DarterBlue2

I understand it, though. It's righteous indignation! Somehow, it detracts from the purity of the high school game. For here masquerading as a high school team is an American All Star team.

"We gonna beat _____, throw a W on that schedule! Who you with, APK, ..."

Maybe the parents need to earn a living? How novel would that be?

They may have been overrated last year. But in general, Oscar Smith is a good program. I think Vero should be proud they went to their place and beat them. I am glad Vero's brain trust was up to the challenge.

I know a spring game does not count for much, but it seems Gainesville is down based on their performance against West Orange. Given the fact Columbia has some big time college prospects, I would be surprised if they don't win this game.

If we change what Columbia Fan said to, teams within 50 miles of each other played for the state title, we could add: 2004 Armwood vs Lake Gibson and the 1980s matchup between Lakeland and Largo to the list.

One of the biggest obstacles faced by small towns and rural areas in attracting talent from out of the area, is the lack of employment opportunities. I know of several individuals with middle and high school aged kids that would love to leave metro Orlando which has grown too big for them. However, to go to Madison County or Lake City or even Tavares, which is on the outskirts of metro Orlando, would severely impact their economic situations due to poor job prospects.

Yeah, but you will have to convince kids to move nearby to make the commute somewhat manageable. So, yes, in theory it may be good, but in practice only a few small town and rural schools will actually bring in talent because of the changes.

Deerfield Beach vs Palm Beach Gardens, 2005 6A State Championship. PBG blew them out scoring 49 points after they struggled offensively the prior week in their semifinal against Winter Park, winning 10-7 on a field goal as time expired.

It depends on how you define actively recruit. I do personally know an Evans kid who will be attending Lake Highlands Prep beginning this academic year. He is a rising sophomore and is a very talented wide receiver who is already 6 ft 2 ins though he just turned 15. Humble kid who is pretty smart. Someone close to me prepped him for the Lake Highlands placement exam. Given his nature, he should be able to use the experience to his benefit. However, this is a big blow to Evans who has had trouble rebuilding their program despite an abundance of talent in their zone.

District size not a problem. But to justify moving Jones up two classes, they would have to show me at least two years of consistently good football. For while Jones has put some talented teams on the field, they have also put some so so ones into battle, too. They have lacked consistency from one year to the next.

That would be a bit better. But what would you do with the 4 Orlando area teams?

Comments: D2 is not ideal but probably works; D4 & D3 - Exchange Oak Ridge with Winter Springs from D3 to D4, and vice versa; D5 is a problem; however, there is no easy fix given the other teams you have in 7A. The problem with D5 is that you have 4 Orlando area teams combined with 3 Treasure Coast area teams. Those district games are going to have long commutes.

Geography is okay for Bayshore.

I had no idea. And they are pretty old too. Guess they must have never, ever made any noise in football, as I have no recollection of them.

General, all the above could work as they are teams from the Tampa Bay area (with one possible exception, Bayshore). However, it is possible that some could be moved around a bit among the groups. Not familiar enough with Tampa Bay to suggest if necessary and how. Regarding Bayshore, I have never heard of them (new school?) so I was not sure if they belonged. Tomorrow, I will have a few other suggestions on the Central Florida area 7As.

It's called the easy way out. To be good takes a lot of work for most people. To thrash others only takes a mouth or a keyboard!

That's a possible solution. Not sure if it would work, as a majority would have to buy into this idea for it to make sense.

Maybe because the player is a kid and the coach is an adult. Maybe also because Peacock has his detractors and the issue would be an opportunity to trash him. I could think of a handful of other reasons ...

Lion, it depends on which people. If it's someone I know well, love or respect and they say very negative things they have the capacity to hurt me for I care what they think. If it's someone I don't know or just casually know, I really couldn't care less.

It's going to be a WWE type smack down! I went to that game a couple years ago. Had a good time and the rivalry was pretty intense. But all, in all, the game was no more dirty than many I have seen in Central Florida. Bet that changes this year!

It seems to me some of the solutions are not worth the complexity and probably would not work in large, metro areas such as Dade, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville anyway. With open enrollment greatly expanded by the state legislature, it seems difficult to limit transfers anyhow. It seems to me, this is just something we are going to have to live with till the rules at the state level are changed again. I know it sucks for small towns and rural areas, but this is the current reality of the world we live in.

On a percentage basis, Dade's percent of the total has actually not varied that much over the years. Now this is probably due to first District Champs only made the playoffs for a long time and districts with Dade teams were exclusively Dade districts. Likewise in the late 1990s through 2016, District champs and runner ups made the playoffs and districts with Dade teams were almost always exclusively Dade districts. Now that we have gone to points systems (and districts have been abolished in the lower classes altogether), look for changes in the percentage of teams from different counties, including Dade, to begin to fluctuate much more from year to year and to also trend positively or negatively over time. Of course, this assumes the new system remains in place for awhile.

Very true! But they are probably due. So Columbia fan may be a happy camper in the near future.

Darn! Do I come over that old?