Mike E

I was responding to @Perspective's post adding context to something they said. You know, friendly conversation...

Not that it matters. I am not trying to make a huge to do about this. I would be willing to go back and watch a replay of the game if I could find one. My buddy watched it streamed live. But I have never found a link. The 2 penalties you mentioned completely ring a bell as to the decline and offsetting.

Yes, I was at the game. I am not saying they were the local association. I wouldn't have a way of knowing that one way or another. Yes, the penalty count was very slanted. It has been over a month at this point. But my recollection is that there was 1 single penalty walked against LM. And it was a false start on an extra point. I believe there was one offsetting penalty play. And one that Venice declined. The refs absolutely knew players and coaches on the other side. I am not all up in arms about it. I was over it by the time I got home at about 2 AM that night. It was LM's year. The way the championship game ended proved that. They are a good team.

Just read the agenda and I was right about the LM game. It really did have a bad look.

Playoff refs are supposed to be from neutral associations. At least some of the refs at the Lake Mary/Venice games knew at least some of the Lake Mary players. Chatting with and high fiving LM players before the game. Several refs stayed after the game and were milling around the Lake Mary side. I personally have never seen this and have been going to HS games for decades. The penalties were very slanted at Venice in the game. I think there was 1 late game penalty against LM other than an unsportsmanlike call that went against both teams. I am not saying there was problems. But several of us noticed in the stands. I dont even know if his proposal had to do with this game. But, it was weirdly obvious at that game.

Has anyone ever seen @Jesse and @Jambun82 in the same place at the same time? Which is the alter-ego?

I have been to the last 5 championships. Florida A&M was by far the worst but only had it for a year and didn't have a chance to react to issues. For an artificial turf field it was nice. Their stadium announcer/hype guy was too much, way too much. The bands/cheerleaders were not given any room to do their thing. The first year at Drive Pink was rough. Parking was a complete nightmare, disastrous. Better the second year but still not good. The venue itself was the best of the 3. At least both sides had some shade possibilities for the day games. Bathrooms/vending was pretty good. A nice grass field should always be preferred. FIU first year problems came from not enough event staff and you never knew which gates were going to be open for entry. Lines were long to get in. Over the course of 12 or 13 games watched there I sat on the pressbox side for all but the LM VB game. That was for shade purposes as much as anything. I sat on the "away" side for the last game because I felt an innate need to not sit with the VB fans. The turf is worn out, tired. Looked like they used a Zamboni on it.

Hotels won't be a problem at The Villages. Just stock up on the multi color pack of bath loofahs. You will find a place to lay your head. In all seriousness... Stadium capacity would be my biggest concern. You get Vero Vs MNW (I know it isn't possible) and FIU is busting at the seams let alone a 6k capacity stadium. It doesn't make sense. There are at least 8 university stadiums in this state. Probably more. 3 Pro stadiums. Soccer stadiums. Better choices exist.

I was there, made the mistake of walking out with about 4ish minutes to go when the deluge of water came. Vero was up and about to score. (they did not) I had seen more than enough football for one week. (so i thought) So, I missed the missed FG to the end. There are a lot of people frustrated, perhaps rightfully so. I will send a gentle reminder that these are HS kids and HS coaches. If they were college or NFL coaches my take might be different. At this level not all coaches are all things. Some are program builders. Some are good with the kids and get individuals better. Some are nothing more than father figures. Some are good game managers. And some are good a schemes. Some are good at more than one of these categories. Truly, I believe that none of them are masters of all. There are an elite few that ever get to that point and none of them are coaching HS. He got them to a level that program hadn't been in a REALLY long time. He should be lauded. More often than not, a HC change in HS puts the nail in the coffin of the program for a few years at a minimum. The correct assistant coach add(s) could help plug a perceived hole.

@MarkECannon You do not know me. Perhaps we will cross paths at some point. I largely keep to the Venice games and then will go for most, if not all of the finals games each year. Just saw your comment, it felt like well conceived bowling night banter and needed an acknowledgement.

BTW Mark, your comments on last nights video were not wasted on me. I prefer to land my plane on a Charlie Chaplin.

If you build it, they will come...

We have some room on the bandwagon down here.

Watching the FHSAA board meeting. These jokers are missing the entire point. Small private schools do not belong in any way shape or form with public small schools. If you are successful over a period of time, you play up, period. Even though this would make things more difficult on my favorite team they need to be moved up regardless of enrollment. Chaminade MNW Central, etc should be in the current 5A, at a minimum. STA should be in 7A, period. Lakeland should be in 7A period. Cocoa up, even this year.

You are livin' the life JD. I would love to do what you are doing. I also like staying married . Fall = Football, fresh bowling leagues and a hs band competition or 2. I have been married for 30 years. I have been hearing how much she hates fall for at least 20 of them. Me and one of my buddies do the state championship week. 9 games in 3 days.... that is usually enough to look forward to about a month of offseason. Then it is back to watching for schedules and the NIL waiver wire.