Longtime Observer

I think we can count on the game "counting" as far as both trying their best to win. If MNW blows Lakeland out, I promise I won't switch up and pretend they didn't try! It's also going to be a really good "gate" for an 11th non-playoff game. Hope the crowd is big!

Miami Northwestern vs. Lakeland in Orlando.

Was the DB who transferred to Lakeland at all involved with, or related to, the awful tragedy that occured with the head coach's family? Obviosuly not to a significant degree as he played there last year. I just recall seeing some names involved last I checked and I wonder. Perhaps not something to discuss publicly. Anyway, I see on the depth chart the Kowboys submitted to the FHSAA for the state title game he was a backup, and three of the starters were underclassmen. So, he's likely in a similar situation at Lakeland where he'll compete for, but not be promised, a starting spot.

Perhaps we should spend $20 million for an expert to tell us

It's baloney for sure. It also describes the current reality in many places, most notably Dade and Broward counties. There are kids- many prominent players- who don't attend the school they play for. They play for some fly-by-night private or online school that doesn't have football. Ridiculous, but true.

Imagine if all of the above were true...but the practice was within thre rules and available to all other schools. What's the problem then? This assumes the communist revolution has not yet fully taken hold, and the deliberate equal dustribution of resources is not a thing.

The head coach remains front and center in that program 24/7. Only for 2-3 hours on Fridays will he not be on the sideline. The other aspect of this not mentioned: all of the MAJOR in and out-of-state games they will play. That takes a lot of money. Their schedule figures to be more impressive than any other team's schedule even with 15 games and 5 playoff games. Once again, there is no *compelling* case to be made for K-12 schools (or possibly even universities) to be caught up in big-time, professional sports. All of the arguments around the benefits of extracurricular activities, being a part of a team, etc, can all be experienced through things that dont involve the mess schools are in now. The ONLY reason big-time, for profit sports won't be separated from schools is the folks in charge, psychologically, can not stomach seeing their schools' programs become club sports teams. And that's not really compelling...

The OL coach-which happens to be the most impressive part of the team in 2024 and now- came from Lake Minneola and brought a 4* tackle with him.

None of this has anything to do with the (im)propriety of allowing some schools to play by a different set of rules. What would happen to Osceola if they actively and blatantly recruited players on TFA's roster, as TFA did to them? There'd be a scandal, the coaches would be fired, and the team banned from playoffs. IMG does this and it's "savvy marketing" or something lauded. What would happen if Lakeland offered housing for prospective players as IMG does? We don't have to search for an answer to this question, as it's assumed it already happened in about 2011 and there was an outcome that was highly unfavorable to Lakeland. Meanwhile, IMG and SFA do it and are lauded, while programs who won't play them are accused of being scaredy cat wimps by internet posers. Any program who wants a seat at the table and a place in the playoffs needs to play by the same set of rules as the others who want to do this.

I tend to side with Ray here. No other program can entice players in the way IMG, and it seems TFA, have done. Programs shouldn't play by different sets of rules. The idea that an absolute nobody program at a tiny school can suddenly scoop up many of the area's best players and play a national schedule without ever having won ANYTHING is ludicrous. But, I think where we run into trouble is with the basic idea around programs being able to recruit players. I think we're beyond the point of a communist-style approach where we engineer equivalent talent bases for programs. The better programs should be able to recruit/attract whoever they please, and families pick the best option. Now that the players are all professionals (don't get it twisted, the 16 year-old brat who isn't any good STILL retains the right to PURSUE "NIL" opportunities and there is a non-zero chance he'll get some eventually), schools and/or boosters should also be able to pay players. It's basically already legal. The market will eventually sort itself out and we'll reach a point where no one would actually pay a teenager to play sports for a particular high school. It will just be seen as bad business. But, it shouldn't be illegal. And, it wouldn't be such a sore spot if all the programs could play by the same rules.

It's become clear to most everyone that you have to schedule major opponents to be able to recruit and/or retain top players. And most coaches feel playing those major opponents early in the season is best as it allows time to review and adjust based on what's learned in the big games. You should note there are at least two games over "kickoff classic" weekend which are as good or better than most of those above. IMG and The First Academy will play and both teams will count the game on their records. They won't care about the FHSAA or playoffs as neither is eligible. Miami Northwestern and Lakeland will play in Orlando. You can be certain both will play to win the game. And, as has always been the case going back over 20 years, I will acknowledge as much even if Lakeland gets embarrassed. And MNW figures to be a pretty big favorite going into that game...

It felt like the Super Bowl when Lakeland won, then it ended up being a dud

Miami Central NEVER loses a week one game to a team not from South Florida

The issue, unfortunately, is that your perspective or understanding is antiquated. There are A LOT of examples of players transferring a very long distance away because their families were able and willing to relocate in pursuit of what they perceieve to be the best opportunities for their kids. No, the Tarpon transfers won't be commuting back and forth to Lakeland every day. They secured housing in the Lakeland area. This is not, actually, as hard to do as people imagine. While you, personally, may only live in homes you've purchased, and you'd only move upon the often difficult process of selling your home, many others are renters. And, if you've set your leases up such that they expire in the spring or summer, you can move at that time without a ton of hassle. The remote working conditions ushered in by both technology and the pandemic have made this much easier than the past.

IF OLU is precisely identical to last season, and ditto for MNW, the game figures to go down to the wire. But, there's very little chance both teams will be exactly as they were in 2024. OLU lost a good bit off last year's team. But, they figure to have a bunch of really good big guys in the trenches. They'll probably be a little down from 2024, but not much. MNW looks like the hottest program in Dade, and seems to have gotten a lot of transfers. I think most in Dade think the Bulls will be better, and the clear #1 team in Dade to start the season. Chaminade is probably the only team that is eligible for playoffs that might get the nod over MNW in the entire state. Dade county teams have fared relatively poorly against west coast teams over the years. MNW was beaten decisively in Florida by Long Beach Poly in 2008. Even though nolebull claims Poly traveled 3,000 miles for a simple, insignificant scrimmage, the fact is both teams played to win and Poly dominated the trenches. MNW also was blown out by Chandler Arizona, 55-20, after having won the 2017 state title with wins over Central, Carol City and Armwood. And I watched in person as St. John Bosco carved up Central in Bellflower, CA in 2021. (The Rockets have fared pretty well against Bishop Gorman, with one win and two close losses.)