Thomasville @ Albemarle

[Buddy Rich]

First game of the season...What the red dogs got this year?

 

[Wow71]

Pro’s- second year in Coach Robertson’s system. A few athletic basketball type kids that didn’t play last year are out. Online is bigger and stronger and returns several starters. Solid punter and kicker. QB and WR’s are athletic and can make plays. Team is stronger after a good year of off season weight training. Defense is athletic, has talent and can run to the ball.

Con’s- Returning offensive player of year (RB) is supposedly at Lexington. Depth is an issue with several key guys playing both ways and lack of depth behind them is a potential issue. DL lost several good players and a stud LB graduated.

 

[ThsFans]

Buddy what happened to bluebones? I can't remember if you told me or not?

 

[Buddy Rich]

He passed away bout 4 years ago..I sure miss him....

 

[ocdavis31]

I’m curious about an issue and would like some opinions.
Obviously it’s a coaching decision. But, how many players does a 1-A or 2-A team need to have viable varsity and jv football teams?
I get the concerns that many younger players are not ready for varsity football. And that there are advantages to slow development that pays off later on. But I also see the risk in playing virtually everyone both ways in positions that they aren’t suited for physically or from a football mentality standpoint.
The issue of competitiveness is important, but safety more so.
So at what point does a coach decide that having only a viable varsity team is better than having two teams with barely enough to get by?
I have a number in mind, but am interested in other thoughts.

 

[Wow71]

I’m curious about an issue and would like some opinions.
Obviously it’s a coaching decision. But, how many players does a 1-A or 2-A team need to have viable varsity and jv football teams?

IMO- 1A 45-50. 2A 55-65. 30 and 25 are decent for 1A and small 2A schools.

I get the concerns that many younger players are not ready for varsity football. And that there are advantages to slow development that pays off later on. But I also see the risk in playing virtually everyone both ways in positions that they aren’t suited for physically or from a football mentality standpoint. The issue of competitiveness is important, but safety more so.

IMO- huge difference in a 6’0 160 pound 14 year old and a 6’0 160 pound 17-18 year old. Playing kids both ways has changed due to heat related issues, dehydration and lack of proper nutrition. Possible solution is to have 3 kids to play two positions and rotate them if you can (Ex: 3 OL to play OT). Might have to use a kid as a rotator that may not fit the mold to stay as fresh as possible. Build depth on both sides, manage reps, and use as many non starters as possible on special teams.

So at what point does a coach decide that having only a viable varsity team is better than having two teams with barely enough to get by?

IMO- Once a teams numbers get to the point of non competing, increased injury or having to change numbers to fill spots then one team is a must. Playing a game with 14-16 kids is too much on the guys due to heat related illness.

I have a number in mind, but am interested in other thoughts.

 

[ThsFans]

He passed away bout 4 years ago..I sure miss him....

Man I do too! How old was he when he passed? And what happened?

 

[Buddy Rich]

Not sure of his age..Maybe early 70s...He had had a rare stomach cond for 10 years..Finally took him out..Remember our meeting in Denton for lunch.....Great times......

 

[ThsFans]

Not sure of his age..Maybe early 70s...He had had a rare stomach cond for 10 years..Finally took him out..Remember our meeting in Denton for lunch.....Great times......

Yes I do! That was awesome! I sure do miss him too!

 

[PrepFanNC]

I’m curious about an issue and would like some opinions.
Obviously it’s a coaching decision. But, how many players does a 1-A or 2-A team need to have viable varsity and jv football teams?
I get the concerns that many younger players are not ready for varsity football. And that there are advantages to slow development that pays off later on. But I also see the risk in playing virtually everyone both ways in positions that they aren’t suited for physically or from a football mentality standpoint.
The issue of competitiveness is important, but safety more so.
So at what point does a coach decide that having only a viable varsity team is better than having two teams with barely enough to get by?
I have a number in mind, but am interested in other thoughts.

Good question. I’m going to go with 30 kids. That might be lowballing it a little bit. With 30 kids, there will almost certainly be 6-8 kids who are just there because they enjoy the team aspect (i don’t fault them a bit, even if they aren’t contributors). That leaves you with 22-24 kids who really want to get after it. Drawing from them, you might be able to assemble a varsity with a less than prosperous JV.

 

[Wow71]

Camps started this week, any word on numbers for THS or AHS? I heard THS was mid 40’s.

 

[ocdavis31]

Camps started this week, any word on numbers for THS or AHS? I heard THS was mid 40’s.

If that’s correct, we’re once again in no man’s land. I really don’t see how you can field a varsity and a jv team with that. Hopefully, there will be more as the school year approaches, but you also have to expect some attrition during the season.
My number from the question I posed earlier is 55. Don’t see how you can have two teams with less than that. Compare that to the early seventies at Thomasville with 1,000 students and 130 out for football as opposed to 640 students and mid-forties for football. Same district lines, but almost double the population in the city limits. Sad.