IronEagle 2021-2022 Teams To Watch

[IRONEagle]

MST, today I will announce the official Delta Region Teams To Watch list. This will include the teams I view as the most talented in the area regardless of classification. I’ve watched most of the schools in the spring or have a source close to the programs. After seeing a lot of predictions being made on this forum and the Sports Talk FB page, I noticed so many were based on the lack of observations or knowledge of teams heading the 2021-2022 season. This isn’t a rankings based on the past or recent coaching hires. After seeing teams in the spring, I looked at the schedules and have made analysis based on how they should perform in the fall. As of today, I will post the most realistic observations and predictions of the schools in the Delta coverage area at 6PM. Get your popcorn ready. 

Edited July 18, 2021 by IRONEagle

[Chunky6617]

Most realistic…. I’m sure 

[IRONEagle]

I’m thinking about how great my meeting with the new principal at the HS was as we prepare for the start of school. Of course, IRONEagle was asked if he was still interested in coaching. I later saw photos of a group of West Bolivar football players on social media today, and I decided I’m not going to post a list or predictions on MST..right now we’re excited and know our expectations. We know what we’re capable of. I also recall a few discussions I have had this summer with State Championship coaches. I’m just going to enjoy football this year. 
 

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by IRONEagle

[NoWammies]

I don’t take the preseason rankings on here serious because he goes off of what’s returning and doesn’t know about any newcomers coming in. An example for West Bolivar is newcomer Adam Fountain that only ppl around here that’s been keeping up and watched the spring game will know about. The rest will find out about him very shortly. Or big ol’ Tyler Garner that finally decided to come back out this year and the other guys that decided to come back after not playing for a couple years. 

[NoWammies]

Adam Fountain-He’ll either run you over on offense or hit stick you on defense!!

[IRONEagle]

NoWammies, I just looked at the 1A Preview published by a writer that preseason poll looked very similar to what gets posted here on MST and couldn’t help but take note of it for future reference. They just talk sports and put their opinions on paper, then call it sports media. Since the spring game, both Garner and Adams have put on about 15 or 20 pounds. 
 

I expect a big year from those players you mentioned. After seeing South Delta, Hollandale, and McEvans this spring those two players will definitely help us match up with our division opponents and give them a look they haven’t seen since last facing West Bolivar in 2019. It’ll be an interesting year. Some other standouts on this team with all-state potential QB #7 Lee, C/DL #51 Wiggins, WR/DB #2 Evans, and RB/DB #6 Evans. We are very strong, big, and physical on defense. I don’t see any team running the football on this front 7 in 1A. Not Taylorsville, Bay Springs, Hollandale, South Delta, McEvans, etc. A few underclassmen coming up should be key on both sides of the ball. It’s good to be under the radar. Last time we were the season ended with a district title in 2019. We didn’t play in 2020, and I liked our chances then as well. This season in 2021, we need one thing to go in our favor: Stay Healthy! If we do that then I predict us winning it all. The popcorn is popping….. 

[Kurt Cobain]

5 hours ago, IRONEagle said:

NoWammies, I just looked at the 1A Preview published by a writer that preseason poll looked very similar to what gets posted here on MST and couldn’t help but take note of it for future reference. They just talk sports and put their opinions on paper, then call it sports media. Since the spring game, both Garner and Adams have put on about 15 or 20 pounds. 
 

I expect a big year from those players you mentioned. After seeing South Delta, Hollandale, and McEvans this spring those two players will definitely help us match up with our division opponents and give them a look they haven’t seen since last facing West Bolivar in 2019. It’ll be an interesting year. Some other standouts on this team with all-state potential QB #7 Lee, C/DL #51 Wiggins, WR/DB #2 Evans, and RB/DB #6 Evans. We are very strong, big, and physical on defense. I don’t see any team running the football on this front 7 in 1A. Not Taylorsville, Bay Springs, Hollandale, South Delta, McEvans, etc. A few underclassmen coming up should be key on both sides of the ball. It’s good to be under the radar. Last time we were the season ended with a district title in 2019. We didn’t play in 2020, and I liked our chances then as well. This season in 2021, we need one thing to go in our favor: Stay Healthy! If we do that then I predict us winning it all. The popcorn is popping….. 

I'm be honest with you it's hard very hard to stop Bay Springs Wing T the only team that truly stop Bay Springs run game is Taylorsville that was 2018 season and, to be honest Bay Springs should have won that game. And went on to play for state. 

When play Bay Springs you have play discipline football. if not u will get burned...

Edited August 3, 2021 by Kurt Cobain
Mis-spelling

[IRONEagle]

15 hours ago, Kurt Cobain said:

I'm be honest with you it's hard very hard to stop Bay Springs Wing T the only team that truly stop Bay Springs run game is Taylorsville that was 2018 season and, to be honest Bay Springs should have won that game. And went on to play for state. 

When play Bay Springs you have play discipline football. if not u will get burned...

1A has some good teams. I honestly just have confidence in the talent here at West Bolivar. I will respect your input and give credit to Bay Springs. I would love to see them and West Bolivar play in the fall jamboree. Any idea on if Bay Springs already has a game scheduled?

The point I was making was the credibility is lacking when a sports writer who hasn’t seen certain schools or dismisses their tradition based on opinion not fact decide to put together preseason polls. They need to do their homework. Two years ago, Hollandale wasn’t the same team. Last season, West Bolivar and McEvans didn’t play along with Leflore Co who has move up to 2A. Hollandale was going to be successful last season no matter what based on all those teams not playing including West Tally. Coach T. Johnson is a good coach, I respect him. But if the sports writer  thinks it’s a clear cut favorite in the North or even the district their opinion based analysis in this 1A Preview has to be taken with a grain of salt.

[Dubaction]

What preview are you referring to?

[Kurt Cobain]

4 hours ago, IRONEagle said:

1A has some good teams. I honestly just have confidence in the talent here at West Bolivar. I will respect your input and give credit to Bay Springs. I would love to see them and West Bolivar play in the fall jamboree. Any idea on if Bay Springs already has a game scheduled?

The point I was making was the credibility is lacking when a sports writer who hasn’t seen certain schools or dismisses their tradition based on opinion not fact decide to put together preseason polls. They need to do their homework. Two years ago, Hollandale wasn’t the same team. Last season, West Bolivar and McEvans didn’t play along with Leflore Co who has move up to 2A. Hollandale was going to be successful last season no matter what based on all those teams not playing including West Tally. Coach T. Johnson is a good coach, I respect him. But if the sports writer  thinks it’s a clear cut favorite in the North or even the district their opinion based analysis in this 1A Preview has to be taken with a grain of salt.

To be honest a lot sports writers going on what u did from last year .... They never look at the what teams have left from previous year or if the same coach still there none of that.

 

I will say this Lumberton will still be soild in the talent wise I think they have a different coach. I don't know too much about him 

 

Taylorsville is just a hot bed or talent to me but, they don't have Coach Evans. So that mite be a draw back for them but, Coach Blackledge should be a great fit for them...

 

With Bay Springs you basically have a bunch of that's just works hard . The don't do anything fancy at all in my book. Coach Brady is blue collar coach. He wants to play smash mouth football that's it 

 

The schedule ain't to bad Raleigh,Philly, Heidelberg,Scott Central. That's non district for them.

Edited August 3, 2021 by Kurt Cobain

[Deonte3455]

Coach Ladner at Lumberton is a good one. He’s been waiting for that opportunity at Lumberton for a long long time. He’s a hard nosed defensive minded coach. They will be fine especially on defense. On offense they will run the ball like Lumberton always does.

[IRONEagle]

On 8/3/2021 at 11:51 AM, Dubaction said:

What preview are you referring to?

A Twitter guy preview who makes MHSAA/MAIS predictions. I don’t put much stock in it just here talking football. I hope we’re able to watch high school football for the time in a year without having to cancel games but that isn’t a realistic goal right now. 

[IRONEagle]

10 hours ago, Deonte3455 said:

Coach Ladner at Lumberton is a good one. He’s been waiting for that opportunity at Lumberton for a long long time. He’s a hard nosed defensive minded coach. They will be fine especially on defense. On offense they will run the ball like Lumberton always does.

Before West Bolivar three year starter at QB was sidelined with an ACL tear in the season opener, we were heading towards a matchup with Lumberton in 2019. 

[IRONEagle]

23 hours ago, Kurt Cobain said:

To be honest a lot sports writers going on what u did from last year .... They never look at the what teams have left from previous year or if the same coach still there none of that.

 

I will say this Lumberton will still be soild in the talent wise I think they have a different coach. I don't know too much about him 

 

Taylorsville is just a hot bed or talent to me but, they don't have Coach Evans. So that mite be a draw back for them but, Coach Blackledge should be a great fit for them...

 

With Bay Springs you basically have a bunch of that's just works hard . The don't do anything fancy at all in my book. Coach Brady is blue collar coach. He wants to play smash mouth football that's it 

 

The schedule ain't to bad Raleigh,Philly, Heidelberg,Scott Central. That's non district for them.

Good stuff Kurt. Those programs deserve a lot of credit. I’m going to say something about coaching, if West Bolivar had maintained stability at the Head Coaching position which was impossible under the previous administration then right now I’ll predict us being a title contender. Coach Henry Johnson with the 2016, 2019, and this 2021 group would be outstanding. With the Evans brothers, Wiggins, Lee, Garner Fountain and many others West Bolivar would be dominant under his leadership. I’m talking West Bolivar 2004-2011 and Bassfield type of team speed in 1A. 

[IRONEagle]

The regular season is approaching. May the best team win. Good luck. 

[Kurt Cobain]

6 hours ago, IRONEagle said:

The regular season is approaching. May the best team win. Good luck. 

Agreed

[IRONEagle]

Kurt, list your top 5 teams in 1A South. 
I will announce my top 5 teams in 1A North. 

[pancho]

Put em on us IronEagle

[Kurt Cobain]

12 hours ago, IRONEagle said:

Kurt, list your top 5 teams in 1A South. 
I will announce my top 5 teams in 1A North. 

1) Bay Springs

2) Lumberton

3) Taylorsville

4) Sebastopol or Mount Olive

5) Mount Olive or Sebastopol

[IRONEagle]

23 hours ago, Kurt Cobain said:

1) Bay Springs

2) Lumberton

3) Taylorsville

4) Sebastopol or Mount Olive

5) Mount Olive or Sebastopol

Good stuff. I will put together the list for the North tomorrow. I need to see West Bolivar one more time before releasing my preseason rankings. I’ve seen some teams play this spring. West Bolivar seems to have had a full off-season although its still not near the level of what a true West Bolivar off-season conditioning program looked like yearly under Coach Johnson. I’m eager to see the freshman ATH/DB take the field this fall. He didn’t play in the spring but trained with IronEagle athletics this summer. I had conversations with the parent and player recently, this kid will have a huge year. He’ll line up against some skilled WRs during the season from schools like MS Palmer, Northside, McEvans, South Delta, Hollandale, etc and I expect him to be competitive starting week 1. The most skilled freshman I’ve seen in 1A or 2A since Kailo Moore & William Lloyd (West Bolivar), and Duke Upshaw of (Baldwyn). 

Edited August 9, 2021 by IRONEagle

[Kurt Cobain]

16 hours ago, IRONEagle said:

Good stuff. I will put together the list for the North tomorrow. I need to see West Bolivar one more time before releasing my preseason rankings. I’ve seen some teams play this spring. West Bolivar seems to have had a full off-season although its still not near the level of what a true West Bolivar off-season conditioning program looked like yearly under Coach Johnson. I’m eager to see the freshman ATH/DB take the field this fall. He didn’t play in the spring but trained with IronEagle athletics this summer. I had conversations with the parent and player recently, this kid will have a huge year. He’ll line up against some skilled WRs during the season from schools like MS Palmer, Northside, McEvans, South Delta, Hollandale, etc and I expect him to be competitive starting week 1. The most skilled freshman I’ve seen in 1A or 2A since Kailo Moore & William Lloyd (West Bolivar), and Duke Upshaw of (Baldwyn). 

I'm do some more looking in some more teams down here???? I remember when West Bolivar had Moore and Loyd. Also remember when Baldwyn had Upshaw. 

 

Bay Springs play him in Jackson in the state tournament in basketball...

[IRONEagle]

5 hours ago, Kurt Cobain said:

I'm do some more looking in some more teams down here???? I remember when West Bolivar had Moore and Loyd. Also remember when Baldwyn had Upshaw. 

 

Bay Springs play him in Jackson in the state tournament in basketball...

I will have to do so as well.. West Bolivar, McEvans, and South Delta didn’t play football in 2020. I’ll give Hollandale a slight edge heading into the season after they reinstated their season and went on to compete in the post season. 
 

West Bolivar has added some players since the spring game. I decided to wait  for a few weeks and get another look at these teams in the fall jamboree. I’m not familiar with Biggersville, Tupelo Christian, etc. Due to Covid, teams will be forced to make changes in the coming weeks. This season could be unpredictable week to week. 

[IRONEagle]

It’s happening.. a influx of students from the Benoit area have transferred to West Bolivar from McEvans. A number of them have interest in playing football. We’ll see how long before certain people working in the district try to draw them to specialize in a particular less successful sport at the school. Even parents I’ve spoken with mention football was one of the important factors in their decision to transfer. With so much going on with Covid, and the new rules from the MHSAA it’ll take strong leadership to ensure athletics are operating through the proper procedures at the school level. 

[IRONEagle]

I watched some of West Bolivar practice today. The talent is there.. just added some athletes from Ray Brooks. There’s a good freshman out there but it’s a different one than the kid I thought would be the standout. Actually there’s two of them by the end of the season that will be good football players. Get your popcorn ready! 

[IRONEagle]

The season is here.. the 5x champions have a bye week to start the 2021 regular season. 
True story: Yesterday, I received a phone call from an assistant coach/coordinator from Hollandale. The guy literally degraded West Bolivar football team for this year and years to come as the worse team in the district. Went as far as to say West Bolivar would get beat by Jr. High teams. He told me not to even post supporting my school on MST. As you can imagine, our conversation didn’t end on a good note. I’m still heated today. In addition to his remarks, he mentioned people from the Rosedale community and school giving this kind of detrimental intel that’s causing strife inside of the athletic program. Stating that no one but me (which is not true) believes the team can compete. IronEagle from the moment that call ended has been on a mission. West Bolivar will not be disrespected or sabotaged as long as I’m apart of this community. Get your popcorn ready..