Ray Icaza

Agree 100% and the same can be said about Eric Pinellas. GO KOWBOYS!!

I agree with the opinions of our AD, HC and others when it comes to ranking based on polls as opposed to actual results on the field. This was their comments when interviewed about the open division for the top 32 teams. Two years ago, we were told that SOS would be rewarded so we scheduled accordingly one of the toughest schedules in the state. Thru that early gauntlet we were 4-3 and when the FHSAA put out the rankings we came in at #33 in 4S. Yes, in 4S!! At seasons end we dominated Mainland 33-6 who would barely lose the 3S championship to Lake Wales (32-30) and we took Lakeland to the wire in both games, the eventual 4S champ. Ask them if they thought we were #33 in 4S. Those advocating for less classifications, bigger districts and separate championships for public and private get my vote with automatic bids for winners and runner up. Will it leave a potential playoff type team out now and then? Yes, but at least you have clearly laid out rules for getting into the playoffs and aren't left to wonder about the "HOCUS POCUS".

Yup, they moved Miami Central up to #47 overall and #4 in their classification. Apopka is sitting at #51 overall and #7 in your classification. Another head scratcher is Manatee a spot ahead of Venice despite getting trounced by them 2 weeks earlier. Thank God they moved us up to #266 overall and #44 in our class. I guess that meets your definition of "Slight Improvement"!

It is a possibility.

Probably not a bad idea in the down cycle they are currently in. They had been making some headway when Coach Rich Pringle was there before abandoning ship and returning to Lake Gibson. And what does that say about Space Coast HS in Cocoa who got beat by Celebration.

So far, so good. The sad part is against Celebration, Taevion Swint got two touches for the night. On the first play on the first possession, they threw him a swing pass he took to the house for his first TD. On the first play of the second possession, they ran a sweep he took to the house for his second TD. He sat the remainder of the game. Obviously got to rest alot of players so we will be as close to a full deck when we play Mainland on Thursday.

No idea on the status of Elijah Melendez but not depending on his return to finish the season strong. The 2 young sophomores filling in for him have done a great job learning their assignments and making plays week by week. Despite our record, I doubt there are many teams in 4S chomping at the bit to face us come playoff time.

To take that a step further, looking at the FHSAA rankings (they haven't been updated yet today) we should have a running clock put on us by Mainland on Thursday night much less have any chance of winning.... #2 vs #302. Let's see what surprises this season has yet to grace us with. By the way, Nolebull813 has been correct in the two previous district games as a running clock was in effect during the first half in each. Will have to wait on the outcome with TOHO till next weekend.

Ouch!!

Won't have to wait long to see who is correct as they face their toughest test over the next 3 weeks against APK, Seminole and Mainland. Not a betting man, but if I was my chips would be with the views expressed by Darter.

I completely understand, just warms my soul seeing some ole time values still matter particularly with a youngster. I gave the example of the kid that transferred from Suwannee HS to our school this year with all the hype. In my humble opinion his Dad chose our school as a landing spot not the kid. He was expecting a security blanket just handing the ball off to Taevion and in the early season that didn't pan out. Thus, he was expected to be more productive and he was unable to deliver so ended up getting beat out by an undersized sophomore. Every decision has risks and don't always play out as you had planned. Anyway, extremely happy for the success Caleb Sanchez is enjoying his senior year.

Mainland will rightfully be favored based on record plus home field advantage. It appears they wanted to cancel last year prior to playing the game and this year are itching for revenge. In any event, we won't be easy pickings and if we keep mistakes to a minimum we certainly have a chance to pull the upset. Game has been moved to Thursday of next week and I will certainly be in attendance bar any emergency. Your BUCS have been playing well all year and have a strong argument to make as the leading contender for this year's 3S TITLE!!

If the score or result wasn't newsworthy enough, read the article I link regarding the backstory of the SJB QB; very heartwarming. However, it does lend some credence to the fact that more times than not it is the parent seeking the kid to transfer for playing time/exposure rather than the other way around. St. John Bosco QB Caleb Sanchez seeing patience, loyalty pay off (msn.com

Well, we got our answer as Deland put up a good fight but came up short losing to Seminole 49-42. The score was relatively close but in my eyes a team giving up 49 points doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Granted we lost to Sanford Seminole earlier in the year 31-6, but played the entire game with little offensive output with injured RB's, an inexperienced QB and our defense on the field way too long. Looks like some teams are starting to struggle with injuries late in the season, whereas we are finally getting most folks back. I think the Kowboys will give Mainland all it can handle next Thursday despite the record and the hilarious FHSAA rankings. Currently Mainland is #2 among all schools while we are #302. Can't wait to see how this plays out.

Anyone can find outliers to prop up an argument. What you can't deny is "PRIVATES" in metro areas winning about 80% of state titles for over a decade and it has only gotten worse. That stat as opposed to yours tells it all. Given publics probably outnumber privates 3 to 1, no they aren't doing fine.

I tend to agree with you on most points, but doubt that Osceola year in and year out get the number and quality of transfers like Cocoa does. Just look at one position for Cocoa the past few years as a clear example, QB! These kids that just "SHOW UP" were in their school boundaries? Must be MAGIC.

You are partially correct that some powers today may not be tomorrow or vice versa but missed my entire point. PRIVATES MY FRIEND!! For 20 years or more the Bolles School, TCA, University School in south FL and today AHP, CMD, Tampa Jesuit, Cardinal Gibbons, especially STA, etc... have cleaned up on state titles. I'm sure I have left some out so forgive me for that.

Privates never bitched, just said "Let's Get Even" and started recruiting. This whole narrative is laughable as back in that era those same schools a year or two prior or after could have had completely different (winning) records. The last 20 years have been a complete takeover of the haves and have nots with little to zero variation. Who you fooling??

They have won against some solid teams, but the only top ranked team they have played (Mainland) put a L on them. Will be interesting to see how they perform in the upcoming weeks vs Seminole and University. That will tell alot.

THANK YOU!! That has been my simple solution since I began participating on this forum. All these other gymnastics being proposed have their own set of unintended consequences. I have no beef against privates, but they operate under a different set of rules, thus should play in their own league.

Couldn't agree more that "PARENTS" tend to be more of the driver than the kids when it comes to transferring for reasons you stated. We lost two key sophomore starters from last year's varsity basketball team (one was our leading scorer) due to the parent wanting the JV coaching job and more sway over the program. He was Dad to one and Uncle to the other, forced the move against their wishes to a rival school in the county. The leading scorer who is an unbelievably explosive athlete was also an excellent football player and currently leads that school in receiving with double the yardage of his closest teammate plus 7 receiving TD's with no other player with more than 1!! He was a starter here as a WR and could have had the same impact for our football team entering his junior year but was pulled out right before school started for pure vindictiveness against the varsity basketball program as he would have been our top player again this year in that sport. I have intentionally not named the players or the school as neither has responsibility for what happened. Ask any coach about these "KNOW-IT-ALL" parents, they can be poison to your program.

Thanks for the clarification as your previous comment was "These POLLS (plural) are ridiculous". I was clear in having zero agreement with the FHSAA rankings to date but I think the MaxPrep poll is much closer to correct.

FHSAA list is not a poll but the official ranking system whether you agree or not, which I don't. MaxPrep "IS a POLL" and they pretty much reflect your list "EXACTLY" with the small difference with STA squeezing in over Cocoa due to officiating. So how can that "POLL" be ridiculous while yours isn't??

Not taking sides in this disagreement and not a big fan of the FHSAA poll which just came out, but this is their take. #98 overall is Western ranked #12 in class with a 5.80 strength of schedule #164 overall is Dillard ranked #20 in class with a 5.68 strength of schedule #246 overall is Miramar ranked #35 in class with a 3.64strength of schedule So according to them, Western shouldn't be ranked ahead of only Miramar (by a mile), but also ahead of even Dillard. In addition, MaxPrep has them also ranked higher in their classification of 4M as #5, whereas Dillard in 3M is #17 with Miramar again lagging farther behind. Yup, again it is only someone else's poll (opinion) which surely will not sit well with one of you.

Probably good reason for this that may only be known to Jesuit fans for the anomaly.