that first TD & 2pt conversion. AC had many opportunities to suffocate & end Bluffton early but never could. Bluffton just hung around & kept it interesting. Did seem though that AC was tinkering with stuff on offense that made it that way. Both sides are going to be thinking about a playoff rematch. I think it will be a good one if they do meet again.

[FlyingHigh]

On 10/12/2024 at 9:22 PM, Basementbias said:

Watching the game, AC came out on fire, especially on special teams and Bluffton shooting themselves in the foot. Then AC forgot to tackle and it was a ball game for a bit. Bluffton had trouble stopping the run unless they sold out. AC had trouble in the secondary & containing the QB at times. Felt like Bluffton at first may have been reeling from Heritage & questioning themselves until that first TD & 2pt conversion. AC had many opportunities to suffocate & end Bluffton early but never could. Bluffton just hung around & kept it interesting. Did seem though that AC was tinkering with stuff on offense that made it that way. Both sides are going to be thinking about a playoff rematch. I think it will be a good one if they do meet again.

Curious to hear what you think the Jets should've done to "suffocate" Bluffton earlier in week 8? I don't know that I saw as much tinkering as you did. Maybe you're just that much more in tune with the program that you see those little intricacies that we casual fans don't see.

[Basementbias]

1 minute ago, FlyingHigh said:

Curious to hear what you think the Jets should've done to "suffocate" Bluffton earlier in week 8? I don't know that I saw as much tinkering as you did. Maybe you're just that much more in tune with the program that you see those little intricacies that we casual fans don't see.

Biggest thing was finishing tackles. Credit to the Bluffton QB & RB Craig on some of those. AC dominated at the start but then it was 14-8 all of a sudden. The start of the 2nd half on some of the play calls. They are still looking for the equivalent of what I'll call the Currie pass play of last year. As Coach said this morning, the one QB play is a call by design instead of a read. Trust me, the play calling is more intricate than the playbook of base plays I get to try & coach with young guys. Another example would be to watch the NJ game last year on blocking. I'll leave it at that. I hope the defense gets back on track like the 1st quarter against Bluffton before their score. Last night was hard to gauge based on Woodlan's offense & the different bodies that came in. Outside the perfect ACAC record, the game had little significance.

[FlyingHigh]

8 minutes ago, Basementbias said:

Biggest thing was finishing tackles. Credit to the Bluffton QB & RB Craig on some of those. AC dominated at the start but then it was 14-8 all of a sudden. The start of the 2nd half on some of the play calls. They are still looking for the equivalent of what I'll call the Currie pass play of last year. As Coach said this morning, the one QB play is a call by design instead of a read. Trust me, the play calling is more intricate than the playbook of base plays I get to try & coach with young guys. Another example would be to watch the NJ game last year on blocking. I'll leave it at that. I hope the defense gets back on track like the 1st quarter against Bluffton before their score. Last night was hard to gauge based on Woodlan's offense & the different bodies that came in. Outside the perfect ACAC record, the game had little significance.

Was it a read with Hamilton and Black?

[Basementbias]

9 minutes ago, FlyingHigh said:

Was it a read with Hamilton and Black?

No, that's a base play. The only read is having to cut up or extending it on the edge basically. 

[jw33]

35 minutes ago, Basementbias said:

Biggest thing was finishing tackles. Credit to the Bluffton QB & RB Craig on some of those. AC dominated at the start but then it was 14-8 all of a sudden. The start of the 2nd half on some of the play calls. They are still looking for the equivalent of what I'll call the Currie pass play of last year. As Coach said this morning, the one QB play is a call by design instead of a read. Trust me, the play calling is more intricate than the playbook of base plays I get to try & coach with young guys. Another example would be to watch the NJ game last year on blocking. I'll leave it at that. I hope the defense gets back on track like the 1st quarter against Bluffton before their score. Last night was hard to gauge based on Woodlan's offense & the different bodies that came in. Outside the perfect ACAC record, the game had little significance.

Cant say much about your conference but Bluffton has a hell of a good team. Coming from the Eiac conference down south he was the fastest qb we had seen all year. Could escape tackles and finish plays. It was a long ride for us last night but glad we got to play in a different part of the state. Good luck to all in the tournament.

[Basementbias]

Just now, jw33 said:

Cant say much about your conference but Bluffton has a hell of a good team. Coming from the Eiac conference down south he was the fastest qb we had seen all year. Could escape tackles and finish plays. It was a long ride for us last night but glad we got to play in a different part of the state. Good luck to all in the tournament.

His elusiveness is what scares me. That is what kept them hanging around against us in week 8 at our place. He's pretty accurate as well. That interception from your DB was a huge play in that game. I watched the end and it is probably the best game I've watched all year.

[Basementbias]

@FlyingHigh tonight outside the first defensive series before Bluffton imploded, is what we have been waiting to see. I feel like they could have had that performance in week 8 after blocking the 2 punts. Old playoff foes Busco are coming to town.

[260AC]

9 hours ago, Basementbias said:

@FlyingHigh tonight outside the first defensive series before Bluffton imploded, is what we have been waiting to see. I feel like they could have had that performance in week 8 after blocking the 2 punts. Old playoff foes Busco are coming to town.

So much for the Bluffton  "paper" Tigers. 😝 

I was hoping to play some new opponents to mix it up but looks like we will be getting Bluffton, Busco, and Eastside.....o well.

[Basementbias]

1 hour ago, 260AC said:

So much for the Bluffton  "paper" Tigers. 😝 

I was hoping to play some new opponents to mix it up but looks like we will be getting Bluffton, Busco, and Eastside.....o well.

If they get through those games then they will see some new teams.

[FlyingHigh]

12 hours ago, Basementbias said:

@FlyingHigh tonight outside the first defensive series before Bluffton imploded, is what we have been waiting to see. I feel like they could have had that performance in week 8 after blocking the 2 punts. Old playoff foes Busco are coming to town.

If they continue to build on that performance, they’ll be tough to beat. What happened to heritage last night?

[Basementbias]

1 hour ago, FlyingHigh said:

If they continue to build on that performance, they’ll be tough to beat. What happened to heritage last night?

Guessing they became 1 dimensional for some reason. I thought they lacked discipline against South Adams & AC as well as not well conditioned.

[First_Backer_Inside]

Maybe the conference as a whole isn't as strong as what many including myself thought it was. Obviously Adams Central is the outlier. I think they are more than for real still, but only four teams remain in the playoffs, and I gotta think there's only going to be two after tonight. Southern Wells probably wouldn't be playing tonight if they didn't have a bye round 1. Tough to say with Bluffton having to face Adams Central round 1 and not getting to play a non-conference opponent instead, but I think even Bluffton wasn't as tough as many thought they would be this year.