ChimpGrip

Here's one thing I have going for me, and I don't know how much it's contributed to finger strength, but I have a fairly strong grip. I plan on closing the captains of crush #3 soon, (and I hope to get the #3.5 in 2019) and I have done a lot of rolling thunder lat pull-downs. Ever since I watched Denis put down Devon, all of my bicep curls have been done with strict form now - upper back and butt against the wall. Hopefully this helps too. Regarding weight classes, can the difference in weight not matter as much if I am stronger than my opponent? And do you think five years is enough time to build up table strength and experience to challenge Dave Chaffee to a six round super match? And yes LOL I will keep a watchful eye out under those tables, Todd could be anywhere!

Yep. Maybe next year. 13 key contributors back on offense including Hudson Card. 14 on defense We will have not returned so much since 2016, but I think the defense will be 2009-like. Lights out.

Thank you!

I’m going to have to miss it ☹️ Ive been wanting to get back to NRG, and here it is. I have my graduation party the same day It’s really annoying that the championship games are in Arlington almost every year.

I’m just glad LT has come this far. Defensive line and the defense as a whole is pretty young this year. 9-10 really good defensive players, at all levels (DL, LB, Secondary) return next year. Anyway, here are my keys to the game. 1. Do not let 10-15 yard passes turn into huge plays. I saw this early and often against Katy. Banks (#19) reminds me of Terrence Toliver who played at LSU 8 years ago. Tall, physical, and can stretch the field. He is NS’s best WR (if someone knows better, please correct me). 2. Find a way to contain their running back. This is the part that scares me the most. LT could force them into a favorable third down sitauation (e.g., third and 8), and the defense will likely be expecting a pass. But NS could resort to a draw play and the NS OL, RB, and all others involved are absolutely good enough to turn it into an easy first down run. 3. Confuse, pressure, and frustrate the young QB. Yes he is good, and he has the best supporting cast in the state around him. But I think this is a chance to be creative with schemes and try to throw him off a bit. It would be ideal if Carter could force the QB to thread the needle every play. 4. LT OL and DL need to play lights out. If Card gets adequate protection, he will have success throwing the ball. 5. LT running game needs to be successful between the tackles. It would really help Card and the rest of the offense. A lot needs to be done to be competitive in this game.

I am glad that LT faced a big DL like Judson today. Now they know what it’s like. Hopefully they are better equipped mentally (and in turn, better prepare) for the lines they’ll face the rest of the season.

I try to tell the Judson fans on the Texas board that discipline is just as much of a factor as personnel, units, coaching, etc.

I’ll have more to add later, but... 1. can I still be successful with smaller hands, even against the HW class guys? 2. Can I go against the heavyweights if I want to, even if I only weigh 185-190?

LT is a much improved team since the Westlake game. I had a feeling LT would win, no Julon Williams to worry about this year.

14-0 LT

LT should be much better next year, we'll see. Defense should be very good, and hopefully Card is much more polished as a passer and with his decision-making. I miss Baldwin. All he did was pick apart defenses, but often his OL/Receivers (drop after drop in the '17 Westlake game)/defense let him down. And unlike past great LT QB's, he did not have a great run game to fall back on. Anyway, last year we saw how good playoff LT could be. I did not think they'd get by Judson, and they won. I thought there was absolutely no way LT could beat Katy, especially in wet conditions. I truly believed Katy was going to destroy them. Instead, LT won by 14. Against Allen, they nearly pulled it out. They almost beat undefeated Allen and Katy in back to back weeks, with a weak defense, a mediocre run game, and a top-heavy group of wide receivers. Remarkable coaching. Hopefully LT finds this playoff magic again this year but gets the job done this time. Call me crazy, but I do not think North Shore wins state this year. They will trip somewhere.

LT will be back next year. Defense should be 2009-like. The offense has been alright, not sure what to think of the new OC (I will hold myself back and not say anymore on that).

Some good post-match stuff... I'm telling ya, that hair cost Devon the match.

I did notice that quick start. I wanted to see them lock up on the right, but what they did to honor Pushkar was very classy. Some say Denis is as good as he's ever been I hope Devon bounces back from this. Do you think we'll ever see a rematch? I do think he'll get Michael Todd again and settle the score there. If I wanted to arm wrestle some of these top guys one day, all I need to do is join a league like the WAL and win almost all matches? I've never even competed (I am an absolute beginner) so it's only me day-dreaming, but I think this is something I could compete in one day.

Welp, not really the result I wanted. I’m a fan of both, so I’m not heart-broken. I was hoping the winner would go 4-2. 6-0 though. What the heck happened? I know Denis is insanely strong, but Larratt had no intensity at the table. Larratt is usually vocal and fired up. I never saw that today. It looked like he didn’t care. Some say Denis is too strong, period, and others say Larratt hasn’t been the same since his surgery (for what it’s worth, Matt Mask said Devon was going to lose because of this). Larratt put up little resistance too, which doesn’t seem right. Each round I saw was nearly a clean pin. Shocking. All Devon can do is move on and hope to win a big match in 2019.