Rez

Matthews doesn’t either just like most other teams.

If they would throw just enough to keep teams honest it could be a game changer. 

The biggest problem Matthews has is getting the Pirates to play with the same intensity they played with in 5A.   The teenage mind may be thinking, “We’re in 4A now.  All we have to do is show up & we’ll win”.   If he can lite a fire in their bellies, I think the Pirates could make a decent run in the playoffs.   Region 3 in 4AD1 is not a powerhouse.   I think the Silsbee game will indicate that, one way or the other.

Nothing dumb about it at all.
Will the game be televised this year?  At this point no.  Many have called upon the UIL to loosen he rules against showing video broadcast or video streams or Friday night games in light of playing games in front of no fans or a limited number of fans, but as of yet the UIL has not relented on this and I have seen no indication from state sources that the UIL is considering it at this point.  Now, if we get closer to the season this stance may be reconsidered as I have always been told that the rationale behind the Friday night prohibition is to convince more folks to go watch the games instead of staying home and watching it on TV or online.  So logic would dictate that if there are no fans in the stands allowed, that there is no reason for this prohibition to be in place this season. But we will see.
Now at to listening to Mid-County madness.  Both Nederland....broadcasted by KLVI......and PN-G......broadcasted by Cool 92.5 FM....have radio broadcasts.  And both do have internet websites:
KVLI:
This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up Cool 92.5:
This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up Plus, as both are iheart stations, they can be reached through the iheart radio app which can be downloaded from either Google Play or the Apps store.
As to satellite radio, I am not aware that either have a Sirius XM channel.

To answer your question "attendance" and "atmosphere" are not the same thing. Attendance can contribute to atmosphere. This assumes "atmosphere" is even something we can define. 
However, atmosphere is important. It isn't necessarily the most important thing, or even the second most important thing. But it does matter when it comes to evaluating something as subjective as a rivalry. "Atmosphere," as far as MCM goes, is extremely hard to produce, or reproduce. We've been working on MCM's atmosphere for about a century. If it wasn't hard to produce, every school in the area would have an "atmosphere" to speak of. Remember, we aren't talking about what wins games, we are simply talking about what factors matter for comparing one rivalry to another, and in the case of MCM, the atmosphere is an important factor. 8,000 to 13,000 people in attendance (and everyone knows that it would be higher with bigger stadiums), with who knows how many others tuning in on the radio, with people listening in from all over the country (and, on occasion, from all over the world -- I've listened to PNG/NED games with people emailing in from Korea, Europe, Iraq, and all over the USA, and that's just on the PNG side of the broadcast). And throw in the fact that both teams are usually among the stronger teams in the area, with absolutely rabid fan bases. Then throw in the fact that the communities are basically right next to each other and tightly intertwined. Then throw in the nearly year-round trash talk and the crazed roar of the crowd throughout every second of the game. It's a pretty good recipe for "atmosphere," and an important factor for comparing one rivalry to another. You can judge it based on the attention the game gets on this site alone. 
If we were talking about what wins games, the above wouldn't matter as much (though I'm certain it contributes to why other teams find it so hard to beat PNG and Nederland at home).

Was waiting on someone to use that word lol. But yes I agree. Discipline is how you stop this offense. If you’re not used to seeing it then it may catch you off guard more than a few times. Especially with the wrinkles that Jeff has added thru the years.

Cool.  I have a vested interest in Silsbee because I promised the QB Foster  I’d make Some games.  I guess I can skip out on that game.  Son is in United band and I’m a volunteer for the band booster.  It’s possible for me to kiss a game, so I’ll see. Been wanting to go to a MCM for years..

If Vidor comes up with a defense that can defend the pass consistently, they have a chance to go deep in 4a this year. I think it is extremely difficult for Vidor to prep a pass defense because they can't simulate a strong pass offense in practice. So it's an uphill battle. The players can do it if someone will teach them. 

They looked dangerous in predistrict. They couldn't hurt a fly once district started. They were senior heavy, with a very weak JV team. We'll have to see what in store for them with the drop down to 5A.

Right - I knew that. Even better. 

Right - I have flown in just for MCM before

One thing to add,  people coming back into town from all over the country to see the game.

To answer your question "attendance" and "atmosphere" are not the same thing. Attendance can contribute to atmosphere. This assumes "atmosphere" is even something we can define. 
However, atmosphere is important. It isn't necessarily the most important thing, or even the second most important thing. But it does matter when it comes to evaluating something as subjective as a rivalry. "Atmosphere," as far as MCM goes, is extremely hard to produce, or reproduce. We've been working on MCM's atmosphere for about a century. If it wasn't hard to produce, every school in the area would have an "atmosphere" to speak of. Remember, we aren't talking about what wins games, we are simply talking about what factors matter for comparing one rivalry to another, and in the case of MCM, the atmosphere is an important factor. 8,000 to 13,000 people in attendance (and everyone knows that it would be higher with bigger stadiums), with who knows how many others tuning in on the radio, with people listening in from all over the country (and, on occasion, from all over the world -- I've listened to PNG/NED games with people emailing in from Korea, Europe, Iraq, and all over the USA, and that's just on the PNG side of the broadcast). And throw in the fact that both teams are usually among the stronger teams in the area, with absolutely rabid fan bases. Then throw in the fact that the communities are basically right next to each other and tightly intertwined. Then throw in the nearly year-round trash talk and the crazed roar of the crowd throughout every second of the game. It's a pretty good recipe for "atmosphere," and an important factor for comparing one rivalry to another. You can judge it based on the attention the game gets on this site alone. 
If we were talking about what wins games, the above wouldn't matter as much (though I'm certain it contributes to why other teams find it so hard to beat PNG and Nederland at home).

If you look at Silsbee's scores over the last 15 years, defense has not been their forte', regardless of what offense is being run. It's not been one particular offense.
IMO, Silsbee struggles against very good passing teams more than they do with running teams.

Most talented group? You haven't seen enough Silsbee football.

To my knowledge, Silsbee doesn't struggle against slot T teams.
Where did that notion come from?

Do it, Soulja! 

I’ve been to Nederland and PN-G games, but not MCM.  I’d like to go one day.  My Big bro Biaplayer been inviting me for years...

And no one mentioned Vidor vs Nederland?   Well my, my, my.
😂😂😂😂😂😂

PNG & Nederland:
The rivalry is coming up on 100 years old
Easily brings in the most attendance for any rivalry game in the area (and can certainly challenge other rivalries in the state for attendance)
Back-and-forth from year-to-year
Close, intense games (almost every year) usually decided by one score
Recognized as the best rivalry in the state 2x by Texas Football magazine
 

PNG & Nederland:
The rivalry is coming up on 100 years old
Easily brings in the most attendance for any rivalry game in the area (and can certainly challenge other rivalries in the state for attendance)
Back-and-forth from year-to-year
Close, intense games (almost every year) usually decided by one score
Recognized as the best rivalry in the state 2x by Texas Football magazine
 

This is a very entertaining post!!!  One thing for sure, I'm excieted about turf!!! Cant wait!! So tired of watching my kids cheer, march, play in the mud... 

So is ‘atmosphere’ synonymous to attendance?

Silsbee has 6 returning starters on offense and 8 returning starters on defense.

This is exactly what I’m talking about.  Yea, those kids return, but you probably can’t replace the talent of Martin and Taylor so easily.  Those two kids came in from day one answered the call when that last group of great talent left and have been serious gamers on Varsity for 3 years.  I hope I’m wrong, but I didn’t see any kids of that caliber ready to fill those shoes.