Last night I was at the Va beach Sportsplex checking out 2 teams loaded with D1 talent. There was not a starter on any side of the ball for either team that didn't have a major D1 offer. The talent level was undeniable. Even the IMG kicker.. who was almost making field goals on the KICKOFFS into a head wind is going to Michigan.
I think VA public schools have athletes to compete against these type of schools but the problem is the team size. IMG has the biggest OL & DL I have ever seen on a high school team. It looked like an NFL line.
Bishop Sullivan outplayed the number 1 team in the nation pretty handily for most of the night. BS gave this game to IMG in a disturbing trend I am seeing more and more of in HS football. With a 6 point lead in the 4th quarter, BS goes for it on a 4th and long 4yrds from their own 19yrd line! Everyone in the stands especially the BS fans were dumbfounded. Sure enough IMG loads 11 in the box and stuffs BS. IMG then scores 3 plays later to take the 7-6 lead. IMG had been able to do nothing on offense until that giant momentum swing.
On the next possession BS drives all the way down to the IMG 7 yrd line with 3 minutes left on the clock. Again 4th and about 5 yrds with a chance to basically "kick an extra point" to beat the number 1 team in the nation.... and what does BS do, they go for it and run a dive!! Of coarse they are stuffed and the game is essentially over.
You can read Matt's take and get more game details at the VaPreps home page. Coach Scott is an incredible coach but these were "What on earth" decisions. Its unexplainable and unfortunate for the kids who outplayed their opponent.
I am seeing this more and more and I agree in HS football you should go for it a lot but sometimes it is just like playing Russian Roulette with 5 rounds in the barrel. There were 2 other times where BS could have kicked a short easy field goal and went for it and got stuffed on 4th down.
On Another note:
Gate prices were $15 for general admission and select seating for $25 a ticket. This type of football is unfortunately the near future just because it is making so much money for the schools with Bleecher Report / ESPN / Ad revenue and large venues. It would not surprise me to see a Richmond area private school emerge soon to attempt to be a national contender and make HS football big business.
Not sure I like a Private school pillaging local high schools for the areas top talent. There is something about winning with the neighborhood kids that makes HS football special.
I think VA public schools have athletes to compete against these type of schools but the problem is the team size. IMG has the biggest OL & DL I have ever seen on a high school team. It looked like an NFL line.
Bishop Sullivan outplayed the number 1 team in the nation pretty handily for most of the night. BS gave this game to IMG in a disturbing trend I am seeing more and more of in HS football. With a 6 point lead in the 4th quarter, BS goes for it on a 4th and long 4yrds from their own 19yrd line! Everyone in the stands especially the BS fans were dumbfounded. Sure enough IMG loads 11 in the box and stuffs BS. IMG then scores 3 plays later to take the 7-6 lead. IMG had been able to do nothing on offense until that giant momentum swing.
On the next possession BS drives all the way down to the IMG 7 yrd line with 3 minutes left on the clock. Again 4th and about 5 yrds with a chance to basically "kick an extra point" to beat the number 1 team in the nation.... and what does BS do, they go for it and run a dive!! Of coarse they are stuffed and the game is essentially over.
You can read Matt's take and get more game details at the VaPreps home page. Coach Scott is an incredible coach but these were "What on earth" decisions. Its unexplainable and unfortunate for the kids who outplayed their opponent.
I am seeing this more and more and I agree in HS football you should go for it a lot but sometimes it is just like playing Russian Roulette with 5 rounds in the barrel. There were 2 other times where BS could have kicked a short easy field goal and went for it and got stuffed on 4th down.
On Another note:
Gate prices were $15 for general admission and select seating for $25 a ticket. This type of football is unfortunately the near future just because it is making so much money for the schools with Bleecher Report / ESPN / Ad revenue and large venues. It would not surprise me to see a Richmond area private school emerge soon to attempt to be a national contender and make HS football big business.
Not sure I like a Private school pillaging local high schools for the areas top talent. There is something about winning with the neighborhood kids that makes HS football special.