D-1 talent?

[flakjacket]

I've seen Bm play and I think that it isn't a "great" two-pronged attack. I wasn't too impressed with the pass attack. Yes, they did throw successfully. But it was mainly a result of teams stacking against the run. BM is a pure running team by nature, and the only time they throw it is usually the 12 yard pass to pick up a third and long when running is not a good decision.

They run twice as much as they pass. And they use that to surprise the opposition. Though it is very effective... I wouldn't call it a balanced attack.

[Opinionguy]

This is probably some of the best analysis and breakdown topics of a team in some while...kudos on that.

Anyways...from an outside and of course unbiased opinion...

The past two seasons (04-05) Bishop McCort has been loaded with talent. Talent wise...they probably shouldn't of lost In 04 they basically let Forcelli beat them (Carroll) and Harris (Bedford) beat them. Hey...those two athletes where probably two of the best to come out of the conference in some time, that happens in High School Football. Against Forest Hills in 04...the Crushers dominated in both wins. Then they ran into a superior Tyrone team in the Championship.

In 05...again same story against Bishop Carroll as Forcelli basically single handedly beat McCort. Forest Hills as mentioned earlier exploited the fact that Sheridan wasn't a very good passing QB. He did, in his defense, make a couple big plays with his feet, but besides hitting Wadley in the D6 Championship game, he really didn't make many good throws.

This fact alone puzzles the OG. The topic that Defrances probably should have been the QB last year has been suggested before on here...but not discussed. I think Jordan has proven his worth this season...and a mid season switch last year may have catapulted the Crushers to a State title run. Do the Crusher Faithful not discuss this issue because it involves the sacred "Sheridan" name?

On the line play, I would have to agree with Crimson67 that McCort's line has been a force over the past couple seasons. In 04 FH was supposed to have the best line to ever come out of Sidman. McCort dominated them in both games. Last season, I'd say between the two schools it was a push. Forest Hills however has some very talented lineman as well in Dave Mehall (as good or better than any current Crusher lineman), Theys, Costlow, and The Big Hossman.

In the OG's opinion...McCort is about as equally talented this season as they were in each of the previous seasons. Now, I've only saw McCort play twice..but from what I saw and have been hearing this team is hungry, and they play with a swagger that I haven't seen on Osborne street since 01.

I've touched on this subject before, and some disagree with me. But in coaching any sport, you find you have some teams that have all the ingredients...but just can't put it together. Then some teams you think don't have what it takes, and suddenly they pull off the unthinkable. When the latter happens, it is usually because of the individuals on the team. Leadership and togetherness will take you farther than talent any day. If your team contains both of the above…you are indeed in for something special.

In 01...you had Joe Arcurio. If you ever watched Joe play, or talked to people or know him, or in fact you know him, you'd find out that he is the type of person who makes people around him better. A natural leader, both by playing (I observed), and by direction (I heard from various sources. In fact…I’m not sure if I ever heard anything bad about the lad).

I think you have a couple of individuals on this 06 McCort squad that have some of the same qualities that Mr. Arcurio has. These kids seem to be on a mission...they won't be denied.

Now, with that being said, you also have 3 other teams capable of knocking off BM in the next two weeks. P.O. is very opportunistic, and plays pretty darn good defense.

Tyrone is Tyrone. They may be the best coached team in D6, and their kids are tough. It's always a challenge to beat a team like the Golden Eagles.

Forest Hills displays a lot of the qualities as mentioned above as well. For the Rangers...it's a matter of putting it all together. I honestly don't think FH has played up to their potential yet this season. It's to the point where the OG isn't sure if they will. One thing is for sure...if they are going to win this week and next...they are going to have to dig deep and play like defending D6AA champions. More on that later...

Closing here...I'll admit I've probably been one of McCort's biggest critics the past two seasons. But, in case you haven't noticed...I haven't been on McCort's case this season. There's a reason for that. This year's McCort squad certain has the OG's respect...

[TheNatural]

OG made the best point possible. This year's McCort team has a swagger that has not been seen in a long time. Nobody expected too much out of them. I did not think that they would ever make it this far, let alone with this much success. But we need to keep in mind that Tyrone IS still Tyrone and that FH IS still FH. We are talking about two programs with great coaches and a constant flow of great talent. There is no way to sell either program short. I understand that Ranger nation travels well and they will need to this week. I am sure that none of the current Ranger players have ever played in an environment like Tyrone during playoff time.

Continuing OG you made a great point about the Sheridan name. He should have been pulled last season at some point but wasn't. But I do remember Sheridan being put in a starting position his sophomore year in place of a struggling senior qb. This is the question for all of the McCort fans out there. Would he have been pulled if he had any other last name?

[Deep Thought]

FlakJacket - We saw that McCort can rely on the pass when they played Fh week #2. I would have to argue that they are balanced...Obviously, like you said they are a running team, but the pass compliments their run very well. I wouldn't say that they only use the pass on Third and longs...they do damage with the pass. The run sets up the pass that's obvious, but they don't have to rely on the RUN all the-time. I'll take McCort in a passing matchup compared to a secondary like Fh any day.


On the topic of the Sheridan name...I know a few people tied into BMHS and I can tell you that that had A LOT to do with him staying in all the games...people close to the program were calling for the strong armed Defrancis. We can see it this year with the younger Sheridan (not sure on his first name). He plays over some kids who are capable of playing and he seems lost out there. Isnt there a sheridan coaching as well??? Maybe this led to Mikey Sheridan having a bad year in '05. I felt that Defrancis should have been given the opportunity. Even if they thought Sheridan had leadership skills there were over 20 seniors on the team...they had more than enough leadership on the field. They didn't need a weak armed QB they needed Defrancis who could step in and launch the deep ball to keep the opposition honest. The other seniors could lead.

~~~Crimson67 what is your take on this?~~~

On the topic of 06 swagger...I noticed in the FH game and the game against my JHS that they have a great way of carrying themselves on the field (not just during play but after the whistle). One can argue that they are even cocky...well that helps them a lot and it all comes with DOMINATING play by Jones, Cawchak, Barbin and Lewis...they help their teammates up their level of play. And add in the speed of Seidel, the rocket arm of Defrancis, Caperelli's play on the line and also his stellar play at MLB. The other guard (not sure on name) has steppped up big-time to solidify the line. And finally, the level of play by the seniors has rubbed off on Schrey and Lowery as well.


Can't wait for these next two weeks! They will be some great games.

[Crimsoncrush67]

My take. First Qbs arent really my deal but here we go. First it wasnt Mike Sheridans fault. The interior oline was constantly changing since camp, due to injury among other things. It is extremely hard for a qb to get comfortable behind an online that is always mixed up. However, in order to mature Jordan Defrances, last year he should have got a few more snaps behind that first team oline. With that said, Mike deserved to play. Jordan may have had the stronger arm but he was not at all mature enough to control the huddle. Yet again what better time to thrown a qb right into the fight. Mikes ability of audables and what not made him the best choice. We did not need to change qbs, in the d6 game our pass protection had some lacks although i dont think we gave up a sack people flying around infront of a qb is hard to deal with. Second, we wanted to control the ball and milk that clock. Our oline just couldnt handle 8 9 and sometimes 10 guys in the box. A 7 diamond is a hard thing. Thats my take, we shoulda coulda woulda won all three games we lost but you can wish in one hand and crap in another and see which one gets filled first. Its on to this year. Tyrone and forest hills gonna be a game two good coaches head to head with very similar styles. I know ill be up at the paper mill come friday. I look for forest hills to exploi how over rated that tyrone team is,. And thats all i have to say about that.

[Deep Thought]

Coming from a completely unbiased standpoint, I do not see why FH is believed to be as strong as a contender for the title compared to Tyrone and BMHS. Was Marion Center good enough to keep it close or was FH's play not solid? It just seems that this FH team is inconsistent...you don't know what you're going to get. And from hearing/reading about Tyrone you would think they are as solid as last year. So, I would have to go with my gut feeling and go with TYRONE in a close one.


Crimson67 - Your opinion was very well conveyed. I'm not sure of the leader Defrancis is this year, he must be doing pretty well to have won 9 straight games, but who knows how he would've been last year. But with that said and as I said before, You had atleast 20 seniors on the team last year. Couldn't you guys have calmed Defrancis down to the point where he could just launch the ball? I understand the QB is to lead the huddle but you sure could've helped him. And you said that you couldn't handle the 9,10 men in the box, well, think about it, would Defrancis have helped you solve that problem?


But with all this said you are right Crimson...it's new year...Grey-Vets Field on Friday and Trojan Stadium Saturday!

[TheNatural]

Crimson you said that they were problems protecting Sheridan. Wouldn't that stem from him not being a threat to beat you with the pass? It is the same concept as FH stopping the run. They could put 8 or 9 in the box to stop the pass as well. No o-line can handle that on every play especially while trying to protect the pass. Now I'm sure he was a very smart qb. The good Lord knows I would never be able to get into Carnegie Mellon so I'm sure his school smarts carried over onto the field. But as for audibles and the qb's responsibility to do so, how many was there called a game and was so complicated enough that Defrances wouldn't have been able to handle it?

And as for leadership. There were 4 seniors on your o-line. I'm sure there was enough maturity in the huddle. But you do make a good point about coulda shoulda woulda and the answer is Defrances Coulda played. He Shoulda play and he Woulda played if there was anyone else at the qb position.

Crimson you say you were on the team for the past 3 years. That would put you on the field when Chris Roberts was pulled and Mike Sheridan was thrown in the starting position on senior night no less.

I think the whole team was done an injustice last year for the sake of one person. The outcome of that was a loss one carpet AGAIN and less experience for an obviously superior qb.

[Crimsoncrush67]

Good point all the way around. But once again its 2006 and 2005 is over. So what u gonna do? Trust me im as frustrated as anyone. But lets get back on track to this year and to D1 talent.

[flakjacket]

True... so true. I don't know if you could name anyone as a clear-cut D1 athlete. There are several players that have the potential (such as Wayne Jones) to be D1 athletes. But there just isn't a complete game changer or skilled athletes like you would find in the good AAAA schools.

I'd much rather talk about how a team is doing than how many "D1 athletes" there are and such.

[Deep Thought]

There are quite a few "D-1 athletes" in the LHAC. Many people don't understand the recruiting game. I'm sure Crimson could help explain this since he must've been through it...IT"S NOT ABOUT HOW WELL YOU PERFORM ON THE GRIDIRON...IT"S ABOUT SIZE & SPEED...PERIOD. So, to say that there are no "clear cut D1 atheletes" in the LHAC is crazy. Lets see...

Mike Cruz - Will be ranked as one of most sought after TE's in country...mark my words...I don't care if he doesn't dominate now...this isn't that important for college recruiters. He has the size, speed and hands that the recruiters love. I'd say top 40-25 TE's in country next year.

Wayne Jones has size and incredible quickness to be in my opinion a legit D-1 prospect.

Antwaun Reed is one that has suprised me a lot. Coming up through the years I always heard he would be special but I never thought even after his Junior year he'd have scholarship offers already especially from the likes of PITT.

Abdullah Wadely(spelling?) has everything needed to receive a D1 scholarship. Too bad he had to sit out this year. Expect him to go to a prepschool next year to get his grades not his game up. He has high interest from a few schools. I think CB would be his best position in college. PERFECT SIZE and feet for the position.

Aaron Brezovic is also another that I think will get some D-1 offers. More so to the Mid-Major schools.

Other athletes that I think are on the bubble as far as D-1 offers are concerned would be Scott Lewis and Chris Cawchak, Matt Holsberger, Adonis Jackson, Jesse Feaster. Lewis is an absolute animal hands down, the thing holding him back from offers is his size. He's only about 5'10 5'11 range. He has great instincts and is quick to the ball and fast enough to play linebacker in the MAC.

Cawchak (spelling may be wrong), has really upped his stock this season. He goes about 6'1 and as mentioned on here earlier, stuck it to Brezovic in the Oct. showdown. I could see him as a DE in college much like Brezovic. Now, you probably are wondering "If Brezovic got manhandled by Cawchak how come Brezovic will get more looks than Cawchak?" Simple, Brezovic goes about 6'3 and has shown his ability to mack some sacks.

Matt Holsberger is a lot like a Scott Lewis type. He is also taller if I'm not mistaken. I've heard there is legit D-1 interest in him. I'm not sure on his 40 time however.

As much as I like the Trojans I am very skeptical putting Adonis on this list. He never showed me much to be impressed with. He had speed but was very average in my opinion on the field. But, look for him to get looks from MAC schools as well because of his "uhem" speed (he may already have an offer).

I wish I was doing a LHAC recruiting website or something of that sort because Feaster's stock would also be rising. He showed awesome speed, quickness, cut back ability, vision and what not in the three games I have seen him play this year. His size will hurt him however. I think he has the speed and moves to go D-1 but I'm not sure how well Swaim put his players name out there.

Very Honorable Mention: Brad Barbin (D1-AA) Has great moves and vision and is a total gamebreaker in my opinion. Taking any skill player in the conference, Barbin would be my guy but his size will hurt him for recruiters. If he was at 6 ft. he would be near the top of my list.

Honorable Mention: Josh Shope (D2) Great size but not enough speed or lateral movement for D1 or even D1AA.
Travis Rearick (D1AA - D2) He has the size and arm to make it in my opinion but not the speed. I could see him going to a 1-AA school. Good competitor.

Demetrius Young (D2) He certainly has the height. However, very, very skinny and weak.

Ranking LHAC D-1 Prospects in Order:
1. Mike Cruz TE BMHS*
2. Antwaun Reed RB JHS*
3. Wayne Jones DT BMHS
4. Abdullah Wadely WR/CB BMHS
5. Aaron Brezovic DE JHS
6. Matt Holsberger MLB/FB PC
7. Chris Cawchak DE BMHS
8. Jesse Feaster ATHL Bedford
9. Scott Lewis LB BMHS

* - already has D1 offer(s)