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Post by gallstar on Feb 23, 2020 11:29:41 GMT -6
Does anyone need any more touting of the Catholic team? I've been a fan for three years and finally got to see them go 20 deep into their bench on Saturday. The Coach appeared to be playing chess in a checkers game with fresh waves of equally gifted legs going into the contest. The biggest challenge catholic has left between their ears. I've watched them five times on the season and four out of five; I did not believe that they played their best soccer. It wasn't until Saturday that I felt like they played their best. The other four were St. Amant (1-2 Loss), St Louis (2-1 win) Baton Rouge (2-0 win) and Brother Martin (3-2 win). All four of those games should have been a plus three-goal margin other than BM. The game on Saturday was a complete mental and physical unhinging of DS. The problem in the past was psychological, in my opinion. They're too talented for it to be anything else. This rest squarely on the players and the coaches as I know their coach is amongst the best in the history of Louisiana soccer. His showing up with a mentally underprepared team shouldn't happen. Catholic has a chance to take over the St. Paul throne, and it will be a long time coming. The future for the Catholic of BR is even brighter than St. Paul because they're young and will return all but two maybe three starters. Catholic has more players that St. Paul and has for a while.
The reason St. Paul is better than all others is simple. They've got a chess master of a coach that shoots straight with kids. Make it to your junior year, and you're not capable of playing. He ends the unnecessary Odyssey for the kid and their family. Keep 24 kids and only those that you plan to play. If you watched their last game, you would have noticed a rotation of fewer than 13 maybe 14 players. I wish I could answer why this was but have only heard rumor of injuries and sickness. I noticed a few starters from earlier in the season not even warming up. I will assume that St. Paul gets a few players, and they're going to be back to the regular 20 man rotation. St. Paul has been very human during these playoffs. Beating opponents By an average margin of 1.66 and almost going to OT before an on-goal by the griffins. Meaning DT technically scored more than SP. If this is truly all they have to offer, then they'll get beat by Catholic. In the first match, it was tied 0-0 for 60 minutes. Catholic has improved more than St. Paul, and most of this was finding the 4-4-2, which most of their kids have played over the past few years. St Paul is the best team, but for once in a long time, they'll have to play closer to their best to defeat the team on the other side.
Gallstar picks St. Paul 4-1 over Catholic.
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Post by msouth7278 on Feb 23, 2020 12:05:01 GMT -6
St. Paul’s is so strong.
3-0 St. Paul’s.
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Post by soccerdad70448 on Feb 23, 2020 12:58:56 GMT -6
St. Paul's 3-1. Shocking St. Paul's another state championship.
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Post by beasleyisbeastly on Feb 23, 2020 13:20:44 GMT -6
Wait wait wait you’re going to hype up catholic the whole time in the post and then pick them to lose by 3!? Troll of the century!
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Post by drogba on Feb 23, 2020 14:48:07 GMT -6
Wait wait wait you’re going to hype up catholic the whole time in the post and then pick them to lose by 3!? Troll of the century! St Paul is just that good.
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Post by gallstar on Feb 23, 2020 15:11:43 GMT -6
Wait wait wait you’re going to hype up catholic the whole time in the post and then pick them to lose by 3!? Troll of the century! what I’m saying is I don’t think catholic can mentally compete with St. Paul. I hope I’m wrong because it’s time for a change at the top. Plus I know 70% of the players from catholic and they’re good people. Unlike Moser who wouldn’t autograph my chest! Geez!
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Post by futballer on Feb 23, 2020 15:52:33 GMT -6
We have many friends on both sides of this one and would be happy to see either team win. That being said, I think Catholic is capable of pulling the upset in this one. They are peaking at the right time, playing with confidence, have speed and depth on the bench, and Coach JB could be the difference maker.
Question for me is whether Catholic’s corner defenders and back line will be able to withstand the constant barrage of St Paul’s runs and crosses.
Catholic wins 3-2 in OT.
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Post by soccerdad70448 on Feb 23, 2020 15:53:06 GMT -6
Gallstar making us hold out on St. Thomas More v. Holy Cross; and Episcopal v. Newman? Not nice! I understand everyone knows St. Thomas More will hammer Holy Cross, but Episcopal and Newman is an interesting thought. I guess Mama Gallstar has him busy doing something.
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Post by DocT on Feb 23, 2020 15:53:07 GMT -6
Wait wait wait you’re going to hype up catholic the whole time in the post and then pick them to lose by 3!? Troll of the century! what I’m saying is I don’t think catholic can mentally compete with St. Paul. I hope I’m wrong because it’s time for a change at the top. Plus I know 70% of the players from catholic and they’re good people. Unlike Moser who wouldn’t autograph my chest! Geez! Unacceptable
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Post by uhscubs1 on Feb 23, 2020 16:08:32 GMT -6
St Paul 3-2
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Post by soccerdad70448 on Feb 23, 2020 16:13:03 GMT -6
Gallstar making us hold out on St. Thomas More v. Holy Cross; and Episcopal v. Newman? Not nice! I understand everyone knows St. Thomas More will hammer Holy Cross, but Episcopal and Newman is an interesting thought. I guess Mama Gallstar has him busy doing something. Mama must have let him come up for air, I see the D2 write-up is complete, excellent work, even if your prediction is off.
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Post by chigzfrompr on Feb 24, 2020 12:45:45 GMT -6
St.pauls 4-3
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Post by gallstar on Feb 25, 2020 6:38:46 GMT -6
I'm changing my pick. After further thought, I can't pick against the best Attacking Mid in the state and a fellow Tornado! I'm going with AL or #12. He and BC #21 have a heart. Like RJ and RC and Chuck. I'm a tornado fan above all else, and since none exist on the St. Paul side I'm on the bears 3-2 upset!
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coyi
All-District
Posts: 227
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Post by coyi on Feb 25, 2020 8:40:25 GMT -6
I haven’t seen Catholic play this year but I do know they have some studs from last years team. I still don’t think it’s enough to overcome the St. Paul juggernaut.
St. Paul 3-1 in regulation.
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Post by paperwork on Feb 25, 2020 11:28:26 GMT -6
One Saint Paul player I spoke to said they were uncharacteristically “read the riot act“ by their coach for blowing the lead against Dutchtown and that “it will not happen again“. In the first half Catholic is going to have to try and avoid giving Saint Paul a two or three goal lead or they will be in trouble, they can’t count on a come back like Dutchtown had. In the second half Catholic is going to have to avoid what happened to them in the first St Paul game where the constant quality substitutions and constant pressure on the back line of Catholic eventually wore Catholic out. Am I saying Catholic is going to have to play a great game the entire time to win? No, they can have a sloppy halftime and still win. I agree with what Galstar said as to what will be a key in this game and that will be the mindset of the Catholic players going into this game. When you are playing a team like Saint Paul with their reputation, and record this year and recent years it is tough to not be intimidated. According to a Catholic player Coach Jb is already working on the psyche of his team in this regard. He will have to be successful for them to have a chance here. If I were Coach Jb I would find out what Coach Ogeron said to the LSU players before the Alabama football game this past year and repeat it word for word to his players.
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Post by Bish on Feb 25, 2020 11:53:35 GMT -6
What makes St. Paul's coach a "chest master." How much does he bench?
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Post by uhscubs1 on Feb 25, 2020 13:59:13 GMT -6
What makes St. Paul's coach a "chest master." How much does he bench? Probably less than toughguy
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Post by blainebourgeois on Feb 25, 2020 19:15:17 GMT -6
St. Paul 3-1 with game being tight until the final 15 mins
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Post by gallstar on Feb 25, 2020 19:18:26 GMT -6
What makes St. Paul's coach a "chest master." How much does he bench? as much as he wants!!
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Post by rollsreus on Feb 26, 2020 20:20:03 GMT -6
St. Paul 3-2 in OT
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