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2018 in the books thoughts?

BackinBlack86

BackinBlack86

Top 100 Prospect
Oct 5, 2018
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Fun year! It started kinda ho hum Middletown and Delmar gonna win it but as we know it didn't turn out that way. love that it didn't.. as they say its why you play the games.

I figured Smyrna would fall back but not like this.. melt down.. lets see if they bounce back

HVT put up a good fight first 2 years in D1.. can they turn the corner next year?

Sad Fry didnt get his.. Great HS QB and competitor circumstances just didn't turn in his favor. GL to him going forward with life.. These disappointments will help him in that regard.. GL Fry Daddy

Central? What can you say? Best coached and most complete team in the state.. Wells really should win COF no disrespect to Manlove but SC was the best coached team in the state this year bar none

Sallies.. young team (for Sals anyway) got some luck on the way.. IMO if Kane played when they played Tech or if Westminster best player and QB played they probably lose both those and dont make play-offs.. but as it were they fought through those games and grew allot as a team to make the run they did in the play offs .. they can only build from here

D2 well I have expressed my displeasure about D2 this year but lets let that go.. next year? Alleyne is back.. Delmar will be Delmar.. Not sure what WB will bring and with a new HC.. Friends will be SPL kings and will CA come back? dont know.. I am thinking another Hen South team will burst on the scene next year.. Not sure if Laurel or Lake or even IR.. I dont know but again D2 looks wide open...

St Marks opened like world beaters then fell apart not sure what happened there.. But allot of nonsense on the sidelines.. some healing needs to happen there before they can move forward.. They need some leadership IMO

Milford going to D1 well we might not hear much from them for a couple years

Newark in D2? will have new coach but I think it weakens D2 even more

memorable moments?

well Smyrna coach melt down on camera
a couple high profile brawls
Christiana refusing to play in protest of coach suspension
Sals waxing Mtown at their house was a shocker
Mtowne scheduling IMG wtf?

I have more but will let others have a chance to chime in
 
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Sals beating Middletown 45-29.
The Hillers beating A.I. as the away team at home.
Middletown taking a near the end of the season vacation in Florida.
St. George's making the playoffs.
SC losing their first game but winning the last one that counts in the record books.
Smyrna has to play real football without WK.
Woodbridge avenging their loss to Friends when it counted.

All State will have some twists and turns, I'm sure!
 
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2018 rematches

MT-34 Sals-7
Sals- 49 MT-25

SC-21 Dover-0
SC- 21 Dover-20

WB-25 DM-0
WB-41 DM-14

WF-10 TH-3
WF-14 TH-6

WF-24 WB-21
WB-33 WF-9
 
The word for 2018 is BEATEMDOWN - never in my 26 years of watching high school football in this state have I seen so many running clocks. The talent gap is glaring.

Aside from that, Central and Woodbridge completing the first ever Sussex Sweep is a nice story and it shows how the public school system above the canal is dead on arrival. They still have feeder programs in Dover/Smyrna/Georgetown and not surprisingly, those schools are among the best.

Hodgson returns a lot of kids, they have to be the Flight A favorite because other than Middletown, that conference is DEE-readful.

Henny North's gonna be a little more interesting. How will Smyrna rebound from their meltdown? What does Cape's 2nd year with JD Maull look like? Can Dover keep the momentum going? How much does Central return?

Sallies would be the way too early D1 favorite. Two road wins against Flight A's best in the tournament and returning most of their team helps.

Delmar's the early D2 favorite, but you can't really nail anything down. How will Newark adjust to Flight B (something I'd NEVER thought I'd say)? Caravel was young, but finished 5-5 and St. E should be better as well. Flight B is...I guess whoever wins 7 or 8 next year. My pick in that regard is Howard. AI graduates most of that offense, though Brandywine, McKean and Christiana will be much improved.

Henny South depends on if Woodbridge can reload, if Laurel can find some discipline and if Lake's young kids keep growing.

Diamond State is wide open as Archmere and DMA graduate a lot of kids. Conrad was young but looked good in spots and the Baby Bulldogs of FSMA captured our hearts for most of the season, so that taste of winning should help them.

SPL looks to be Friends' to lose although Tatnall was super young and finished strong for the most part. Tower Hill should get 7 wins at least with that schedule.

St. Mark's...they should be D2's top team each year, but apparently they aren't ready for that title and never will be.
 
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BackinBlack86 said:
Fun year! It started kinda ho hum Middletown and Delmar gonna win it but as we know it didn't turn out that way. love that it didn't.. as they say its why you play the games.

I figured Smyrna would fall back but not like this.. melt down.. lets see if they bounce back

HVT put up a good fight first 2 years in D1.. can they turn the corner next year?

Sad Fry didnt get his.. Great HS QB and competitor circumstances just didn't turn in his favor. GL to him going forward with life.. These disappointments will help him in that regard.. GL Fry Daddy

Central? What can you say? Best coached and most complete team in the state.. Wells really should win COF no disrespect to Manlove but SC was the best coached team in the state this year bar none

Sallies.. young team (for Sals anyway) got some luck on the way.. IMO if Kane played when they played Tech or if Westminster best player and QB played they probably lose both those and dont make play-offs.. but as it were they fought through those games and grew allot as a team to make the run they did in the play offs .. they can only build from here

D2 well I have expressed my displeasure about D2 this year but lets let that go.. next year? Alleyne is back.. Delmar will be Delmar.. Not sure what WB will bring and with a new HC.. Friends will be SPL kings and will CA come back? dont know.. I am thinking another Hen South team will burst on the scene next year.. Not sure if Laurel or Lake or even IR.. I dont know but again D2 looks wide open...

St Marks opened like world beaters then fell apart not sure what happened there.. But allot of nonsense on the sidelines.. some healing needs to happen there before they can move forward.. They need some leadership IMO

Milford going to D1 well we might not hear much from them for a couple years

Newark in D2? will have new coach but I think it weakens D2 even more

memorable moments?

well Smyrna coach melt down on camera
a couple high profile brawls
Christiana refusing to play in protest of coach suspension
Sals waxing Mtown at their house was a shocker
Mtowne scheduling IMG wtf?

I have more but will let others have a chance to chime in
Click to expand...
NPOA
 
Good stuff. I probably will hurt the quality of these season reflections but so what.
First, my beloved City..

3 Tournament Teams..

The Sals overachieved but they feel disappointment.
Howard had their moments but why did they roll over and play dead against AI?
Tower Hill beat the number 1 seed in their tournament.
St Lizzy's. The Marvin effect will start in earnest next year. Look for the city to have 4 tourney teams in 19.
Charter. The IQ crew did win a game this year.

Random incoherent thoughts:

If Hodgson played the clones at Caravel instead of their mud hole they probably would have won.

Even as a new convert (small c) to the Sals, I am happy for SC. They usually have a good program but had never won it. Great defense, great wing t execution. Enjoyed their success.

William Penn attendance. I attended the Penn - Sals game. Not counting the players, band, coaches or cheerleaders there were 140 fans on the Penn side. That is disgraceful.

Concord - what is the problem?

Middletown. What is the story behind the playoff disaster. Yes, a game can spin out of control but is there a story here? Coming on the heals of a tough loss to Hodgson...are the 2 losses connected in some way? I am bumfuzzled. Sals win at MDT: That was amazing.....and I am happy that the Sals won and am not trying to take anything away from their great stunning victory.

Henlopen Conference - some scholar here mentioned that they have now won 4 D1 titles in a row. Sure, Smyrna had a run but that is quite an accomplishment....and Dover looks like they are going to only get better.

That's it. Time to watch Ray Donovan.

Enough
 
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Uncle Bumfuzzled said:
Middletown. What is the story behind the playoff disaster. Yes, a game can spin out of control but is there a story here? Coming on the heals of a tough loss to Hodgson...are the 2 losses connected in some way? I am bumfuzzled. Sals win at MDT: That was amazing.....and I am happy that the Sals won and am not trying to take anything away from their great stunning victory.
Click to expand...
I can confirm that there was not many blank sign in spaces at physical therapy on CleaverFarms Rd.
 
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BackinBlack86 said:
Sallies.. young team (for Sals anyway) got some luck on the way..
Click to expand...
When I glance at the roster it looks like 23 seniors, that's a big class and only 8 make it on the field? That only 8 seems strange to me.
Sustainable programs/teams are always about Jrs. & Srs. Unless you are a Frosh/Soph sensation (uncommon).
Coach Larry Kehres reminded me, "If you have Frosh/Soph starting there is something wrong with your (recruiting) program."


Anyone catch Coach Wells post game interview, (very emotional) this year unlike previous the Team was healthy and got some luck.
 
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cavaliercharlie said:
When I glance at the roster it looks like 23 seniors, that's a big class and only 8 make it on the field? That only 8 seems strange to me.
Sustainable programs/teams are always about Jrs. & Srs. Unless you are a Frosh/Soph sensation (uncommon).
Click to expand...

If a kid plays Freshmen and JV..are you going to deny him a uniform his senior year. Those kids are good for the program. They practice and work for the opportunity to wear that uniform. Is it possible to get that Rudy moment? Maybe. If BDN had played all those SRs and left the 10th graders on JV...this team would not have had this success. Something wrong with the program? Is going 10-3 and getting to the finals with a soph laden lineup is wrong? Time will tell.
 
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Uncle Bumfuzzled said:
If a kid plays Freshmen and JV..are you going to deny him a uniform his senior year. Those kids are good for the program. They practice and work for the opportunity to wear that uniform. Is it possible to get that Rudy moment? Maybe. If BDN had played all those SRs and left the 10th graders on JV...this team would not have had this success. Something wrong with the program? Is going 10-3 and getting to the finals with a soph laden lineup is wrong? Time will tell.
Click to expand...

In retrospect Bummy, they overachieved. Most wags on this board had them 5-5 at best in August. Memo to BDN...get an offensive coordinator. If Mike Judy is content enough to hand the reigns to somebody else, why can't he do the same and stick to defense?
 
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I too am wondering how much that trip to Florida took out of the Cavs? Not only physically but prior to the trip they were rolling and playing with allot of confidence. Could going down there and getting beat down haven taken some of the swag out of them? I know the RB got hurt down there did he ever comeback at full strength? whats the story MT folks? was the trip/experience worth it in the end?
 
dovetail said:
In retrospect Bummy, they overachieved. Most wags on this board had them 5-5 at best in August. Memo to BDN...get an offensive coordinator.
Click to expand...

Dovetail, wow! You have a way of waking me up. Could BDN integrate in some additional pass plays? Sure. This game is about blocking and tackling. To do what they did with 7-8 sophs once again proves that he knows what he is doing. Wells has gotten beat up for his offense over the past 2 years. Looks like old school ruled this year.
 
Ches; I watched that game scratching my head all the time. He uses the Qb mainly to hand off. Hell; if you run 95% of the time; use him!. BDN is not a dinosaur in his thinking. A better moniker is "amphibian". They came before the dinosaurs.
 
Chesdel said:
To do what they did with 7-8 sophs once again proves that he knows what he is doing.
Click to expand...
Very impressive, not sustainable, for all the marbles should of utilized more of the 23 Seniors.

Starting to wonder if there was inner circle pressure to play 7-8 sophs.

Has parity caught up with all of us? Is this the beginning of the end?
 
dovetail said:
Ches; I watched that game scratching my head all the time. He uses the Qb mainly to hand off. Hell; if you run 95% of the time; use him!. BDN is not a dinosaur in his thinking. A better moniker is "amphibian". They came before the dinosaurs.
Click to expand...

I am waving the white flag.
 
cavaliercharlie said:
Very impressive, not sustainable, for all the marbles should of utilized more of the 23 Seniors.

Starting to wonder if there was inner circle pressure to play 7-8 sophs.

Has parity caught up with all of us? Is this the beginning of the end?
Click to expand...

I don't think so but I am listening. As you know, talent doesn't always run through a school apportioned out in even increments from year to year. A coach and his staff have to choose those kids who will help the program win now. It is likely that the class of '19 at the Big S has less FB talent than the Class of '21.

Unsure about the use of seniors. I just don't know enough about talent I didn't see practice or play.
 
Chesdel said:
A coach and his staff have to choose those kids who will help the program win now.
Click to expand...
I hear you (pressure/win now) pay to play parents and alumni can do that to you. I would of pulled the rug and went with the individuals who possible were playing their last game of their FB career. Seniors seem to have a since of urgency when coached up during Tourney play.

2019 vs 2021, less FB talent, ok. These numbers just don't jive, they seem disproportionate or do I want to say unprecedented .

As much as I like BDN his business plan needs to be revamped. I'm going with Coach Larry Kehres (332-24-3) on this one only because his business model has been wrong just 24 times.

A runner up business plan is unacceptable in my book. Let's pick this up in 6/7 months. (Please).
 
cavaliercharlie said:
I hear you (pressure/win now) pay to play parents and alumni can do that to you. I would of pulled the rug and went with the individuals who possible were playing their last game of their FB career. Seniors seem to have a since of urgency when coached up during Tourney play.
Click to expand...

Yes, the '21 class has more overall raw talent than '19 class, just check the freshman record out last year! And at some position the '22 class has more raw over all talent then the '20 or '19 class especially along lines, so other than '20 Watkins look for some of the young '22's to break the starting line up with the talented '21's. Sallies is going to young for a while!
 
Simmonj4618 said:
Sallies is going to young for a while!
Click to expand...
first-runner-up.png
For a while! Guarantee! Next you will have Srs. carrying Frosh helmet and pads out to the practice field.
 
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“St. Mark's...they should be D2's top team each year, but apparently they aren't ready for that title and never will be.”


Not sure what St Marks school you are referencing. You are thinking of St Marks 5 years ago. Today’s Spartans consist of just barely 500 students. The eye test will tell you they aren’t a D2 top team and probably won’t be. It’s a totally different school than it was. Don’t be fooled by the name.
 
fanoffootball123 said:
“St. Mark's...they should be D2's top team each year, but apparently they aren't ready for that title and never will be.”


Not sure what St Marks school you are referencing. You are thinking of St Marks 5 years ago. Today’s Spartans consist of just barely 500 students. The eye test will tell you they aren’t a D2 top team and probably won’t be. It’s a totally different school than it was. Don’t be fooled by the name.
Click to expand...

Enrollment has consistently declined prior to five years ago. The "new" Saint Mark's better start getting some dudes in the halls soon. Can Joe Wright, make it right?

Cheers,

Busch
 
More important things going on there than football but since this is a football board I’ll agree with you.

I’ve been actively recruiting for them but it’s a tough sell.
 
Simmonj4618 said:
Yes, the '21 class has more overall raw talent than '19 class, just check the freshman record out last year! And at some position the '22 class has more raw over all talent then the '20 or '19 class especially along lines, so other than '20 Watkins look for some of the young '22's to break the starting line up with the talented '21's. Sallies is going to young for a while!
Click to expand...
just reading this im wondering if the implication is that you play seniors as opposed to whoever is most skilled?
 
I'm not saying play a freshman a over senior but it a fine line. Some classes are more talented than others. I know high school is different than college but look at Alabama last yr. Saban benched a upper classmen 28-2 starter for a true freshman at look what happened. Talent is talent.
 
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There are allot of teams that wish they had the luxury of starting upperclassmen on varsity and that can barely put a JV team together each week
 
Realistically, how many freshmen start at the D1 HS level? 2 great names come to mind - Darius Wade and Troy Reeder. They were all time great DE HS FB players.

I am sure that I am missing a few....
 
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Uncle Bumfuzzled said:
Realistically, how many freshmen start at the D1 HS level? 2 great names come to mind - Darius Wade and Troy Reeder. They were all time great DE HS FB players.

I am sure that I am missing a few....
Click to expand...

plenty of Freshman start at the D1 level.. just not at the schools in contention mainly the lower tier Flight A teams
 
cavaliercharlie said:
Yes.
23 Seniors should of been "Wells" prepared for their Senoir dominate year. History repeats itself the names just change.

Enuff...Got to go... Early bird swim at SAS...
Click to expand...
Sussex Central does not have 23 seniors. They played with 11 seniors and only 6 were starters (7 counting the kicker)
 
Art Corvelay said:
Sussex Central does not have 23 seniors. They played with 11 seniors and only 6 were starters (7 counting the kicker)
Click to expand...

lol Art you have been around here long enough to know Charlie likes to exaggerate.but in this case he was talking about the Sallies roster
 
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