Dorman @ Byrnes

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Region II 5A is totally not what we expected back in August. Not by any stretch of imagination did we, or at least I, expect such a crazy season. Riverside favored (although incorrectly favored) over Dorman at Dorman and over Byrnes at home, even though it appeared to be very much in error come Saturday at 8:00 pm. Now, maybe it can get back to normal this weekend. Byrnes and Dorman get together and Dorman’s chances at winning the Region Championship begin in earnest when they travel to Duncan and Nixon Field. Dorman has had quite a ride so far beginning with that loss at home to Clover and the televised exciting game with Gaffney that came down to the final play. The Rebels have struggled all season with special teams and defense but have played somewhat like expected on offense… especially considering all the injuries at the tailback position.

This game would be important regardless of the Region impact, or even if the braintrust at the SCHSL somehow moved them into different Regions and there was no impact. Being neighbors and with all the history involved between the two, playing each other always brings back some powerful feelings. This week’s game is no exception.

However, the records show that Byrnes should be a big underdog on Friday…… or do they?
Common opponents:
Gaffney – beat Byrnes 45-15 at the Reservation & beat Dorman 42-35 at The U. Numbers seem to show Dorman as the stronger team in this example.
Riverside – lost to Dorman 45-17 at Dorman and lost to Byrnes 70-0 at home. This one, really favors Byrnes.
We have the records: 3-3 for Dorman and 3-4 for Byrnes.
We have the Rebels scoring 294 points!!! And giving up 239 points….
Strength of schedule: Both played Gaffney, and the Rebels have played Dutch Fork while Dorman played at Fort Dorchester… and both lost so two of their losses are completely understandable. Dorman also lost to Clover who is 2-3??? But the Rebels lost to Westside who is 3-4. Dorman’s opponents are 23-16 and Byrnes’ opponents are 34-14 so the Rebels opponents may “appear” to be stronger… or have played a weaker schedule.

What else can we throw in there… other than the kitchen sink? Dorman running a two quarterback system is not something I would expect from Coach Gutshall, but he does whatever it takes to win, always has. If anything is as constant as death and taxes, it is that Dorman will have an offensive line and will be able to run the ball. Byrnes better be able to stop a run game or this one will be over early! I did see Gaffney WRs getting open and getting behind the defense and the Rebels have some good WRs and a quarterback that can throw the ball…. So that could be good for the Rebels.

So basically, this is your typical Byrnes -vs- Dorman game and anything is possible. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict this game will live up to history and traditions of the rivalry up to the moment they take the field for the opening kickoff and at that point, this game is like the rest of the season and we may be surprised more than we have all season.

[likeitRnot]

Great post and think a lot of questions will be answered this Friday. Starting with Byrnes, I think this is a must win for Coach Shaw (JMHO ).
The powers that be are starting to get community pressure. Shaw have not beaten Dorman since he been hired . The injuries could maybe buy him another year! Byrnes offense is explosive but their defense is also in a negative way!

Going
Byrnes 35
Dorman 24

[RetiredTXCoach]

Coach Shaw as well as his predecessor Coach Howell had great offenses at Flora but bad defenses. Scoring in the 50's but giving up 50. Shaw has continued that trend with the Rebels. It is also why Coach Curtis has been successful at Flora, although he had been the O Coordinator under Shaw he has stressed Defense. Defense wins championships.

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Dorman pulls away in the third quarter for 12 point win.

It hurt to type that!

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Dorman pulls away in the third quarter for 12 point win.

It hurt to type that!

Well they had their chance in the third quarter but it was Byrnes who made the big play with a huge defensive stand in their own territory and then again in the fourth quarter as well.

[likeitRnot]

Dorman pulls away in the third quarter for 12 point win.

It hurt to type that!

Well they had their chance in the third quarter but it was Byrnes who made the big play with a huge defensive stand in their own territory and then again in the fourth quarter as well.

Defense definitely showed up last . Offense had some penalties that absolutely killed them and I thought it would cause Byrnes but it ended up causing Dorman late in the 4th quarter with the holding call as it appeared they were going in to score being up 17-13 . You right just let Byrnes keep hanging around and with an explosive offense you knew they were due a big play .
The Cook kid ( Sophomore) RB is a stud .

[Rebel-Fan-74]

I was so upset with the way we kept making HUGE mistakes and not taking advantage of opportunities last night.

Sacks, as you mentioned, were in my mind on the QB. You can't hold the ball that long and expect the line to keep blocking. If there is nothing there, you either run or throw it away. Holding calls by the umpire all night, and there were three taunting calls. One, by us in front of their bench was obvious. One by their defender who even slapped our player on the helmet was obvious. One on our LB #8 was nothing more than the White Hat being a jerk and trying to help Dorman (which he did several times last night). Referee, white hat, was a Dorman man for sure!

Good to see #46 back kicking PATs and FGs as we really missed him. I honestly felt like we were behind by 21 instead of 4 points in the third quarter as I just didn't feel like we were going to hold them, but the "D" stepped up and made the plays and that offense just kept trying and trying even with the penalties and those dadgummed sacks. I'm not even going to mention my utter dismay at our playcalling..... 80 yard TD on the 3rd play of the game and we didn't try to go deep again until the 4th quarter????

It's like we didn't start the season until two weeks ago? But you have to give them credit, it has been a tough non-region schedule:

#1 Dutch Fork
#3 Gaffney
Chapman is a good football team even if they are 3A.
#4 T L Hanna this week

I think if we end up at #2 spot for Region II, we could win in week one of the playoffs and then face a trip to Northwestern where it would be a very tough game to win!