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Jerseyhokie29

Joined: 12/02/2008 Posts: 10073
Likes: 2483


Something new, thoughts on an individual match. 197 to try it out


First period:
Howard with a good shot, catches the leg on the outside of his left hip. Has a moment where smeltzer loses a hand that he could drive, but methodically works the leg through the middle to the inside. Gets it there then seems to rush the finish. Good defense by smeltzer. 20 or so seconds go by and smeltzer with a pretty textbook sweep single. Excellent offense. An escape and about a minute of good handfighting follow before Howard gets in deep and smeltzer fights it off. Very high level wrestling for 197.
Second period:
Howard gets the quick escape (this is why we take redshirts) and more intense had fighting. At this point Howard has attacked both smeltzer's right and left leg, he's been far more successful to smelzters left (braced) leg. Pulls the trigger again and gets the TD this time (note left leg). Escape to more handfighting. Howard shoots a less than perfect double which he works up to an outside trip attempt and smeltzer defends then catches Howard sleeping. Another high level sequence. After the escape, Howard really starts laying on the pressure. It's good and bad. He has the urgency he needs and is pushing, but his next attempt is very forced, no set up and not to a particular side. It lets smeltzer sprawl easily. Howard very much needs something to keep his opponent rooted, whether it's short offense or something else. This will develop. Smeltzer hasn't really dictated much in the last 2-3 minutes and he needs to start his own offense.
Third period:
Quick escape and Howard goes to his successful side twice, the second time nearly a success. Positive in match adjustments. Smeltzer on cue fires off two low shots to Howard's left leg, first is close second is better and they sprawl. At this point it's worth mentioning these guys have been beating on each other for weeks. They know eachothers offense well. Smeltzer is taking advantage to dangerously step/kick out of Howard's shots. He counters well, similar an earlier td, and is close to finishing it but Howard gets his hips back. We're under 30 and without a stall warning, smeltzer is in hang on mode. He locks onto the leg he has and they finish the period in a variety of close positions.

Overall thoughts:
Great match by both, exceptionally high pace both must carry into the season when they're not facing one another. Howard has clearly done the work in the weight room and conditioning, small refinement to follow. Smeltzer looks balanced with excellent defense. Two great options at one weight A good problem to have.

Posted: 10/27/2019 at 1:13PM



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Current Thread:
  Really enjoyed the match review....THANKS!! ** -- wasris 10/27/2019 3:14PM
  Regarding this: -- dallasvt 10/27/2019 3:08PM
  As tFr....Bolen was 174 and Smeltzer was 184. ** -- wasris 10/27/2019 2:55PM
  Natural weight? ** -- Hokie Flyer 10/27/2019 3:33PM

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