Chester, Abbeville thoughts

I don't know about you, but I thought there was a lot to like about Friday's game. First of all, I like having a new team on the schedule, and I like the college-stadium setting. It's also great to see so many people traveling to support the Cyclones now. Once upon a time, the entire Chester crowd for a Week 0, neutral-site game could have traveled to the contest in one of those little circus clown cars. Lots of you showed up and you made lots of noise.
The first half of the game was as exciting as they come. Anyone who went into the contest doubting that Tony McNeal is one of the country's top passers must surely realize now how wrong you were. That 8-of-8 showing on the first three drives for 160 yards and three scores was something to behold. Tony showed a nice touch on the short stuff and that 53-yard bomb to Emery Frederick demonstrated that there isn't a throw he can't make. Deon Strong may not be the biggest receiver, but he gets open, catches the ball, runs away from people and tramples on them if they get between him and the goal line.
Abbeville was as tough as I expected them to be and that fullback, La'Quavas Watt, was like a crazy cross-breeding of bees and butcher knives when he had the ball in his hands. I was a little surprised the Panthers took so long in-between plays in the third and fourth quarter down three scores. I didn't expect them to deviate from their wishbone or anything, but even in the waning moments they waited until there was only a second or two on the play clock to snap the ball.
The game was a perfect opener in that the Cycs won, but there were enough mistakes that coach Anthony Sterling can keep reminding his team they aren't where they want to be yet. Abbeville dominated time of possession and the Cyclones drew a lot of penalties. What did you think?
Next up is the in-county battle with Lewisville.