reddevil90;1778982 wrote:Well, Figure it was time to start a new thread.
We have been invited and accepted into the ITCL for 2017. This is great news. Cause there was no other way to go down in the AAC conference as we were in the lowest conference. We have been having a hard time competing in AAC the last 3 years. and I don't see that changing anytime in the next 2 years. At least, when the numbers drop in the school Campbell can go down in the conference. I don't know how good we will be this year. But I do know we have some good talent coming up soon. I hope we can have a winning season this year. I don't care about making playoffs this year. Just get 6 wins play hard give 100% and I'll be absolutely ecstatic. I know we have the coaches to make a great team that can go all the way one day. Just hope the stars line up right one more time for Coach Rozum and the Devils to make few playoffs again.
It's great news that Campbell has found another league which will allow it to move down a tier or possibly two if decline in enrollment deems that necessary. From my own perspective, taking every factor into consideration, it's not such great news considering the tier Campbell will be joining for football. In fact, I personally feel that the top division of the ITCL, (Crestview, East Palestine, South Range, Springfield, United Local), which Campbell will become a part of, is a tougher football league than the AAC Blue division. Crestview, South Range, and Springfield are all tough opponents for football. East Palestine had a really good year last season. Travel distance for away games is about the same as the travel has been in the AAC.
The fact is Campbell has been unable to play with South Range the last few years. The scores have been ugly to say the least. That's a red flag. Don't assume what you have seen at the 7th and 8th grade level this past season (an undefeated season, many blowout wins for the 8th graders) is going to automatically transfer to wins at the varsity level. Games at the 7th and 8th grade level of football are won more often than not on talent alone. Becoming successful at the varsity level means dedication to offseason conditioning becomes very important as do grades in the classroom and walking a straight line in school and out. And don't forget that those kids coming up have to remain at Campbell. And if that happens they have to remain eligible. Also, numbers are always an issue at Campbell. 32-40 players is about the norm. I believe the numbers for the 2015 season were under 30. And that included freshmen dressing for the varsity. I am not sure fielding a team with under 30 players these days is going to cut it. Offenses are becoming more complex and harder to defend. Teams are running the spread more. Passing is becoming a bigger part of the game. Having depth at some or all positions is becoming more important. So if 32-40 players is all we have, those 32-40 had better be in shape. I can guarantee you that Crestview, South Range, and Springfield will be.
To be honest, the way the football program stands today, Campbell would have trouble winning championships and qualifying for the playoffs in even the small school tier of the ITCL, which Western Reserve and McDonald are members of. Western Reserve and McDonald have solid programs. One thing about Campbell football the past 10 years or so is that nothing can be counted on. There is an enormous amount of work to be done for the football program to become stable and respectable again. The days of the 80's and early 90's are long gone. There is very little chance, if any chance, of having teams like those ever again. The city has changed so much since the 90's, and unfortunately not in the best of ways. It is what it is. A lot of these kids were not born in Campbell. They don't know the tradition. They don't have the work ethic that's needed to create stability. The teams lack senior leadership. That's the hand Campbell has been dealt. Campbell has some good football coaches in place. But the kids have to want it to be successful. A coach can only do so much as far as getting the kids into the weightroom and believing in themselves. If the kids are not dedicated and have little or no pride in wearing the Campbell uniform it will not matter who the coaches are. That's why I usually wait until August to post on the forums. Nothing is ever etched in stone. Just my take.
Well, Figure it was time to start a new thread.
reddevil90;1778982 wrote:Well, Figure it was time to start a new thread.
yeah. anyways the itcl is probably going to disband in 2016 according to dana balash. where does this leave campbell