Pick Panel questioning Waves after last week’s performance?

Last week was one of the most oddly played games in the history of Midway football. The Waves found themselves down 21-0 in the first quarter to Sunbright. Midway’s first play from scrimmage to start the game was a fumble. On their 2nd possession with the ball near mid-field, the Waves went for it on 4th and 1 and were unable to move the Sunbright Tigers off the ball and resulted in a turnover on downs. The 3rd possession was a fumble on an on-side kick. The Waves set a new school record……….11 turnovers (correct me if I’m wrong but I believe it was 11) and causing even more gray hairs in the Boo-man-chu. The Waves defense could not stop Sunbright’s passing attack. The Tiger QB picked apart the Midway secondary for 2 quarters. Down 34-3 at halftime, the Waves went back to the drawing board and came out with the needed adjustments on defense. The Tigers did not score again until the final seconds of the game when they rubbed a little salt in the wounds when they threw the ball from a victory formation to add another TD. Meanwhile, the Midway offense also turned things around in the 2nd half. Running lanes started to open up and Midway’s highly touted front line started moving the defenders off the ball. The Waves had a chance to win the game despite giving up 34 points in one half but that was washed away by fumbles.

Despite one of the most bizarre and ugly opening half’s in the history of football, the Waves did not quit. They came out of the locker room in the second half and played as if the score was 0-0. It was a good learning experience for the team. But that learning experience came with major sacrifices. Midway’s starting tailback suffered a nasty ankle injury in the opening quarter and will join QB Mason Woody who is recovering from a shoulder injury on the sidelines.

Bad timing? Indeed. Midway (4-1,1-0) travels to Harriman (3-3, 0-2) this Friday night for a big district game. The Blue Devils are coming off a 40-0 win over Wartburg. Harriman defeated Sunbright 34-7 earlier in the season but lost 26-38 to Whitwell……so who the heck knows what to expect on Friday night.

Will Midway right the ship and take out their homecoming frustration on the Blue Devils?

Ralton Emory:
Wow, just wow. The Waves gave the boys from the mountain a gift last week. Maybe the smell of Taylor Swift perfume and dancing to 1 Direction had their mind somewhere else. But this is a new week, kiss last week goodbye.

Before I make my prognostication this week I have one question: exactly how do you make a devil blue? Is there Sherwin Williams involved? Maybe massive amounts of ice, possibly? I’ve never been able figure that one out. Maybe Jimmy Falon will do a skit for me to help me understand.

Moving on. The indigo demons from Rockwood south host the Waves this week in a key matchup. Can the Waves bounce back from the curse of the fumble game? My heart tells me yes, but my mind isn’t so sure. I think we get to the heart of “heart” this week for the green team. Do the Waves have the fortitude to let last week’s debacle go and focus on what they do best…pounding people?

This will be tough and it will be a close game. I wouldn’t be surprised if either team won. But since the SORSN staff will dock my pay if I pick a tie, I’ll go with the Green.

Midway 27 Harriman 26

Amber Johnson:
I didn’t get to go to the game last week, but sure sounded like a roller coaster. This week Midway pulls it together to snuff out the Blue Devils from Harriman. This country girl is shaking it for Midway…Midway 35-Harriman 14

Kyle Canup:
Was an odd game indeed and I witnessed it. No team will win with that but somehow Midway almost pulled it out. I thought the Waves were gonna pull it out in the second half because they played like they weren’t down 31 points but unfortunately more turnovers and mistakes prevented them from capitalizing. Midway had some big plays that went for scores or set up short scores but couldn’t consistently put it together.
Losing your starting tailback early hurts and definitely hurt the entire team in many ways. Would love the waves to rebound after this one and I think Coach Campbell will have a solid week of practice. Might have been a tough loss but no other coach I would want teaching them boys what they’re learning.
I think people will pick Harriman just because they beat Sunbright but if Midway holds onto the ball and keeps their heads together I think they’ll be ok. Guys in green will crash the Blue Devil party, 38-34.

Steven Sears:
Tough loss for the Greenwaves last week on Homecoming night against Sunbright. This week’s challenger won’t be any easier as we all know. Although Harriman has a mediocre 3-3 record, their losses have come from tough opponents. Harriman spanked Sunbright in week 2 with a 34-7 victory, but lost to Whitwell 26-38 in week 4. This comes to show that you have to show up to play each and every Friday night. Any letdown and lack of focus can cost any team to get upset. I witnessed that last Friday against Sunbright. Midway, in my opinion, had a much better team than Sunbright, but they didn’t regain focus and momentum until it was too late. It was also sad seeing Midway lose their hard nose running back, Tanner Seymour, to a season ending ankle injury. I wish him a strong, speedy recovery.

I’m hoping that Harriman is looking over the Greenwaves to next week’s matchup against Greenback (AKA Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour dead-end). Rumor has it that our own Barry Narramore is related to the famous Luke Bryan and usually dances in his underwear following every Greenwave win to his hit song “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”.

Now let’s erase that terrible image from our head and get back to the Midway-Harriman pick. I’m expecting Midway to rebound this week and regain focus against Harriman. Protect the ball and good things will happen. Midway 34-24 over Harriman.

Barry Narramore:
Yes they will! The Green didn’t give up and I won’t either. And where is Mike Rose in all this? I sure he is sharpening the tongue for a slamming review after last week’s lose. Another thing, what’s wrong with Kyle Canup? I saw a picture of Kyle on Facebook and he looked like a worm with the crap slung out of it. Is Kyle on crack?
Anyway, last week’s game was surely disappointing. My best guess is Sunbright somehow greased our ball. Midway was the better team. Should have won by 2 touchdowns. But there will be days like that. And the Green team had one last Friday night.

Question is how will the Waves respond to this adversity? They respond by kicking some Blue Devil butt!!! Especially after seeing that they have a celeb in their corner this week. Get your raincoats out; hopefully the rain won’t be a factor. After all, my family has always said that rain is a good thing.
Midway 21- Harriman 7 Go Big Green!

Michael Rose:
Boo Devils.

Amber JohnsonBarry NarramoreKyle CanupSteven SearsRalton EmoryMichael Rose
Week 0: Tri-Cities ChristianMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidway
Week 1: @ WhitwellMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayWhitwellMidway
Week 2: Bye
Week 3: @ Hancock Co.MidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidway
Week 4: Tellico PlainsMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidway
Week 5: SunbrightMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidway
Week 6: @ HarrimanMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayMidwayHarriman
Week 7: @ Grace ChristianGraceMidwayGraceGraceGraceGrace
Week 8: @ Meigs Co.MeigsMidwayMeigsMeigsMeigsMeigs
Week 9: RockwoodMidwayMidwayRockwoodMidwayRockwoodRockwood
Week 10: GreenbackMidwayMidwayGreenbackMidwayGreenback
Standings:6-34-57-26-36-38-1