Last night I decided to take in a scrimmage and I decided to go see broadway/central instead of ta/east rock. The first thing I wanted to see was if the numbers issue truly is an issue for Broadway. When I saw them take the field I was pleasantly surprised that they seemed to have numbers in the thirties instead of the 20’s. I mentioned that to some of the fans around me (parents, because that’s pretty much all that was there for Broadway) and they said it was a little deceiving. Apparently about 10 of the players dressed are jv freshmen who will dress on Friday nights. That explains the numbers question. I asked why so low a number and they pointed out multiple issues, some already discussed here. However, there was one thing I hadn’t heard yet. Apparently not one of last years freshmen jv players came back out as sophomores this year. I asked why and was told they didn’t want to play for the coaches. I left it at that and didn’t dig further.
So the scrimmage started and broadways offense was held on the first drive. Centrals offense took the field and their best receiver went up the middle for a long touchdown pass. He ran right by the free safety and caught the ball for the score. At that point I noticed the free safety didn’t exactly look like he fit size wise with the rest of the players, so of course I asked (maybe I shouldn’t have done that, lol). I was told that he is the teams “spiritual advidor’s” son, a freshman, who didn’t play as an eighth grader (private school) and was pulled up this summer to varsity. I asked if he has a great skill set, and was told “not really, just the right parents, lol”. Got a major sense that this is a sensitive issue with the parents and the players, but once again I left it alone.
So broadway got the ball back and put together a good drive to score. Now the next issue. The Collier kid who quit due to a work conflict with the coach was the teams kicker. They had the Cruz kid try to kick extra points but that didn’t work out so well. The ball never got more than seven feet off the ground. Central got the ball back and broadway had a good defensive series to hold. Broadways offense marched down the field and missed several opportunities to score, before one of the receivers let a perfectly thrown ball bounce off of his hands into the hands of a central defender. Drive over. Central moved the ball a little, and on third down ran a reverse to the good receiver who took it 83 yards to the house. Unfortunately that’s where the game ended. There was a lightning alert and the teams never got back on the field.
My overall observations were that central looked ok. They don’t look as strong and excited as last year, but they should still be pretty good. Broadway will be okay if they get some positions sorted out (particularly on defense) and stay healthy. There is no depth, period. If they have to start playing the jv players it’s going to hurt. From what I’m told the kids aren’t ready for that, and the parents aren’t sure they want the kids pulled up. There is quality there, but no depth.
The other thing I noticed is that there couldn’t have been more than 100 fans on the Broadway side. Central traveled really well and easily outnumbered broadways fans. Some may not give that a second thought, but I did. Broadway has always supported its football program really well. Win or lose, the fans come out (even for a benefit game). This was the first I’d noticed different. In a time where teams are cancelling seasons, it makes me nervous. I enjoy going places like broadway because the passion was always there. Seems like the community may not be bought in like it used to be. I hope the AD is paying attention and doesn’t ignore it. It’s easy to look at your homecoming and rivalry game crowds and say everything is fine. Don’t be blind. I love watching valley football. I don’t want to lose that opportunity at broadway, or anywhere else.
Time to look at tonight’s schedule and see where I want to go. Sorry for the long message, but I didn’t want to miss anything. Time for a nap.