Longtime Observer

'Naughts unveil a new QB and new offense and look much better. Kelin Hendrix's father is an ex-Lakeland WR, but Kelin was Kathleen's QB last year. Now, he's Lakeland's QB. He replaces an Arkansas commit who's always had a propensity for interceptions. Though the game was tight throughout, Lakeland controlled the game and eventually pulled away. If I'm Nolebull (and thank god I'm not), I drop Lakeland from not in the top 25 to not in the top 200. Why? Because that's what it means to be a stupid little #%^*+

It's likely the typically stout Kowboys defense had a lot to do with the low offensive output for LM. LM scored 30 (albeit after only 7 in 3ish quarters) against Miami Norland, which is no pushover.

Strong words. I can't say you're wrong. But, what I can say is you're an unserious troll who alternates between arguing the results of exhibitions are meaningless and arguing the results of exhibitions cna be used to declare a program "Done. Cooked. Wiped off the map." Which one is it? Trigger warning: it can't be both at the same time.

The players who join forces to make "all-star" teams were free to choose where they wanted to play. No authority figure/body made them do anything. And, as has been made clear, receiving a bunch of transfers hardly ensures winning. I support an open division.

Because we aren't a society that limits individual opportunities based on a desire to engineer certain outcomes in the aggregate. If more players wanted to transfer than space permits under your plan, how do we determine which ones are granted permission to transfer or not?

What should stand out to people who criticize schools who receive transfers is how widespread the transfers are. It is sheer fantasy to think the transfer world is just a small handful of evildoers who take advantage of the downtrodden. The truth is players are moving around, all over the place. And schools whose teams won't even be very good get a bunch of transfers. Ex-Gator Buck Gurley went 5-5 at Ocoee last year, yet still got six (6) players off Apopka's team.

Well, the biggest reason why there is doubt as to whether there will be a game at the stadium you pull up to in August in Florida is the likelihood of a weather cancellation I think Maxpreps' schedules and data from ~ 2021 to now is reliable enough. Data from years past is often wrong (though I can't say whether they've cleaned that up much as I haven't looked in a while). But, I'd trust the maxpreps data now as being more than 99% correct. That's to say nothing of their team ratings, which are meaningless guesses...

Thoughts on the games: Norland-Vero: Norland will probably be a bit down from the last couple seasons, though they'll still be talented. Vero at home has a great chance to get a close win here. Lincoln-Carol City: The Cheifs have been in a slumber for a few years, but word is their stock is up. I don't think they'll be elite, but they'll be pretty good. Ditto Lincoln, though I know very little about the 2025 version. It's likely this will be another close game. Northwestern-Lakeland: The Bulls looked to be the most talented public school in the state before Bridgewater left. It's unclear as to whether they have or will lose anyone in the fallout. But, it looks like most if not all will stay with the Bulls. Lakeland quietly rebuilt their roster and it's likely they will be one of the top 5 public schools in the state based on talent on paper. IMO, Lakeland's season will come down to offensive coordination and playcalling. They have the pieces to be a spread, pass-heavy offense. They may be this, or not. Those in Polk who are close to the team know, but the rest of us will find out Saturday. I can't really project how the game will go given I don't know what, if any, progress the coordination/playcalling has made.

Many of the transfers occurred weeks or months ago, and were known to both schools. They just wait until now to announce it. Lakeland has gotten three 6'5"+ OLs announced in the last couple of days, but I think the schools were aware of it earlier. But, it's true that there have also been cases of players getting chewed out at practice and then quitting to transfer. That really sucks, in every way.

Moving to a particular area to be able to attend certain schools is, and has been for decades, a very basic, sensible decision parents make. No one seems to raise an issue when families move into the zone of highly rated academic schools, which leads to those schools having a disproportionate share of smart, motivated students. No one has a problem with families moving into a zone because a school has an excellent arts program, cheerleading porgram etc. Again, the obvious answer is also the most unpopular answer: separate major, fiancially incentivized sports programs from schools. Schools are schools, and mega $ sports are mega $ sports. The two should not be connected.

He is still young enough that, since an NFL team wants him, it makes financial sense to play another year. But, it's still a shame it had to go down like this.

sometimes, you can anticipate things like this when you see how teams schedule. That they scheduled a LONG road game at Venice for last season's KOC and also Coffee, Ga was a sign they knew they got some "ballers". And they scheduled ambitiously again this year. They're a program with very little history of achievement, so we know none of the players they "attracted" came because of some great history. What else would attract them?

They were arguably closer in 1999. Undefeated regular season, and hosted Lakeland in a 3rd round playoff game. They hit a hail mary to lead at halftime. Lakeland grinded out a very tough 19-14 win. Lakeland blew out every other opponent on the season, including a 45-12 win in the state title game. Shannon Snell was an OL on that team, and they had other prospects and a great D as well.

I first joined HS football message boards at the end of 1999/beginning of 2000. I've long been one of the most hated people on these boards. Neutral may or may not still be alive, but, we wouldn't necessarily know by his absence. As you say, the game as is now is not one worth investing time, passion or money in.

I get your point, and you are correct. But, Northwestern lost three ball games last year. They were gifted a forfeit win over Central after the fact. Sorry, I couldn't help myself