O-line - Swain has a advantage in this area Wilcatt and Panther get off the ball quicker than any other lineman in 1A football. Swain will put the ball in the belly of the FB to there side and 3 yards is almost a given. SWO is no slotch with All-state Devin Valasquez, but overall Swain 0-line gets off the ball quickly.

D-line - SWO has an advantage there, SWO size and aggressiveness with athletic players rotating is an advantage. #72 and again Valasquez and #54 have routinely pushed the line into back field of defenders. Swain again is not slotch in this area. The size of the line makes them impossible to hold on a block, and SWO only gets an advantage b/c of there speed. Swain has held top Running backs in check all year. They do have some problems when going to outside.

Linebackers - This is a push, SWO has #7 and #34, #24. These guys have a great mixture of speed and power, again they are athletic. I call this a push b/c Swain uses there linebackers prolly the best I have seen. When they line up in a 3/4 they make it impossible to pick them up. Swain does not call it a blitz, but there line-man walk up to the line and find the hole often (they are very well coached to notice offensive play calls)

Secondary - Advantage SWO, SWO routinely puts there most explosive offensive players in the secondary. Walker, Shak, and a young Pouncey are all over 6 feet and run like deer. Winbush has also been known to play CB. Tape of Swain I did not see there seconday have to make plays.

(RB) - Push- SWO has 3-4 runners, but they all do the same, what they do has been great. Swain again will have a SOLID fb who can gain 3 yards at any time b/c of the play calling. Swain also deceptive enough to find your week point and hand to RB after faking the FB dive.

QB - actually tougher pick than most SWO think, but advantage SWO. Shak is a headache to any team, and it goes into the fact that b/c of his athletic ability he takes broken plays and makes yards. Swain QB besides being able to put his deep routes on the money, he also will take the ball on a keeper and find the weak points on your line. SWO advantage only b/c Shak makes more plays on his own back. Swain QB is outstanding however.

WR - Swain- There is nothing to argue about. (2) Recievers with over 1,000 yards is just sick in any classification. SWO has a pure WR who again might be the best athlete on the SWO side, but we don't have two of them like Swain.

Just what I think! O-line and WR advantage SWAIN...D-line, QB, and Secondary advantage SWO.... RB,LB is a push

Good breakdown there Statechamps!! Game is going to be a hard fought smashmouth football game!!! Both teams are even page on paper!! What matters is which team comes ready to play and wants it more!! SWO will be ready!! Cant wait !!

Good break down 2011 but I would not call RB and LB a push. To me SWO has the advantage at RB and the best part of Swain's team is their LB's so I give them the edge at LB.

Funny you said that SMC Observer I really wanted to say Swain had the best LBs, but Holmes #7 from SWO is really starting to become a difference maker. I may be mistaken, but Ayden, Northampton, and JK coaches made mention of him after there playoff games. If forced to choose I go Swain without any problems.

RB was really not about pure athlete to me as much as I saw how Swain uses there runners. It is hard for me to say as a SWO fan, but I think my grandma might be able to get a couple of yards behind that line.

Great job Statechamps. I really think that the team that puts their players in the right position for the most plays wins this game. I know Swain plays very disciplined football, and it seems that SWO plays like a mountain team as well. I have to pick Swain, but I know the two best teams are playing tomorrow. this game will be decided by turnovers, penaties and broken plays.
It should be a dandy!!!!

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WNC1Afan
Setting the standard in 1A since 1969

Agreed SWO better at RB.

I am looking forward to this game for many reasons but none more than...I have no idea what to expect! SWO looked unbeatable throughout the playoffs and Swain has literally been unbeatable since last season.

Setting up shop to watch New Bern now but the best of the bunch will almost definitely be SWO/Swain.