Swain program in decline

[murphy1981]

Lost to Andrews last week for the first time in decades. Is the decline in the program only temporary due to a lull in talent or is this decline a long term problem.

The SMC needs Swain to be a top program to make the rest of the conference strong.

Any Thoughts??

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

I dont think it's a lull.
I called it years ago when the rule change went into effect

 

[Mitchell county mountie]

I dont think it's a lull.
I called it years ago when the rule change went into effect

And it appeared that your prediction was correct when Cherokee won the ship in 17, but neither Cherokee nor Swain has been very good since. I'd say its a lull in talent, coupled with an interim coach that took over mere weeks from the start of the season.

 

[Player2020]

The problem at Swain is Cherokee players are staying home.

 

[goknightgo]

And it appeared that your prediction was correct when Cherokee won the ship in 17, but neither Cherokee nor Swain has been very good since. I'd say its a lull in talent, coupled with an interim coach that took over mere weeks from the start of the season.

I think the interim coach will do a better job than the coach that stepped down. Honestly think there needs to be some bog changes with that program to get kids interested in playing

 

[Steelers71]

Isn't Cherokee not doing well either? What rule change effected Swain?

 

[Cold Biscuit]

Not having Sein and Collins has hurt this season. I hope the Collins kid is doing better and is able to make it back eventually, heck of a ball player.

 

[goknightgo]

Not having Sein and Collins has hurt this season. I hope the Collins kid is doing better and is able to make it back eventually, heck of a ball player.

They have no line. I think only 5-6 lineman having to play both ways for sure

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

Or Murphy. Point is if Tarboro goes small 1a it's a cakewalk to states.

Isn't Cherokee not doing well either? What rule change effected Swain?

For the most part Cherokee has never been good but Swain has. Adding 3 or 4 of Cherokee kids to a good Swain team can make them really good. Those same 3 or 4 kids at Cherokee isnt going do much to help a struggling program. Maybe go from below average to average.

 

[mbdfan_rivals121259]

Swain has been down for 8 years, since the 2013 season they've had one team that I would truly consider "good" by Swain standards.

They have a good group on JV right now though, probably win the conference. So they should have a good team again when those kids are upperclassmen.

But to answer the OP I think Swain is and has been in decline for a while, they will still have some contending teams in the future but the yearly contender days may well be in the rearview.

 

[Emmasdaddy1]

Swain has a really young Varsity team. They might have a rough year this year but they have a bunch of young kids getting a lot of experience. Top that off with a really strong JV team and they are headed on the right direction to be right back where they normally contend.

 

[CherokeeKid]

They haven't been great for awhile, but they've remained pretty solid. Down year for them, low numbers, line is not very good. They lost to a really good Andrews team. Their JVs are the best team in the conference, hands down. There's only so down the Swain program is gonna get.

 

[mbdfan_rivals121259]

Their JVs are the best team in the conference, hands down.

I watched their game against Rosman and I think they probably have the best JV team this year but I definitely wouldn't say hands down, Murphy and Robbinsville will play them close I'd say.

 

[SitOut]

Interesting approach to this season from Swain and Hayesville with their JV and varsity programs. Swain playing varsity with limited numbers but has a big JV team. Appears they left everyone down to win a JV title. On the other hand Hayesville moves all theirs up to help with varsity numbers and their jv will not win a game. Thoughts on the different approaches? What’s better in the long run?

 

[smc4life]

Most freshman are no where near ready for varsity. The exceptions are few and far between. Ill assure you folks dont just leave kids down to win a JV title. Ive always been of the opinion that if you move young players up because they are ready, they need to play. If they are just gonna stand over on the sidelines they are much better playing JV and getting playing experience. Ive seen too many young players get a bad taste in their mouth and never play again.

 

[CherokeeKid]

Most freshman are no where near ready for varsity. The exceptions are few and far between. Ill assure you folks dont just leave kids down to win a JV title. Ive always been of the opinion that if you move young players up because they are ready, they need to play. If they are just gonna stand over on the sidelines they are much better playing JV and getting playing experience. Ive seen too many young players get a bad taste in their mouth and never play again.

Leaving kids down to win JVs does happen. A lot of factors go into the decision to keep down or move up, and yes sometimes JV teams are left together for that reason. And it can pay off more than just moving up. Again, a lot of factors at play and there's no necessarily a right or wrong decision.

In this case I think I agree with Swain's approach more. They were not going to win conference no matter what help they pulled up. Actually, they probably weren't even going to finish top three no matter what help they pulled up. When they win the conference in JVs this year, people will expect that bunch to contend for conference in a few years (myself included).

 

[SitOut]

Leaving kids down to win JVs does happen. A lot of factors go into the decision to keep down or move up, and yes sometimes JV teams are left together for that reason. And it can pay off more than just moving up. Again, a lot of factors at play and there's no necessarily a right or wrong decision.

In this case I think I agree with Swain's approach more. They were not going to win conference no matter what help they pulled up. Actually, they probably weren't even going to finish top three no matter what help they pulled up. When they win the conference in JVs this year, people will expect that bunch to contend for conference in a few years (myself included).

Interesting for sure. I have not saw the Swain JV team play yet. How good are they really going to be? Looks like Robbinsville well finish 3rd but may have the best 9th grade group.

 

[Cold Biscuit]

Lot of ball left to be played for folks to already proclaim Swain conference champs. They may very well be, let’s play the game first.

 

[CherokeeKid]

Lot of ball left to be played for folks to already proclaim Swain conference champs. They may very well be, let’s play the game first.

Fair point. Let's say "on paper", they are clearly better than the rest of the conference. Rville and Murphy will play them tough but they will both lose. But like they say that's why they play the games. They just beat a very solid Rosman team 30-0 last night.

 

[LetsGetIt7]

Interesting approach to this season from Swain and Hayesville with their JV and varsity programs. Swain playing varsity with limited numbers but has a big JV team. Appears they left everyone down to win a JV title. On the other hand Hayesville moves all theirs up to help with varsity numbers and their jv will not win a game. Thoughts on the different approaches? What’s better in the long run?

IMO if they can help they are coming up, they have to play significant minutes, but varsity experience is more important over jv reps. Nobody remembers what happens on Thursday nights, so why leave them down in the farm system when they can help the big club

 

[SMC-Devil Dad]

This is a good bunch on JVs for Swain, but I wouldn’t call them a hands-down favorite at this point. Also, I don’t think any of these 9th graders would likely start on varsity this year, so they’re better off on JV for now.

 

[Smctrain]

Hayesville has freshman starting on both sides of the ball. Some of those freshman have been the biggest on contributors. Just an odd year for everyone I believe! Hayesville JVs may not win a game but their offense improved tremendously from week 1 to week 2. Some of the 7th and 8th graders that would be sitting on the sidelines are getting valuable game reps, which I hope will pay off in the future. Good luck to all teams!

 

[UNC91]

Swo beat a great Swain team 2012 I believe for the title. Man Swain had some ballers, huge WR and great QB play. One of the best title games I've seen swo play in. Swain will get back to their old ways.

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

That big WR played football for Swain and basketball for Cherokee that same year.
That's not been allow now for several years.

 

[swainmom04]

That big WR played football for Swain and basketball for Cherokee that same year.
That's not been allow now for several years.

Actually you’re wrong on that. In 2011 he played football at Cherokee then basketball at Swain that winter. Spent the second part of his junior year at swain and his entire senior year at swain.

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

So I was right on the point but off on the season.

 

[swainmom04]

So I was right on the point but off on the season.

Correct and it’s my understanding that they can transfer and still play as long as they move physical addresses.

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

Well yes that's the case for everyone.

I think they can transfer b4 HS?

 

[recycled2_anon]

I believe that if they can play move them up. We all know that the level of speed and physicality on varsity is a big step from JV. The sooner they encounter that, the better prepared they are for the rest of their careers. They get lessons on why the weight room is so important. They understand the need to sharpen their fundamentals and not just depend on talent. The players that do not move up must now get better as they are now "the man". As they develop they will become valued starters and backups. Another value is that by having more talent on your varsity(even if they are inexperienced) it will push your older kids to improve because no one wants to lost their job to a freshman. It also raises the quality of practice drills or scrimmage. Everything is much more competitive.

 

[mbdfan_rivals121259]

Let's say "on paper", they are clearly better than the rest of the conference. Rville and Murphy will play them tough but they will both lose

 

[MHS1995]

Oops

 

[Gentle Knight]

Why so few came out for varsity at Swain? Only 16 players I'm hearing..seems like there is a deeper problem somewhere

 

[No Mercy]

How does the SMC do JV practice? They play 7-8-9 as Jv, correct? Do the 9th graders go to the same school as the 7-8th graders? Do they leave the HS and go practice at the MS? Its very unusual compared to most of the state. Most places have a MS team, then Jv and varsity. Just wondering how it works. maybe its different at different schools depending on where their schools are, etc? Are most of the schools on the same campus as their 7th and 8th graders? just wondering.

 

[Cold Biscuit]

How does the SMC do JV practice? They play 7-8-9 as Jv, correct? Do the 9th graders go to the same school as the 7-8th graders? Do they leave the HS and go practice at the MS? Its very unusual compared to most of the state. Most places have a MS team, then Jv and varsity. Just wondering how it works. maybe its different at different schools depending on where their schools are, etc? Are most of the schools on the same campus as their 7th and 8th graders? just wondering.

Most 7th graders play midget youth league football. SMC JV is mainly 8th and 9th graders. Murphy’s 7,8 and 9th grades are all on the same campus. There are no middle school teams in the SMC, I guess it would be considered old school Jr High.

 

[Gentle Knight]

Most 7th graders play midget youth league football. SMC JV is mainly 8th and 9th graders. Murphy’s 7,8 and 9th grades are all on the same campus. There are no middle school teams in the SMC, I guess it would be considered old school Jr High.

Same for Robbinsville

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

SMC dont have the Quarter rule either.
We cant move to varsity and back to jv.
All sophomores play varsity. Freshman can play either but not both.
Jv freshman can however move up to varsity after the jv season ends.
Robbinsville will probably have 45-50 varsity after the jv season ends. We already moved to starting jv qb up last week.

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

Robbinsville had more fans than Swain last night. That's with limited visitors ticket sold.
It was odd hearing the announcers talk about Robbinsville being able to bring in fresh RBs while Swain couldn't.

 

[MHS1995]

I noticed that BK...Swain stands were nearly empty. Did I see 15 dressed players for Swain last night?

 

[FarWestNorthCarolinaSports]

Yes and 17 cheerleaders.

 

[MHS-88]

I noticed that BK...Swain stands were nearly empty. Did I see 15 dressed players for Swain last night?

Times have changed so much. Who honestly would have thought this would ever be a comment made about the Swain football program? Which school will be next?