Perspective

If you truly believe this, I've got a bridge in Polk County that I'd like to sell you.   

If you truly believe this, I've got a bridge in Polk County that I'd like to sell you.   

If you truly believe this, I've got a bridge in Polk County that I'd like to sell you.   

Shhhhhh.  You know that question was meant for someone else.  Just sit back and watch the show 

Stacy Gage, 5-star RB with offers from Alabama and Ohio State among many, reportedly transferring from IMG to Wharton.  Big get for Wharton; instantly throws them into the playoff mix. 

Nolebull, while I think your questions are rhetorical, I'll answer them anyway. 
Venice and Lakeland are a lot a like.   While they may not be in a true metro county, they are both located in or close to high population areas.  In other words, there are plenty of other high schools close by.  Relatively, speaking, none of those 'close by schools' have a football tradition that rivals Lakeland (in Polk) or Venice (in Sarasota).  Both schools have long-time coaches (Castle and Peacock) and tremendous fan/alumni support.  Both schools teetered close to the edge (and likely crossed the line a few times) with respect to transfers prior to school choice and both established themselves as the preeminent program in their area before the rules/laws changed.  And because neither school is at capacity, they can accept transfers that may become attracted to their programs, however that may happen.   In short, they have all the ingredients necessary for a successful program:  coaching, athletes and community support. 

Nolebull, while I think your questions are rhetorical, I'll answer them anyway. 
Venice and Lakeland are a lot a like.   While they may not be in a true metro county, they are both located in or close to high population areas.  In other words, there are plenty of other high schools close by.  Relatively, speaking, none of those 'close by schools' have a football tradition that rivals Lakeland (in Polk) or Venice (in Sarasota).  Both schools have long-time coaches (Castle and Peacock) and tremendous fan/alumni support.  Both schools teetered close to the edge (and likely crossed the line a few times) with respect to transfers prior to school choice and both established themselves as the preeminent program in their area before the rules/laws changed.  And because neither school is at capacity, they can accept transfers that may become attracted to their programs, however that may happen.   In short, they have all the ingredients necessary for a successful program:  coaching, athletes and community support. 

Jesse would take issue with this proposition. 

In answer to your question, I'd say we're giving some other team an easy path to the championship game.  

In answer to your question, I'd say we're giving some other team an easy path to the championship game.  

In answer to your question, I'd say we're giving some other team an easy path to the championship game.  

In answer to your question, I'd say we're giving some other team an easy path to the championship game.  

In answer to your question, I'd say we're giving some other team an easy path to the championship game.  

Hypothetically you would have 4 regional champions: Region 1 - Jones/Edgewater;    Region 2 - Jesuit;    Region 3 - STA/Dillard;   Region 4 - Homestead.  Assuming the FHSAA is again reseeding the state semifinalists, based on the FHSAA Power Rankings (which I think is the case), seed #1 would host seed #4, and seed #2 would host seed #3.  So Dillard could hypothetically play Jesuit in the state semifinals or state finals, if both teams were to progress that far.

Jim Bird, the longtime AD & legendary wrestling coach at OHS is calling it a career at the school.  Bird, who spent nearly 30 years with the Kowboys stepped down on July 15th.  He has accepted a teaching/coaching position at Gulf Breeze High in Santa Rosa County in the Florida pandhandle and those folks are blessed to get a person of this caliber.  This move is strictly about family as he has children and grandchildren in Atlanta and Chattanooga which will allow he and his wife to be a lot closer to them.
Bird's accomplishments as both AD & wrestling coach are impressive.  He came to OHS in 1987 as an assistant FB coach and wrestling coach becoming the HC wrestling in 1996 where he would begin to build one of the best high school wrestling programs in the NATION.  A tradition of excellence is the OHS motto and Coach Bird is a prime example of that Tradition.  Starting with Alex Eggers winning the 140 lb. championship in 2007, Bird has produced at least one state champion for 16 consecutive years.  His teams have finished in the top 6 in the state in those same 16 years, including winning a state title in 2009 and finishing as runner-up in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2014.  In all 17 different Osceola wrestlers have claimed a total of 32 state championships - including Fox Baldwin who still holds the national records for career wins while being a four-time state champ.  Bird leaves the program on a high note.  Last year, 3 of his wrestlers (all underclassmen) won state championships including Cooper Haase, Gunner Holland and Anderson Heap.  Haase, a rising senior, will have a chance to match Baldwin as Osceola's only four-time state champion.  With 106 points score at the 4A State Tournament in March, the Kowboys finished third in the state.  This consistency of producing state champions became a Bird rally cry with the team ......"We're not superstitious and we talked about the streak all the time".  In the first team meeting every year, we write on the chalkboard ..... "Who Is Next?'
His organizational skills were recognized by the fact Osceola was selected as the host school for numerous district, regional and state championships.  Heritage Park has been the site of the state championship for most of the past decade, with OHS serving as host institution.  Created 5 years ago, every state dual meet championship has been hosted by the Kowboys.  In addition, the Christmas Knockout Classic - one of the largest and most prestigious holiday tournaments in the country was created and hosted by Bird and OHS.  Bird has gained the respect of the state and national wrestling community.  Vic Balmeceda, has coached South Dade to 17 state championships once said "Jim had never bent his morals or ethics to win a match and that is extremely hard to find these days."  
But building a wrestling program is just part of the legacy he will leave behind.  As AD, Bird has seen his basketball team win 2 state championships and reach another final four.  The OHS football program - long considered a state power - reached three state championships under Bird; while baseball, softball and other sports have claimed numerous district and regional titles.  As a long time friend, I can truly say he will be sorely missed and impossible to replace.  Here is to your future Jim and may God continue to ride alongside you and your great family.  

Jesse would take issue with this proposition. 

For the umpteenth time, there is nothing wrong with a team accepting transfers, regardless of where the kids come from. 
Recruiting, on the other hand, remains illegal. 
I have no problem whatsoever with a team accepting transfers (heck, with school choice, I don't think the school can say "no" to them, unless they're at capacity).   And I have no problem with a team that ends up with legitimate transfers calling out a team that is actively recruiting.  Again, one is legal (if not state mandated), while the other is still against the rules. 

Jesse would take issue with this proposition. 

Have to agree with that from what happens in our area.  Almost any transfer we get seldom posts it on twitter, IG, FB or other social media they just come.  We don't try to hide it as the school losing the player knows and is most likely disappointed especially if he has made an impact at his old school already.  But we are also not out there letting everyone know we got this guy, we got that guy as if that is going to make or break your season because it sometimes makes little difference.  I am also a great believer that "Quality" Trumps "Quantity".   When you already run a good program getting 3 or 4 impact players can make more of a difference than 10-12 that are at the level you already have.

Standard off-season conditioning.  Totally legal -- although, technically, I think anyone enrolled at the school can participate if they want to . . .  it just so happens that that never happens. 

So, educate them.  Use that "reply" button to let them know there is a difference between the two and that one is legal and the other is not. 

Public vs. private really isn't an issue for me, especially now with school choice. 
That said, the QB position is unique.  It's different than almost every other position of a football team(except, perhaps, kicker).   Only one QB can play at a time (even when Spurrier was rotating the QB every play).   If a stud QB transfers to a new school, the kid who otherwise was going to start gets relegated to the bench (unless he can play another position) and only ends up playing mop-up duty or if the new starter gets hurt. 

Serious question:  if a kid doesn't post something on social media and there's no media person snooping around asking questions, how does anyone know that a kid has transferred over the summer until the fall pre-season practice starts or someone updates the roster on MaxPreps?  
If a kid doesn't post something, are they trying to hide it?   Personally, I'd give more kudos to a kid for not posting something than putting up a "taking my talents to" post in which he thanks everybody at his old school for everything they've done for him and tells them all how much he loves them and then turns around and says "but that said, I'm now transferring." 
And lord knows there are very few newspapers or tv stations that cover high school football, especially in the off-season, so I don't find it the least bit odd that a transfer doesn't make the news.   Nor do I think anyone is hiding anything. 

So, educate them.  Use that "reply" button to let them know there is a difference between the two and that one is legal and the other is not. 

Too bad all he can do is give some reactions and yell at his computer about it