Latest / The Gulf Coast Sports Pulse with Gulf Coast Media / Episode 3 - Who's the best in Baldwin County?

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Episode 3 - Who's the best in Baldwin County? · The Gulf Coast Sports Pulse with Gulf Coast Media

• 0:18
  SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome back to the Gulf Coast Sports Pulse.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_00: My name is Parker Gillam, as always, the sports editor here with Gulf Coast Media.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: And uh I'm joined by local athletics guru John Mullen for another edition as we uh discuss all the recent happenings uh in Baldwin County High School football um and just sports in in the overall area uh as a whole.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: So uh starting off, uh I I wanted to throw it kind of directly to you, John, where we're going to be discussing the game that you were at uh over the weekend on Friday night, which was uh just a wild 30 to 29 overtime win for Gulf Shores.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: The Dolphins just barely remained undefeated on the season.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: Um so if you haven't been there yet, I'll let you kind of explain just A, you know, what went down.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: I obviously kind of heard it was it was a second half rally from Gulf Shores, came out a little sluggish, um, and then it had pulled through late.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: So just kind of briefly take us through kind of what went down and then also just kind of your thoughts on on how things ended up.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_02: Well, from Gus Shores' perspective, it was a crazy fourth quarter.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and as you're watching it, you didn't you don't realize what's going on because you're trying to keep up with the game, you know, and and score it and you're gonna go right about it later.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_02: And then I sat down and started to think about it and write about it, and I was like, wow, this Gushore scored two touchdowns and two two-point conversions in the fourth quarter.
• 1:30
  unknown: Okay.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_02: And the same guy scored all of them.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_02: You know, Carter Davis was the guy who did them all.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_02: And um I think that um it was part of uh HUD's plan.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_02: He saw that they were tired and he just started pitching the ball to Carter.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_02: You know, and um because you got the fastest guy in the state and then got a defense that's uh dead dog tired, they couldn't they couldn't catch him.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_02: He just kept um, you know, it might be two, then it'd be 12, and then he ran for 39, you know, and and then he caught those two passes.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um so it was um it was a really um strange game, you know.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_02: Um they're down 17 to nothing, and then the um the guy who's the punter, um but he's also a a receiver, uh Benton um Barrington, I believe.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and uh he um I mean he caught that pass and it wasn't a pass directly to him, it was to him in his general direction.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_02: He had to go find it.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_02: Then he eluded like two or three defenders and and made his way into the end zone, and that was uh Gulf Shore's first score to make it 17 to 7.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_02: So um, and then later on uh on that second touchdown to tie the game in regulation, he kicked the ball all the way down to the uh three.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_02: And by the time that um they stopped Blunt and Blunt punted, they were at the 22.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_02: And that set up that other that last score to send them into overtime.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_02: And uh it was just um a really crazy game.
• 2:52
  SPEAKER_02: You would have at 17 to nothing uh Guff George came out, threw an interception, start the second half.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_02: I do have to admit that one of the best tackles I saw all night was when Major Hut Spitz tackled that guy on that interception.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_02: That was a great play.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_02: He I would you should go back and see it.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_02: Um I'm thinking here comes this little sophomore quarterback, this fast defensive back running right at him.
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_02: He's gonna juke him and score.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_02: He's never gonna see him.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_02: Man, that kid broke down.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_02: He he didn't just grab him and tackle him like a kicker, making a la a saving tackle.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_02: He nailed him.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_02: He he made a great tackle.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_02: And uh I was really impressed with that play, as you can tell.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_02: But uh crazy game.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um homecoming game.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_02: I I think that they they took Blunt um lightly and it came back to bite him.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_02: Um we'll talk a little bit about Blunt trying to play against um they got uh Spanish Forders Forders.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_02: We'll see if if that running game they have is really that good or if Gulf Shores was just thinking they they just show up that for that game, you know, before they got so far behind.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_02: But but Blunt was really running the ball on them very, very easily.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_02: So we'll see what happens.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_02: But it was a fun game to be at and to watch.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so a bit of uh potentially a bit of a come come down to earth moment for for Golf Shores, which um I feel like every every great team needs, and it's almost, you know, it's almost great that that you get to have that moment coming off of a win.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: And so um, yeah, you know, I think they they learned a lot of lessons as a program that, you know, is um trying to uh reach that level that they were at in 2023 when they were, you know, going undefeated expecting to win.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: You know, now they're kind of learning how to rehandle that.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um and so yeah, to your point, I mean, yeah, Carter Davis, 65 yards on the ground, 48 through the air, two touchdowns.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but yeah, I mean, I think Breritan really he led the team with 62 receiving yards and really kind of seemed seemed like he was the one that sparked that rally.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but yeah, I also gotta appreciate your shout out for Hud Smith showing that that quarterbacks can tackle uh as well.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_00: You know, that they certainly aren't usually labeled the toughest guys out there.
• 4:50
  SPEAKER_02: But um That wasn't a quarterback making a game uh a touchdown saving tackle.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_02: That was a football player who broke down and hit that guy.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_00: There you go.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Might be seeing major lineup uh linebacker maybe next week.
• 5:01
  SPEAKER_00: Who knows?
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: But um yeah, I'll I'll quickly ask before we move on.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: Just why where where does that rank up there in terms of games that you've kind of you've kind of watched in this area over the years, high school football-wise?
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: Just where does that rank in terms of just crazy kind of finishes and and how it played out?
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's that's right up there.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um, especially considering how you know I was sitting in the stands.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I I don't walk up and down the sidelines anymore.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_02: I I'm not sure I could do a whole game doing that.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_02: But uh I was with fans and and they were dejected.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_02: I they and I I was thinking to myself, this game's this is over.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_02: Blunt's just gonna keep running.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_02: I told him I would give the ball to um, I can't remember the kid's name, number one for Blunt.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_02: I said, I would give it to him until they, you know, until his legs fell off.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um the and it looked like they would have been dead, but they came back and they just kept fighting and and found a way.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: And it's it's especially interesting that that that was the case considering, I mean, Golf Schwartz has a very formidable um front seven, you know, obviously Gabriel Irvin kind of leading the way, but there's there's a plenty of guys up front that are that are strong.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: And so it's, you know, again, was it them overlooking the opponent or was it you know potentially a little bit of a weak point that this undefeated team now needs to kind of uh key in on as the uh as the weeks go by?
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: Um because yeah, I mean, as as we kind of mentioned, this the you know, their region is shaping up as tough.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, they've already got the win over Sarah Land, but Theodore is going to be a tough out.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: Spanish Fort, uh, who we're gonna talk about right now, is actually gonna be um looking like they're really surging to be a strong team.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: Um they took on Baldwin County uh on Friday night, hosting them, uh returning for the f uh to the Hill for the first time since week one, excuse me.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and they they kind of gave their fans plenty to cheer about it.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_00: A 28 to nothing win.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_00: Um Baldwin County kind of continued a very challenging slate of games with with this road matchup.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: Um they're their third in a row uh away from home.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_00: Um and the Tigers just really couldn't find an offensive rhythm.
• 6:54
  SPEAKER_00: Um our uh Gulf Coast Media's athlete of the week just announced this morning.
• 6:58
  SPEAKER_00: Uh Ford Turner, he notably racked up over 120 total yards of offense as just a sophomore tailback.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: Um the Toros defense continue to really just be a suffocating unit that's kind of played a large factor in this team, currently sitting at three and one.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: Um, because I mean, yeah, I mean, when you look at it, they have Daphne was a defensive grudge match, Foley came down to the closing moments um in still a game in which both teams run to 30 points, and then they held Alberta and Baldwin County to six and zero points.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: So I think they coach Smith and that team, they definitely developed an identity of, you know, hey, we've got uh a running dual threat quarterback in Jalen Thibodeau, we've got some athletes, and we've got a great defense.
• 7:38
  SPEAKER_00: So we're gonna be run first, we're gonna make these games low-scoring and ugly, and and just see kind of um, you know, where things go from there.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_00: They they're clearly they've displayed they're a gritty team, they've played in close games so far, so they're battle-tested.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and I think it really bodes well for them as they kind of um head into this back half of the schedule, where as I mentioned, they've got dates with Gulf Shores, Sarah Land, um, Theodore, Blunt all down the line, but Gulf Shores and Sarah Land will both have to come visit the Hill.
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_00: So um will be very interesting matchups.
• 8:08
  SPEAKER_00: And um, I guess I'll pose to you, John, just kind of where where do you see Spanish Ford kind of stacking up in in this district that they're in?
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: You've got, as I mentioned, Saraland, Gulf Shores, Theodore, uh, Blunt, Murphy, uh, Baldwin County, Alberta.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_00: Kind of where how do you see them fitting in that mix?
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: Where preseason, you know, compared to the other Eastern Shore teams, not quite as much was expected Spanish Ford, it seems like.
• 8:31
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, but you know, in the end, they're Spanish Ford and they've they're used to having success and um they're used to having good players and and they still know what they're doing.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_02: It's it's you know, they're getting a little um um, I guess they're they're expected to be that uh uh that way.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_02: And the kids expect that, and so they get out and they go out and play well just about every time.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_02: They didn't score as much as I thought they might against Baldwin County and against Alberta, but you know, that could have been the coach um you know, getting getting young guys in, like the sophomore you were talking about, that had such a great game.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_02: And um, but they're obviously they play hard-nosed defense.
• 9:10
  unknown: Uh-huh.
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_02: And and um that quarterback is a tough kid.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_02: Thibodeau is a really tough guy, and he's gonna create some problems for people with the running game.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_02: Um if you can run and play defense, you know, that's what they're they're doing all that well.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_02: That that's gonna you're gonna win some games.
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_02: And and they're like I said, they're used to winning them.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_02: So they're they're gonna be a it's gonna be a tough region uh to win.
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I mean, as as the age old cliche goes, I mean, uh defense wins championships and pair a nice running game with that, and you've uh you've got something cooking.
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_00: So um, and yeah, and real quick as well, I mean, the Baldwin County perspective, um, as we kind of talked about really throughout this season on the podcast, they're standing at one and three, but they will probably end up being one of the best sub-500 teams in the state, at least at the 5-A level, um, just because their schedule is brutal.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, it was a Fair Hope game that they've lost, that they um were leading for most of the night, and then Theodore was a similarly kind of close back and forth game.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_00: Spanish Force, you know, like they ran out of gas.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_00: That was their third straight road game, as I mentioned, though.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_00: The good news is they now have three straight home games.
• 10:09
  SPEAKER_00: Bad news is that's Sarland this week, Gulf Shores following goodbye, and then Blunt.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_00: So later in the season, you got out Alberta home against Murphy, which are very winnable games that could get them back um on the right track.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_00: But then you close with UMS right.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_00: So um it's just it's a really challenging slate for Baldwin County.
• 10:26
  SPEAKER_00: But hey, I mean, you uh if anything, regardless of the record, you can you can say that in terms of strength of schedule, Baldwin County just play up there with anybody else in in this area.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_00: Um and so gotta give them a lot of credit for that and kind of how they're they're fighting week in and week out.
• 10:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but kind of flipping it around, um looking at another Eastern Shore team alongside Spanish Fort, uh, Daphne hosted uh Baker in a really big time district matchup between both teams entering uh two and one overall um and really looking to kind of get a leg up in the standings and just kind of uh maintain their their strong starts to the season.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_00: Um and Daphne delivered with yet another kind of tightly contested affair.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_00: It seems like every week they're playing one of these games.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_00: Um and they had to rally from a double-digit deficit in the second half, and then they scored with mere minutes remaining to take a 22-19 lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_00: Um, yet again, Daphne defense kind of kept its team in the game early on before South Alabama could make Christian Seeger and the offense found their footing.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: Uh Seeger's three touchdown passes all came um, I believe, in the second half, if not late first half.
• 11:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and it just another week and another close Daphne win where the offense took a bit to get going, but they were able to able to end up pulling through, and now they sit at 3-1 and 2-0 in district play, which um, you know, after the the opening loss to Spanish Ford on the road, I think a lot of people potentially would have had some doubts about Daphne getting uh kind of back to this point at this juncture.
• 11:53
  SPEAKER_00: But you have to give those kids and coaching staff, uh Coach King and and all of them a lot of credit um on just how they were able uh to bounce back from that opener in a in a rivalry loss as well.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_00: So um a really important result for them.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_00: Um, John, just kind of what what are you seeing out of Daphne at this point with how they've been able to bounce back?
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_00: Um and then kind of similarly to what we were talking about with uh Spanish Ford, just how do you see them panning out in a region where they're one of only uh them and Fairhope are the only two teams that are 2-0 um in their 6-8 region, but there's a bunch of teams that have one and one behind them, fully included in that mix, um, as well as a handful of others.
• 12:30
  SPEAKER_00: So just kind of how how do you see, do you think Daphne is the best team in that region, or just how do you see that playing out?
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_02: I don't know if they're the best.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um it's hard to pick a best in that region.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_02: There's four that are pretty good.
• 12:42
  SPEAKER_02: And Fairhope shows up, you know, it seems like at the last minute always.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_02: But Daphne seems to be um gutting out a lot of wins, playing a lot of tough games, and that makes a team stronger, you know, it gives them confidence and it kind of forges them of a strength out of the fire.
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_02: You know, you you know 13 down, come back and win 22 to 19, you know, that's that's pretty good.
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_02: And um real close against um Spanish Fort.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_02: Um they keep winning those kind of games, they're gonna be uh get a lot of confidence and and develop a lot of toughness.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_02: You know, so I say I think they're they're positioning themselves well to make a good run um with the way they're winning and how they're competing.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_02: So but we'll see.
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_02: It's gonna be a tough it's like 5A, the one we were talking about, region 1-5-A.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_02: This is a really tough region, but as is the MS4A one that we that we cover.
• 13:31
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I think you could um um I think what it's called, I think you could make a case for you know three, four, maybe five of these teams in the region too, to end up coming out on top.
• 13:42
  SPEAKER_00: So um, yeah, we'll definitely definitely be interested to see kind of how that one plays out.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of matchups between um Daphne Farob still has to take place, Daphne Foley still has to take place.
• 13:51
  SPEAKER_00: So a lot, a lot will be will be said on um on that front moving ahead.
• 13:55
  SPEAKER_00: But um kind of wraps up our game recaps.
• 13:58
  SPEAKER_00: But I did uh for my kind of you know takeaway for the week, I guess overall, I did want to um, you know, highlight another team in that region, um, which are the Robertsdale Golden Bears, um, who won their their first game of the season, uh, going on the road and taking down Davidson 28-14 in the district matchup.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_00: Um, had been competitive, you know, it started 0-3, yes, but very competitive in losses to a good La Florida team in Mary Montgomery.
• 14:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um and this district victory uh victory was a massive breakthrough for second-year head coach Justin Jones as he kind of looks to build off a four and six six record in his first season at the helm.
• 14:34
  SPEAKER_00: Um and we'll touch on Robert Still's game this week.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_00: They return home to face Fairhope in another district matchup, a massive opportunity for them to kind of pull an upset there.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_00: Um and so we'll see kind of how they fare going forward.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_00: But um a big opportunity for them, but definitely wanted to highlight them being able to um pick up their first victory of the season and um kind of see see where they can go from there.
• 14:55
  SPEAKER_00: But um, yeah, John, uh you're you're also kind of just major takeaway and some things you're thinking about kind of at this this midseason point.
• 15:02
  SPEAKER_02: Well, like we were talking about a little bit earlier, the separation.
• 15:05
  SPEAKER_02: This is a separation weekend with uh I think there's several two and oh uh teams playing each other.
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um and they get that'll give them a chance to move you know further ahead and push other people further behind.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um I think that uh Gulf Shores and Spanish sport probably um will get to three and oh this weekend.
• 15:24
  SPEAKER_02: Um as we'll probably um I'd be surprised if uh we'll talk about that one later though, Blunt and Sarah Land.
• 15:30
  SPEAKER_02: But um yeah, I'd be surprised if if if Blunt can uh pull that out again.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_02: We'll see how tough Blunt is this this week.
• 15:37
  SPEAKER_02: But it's it's a lot of good competition, a lot of good teams.
• 15:41
  SPEAKER_02: Um it's you know, half the teams in the region will make the playoffs, but uh but win in the winning that region is gonna be a big thing, and I think that um all these regions, you know, this is gonna be a big uh big deal, big feather in the cap.
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_02: Who gets to who gets to play at home, who gets to go.
• 15:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, it's uh that's what some of these games are about.
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um the you know, getting your playoff seating.
• 16:07
  SPEAKER_02: You know, that the how you fit finish in that top four would tell whether or not you're gonna travel on that playoff game to start with.
• 16:14
  SPEAKER_00: You know, first round.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_00: Exactly.
• 16:17
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and that's um that that kind of leads me into my my next thing as we kind of start, yeah, getting later in September, you know, teams, coaches, fans are gonna start focusing more on the the playoff um kind of seating and how the standings are looking up.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um in terms of just kind of the the county as a whole, um just checking in real quick, uh I kind of again we'll we'll check in each week on how the teams are faring um in the standings.
• 16:38
  SPEAKER_00: Gulf Shores Orange Beach obviously still undefeated at 4-0, as we've talked about.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: Um, Bayside still at 3-0.
• 16:44
  SPEAKER_00: They'll they'll catch up with their fourth um, or at least with their extra game, I guess, next week while everybody else is on a bye, so they'll even out.
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um and then as we've touched on a lot, I mean a big log jam in the middle.
• 16:55
  SPEAKER_00: You got Daphne, Faro, Spanish Fort all at 3-1, Foley at 2-2, kind of sitting there right in the middle.
• 17:01
  SPEAKER_00: And then you got Snook, Bowen County, Bayeshore, Roberts still right behind.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_00: St.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_00: Michael and Alberta being the only two teams that have not uh won a game yet.
• 17:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, obviously for St.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_00: Michael, I think A, they've only played three games, B, you know, quarterback injuries, yes, and they've also been close in every one of those losses, you would argue.
• 17:17
  SPEAKER_00: And so um, I think the first one for them is coming pretty soon.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um Bay Shore and Snook Christian play each other in two weeks' time.
• 17:23
  SPEAKER_00: I'm planning on being on site for that once, that should be a fun kind of small school matchup.
• 17:27
  SPEAKER_00: Um, but just kind of looking overall, just you know, we've talked plenty about Gulf Shore is Orange Beach, and we, you know, I imagine we'll talk plenty more about them later on, but just in looking at the middle, you know, let's look at you know Bayside through through Foley, for instance.
• 17:40
  SPEAKER_00: Just kind of who Bayside Daphne Farrow Spanish Board Foley, who stands out kind of in that groove to you, who could be that best team that, you know, is right up there in that upper tier with potentially Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um, I I'll say personally, I I haven't I want to Bayside play St.
• 17:56
  SPEAKER_00: Michael next week, and I want to see them take on an opponent of that caliber uh before I make a firm judgment on them, although they are probably the the um safest pick for that that third spot.
• 18:06
  SPEAKER_00: Um but I'll I gotta say I do really the stride that Fair Hope is hitting right now, and similar to how we were talking about Spanish Fort with them finding an identity, Fairhope is kind of the same identity, if anything, physical run game, tough defense.
• 18:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um I really like how they're playing uh first year under head coach Caleb Ross.
• 18:25
  SPEAKER_00: And so I'll I'll pick them at this stage to be my team that's next up.
• 18:29
  SPEAKER_00: Um with a subtle nod at Foley, I think is also better than two and two, and I think they're gonna start showing that uh as they kind of um gel more with this new staff and some new players coming up.
• 18:39
  SPEAKER_00: But just kind of your your your team to beat out of out of that little group, I guess.
• 18:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, kind of leaning toward um Fairhope.
• 18:46
  SPEAKER_02: Um they're doing a lot like um we were talking about earlier, Spanish uh Spanish Fort, gutting out wins, finding a way to win, you know, that that builds confidence.
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_02: And Fairhope's done that two or three times, you know.
• 18:57
  SPEAKER_02: To have lost to Baldwin County would have been disastrous for them.
• 19:01
  SPEAKER_02: And they figured out a way to come back and get it, and uh and like that just builds confidence when you pull those games off like that.
• 19:08
  SPEAKER_02: Um when you you find a way to win.
• 19:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um and and I've they're they're a good that's a good choice for for third.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_02: Um I do think Foley's gonna get better.
• 19:18
  SPEAKER_02: Uh I really don't think we've seen the real Foley yet.
• 19:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um it may take Daphne to bring it out because I don't think they like each other a lot.
• 19:25
  SPEAKER_02: Or they like playing each other a lot.
• 19:27
  SPEAKER_02: It's a good rivalry game.
• 19:28
  SPEAKER_00: And uh that was that was one of the first things I learned when I when I moved down here that uh about that rivalry and about, I mean, uh I was at a fully practice, I saw one of the the players had a beat Daphne ridden on his uh his back plate um during during the practice.
• 19:42
  SPEAKER_00: So yeah, that was uh that was something I pointed out quickly.
• 19:45
  SPEAKER_00: That matchup's still coming uh in a c in a couple weeks.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_00: I believe that's yeah, October 9th.
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_00: Uh so still a bit a ways, but um, that does kind of segue me into um you know, it turning our attention to the upcoming slate of games.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_00: Uh we'll start where where I'll be at, which is gonna be Foley uh hosting that Baker team that we've already talked plenty about.
• 20:02
  SPEAKER_00: Um and it it's gonna be for a myriad of reasons, just a massive game.
• 20:08
  SPEAKER_00: Both teams enter at 2-2 overall and one and one in district play.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_00: Um so Ivan Jones Stadium's figure is be a pressure cooker, especially with this being the first time Foley's been at home since August 28th when they played Spanish Fort Um just under a month ago.
• 20:23
  SPEAKER_00: And so just so much going into this one.
• 20:26
  SPEAKER_00: You know, the victor will get above 500, take plenty of positive momentum into a bye week and kind of that midseason point.
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_00: Well, the loser is going to be really behind the eight-ball for the rest of the season.
• 20:36
  SPEAKER_00: Um and it's it's really a coin flip game.
• 20:38
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, Baker really had Daphne beat last week and kind of relinquish their lead um in the later stages.
• 20:43
  SPEAKER_00: Um, Foley last week, uh, went on the road, beat Alma Bryant in a Thursday night game.
• 20:48
  SPEAKER_00: So they have had um an extra day as well to kind of rest up and prepare for this one.
• 20:52
  SPEAKER_00: Um and so it's a really interesting one.
• 20:55
  SPEAKER_00: I'm still I've still kind of gone back and forth.
• 20:56
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, I'm gonna be there in person, obviously, still kind of gone back and forth on who I can see coming out on top in this one.
• 21:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, I Baker's running back Gavin Wood is is a stud.
• 21:06
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, they are a they are certainly a runner first team and will be very physical with Foley.
• 21:10
  SPEAKER_00: Where um where's the Lions with Judas Spencer and then Jackson Dixon in that passing game?
• 21:14
  SPEAKER_00: They're they're a bit more explosive, we'll spread you out.
• 21:17
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and so kind of a clash of styles in this in this matchup, uh, if you will.
• 21:21
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's it again, it just kind of your perspective on it, John, because I'm still a bit of a toss-up.
• 21:26
  SPEAKER_00: I give Foley with Foley returning home and I'm riding some momentum from from their win last week.
• 21:31
  SPEAKER_00: I I'm giving them the slight edge, but it either way, this one wouldn't surprise me.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_02: This is a really big game for both these guys.
• 21:38
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I was talking about earlier this seeding.
• 21:40
  SPEAKER_02: Um if you're two and one in the region versus one and two, and one of them's gonna be one of the, you know, somebody's gonna be one and two, and somebody's gonna be two and one.
• 21:49
  SPEAKER_02: One and two teams are gonna have a uh tough time getting a higher seed, and and we might be looking at going on the road for those first that first playoff game.
• 21:57
  SPEAKER_02: It's kind of the way I look at it.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_02: This this game is about that.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_02: seeding in a way to me.
• 22:02
  SPEAKER_02: You know, it gives you an upper hand to get one of the top two seeds.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_02: So you can play at home.
• 22:08
  SPEAKER_02: But that that's kind of how I see it going.
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_02: It's I think it'll be tight.
• 22:12
  SPEAKER_02: Um Foley, like you said, it's going to be rocking.
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_02: I I kind of feel like the home crowd will probably um pull them through.
• 22:22
  SPEAKER_02: But it it's it's probably going to be really close and in another game right down to the end.
• 22:28
  SPEAKER_02: So that'll be fun to watch.
• 22:29
  SPEAKER_00: It's kind of been the theme of the season.
• 22:30
  SPEAKER_00: And I mean yeah I mean Foley's last home game was that goal line stand against Spanish Ford in the the closing second.
• 22:35
  SPEAKER_00: So I mean it it it would it would uh hold hold serve if if that is the case.
• 22:40
  SPEAKER_00: But elsewhere uh kind of in Baldwin County our only uh intra-county matchup of the week um will be Robertsdale welcoming uh Fairhope to town with the Golden Bears kind of looking to carry over some some positive energy from their first win of the season um but they're going to be taking on this surging Pirate squad um that's really seemed like they've hit their stride in recent weeks.
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_00: An upset would obviously kind of spark a rock celebration in Robertsdale and could potentially propel Jones's team to a second half uh kind of winning streak here.
• 23:09
  SPEAKER_00: But obviously the Pirates as we mentioned kind of enter with a defense that's that's really hitting its stride and a rushing attack that's just laid waste to its past three opponents.
• 23:17
  SPEAKER_00: So um we're gonna have people on site uh covering this one obviously I mean a big game for a ton of reasons you know a county matchup Robert still looking to maintain their momentum um Fair Hope looking to kind of stay ahead in in the district standings and advance to 3-0 overall so um you know obviously Robert's still a an underdog in this one I think the the big key will be you know how do they physically hold up with um uh Fair Hope in the trenches you know specifically with with Nick Ronson Valley um Ronsis Valley excuse me um and that ground attack kind of coming at them you know throughout the night it's not just going to be the first and second quarters that are important it's gonna be how how tired are they when the fourth quarter rolls around because Fair Hope has shown that they don't really get tired or they just fight through it when the when the final frame uh rolls around so that'll be something worth watching but should be a really fun environment um over in Robertsdale and it just should be uh a great game to kind of witness uh Robertsdale um has only played one home game so far this season as well so it will be a welcome site for them to turn home um and as we mentioned they're coming off that 28 to 14 win over Davidson um meanwhile fair hope last week as well uh 24 to 14 over Mary Montgomery uh on the road this is kind of the middle of a three-game homestand for Fairhope um as well so just kind of how you know how I guess how much of a a shot do you give Robert Stale?
• 24:35
  SPEAKER_00: Just kind of do you think they they can keep this one close this week and uh you know pull some off or do you see Fairhope kind of kind of cruising?
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_02: Robert's gonna need some really big plays um you know some exciting plays you know a an intercepted screen pass or a kick a punt return for a touchdown or something to get them fired up and and something to keep it close until the third and fourth quarter.
• 24:58
  SPEAKER_02: I I really don't believe that that that uh that's gonna happen.
• 25:02
  SPEAKER_02: I I'm looking toward Fairhope probably um taking charge and and um and winning probably I don't know if they'll win big but it'll be 10 points probably or so.
• 25:12
  SPEAKER_02: And and they they're looking to go three and oh in the region and uh so they've got a lot to play for as well.
• 25:17
  SPEAKER_00: But like I say if if Robert Steph can get in there and get the home crowd behind them and get some you know big stops um some sacks you know early turnovers yes just make something happen to to get the crowd into it um that I think that they could they could turn it into a shot then but it's gonna be a tough night um a tough game for them to to win I think that that doesn't mean they can't win you know they um just they're playing hard um they've got a lot of uh spirit about them uh like you say they're coming off a win uh nothing would make them happier than to beat Fairhope uh you know exactly yeah and so yeah definitely uh definitely be interesting it'll take a take a gritty performance out of them um but uh and then kind of last game we want to touch on real quick this week as well um we we mentioned it a couple times already um but yeah Blunt again kind of in the in the Baldwin County spotlight because they're gonna be hosting Spanish Ford for another district contest um Toro still unbeaten at 2-0 in region play um alongside Gulf Shores we've talked about um and yet they're gonna face a big challenge this week going on the road and you know the Leopards are going to be determined to bounce back from that heartbreaking result uh against the Dolphins last week and they have the talent to do so um so I'll throw it to you first uh John just kind of it as you mentioned Blunt with that rushing attack was what did well last week still TBD on if that was more of Golf Shores kind of laying off the horn a bit or um if that was truly them kind of being being that successful.
• 26:45
  SPEAKER_00: But just kind of how how do you see Spanish four handling them a Spanish four team that's gonna kind of come in and employ a similar style with with their dual thread quarterback and a tough defense?
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_02: Well it's according to how Blunt reacts will they it will this be an eye opener for them and say hey we got you know we can play this we can play well we just got to get it back together or is it going to be a backbreaker or like he said a heartbreaker and and they just fall apart and Spanish Fort running all over them.
• 27:11
  SPEAKER_02: I could see either you know I could see a tough game and I could see Spanish Fort running away with it.
• 27:15
  SPEAKER_02: I don't know that I could see Blunt running away with the game.
• 27:18
  SPEAKER_02: I could see them winning the game because they are hard nosed.
• 27:21
  SPEAKER_02: They they do play hard um they need to get a punt game they I noticed somebody was saying in the stands that it's the first time they've ever seen a punt snap come back to the guy and it arked back.
• 27:34
  SPEAKER_02: It went like somebody was throwing a a lob pass rather than shooting it right to them.
• 27:39
  SPEAKER_02: And uh they they can they need some help in that department.
• 27:42
  SPEAKER_02: But um yeah I it's just according to how they react after win they probably should have won that game at Gulf Shores.
• 27:48
  SPEAKER_02: And and then you know how are they going to react to that?
• 27:51
  SPEAKER_02: Is it going to be a positive reaction and saying hey we are that good we can play this well we got to go win one you know or is it going to be oh woe was me we lost that game you know it's it's just according to how they react and and like I've been said about Spanish Fort, they're Spanish Fort they're gonna they're gonna play foot they know how to play football up there.
• 28:08
  SPEAKER_02: And uh could be it could be a fun game to watch because I think they're both real physical and uh they're gonna they're gonna hit each other a lot I think.
• 28:16
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah it'll yeah to you to you um to your point it'll be uh it'll be a physical game and yeah I think a lot of it will come down to you you know how Spanish Fort is uh is coming in there it'll be you know how how does Blunt respond to to that I think will be a big one.
• 28:31
  SPEAKER_00: So um that'll be a big factor in that game.
• 28:33
  SPEAKER_00: Plenty of big games um and as I kind of touched on briefly this is a week where um everybody's playing and then next week we only have three local ball and counted games everybody's kind of on that bye week.
• 28:43
  SPEAKER_00: So this is a really important week in terms of taking momentum into the bye week as you kind of hit that midseason point um and kind of being able to re-evaluate and reassess from there.
• 28:53
  SPEAKER_00: But that's kind of all we have uh for you guys today.
• 28:55
  SPEAKER_00: If you enjoyed what you heard be sure to share the episode on social media platforms and tell you know family, friends or just kind of whoever you think may be interesting sports podcast Fallman County Twist.
• 29:04
  SPEAKER_00: But yeah we'll be back for another episode the same time next week.
• 29:07
  SPEAKER_00: So enjoy this weekend Slate games we'll catch up with you guys then.