2012 Wayne County Athletic League Football

• 1_beast

  

  Dr. KnOiTaLL;1308198 wrote:Correction, Modern Warfare. At least if they were playing Madden it would be a football game. Instead, they play zombie killing games.

  COD and SkyRim....
  
  some very good points....and some bad
• 187xovr

  I saw the Dalton basketball team play numerous times over the summer. They are a solid team. I would assume they have a good chance of contending in the WCAL this year. It is rare at small schools to be that good in basketball and suffer multiple blowouts on the football field. Their basketball team is huge. I would say they have 4-6 guys that are 6'3" or taller. Those big bodies could make a good offensive line. How many of their top ten basketball players play football? I'm guessing not nearly all of them. Is this group an anomaly, or is Dalton trending towards becoming a basketball first school. If so, what caused this? Dalton has had an incredibly strong WCAL football team for a long time before the last few years. The low numbers in football and beautiful new indoor basketball facility would suggest this might be the case. I don't have any inside information as I just watch the team from a distance, but I was curious as to why this has happened.
• 855pride

  Dr. KnOiTaLL;1308198 wrote:Correction, Modern Warfare. At least if they were playing Madden it would be a football game. Instead, they play zombie killing games.

  after becoming a fan of "the walking dead" that may not be a bad thing if there is a zombie world. but untill that time.....football you can actually go out and be violent. :thumbup:
• Ref-Dawg

  shadowrider;1308063 wrote:You're not even a Bulldog!! How can you say those classes are horrible? Let's hope we DO NOT start a freshman RB next year.

  Thank you. I appreciate that. 1990 - 1994 never happened for me then. I can start fresh.
• jaco

  We sound like the old farts at the Parlor! Piling on these young kids, haha.. They have so many distractions these days.. it's crazy. They're given ten times the homework I ever had, and then they all have cellphones, videogames, 500 channels on DirecTV(versus the 3..maybe 4..we got with our antenna). As a whole, their fundamentals are awful compared to 20 or 30 years ago. No comparison. Athletically, though, they're off the charts. They're bigger, stronger, and faster than years past. I've stood beside junior high kids who are bigger than any of the varsity guys I played with. No kidding. I'm actually amazed that a kid who doesn't touch a football or basketball at any time other than practice can perform at the level they do.
  
  But my beef isn't with the boys who do participate - it's with the ones that don't. Or the kid who goes out to get his jersey and then develops the mystery illness every week to avoid practices. Those are serious character flaws, and that is the one thing that does transcend generations.
• eaglefutbol33

  jaco;1308582 wrote: But my beef isn't with the boys who do participate - it's with the ones that don't. Or the kid who goes out to get his jersey and then develops the mystery illness every week to avoid practices. Those are serious character flaws, and that is the one thing that does transcend generations.

  well said
• 1486wd

  Dawgs should indeed have the biggest team I remember on the hardwood. None huge 6'7 or anything like that but a bunch of guys 6'3, 6'4, 6'5. The defending champs should have great chance to repeat, but I guess we should start a hoops thread to discuss.
• O-Trap

  

  jaco;1308582 wrote:We sound like the old farts at the Parlor! Piling on these young kids, haha.. They have so many distractions these days.. it's crazy. They're given ten times the homework I ever had, and then they all have cellphones, videogames, 500 channels on DirecTV(versus the 3..maybe 4..we got with our antenna). As a whole, their fundamentals are awful compared to 20 or 30 years ago. No comparison. Athletically, though, they're off the charts. They're bigger, stronger, and faster than years past. I've stood beside junior high kids who are bigger than any of the varsity guys I played with. No kidding. I'm actually amazed that a kid who doesn't touch a football or basketball at any time other than practice can perform at the level they do.

  I think you bring up a great point here. Now, I can't attest to the amount of homework they bring home, but your reference to cell phones, video games, and excessive options on television raises an interesting point: all of these are likely allowed and afforded to the child by the parent.
  
  Thinking back, there were definitely times when staying inside and playing video games seemed like the more fun option, but my parents would hide the controllers to make me play outside. Being on the computer was fun, but my parents had the password so I wouldn't sit in front of it for 10 hours a day (like I do for my job as an adult ). I didn't get a cell phone until college, though until I started driving, it wouldn't have seemed necessary anyway. And we didn't get cable until I was in college.
  
  All that to say, my parents had a lot of sway when it came to "nudging" me outside when I needed it. Granted, that wasn't all the time, as I liked going outside to throw the football or baseball around, but they played an active role in making sure that I was outside plenty by making it the most fun option available at times.
  
  Has that been the issue? Are these distractions that kids have today largely based on their parents just not giving them a nudge?
  

  jaco;1308582 wrote:But my beef isn't with the boys who do participate - it's with the ones that don't. Or the kid who goes out to get his jersey and then develops the mystery illness every week to avoid practices. Those are serious character flaws, and that is the one thing that does transcend generations.

  While I appreciate the kid who practices, I also think he should be part of the "program." Other things like lifting daily, taking part in the two-a-days, and helping with the fundraisers are part of being a member of the team. Now, few of those overlap, or I would understand the idea that not everyone has the time. The sad part would be if kids' parents, once again, did not encourage them to do these things, instead allowing them to default to whatever they feel like at the moment (which, as former teens, I think we can all attest to not having not always had the best judgment).
  

  1486wd;1308622 wrote:Dawgs should indeed have the biggest team I remember on the hardwood. None huge 6'7 or anything like that but a bunch of guys 6'3, 6'4, 6'5. The defending champs should have great chance to repeat, but I guess we should start a hoops thread to discuss.

  Probably a good idea. A new thread in the basketball forum would be the ideal place for the actual basketball discussion.
• Dr. KnOiTaLL

  

  O-Trap;1308691 wrote:I think you bring up a great point here. Now, I can't attest to the amount of homework they bring home, but your reference to cell phones, video games, and excessive options on television raises an interesting point: all of these are likely allowed and afforded to the child by the parent.
  
  Thinking back, there were definitely times when staying inside and playing video games seemed like the more fun option, but my parents would hide the controllers to make me play outside. Being on the computer was fun, but my parents had the password so I wouldn't sit in front of it for 10 hours a day (like I do for my job as an adult ). I didn't get a cell phone until college, though until I started driving, it wouldn't have seemed necessary anyway. And we didn't get cable until I was in college.
  
  All that to say, my parents had a lot of sway when it came to "nudging" me outside when I needed it. Granted, that wasn't all the time, as I liked going outside to throw the football or baseball around, but they played an active role in making sure that I was outside plenty by making it the most fun option available at times.
  
  Has that been the issue? Are these distractions that kids have today largely based on their parents just not giving them a nudge?
  
  
  
  While I appreciate the kid who practices, I also think he should be part of the "program." Other things like lifting daily, taking part in the two-a-days, and helping with the fundraisers are part of being a member of the team. Now, few of those overlap, or I would understand the idea that not everyone has the time. The sad part would be if kids' parents, once again, did not encourage them to do these things, instead allowing them to default to whatever they feel like at the moment (which, as former teens, I think we can all attest to not having not always had the best judgment).
  
  
  
  Probably a good idea. A new thread in the basketball forum would be the ideal place for the actual basketball discussion.

  These thoughts are right on point. I know parents that push their kids to be the best they can be on the athletic field. It's blatantly obvious where their focus is by the way they spend their time. I would also venture to guess that a large majority of them don't have smart phones. Now, there is obviously a time and a place where smart phones may be necessary for work, but kids do not occupy any such jobs. Children are becoming independent at a younger age, which I don't necessarily think is a good thing. They have not yet developed ideal habits to be a positive contributor in society, and as a result, they are making choices for themselves that are largely detrimental to their physical and mental development. Parents need to start taking the power back. It should be a privilege to own a smart phone or video games, it is not a the "right" of the child to have such items. If they feel that it is their right, let them save up the money and buy it themselves. At least that way they will be learning about hard work, money management, and decision making.
• rrfan

  

  187xovr;1308242 wrote:I saw the Dalton basketball team play numerous times over the summer. They are a solid team. I would assume they have a good chance of contending in the WCAL this year. It is rare at small schools to be that good in basketball and suffer multiple blowouts on the football field. Their basketball team is huge. I would say they have 4-6 guys that are 6'3" or taller. Those big bodies could make a good offensive line. How many of their top ten basketball players play football? I'm guessing not nearly all of them. Is this group an anomaly, or is Dalton trending towards becoming a basketball first school. If so, what caused this? Dalton has had an incredibly strong WCAL football team for a long time before the last few years. The low numbers in football and beautiful new indoor basketball facility would suggest this might be the case. I don't have any inside information as I just watch the team from a distance, but I was curious as to why this has happened.

  One thing about this. When I was in school the basketball coach was pushing the basketball players to play football and football coach pushed for his players to play basketball and run track. I know that was important in our school.
• Dr. KnOiTaLL

  

  rrfan;1308967 wrote:One thing about this. When I was in school the basketball coach was pushing the basketball players to play football and football coach pushed for his players to play basketball and run track. I know that was important in our school.

  Yes sir. A lot of kids now think that they need to specialize in order to have a shot at playing collegiate athletics. Sadly, in most cases, this could not be further from the truth. I know several college coaches in several different sports. They would all tell you the same thing. They would much rather have a kid that excels in multiple sports than a kid that excels in one sport. It shows them that 1. they are an athlete that is capable of doing multiple things, 2. they likely have good time management skills, 3. they are not one-dimensional, and 4. they have the work ethic and drive to excel in whatever they do.
  
  Sadly, I think that parents are steering them in the direction to focus on a single sport, and unfortunately, these parents never played college athletics. All they can see are the future bills ahead of them, and they are trying to find a way to limit those bills for themselves and their student's.
  
  Regardless of how talented you are, if you are 5'8" and 170 lbs and play for a small high school, there's essentially no chance that you are going to play basketball for a division 1 school. Enjoy your high school career by playing multiple sports, and set a realistic goal of playing for an NAIA or division 3 school.
• OQB

  

  Dr. KnOiTaLL;1308987 wrote:Yes sir. A lot of kids now think that they need to specialize in order to have a shot at playing collegiate athletics. Sadly, in most cases, this could not be further from the truth. I know several college coaches in several different sports. They would all tell you the same thing. They would much rather have a kid that excels in multiple sports than a kid that excels in one sport. It shows them that 1. they are an athlete that is capable of doing multiple things, 2. they likely have good time management skills, 3. they are not one-dimensional, and 4. they have the work ethic and drive to excel in whatever they do.
  
  Sadly, I think that parents are steering them in the direction to focus on a single sport, and unfortunately, these parents never played college athletics. All they can see are the future bills ahead of them, and they are trying to find a way to limit those bills for themselves and their student's.

  reps!!
• 1486wd

  I have not seen any evidence that coaches are encouraging one sport participation at Dalton, but there does seem to be a couple more doing that. At a little school, it only takes a couple to hurt. It even hurts at a big school if it's the wrong couple kids.
• bemunsey

  After being a OC Stalker for 2 years and never leaving any posts, this discussion made me "come out". Not by any means am I an expert, but I have been coaching for over 14 years in some sport wither it be softball, baseball, soccer, football or basketball. When I first started, the number of kids going out for athletics was astounding. It was a shame that we had to "cut" kids because of numbers. Over the years, things have gone down hill big time. I will say that schools that have the "pay to play" lose a lot of athletes. How many, its hard for me to say. But with this being a football discussion forum, I will stick with football. I would like to thank the NFL for the number issue all schools are dealing with for football. Coaching Youth Football the last 2 years, we saw a great numbers drop from last year to this year. Reason.....parents are scared of their kids getting concussions. Over the last year, the NFL has talked about head injuries more then anything else. And in our league, talking to parents, this was a major issue. Is this something we need to take serious? By all means. I have no clue how to fix it or to change the parents minds, but I believe this is the main reason why all schools are losing numbers. Yes, the video games and being lazy or parents not wanting to push their kids has some influence, but not the main reason, I believe. Thoughts?
  
  Maybe I'll wait another 2 years to post again. lol
• rrfan

  

  1486wd;1309029 wrote:I have not seen any evidence that coaches are encouraging one sport participation at Dalton, but there does seem to be a couple more doing that. At a little school, it only takes a couple to hurt. It even hurts at a big school if it's the wrong couple kids.

  It is not that they are encouraging one sport it is if they are not encouraging multiple sports.
• Go Falcons

  

  I am not sure it is a matter of kids being pushed to only one sport. IMO it is now possible for a kid to pick the sport he loves and play that year round, were that really was not possible not all that long ago.
• O-Trap

  

  Go Falcons;1309224 wrote:I am not sure it is a matter of kids being pushed to only one sport. IMO it is now possible for a kid to pick the sport he loves and play that year round, were that really was not possible not all that long ago.

  I do think multiple sports can indicate how well an athlete can adapt to a different environment of play.
• thePITman

  

  How many schools have pay-to-play? Many times this is on a per-sport basis, although discounts may be given for each additional sport. This could have an impact on the number of kids playing multiple sports, too.
• Go Falcons

  

  O-Trap;1309226 wrote:I do think multiple sports can indicate how well an athlete can adapt to a different environment of play.

  I agree, and I think track is a great supplement to Football for example. I believe all other sports can make you better at the sport you are most interested in, and variation is good for the body and mind.
• beverboy1

  Ref-Dawg;1307639 wrote:7th was better, but they are still a year away from getting to HS. Yes, that RB will start. There isn't much in the cupboard there. Never talked to a coach, just looking at returning talent. I may be wrong, but we will see. And no, not a father or relative. The seniors played hard and it was a good year for everyone thus the good effort. They could have quit many times, but still tried. We just need to get these boys in the weight room now and get some mass on our line.

  He won't be a starter ,but he will see some playing time ! not much on def side but on off.
• 99bobcatdb

  Norwayne beats northwestern 35-14 Friday night, with northwestern actually fight back in this game
  
  Any thoughts???
• 1486wd

  i have heard the concussion issue as well and totally agree that it is a factor.

  bemunsey;1309206 wrote:After being a OC Stalker for 2 years and never leaving any posts, this discussion made me "come out". Not by any means am I an expert, but I have been coaching for over 14 years in some sport wither it be softball, baseball, soccer, football or basketball. When I first started, the number of kids going out for athletics was astounding. It was a shame that we had to "cut" kids because of numbers. Over the years, things have gone down hill big time. I will say that schools that have the "pay to play" lose a lot of athletes. How many, its hard for me to say. But with this being a football discussion forum, I will stick with football. I would like to thank the NFL for the number issue all schools are dealing with for football. Coaching Youth Football the last 2 years, we saw a great numbers drop from last year to this year. Reason.....parents are scared of their kids getting concussions. Over the last year, the NFL has talked about head injuries more then anything else. And in our league, talking to parents, this was a major issue. Is this something we need to take serious? By all means. I have no clue how to fix it or to change the parents minds, but I believe this is the main reason why all schools are losing numbers. Yes, the video games and being lazy or parents not wanting to push their kids has some influence, but not the main reason, I believe. Thoughts?
  
  Maybe I'll wait another 2 years to post again. lol

• MikeP17

  187xovr;1308242 wrote:I saw the Dalton basketball team play numerous times over the summer. They are a solid team. I would assume they have a good chance of contending in the WCAL this year. It is rare at small schools to be that good in basketball and suffer multiple blowouts on the football field. Their basketball team is huge. I would say they have 4-6 guys that are 6'3" or taller. Those big bodies could make a good offensive line. How many of their top ten basketball players play football? I'm guessing not nearly all of them. Is this group an anomaly, or is Dalton trending towards becoming a basketball first school. If so, what caused this? Dalton has had an incredibly strong WCAL football team for a long time before the last few years. The low numbers in football and beautiful new indoor basketball facility would suggest this might be the case. I don't have any inside information as I just watch the team from a distance, but I was curious as to why this has happened.

  I know that a lot of dalton's basketball team used to play football but many of the seniors have been told by doctors not to play because of serious injuries. such as Jake Masters who would have been there quarter back the last two years if he hadn't had 4 concussion's. but he is a very good athalete and a pretty good pointguard
• MikeP17

  Ref-Dawg;1307508 wrote:Good effort bulldogs! Hopefully the 8th graders coming up will give this team a little boost because lord knows the current freshman thru junior classes are horrible. Yes, we will be starting a freshman RB. Should be interesting, but onto the basketball thread. :thumbup:

  You are obviously not a true dalton fan and obviously have NO idea what you are talking about. Shure the freshman class is weak but the sophomores and juniors are pretty good. the sophomores are the most promising class right now. have you been to a dalton game this year? Moyer will be a hard part to fill but Mario Mcfarren is a 200 pound sophomore who i think is ready to play fullback. they will have a solid returning line as J.D. Murphy and Ben Torgler are back from a solid o/line. Murphy is a 300 pound monster and is only a soph. they will have plenty more weapons too as Quentin Raines will be back along with Metzger, Mann, Clark, and Burke. The Fitzwater kid(the 8th grader) is pretty good but not varsity good. Alot question his toughness at times. the bulldogs will be fine trust me... and a 4-6 year is not horrible. if they beat tuslaw, wich they should have they would have been 5-5
• Old Dawg

  Originally Posted by Ref-Dawg
  Good effort bulldogs! Hopefully the 8th graders coming up will give this team a little boost because lord knows the current freshman thru junior classes are horrible. Yes, we will be starting a freshman RB. Should be interesting, but onto the basketball thread. :thumbup:
  
  Well let's hope the basketball team does well or Ref-Dawg will be telling us how horrible the basketball team is too! Geez!!