Latest / The Gulf Coast Sports Pulse with Gulf Coast Media / Episode 8 - Daphne's thrilling win over Foley and marquee matchups on the Eastern Shore.

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Episode 8 - Daphne's thrilling win over Foley and marquee matchups on the Eastern Shore. · The Gulf Coast Sports Pulse with Gulf Coast Media

• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: You are listening to the Gulf Coast Sports Pulse.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: All Baldwin County athletics all the time.
• 0:18
  SPEAKER_02: Hello and welcome back to the Gulf Coast Sports Pulse.
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_02: My name is Parker Gillum, the sports editor here with Gulf Coast Media, and uh joined as always by local athletics guru John Mullen as we discuss all the recent happenings in Baldwin County High School football as we uh approach kind of the latter stages of the season with uh just three weeks left in the the regular season as a whole.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_02: So um start us off, kind of kind of recapping what went down last weekend.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_02: And you know, obviously uh I think one of the one of the big storylines around the games was was um you know Hurricane Isaiah kind of coming in and wreaking havoc uh in the region.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_02: You know, fortunately the the Gulf Shores area was not too too heavily affected uh in comparison with some other places that you know we certainly um you know keep keeping our thoughts uh you know in that that Pensacola, Florida panhandle region.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_02: Um but as a result, every single coastal game you know you you could think of was rescheduled to Thursday night last week.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_02: Um and that meant that the uh the Daphne Trojans would be paying a visit to the Foley Lions for a uh kind of unique Thursday night rivalry matchup, um, a massive game in terms of you know region and playoff implications.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um and the game was kind of fitting with that tone.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_02: It was intense, back and forth.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, it featured a 9-0 burst from the visitors to start out, and then foley ripped off 17 straight to take momentum right into halftime uh before the Trojans were able to kind of battle back and then score 15 unanswered and take home a really important 24 to 17 road win, keeping them atop the region standings um uh by default of Fairhope losing that same night to Baker, uh actually kept them uh in sole possession of first place of uh the top spot.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_02: And then the Lions dropped a four and three overall, and uh it would be uh a sizable uphill climb considering they've lost Fair Hope and Daphne.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_02: They need a lot to happen for them to be able to finish in that top one or two uh within the region.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_02: But um, yeah, just a close game, John.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_02: You I know I I think that you you watched it, unless I'm mistaken as well.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_02: So just I'll I'll start with getting your thoughts before I go into kind of what all what I saw.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_01: Well, it was um game of streaks, like you were saying, and nine to nine to nothing Daphne, then 17-nothing Foley, and then Daphne took charge and uh scored the last 15 points.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_01: Um yeah, it was it was a really good game.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_01: Um Daphne just uh had a little bit more in the end.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_01: Um they just kept coming.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_01: Uh great game.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_01: Um and it sets him up to be the region champs pretty much.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I mean, all things considered, I mean, uh Fairhope could still, I mean, they they'll host Fairhope uh next weekend, and um Farr so Fairhope could technically still make some noise, but uh with them having lost to Baker now, especially, um their Martin Ferrero is essentially zero in that.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_02: So Daphne definitely in the driver's seat there.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um and yeah, I mean, game of runs for sure.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think it was one where Daphne won the game, and I I I would be willing to say that for the most part, they played this game at the tempo and the pace that they wanted.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_02: You know, Foley's been an up and down, explosive offensive team this season.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_02: Daphne's been much more balanced, um, you know, defensively has been one of the best in the region.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_02: And so that they really made this game, slowed the game down, not too many possessions.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_02: They were able to run the ball well.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and then Christian Seeger late really gutsy um, you know, running the ball, especially, which is something he's put on display before, but he isn't necessarily known for.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and I think he really, you know, it gave those South Alabama fans some else to look forward to, say, hey, we we got a you know, potentially a dual threat even coming in here on top of the frame that he possesses and the arm talent he has.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_02: So um yeah, but him, Tay Young in the backfield as well with him had a had great games.
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_02: And the Daphne defense really just bowed up in that second half, um, you know, pitching that shutout, and Foley just really couldn't get uh anything going.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_02: Um so big result, kind of everything you want.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I mean, the scenes, I mean the sky, I don't know if you saw any of the photos from that that uh Micah Green and I got were um just incredible scenes out there.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, it looked like um, I mean, the sky was like orange and dark red with like spotted gray clouds.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, it almost looked like we were like Mike had photos of Foley players like hanging out of the fence beforehand, and it looked like they were like just like in the bowels of hell almost, because it just the sky was just, it seemed like the world was ending.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_02: It was crazy.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um so definitely, definitely a unique atmosphere, something that I, you know, I I've never seen before, probably won't see again in terms of playing a game right before the hurricane rolls in, but they uh but they got it in, um, which is something we'll we'll kind of touch on a little bit.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_02: But um moving on to what, at least in my opinion, and maybe I'm off base in this, um, but what what may have been the most impressive performance of the weekend, I thought, uh, was Spanish Ford going on the road to Theodore, you know, and a big pivotal, you know, uh area swing game for them.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_02: And they just dominated with a 31-7 victory, keeping them unblemished in league competition um and setting up a massive home day with Gulf Shores this Friday, which we'll touch on in a bit.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_02: But um, I I was somewhat surprised to see Spanish Ford, you know, I certainly thought that they could win this game, but by this margin, I was surprised to see them go on the road and play a respectable team like that.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_02: Were you were you similar?
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_02: Did you did you see this coming?
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_02: I know you did pick Spanish Ford last week.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I I kind of figured Spanish Ford would do it.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_01: Um, I did a little research.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_01: I didn't realize that um Theodore had beaten them at home last year.
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_01: And I think they were trying to get a little bit of revenge um in there.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_01: But they they're peeking at the right time, they're playing uh hard nose, like you were talking about Daphne.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_01: They're kind of slow and methodical, but they're gonna get it done.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_01: Um, and they always don't rely on that quarterback, you know, at in late in the games.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_01: And uh they didn't need him late in the game this time.
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_01: But uh yeah, they're they're a solid team and they're they continue to get better, I think.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_02: I think it's really a group that, you know, I from what I could tell coming into this season, speaking to them, even themselves, you know, it wasn't um compared to some of these other teams in Bowling County, they didn't have the highest expectations per se, you know.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_02: But I think they kind of own that mindset, that underdog um, you know, kind of mantra, and they they've really run with it throughout the season.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_02: I think it started with that with that Daphne opener and winning that game, I think almost proved to probably the players themselves that hey, we we can be, you know, this team that everybody's kind of the coaches and everybody's telling us that we could be.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_02: And so um, I think they've really run with that since then, and it's been really impressive to watch and just a team that you don't want to play.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, it's you don't you don't necessarily look at them and say, you know, oh, X, Y, and Z are their strengths, and man, I mean, we're really worried about this.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_02: It's more just can you really can you beat this team for four quarters?
• 6:24
  SPEAKER_02: You can beat them for one or two, maybe, but I this is a Spanish sport is a team that is gritty and tough, and they're gonna play you for the full 48 minutes, and you better bring it back, or else you're gonna get run out of the building.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so again, we'll we'll talk about them plenty later with the with the Gulf Shores matchup looming this weekend on the Hill, which will be um a much uh a lot of fun to take in.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but last but not least, um kind of wanted to touch uh really briefly on this one as well.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_02: Another um, you know, uh impressive result, I guess, for lack of a better term for me, but uh Bayside uh going on the road and just uh cruising press past Providence Christian 49 to 14.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_02: Uh a game, yes, Bayside was expected to win, but Providence Christian is still a solid team.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_02: And to go on the road, especially when Bayside spent the first month and a half of their season not playing a road game.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_02: So this was only, I believe, their second, second or third, I believe second road game of the season.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_02: Um and then uh but again, another huge game for quarterback Davis Bornett, who is, I mean, well on his way to setting, if not already, multiple school records, area records, I mean, what have you.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_02: He is having, I mean, an other other worldly, regardless of the competition.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_02: I know a lot of people talk about, you know, based on being somewhat of a smaller private school and the teams he plays, even just completing, I mean, he's completing almost, I think it's 75-80% of his passes this season.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, that's absurd.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_02: He had, there was a time period he had more touchdowns than incompletions by like it was week four or five.
• 7:46
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, those, no matter who you're playing, that is impressive.
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and that that offense with Barrett Trotter, obviously, um, and his staff kind of kind of guiding them along, they have been really explosive throughout throughout this season.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_02: So um, yeah, I mean, uh, John, uh, in two parts.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, one, uh what what more can we say about Barnett, uh, I guess at this point in terms of his play?
• 8:04
  SPEAKER_02: And then, you know, looking ahead, come how how do you like how Baysides kind of bounced back from that St.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_02: Michael loss?
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_02: And, you know, do you still see them as kind of the same state title favorite they did before the season?
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I think so.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_01: Um a lot of people are gonna use St.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_01: Michael, especially when they get their their guy back.
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_01: Um but you know, I that the only note I wrote on this game was 374 yards is a lot.
• 8:27
  SPEAKER_01: I don't care who you're playing.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_01: That that's a great performance by that quarterback.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_01: It doesn't no matter what league you're in, that's that's a lot.
• 8:33
  SPEAKER_01: And you say he's doing 78, you know, 80% completion rate.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_01: Uh that's uh that's pretty stout.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_01: Um but he's um they got a big game coming up too.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_01: I did a little bit of reading about it as well.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_01: And um, so we'll it's gonna be interesting to see.
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_01: But I think they're still a contender.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_01: You know, they played for it last year, they'll they'll be hanging around looking for it.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and his um and it he it Barnett gets a lot of the attention, but his uh his targets out wide, I mean Lad Power's a tight end, is a big time target, but then Walker Collins leads the team receiving.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_02: He caught all eight of his targets last week, um, big time.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_02: And then Nolan Wells in the backfield has has been really good to balance things out there for him.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_02: So um, yeah, it's it they're humming over in Daphne right now, and we'll see.
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_02: Um again, we'll, as you mentioned, we'll they got a big one this week, and we'll we'll talk about it uh here in a bit.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_02: But um before we get into all that, uh as usual, kind of want to do our usual takeaways from uh from the weekend.
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_02: And um I think I'll I I'll talk a bit about just the the adaptability of the area was kind of the the story of the weekend in terms of you know second straight week in which a lot of the majority of teams in this area move their games up to a Thursday night.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, and obviously coaches, administrators, they players, I mean, they don't love that because you know your schedule gets thrown at the whack, your routine, I mean, it uh it can disrupt things.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_02: And so um but unless I'm mistaken, I mean, not a single team has had to cancel or forfeit a game yet.
• 9:50
  SPEAKER_02: So credit does have to go to you know, coaches, administrators on both sides, visitor and home side, um, in terms of still getting all these games in while dealing with you know some some very adverse weather, especially for this um time of year.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and I just I think, you know, for instance, I mean, we had Orange Beach uh playing on Monday night uh against Satsuma and ended up moving their game over there, clinched a playoff berth um, you know, on that Monday night.
• 10:13
  SPEAKER_02: Now they have the bye week this week.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_02: So it's set up pretty well for Orange Beach in terms of how that worked out.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um then similarly, St.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_02: Michael played a Monday afternoon game after Houston Academy originally forfeited their matchup, then said no, we'll we'll play you on Monday.
• 10:25
  SPEAKER_02: Um so they played Monday afternoon.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_02: Gunner Rivers, um, as we touched on briefly, uh he did come back and play.
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_02: Uh I believe he was nine for twelve, uh, did go for over 100 yards, and I believe it was one or two touchdowns.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_02: He played, and they told me three or four drives in that first half just to kind of you know get his legs wet, see he had a lighter brace, I believe, on the on that knee than what he had had previous weeks.
• 10:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um and I mean he really I mean he looked the same as always if you watch the highlights.
• 10:53
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, he he was throwing, throwing dimes all over the field, and so um I think it was a great kind of way to get him back uh integrated into the offense.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_02: And now, you know, you're St.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_02: Michael, you're above 500 at four and three.
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, now that you got your quarterback back, everything's in front of you.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, there's no, regardless of the record, you're automatically making the playoffs regardless, but they're still, you know, you you can see them probably winning almost every game the rest of the regular season if this carries on.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_02: Um and we talk a lot about Gunnar coming back.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_02: Nigel Mitchell, of course, does deserve a shot at us.
• 11:21
  SPEAKER_02: I believe he went for over 250 rushing yards again, multiple touchdowns, ripped off a 90 yarder.
• 11:26
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, this kid, I mean, it's it's it's on he's almost it's almost to the point where if Nigel Mitchell doesn't go for over 200, I'm I'm scratching my head a little bit, almost confused.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, it's been almost every week that this kid's doing this.
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_02: So um really, really impressive stuff from both of those teams.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_02: But but yes, overall credit to these schools for still getting all these games in, adapting around the weather.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_02: Um so John, I'll throw it to you for for your takeaway.
• 11:47
  SPEAKER_01: Well, you know, um I just don't know a coach that would say uh he wanted to keep playing uh when the grass turned brown because that's that's playoff time and that the weather that has a lot to do with that.
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_01: It's getting cooler and all that.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_01: But but in South Alabama everybody's got artificial turf, so I guess he's uh not gonna see any brown this year, but uh um there's not many grass fields out there.
• 12:08
  SPEAKER_01: I thought um the the weather's gonna be nice.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_01: It's gonna be nice and uh cool to watch.
• 12:15
  SPEAKER_01: Lots of good lots of good football games and uh I'm ready to see it.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I am uh I am too.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, things are knock on wood these.
• 12:26
  SPEAKER_02: I think you know, this Wednesday and this Thursday are probably the last hot days we're getting, and we're gonna get some real football weather from from here on out.
• 12:32
  SPEAKER_02: So that that should be good.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_02: So we'll uh we'll hope for that.
• 12:35
  SPEAKER_02: Um and we'll we'll hope that that kind of starts out uh this Friday ideally.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_02: Um uh because we'll shift our attention to that upcoming slate of games and um we'll start with where I'll be at.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_02: And we talked about it, you know, alluded to it already.
• 12:48
  SPEAKER_02: Spanish Fort and Gulf Shores on the Hill, contest that will feature plenty of postseason implications along with local bragging rights.
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um it was interesting.
• 12:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um I looking it up, Spanish Fort all-time record between these two schools, 16 and 2.
• 13:02
  SPEAKER_02: Gulf Shores beat them last year, but before that had lost 16 in a row to Spanish Fort, you know.
• 13:08
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so a lot of storylines to follow with this one.
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_02: John, I'll throw it to you first and just kind of get your initial thoughts before I kind of go into what what I'm expecting.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_01: I think what this the fall down to in this game will be the the Spanish Fort defense against Gulf Shores offense.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_01: Gulf Shores has a little bit more dynamic offense than Spanish Fort.
• 13:27
  SPEAKER_01: Now, Spanish Fort can get it done, they're gonna gut out some points.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_01: Can their defense hold um Gulf Shores down to keep the game close?
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_01: And and I really think that's what's gonna happen.
• 13:37
  SPEAKER_01: It's gonna be a they're gonna each one of them is gonna kind of gut out a few points here and there, and then let in the end of the game, somebody's gonna have to make a big play, and somebody from one of these teams will uh to win it in the fourth quarter.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_01: And I think you might see two or three plays that win it, you know, one win it and another one to make another play.
• 13:54
  SPEAKER_01: But I think it's gonna be that kind of game.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_01: Um I don't see one of them blowing the other one out.
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and I think it's um to your point, uh is similar to how how I looked at that Daphne Foley game last week.
• 14:04
  SPEAKER_02: It's it's clash of styles in a lot of ways.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_02: Spanish Ford's gonna, you know, more defensive-minded, they're gonna want to keep things on the ground more so, you know, hopefully rip off a couple explosive plays, win turnover battle.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, whereas Golf Shores wants this to be a free-flowing up-tempo, let's let's air it out, let's maximum amount of possessions, let's let's get the ball rolling.
• 14:22
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so it clash of styles, as always, it'll be whichever one wins out for the teams.
• 14:28
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think Spanish Ford being at home definitely does help them, I think, in coming off that big victory over Theodore.
• 14:34
  SPEAKER_02: They have a lot of momentum, they're riding into this.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_02: Um it's it's it's really tough for me to to pick against the Spanish Ford team almost at this point.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think the the the it's one of those where your head says Gulf Shores, your heart might say Spanish Ford just because of how things have gone this season thus far.
• 14:50
  SPEAKER_02: But um I definitely expect it to be one.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_02: If we know anything about Spanish Fort, you know, at least early in the season, it was it came down to fourth the the fourth quarter with a lot of their big games.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_02: So um I expect that this weekend as well.
• 15:01
  SPEAKER_02: Um I'll give Gulf Shores the the slight edge, at least as a now, just because I I see them being able to um create manufacture more explosive plays than Spanish Fort does.
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_02: And if the Toros aren't able to offset that with turnovers, I don't think they'll be able to end up pulling it off.
• 15:16
  SPEAKER_02: But it'll be a fun one regardless.
• 15:18
  SPEAKER_02: Should be an incredible atmosphere.
• 15:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, as you said, weather should be great.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_02: It it should be a quintessential uh Friday night lights uh experience, if if you will.
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_02: So um and both teams, you know, regardless win or lose, both teams have plenty to look forward to in terms of playoffs the rest of the season.
• 15:32
  SPEAKER_02: They'll likely um likely, well, Spanish Fort will still have a date with Sarah Land next week at home.
• 15:38
  SPEAKER_02: So that depending on how things work out, they could still finish second, they could still finish third.
• 15:42
  SPEAKER_02: So a lot will be determined in that region uh with Golf Shores already uh obviously owning the win over uh Sarah land.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um but over in Daphne, uh, you know, another one we we kind of already touched on a little bit, but uh Bayside Academy is playing at home for the first time September, if you can believe that or not, um, because they're scheduled, you know, five straight home games to start the season, then I believe it was two on the road.
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, but they're gonna welcome Mobile Christian for a clash of their last remaining unbeaten squads within their district.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so therefore everything is gonna be on the line for these kind of powerhouses who, you know, always eye each other from across the bay, from what I can tell.
• 16:15
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and you know, we we've talked plenty about Davis Barnett, this Admiral offense, how well they're playing.
• 16:21
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, but Mobile Christian is, I believe it's seven and one overall or six and one, one of the two, and um a really tough team there on regard.
• 16:28
  SPEAKER_02: I think this is a matchup that both teams have kind of had circled on their schedules in terms of this is the biggest game for us in terms of playoffs.
• 16:33
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think both these teams have state title aspirations, and therefore they want that one seed out of this region because that gives you the most favorable pathway.
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_02: So um I guess John, I mean, I'm not again new to the area this year.
• 16:46
  SPEAKER_02: I'm not super familiar with Mobile Christian historically.
• 16:48
  SPEAKER_02: Just, you know, how how do you like Bayside's chances, you know, hosting uh Mobile this week?
• 16:53
  SPEAKER_01: Um I think when they're gonna see a good game.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_01: Um I've looked at the scores and both teams score a lot of points.
• 16:59
  SPEAKER_01: Um and they both play pretty good defense if you just you know look at their uh overall stats for the year.
• 17:04
  SPEAKER_01: But I think it's gonna be kind of a wild shootout type uh uh game because like I said, both of them have scored in the 40s regularly.
• 17:12
  SPEAKER_01: And uh that may have been the competition.
• 17:14
  SPEAKER_01: I guess it'll come down to it's kind of like playing BYU, you know, whose defense is gonna get a stop, you know, back in the day when they would just score every time.
• 17:21
  SPEAKER_01: You had to stop them once, but they could, you know, they couldn't stop you.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_01: Who gets who gets that one critical defensive stop in the game?
• 17:27
  SPEAKER_01: That that could be the difference.
• 17:29
  SPEAKER_02: See, I feel like um, you know, and not to not to date you by any means, but I feel like my my generation, my generation would be like, oh, remember back in the like the Big 12 days when it was like Texas Tech Baylor throwing it around.
• 17:39
  SPEAKER_02: But for you, it's it's BYU and in that that era, which which is fair.
• 17:42
  SPEAKER_02: I like that too.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_02: That's a good uh good piece of lore.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_02: But uh yeah, and you're you're right about that.
• 17:47
  SPEAKER_02: I could see plenty of points being scored, um, you know, similar to what I was talking about with Goldstore Spanish 4.
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_02: And it sounds obvious to say every time, but um, you know, I think whichever defense can steal a couple possessions via turnovers or just winning the field position battle, you know, dominating that battle, I guess, and to say it another way, um, that could go a long way as well when you've got two offenses that are humming like they are.
• 18:07
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but that's flipping it up to uh a little bit more, what what will more than likely be a lower scoring contest?
• 18:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, Daphne survived one tough road test in fully last weekend.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_02: But before they get their much anticipated home matchup with Fairhope, they gotta they gotta survive one more tough road trip.
• 18:23
  SPEAKER_02: Um they're gonna go on the road this week uh to face Mary Montgomery, who, despite some off-field issues, you know, kind of regarding the programs, uh coaching and you know, lawsuits, AHSA, you know, all that, all that kind of stuff.
• 18:35
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they're still only one loss in district play um above 500 on the season and have have really been a tough out uh this season thus far.
• 18:43
  SPEAKER_02: And so it's you know, I you don't you don't want to, it's tough in high school football to say trap game.
• 18:47
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, that's I I kind of reserve that more for the college and pro levels, and it's an overused term probably anyways, but it falls in that vein where it's it's this is a matchup sandwiched between two rivalry matchups.
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_02: You got a home game with Fairhope next week.
• 19:01
  SPEAKER_02: You're you're riding high.
• 19:02
  SPEAKER_02: They've won, I mean, it's six games in a row now since that first week of the season.
• 19:07
  SPEAKER_02: And you know, it's it's one, I think the the coaching staff at Daphne uh, you know, just hopes that their guys don't overlook.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_02: And I don't think they will by any means.
• 19:15
  SPEAKER_02: They're they're a veteran team.
• 19:16
  SPEAKER_02: Uh it's a staff that's been around the block a couple times.
• 19:19
  SPEAKER_02: And so um, you know, they're gonna have their guys focused, but I definitely can see Daphne getting pushed to the fourth quarter like they did against Foley last week.
• 19:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and it it'll be interesting to see if they're they're able to kind of do the same thing and outlasting uh a team on the road before they host Fair Hope.
• 19:35
  SPEAKER_02: So um John, have you have you seen enough from Daphne so far to to trust them kind of going on the road with uh with a situation like this?
• 19:42
  SPEAKER_01: I do.
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_01: I do.
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_01: I've looked at uh Mary Montgomery's record and um they they are just one loss, but um, they've played all the um God I don't want to use the term weak sisters, but they've played the lower level of the the the division, yeah, and that's where they won most of their games.
• 19:57
  SPEAKER_01: They haven't played any of the top level teams, and I think the only one they played they lost to.
• 20:01
  SPEAKER_01: It was impressive to see them.
• 20:02
  SPEAKER_01: They held um Baker to 10 points, and Baker, you know how they throw the ball around.
• 20:07
  SPEAKER_01: You hold them to 10.
• 20:08
  SPEAKER_01: So you know, I'm I'm kind of I still think it it'll be a Daphne, uh a strong win for them.
• 20:13
  SPEAKER_01: Uh I just don't see Mary Montgomery standing up to them.
• 20:16
  SPEAKER_01: Um, but they are at home and you know, lightning could strike.
• 20:19
  SPEAKER_01: But we said you know, it seemed like we say that every week about Daphne, and they always pull it out.
• 20:23
  SPEAKER_02: I know, and that's the thing.
• 20:24
  SPEAKER_02: We're kind of at the point now where I'm I'm just kind of default trusting them, you know, at least at least in these kind of games.
• 20:28
  SPEAKER_02: You know, they're just they're they earned my trust last week, I would say.
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_02: But uh yeah, it's interesting.
• 20:32
  SPEAKER_02: You you threw Baker in there too.
• 20:33
  SPEAKER_02: Baker was kind of um, you know, they they lost that shootout to Foley and then they slightly forgotten about it, falling back in the region.
• 20:38
  SPEAKER_02: And then they pull off the road upset over Fairhope last week.
• 20:41
  SPEAKER_02: And that really kind of shook things up in terms of, I mean, their playoff chances, but also um, you know, Fairhope looking to finish in, you know, in the upper tier of the uh region.
• 20:49
  SPEAKER_02: So yeah, it'll be interesting to see how kind of a a lot of that plays out with a couple of these teams, you know, alongside the Baldwin County teams in that region.
• 20:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, again, as as we said earlier, three weeks counting this one left in the regular season, Halloween weekend being the final week in a high school football, and it'll be playoff time after that.
• 21:05
  SPEAKER_02: And, you know, I off the top of my head, I mean, we should have at least eight Baldwin County teams in playoffs, if not more, um, and a decent amount that I I think can make um some some solid runs.
• 21:15
  SPEAKER_02: So um, you know, John, John, I'll uh I'll quickly check in with you before before we sign off.
• 21:19
  SPEAKER_02: Just, you know, I it's been a couple weeks since we talked about, you know, hey, who do we like to make the deepest playoff run?
• 21:25
  SPEAKER_02: Who do we think is the best team?
• 21:26
  SPEAKER_02: Has your opinion changed, or are you still going?
• 21:29
  SPEAKER_02: Uh was your answer, Daphne, last time?
• 21:31
  SPEAKER_02: I forget.
• 21:31
  SPEAKER_02: I know it was mine.
• 21:32
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I was Daphne, and I still think they they do.
• 21:34
  SPEAKER_01: Daphne has they can beat you 14 to 7 and you feel like you lost 28 to 7.
• 21:39
  SPEAKER_01: They're that much in command of the game, even though it's just a one-score.
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_01: And uh it's and I I think that that kind of consistency is is be well in the playoffs.
• 21:48
  SPEAKER_01: You know, they're not up and down.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_01: They're they're they're doing the same thing every almost every week, you know.
• 21:54
  SPEAKER_01: Solid, uh good play and uh both defense and offense.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_01: So I think they got the best shot.
• 21:59
  SPEAKER_01: Um Orange Beach might make a little noise if they get some uh good matchups.
• 22:05
  SPEAKER_01: Um I know we're not talking about Mobile, but Williamson's gonna be crazy good in their in the in the four-way playoff.
• 22:12
  SPEAKER_01: And Gov Shores.
• 22:14
  SPEAKER_01: I think that they could win two or three games.
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_01: It wouldn't surprise me according to who they run up against.
• 22:20
  SPEAKER_01: I know is it Clay Chalville that's really good in that division.
• 22:23
  SPEAKER_02: Yep, yep.
• 22:25
  SPEAKER_02: And then I notably you mentioned Williamson.
• 22:28
  SPEAKER_02: They uh they actually play Williamson uh plays Viger in a neutral site game this week, a massive rivalry game for them.
• 22:34
  SPEAKER_02: But that that'll be huge for Orange Beach um in that region in terms of where they're gonna end up while they're on their bye week.
• 22:40
  SPEAKER_02: Um so yeah, so that that that's a big one just across the state, really.
• 22:43
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, that that could be a you know, I don't know if it could be a state title preview, but it's it's the caliber of that for sure.
• 22:49
  SPEAKER_02: So um, yeah, definitely, definitely Orange Beach fans will be paying attention to that one.
• 22:54
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but yeah, I think I agree with you.
• 22:55
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, it's just consistency is the name of the game with Daphne.
• 22:57
  SPEAKER_02: I just think you you trust them the most week to week.
• 23:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I will say if if Goldstores goes on the road this weekend and they're able to beat Spanish Ford by double digits and they look good doing so, I might be changing my pick because that'll be the second big time road game.
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_02: And it's just if they do that, I mean, they won't have to go on the road for a while in playoffs, but I will even trust them to be able to go onto the road, you know, post-season time and get it done, just based on what they've been able to do so far.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_02: But um, like always, that'll kind of wrap up what we have for you guys today.
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, if you enjoy what you heard, be sure to share the episode on social media platforms and tell family, friends, or just whoever you think maybe an assistant sports podcast, Baldwin County Twist.
• 23:35
  SPEAKER_02: And we'll be back for another episode at the same time next week to recap this recent weekend slate of games.
• 23:40
  SPEAKER_02: So enjoy this uh Friday and we'll we'll catch up with you guys then.