fancygirl101350

I like the way you're predicting... Region 5 scores are down as are Region 6, yet I ponder the difference... defensive lines are stronger now than in the past. Conditioning year round, more specialized weight lifting routines, not playing the same men on both sides of the line, increased strategies from defensive line coaches (of which Coach Webb is one of the best), and other improvements at the high school level have had a positive impact on keeeping the score from exceeding 40+ level. This in no way negates the strength and agility of the OL, RBs, Recs, QBs, etc. who also put in many hours with the similar routines. It just points out the changes that are occurring at the high school level. At least that's the way I, so humbly, see it.

The idea of having separate squads allows more girls the opportunity to show their support for the school's athletic teams by cheering for them. I can't tell you how many times I've seen girls leave a tryout with their faces pained by not being elected/selected as a cheerleader. I have fought for separate squads for many years. The trend I hope will sway more in that direction. Unfortunately, all too often 'competitive cheerleading' does prohibit "cheerleaders" from cheering at the sporting events. Sad, but true.

You are so-o-o right! "Carelessness" is the optimum word. And I hope my daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, etc. is not the one who gets a serious injury!

Okay.... agreed You are absolutely right. I need to consider the feelings of both QBs and I really wasn't complaining - at least I wasn't trying to complain - as much as expressing a concern...FHS is going up against a highly physical team and the 'A' game is mandatory if FHS wants to win. I do have trust in him. He has improved with each game and I believe will continue to improve. I'm looking forward to seeing him 'get it done' on Friday. I do need to remember that I am talking about kids. I was talking about two QBs. Both highly capable with their own 'special' abilities. I'd just like to have the opposing team wonder which QB would FHS would use in each situation....might be very interesting.

And here we are at a major point...separate the squads. If you are competition, then only compete. But if you are a cheerleader for your school. focus on the teams you were selected/elected to 'cheer' for. Don't practice your routines on the sidelines at games and at pep rallies. Now, if you want to do both...great! Just make sure you cheer appropriately for your school teams and save competition for NCA or UCA! And yes, competition squads make significant sacrifices and committments... but so do football, basketball, soccer, softball, rugby, lacrosse, wrestling, hockey, dance team, band, ultimate frisbee, etc. players. Some more than others, yes...but they still make sacrifices and committments! Surely at these high schools, they are enough talented girls who WANT to be cheerleaders to make up separate squads? More skilled for comp, yes...but spirited can be non tumblers/stunters.

I agree. A reliable passing game would 'seal the deal' for Franklin. I witnessed the events you speak about and you are correct. But, the QB has - in the past few games - improved his accuracy with his aerial assault....not by any means what it should be, though. I would very much like to see a QB who could scramble out of the pocket and make some positive rushing yardage so that the opponent's defense would be unprepared. As of now, most teams know that FHS QB won't run with the ball unless absolutely necessary - he'd rather hand off the ball or throw it. On the other hand, having a QB who can run, but hasn't proven his passing skills - granted he hasn't really had the opportunity - won't be the solution, either. To me, it boils down to what everyone already knows: a QB needs to be able to pass accurately...see where his receivers are and put the ball in their hands...and react quickly when all receivers are covered by finding a seam made by the offensive line and make some positive yardage. In the last game FHS played, the O line opened some B-I-G channels that any RB would LOVE to race through. I know that coaches don't like having two QBs run an offense, but it sure worked last year! So, let's bring #15 who can play REC/QB/LB/RB back on the field! Of course, let's give some credit to #77, 65, 74, 76, 66 and 12! Those men can block a defensive line with aggressive enthusiasm and wear down a defense! They can open up holes and channels that make #32, #4, and #5 sing with pleasure. With those three alertly hitting the seams opened by the O line, Franklin should win... by 2 TDs!

Thank you!

I started coaching cheerleaders in 1974 and will complete my career with cheerleaders after basketball season this year. I've coached junior pro cheerleaders aged 5-13, freshman, junior varsity, varsity, and competition, both football and basketball. My philosophy has always been that the cheerleaders cheer for the team first, competition second. I always tell my squads that that they are athletes who have a job to do at every game. That job is to increase school spirit and attendance at games by using fan friendly cheers and chants, make signs advertising games and encouraging students to come to games, design interesting, interactive pep rallies, incorporate tumbling and stunts to generate enthusiasm, continue to be 'perky' and spirited even if the team is losing, be polite to other squads, to continue to increase their skill level and abilities, and to be proud that they were selected. I have coached squads who were school and competition combined and those that were separate. From my experience, the best squads are those that are separate. Too often, squads get caught up in the thrill of competition and forget their job is to the team first. I've seen squads perform their 'competition routines' at games and pep rallies instead of interacting with the students and fans at the games. That is sad! And, yes, most of the good programs do fall ... or stumble...when the coach's ego, or highly competitive nature, overshadows what the 'cheer-leading' squad should be doing....unless the squad is just competition. Keeping them separate is best in my opinion. $50 an hour.....I wish! That's got be a record for pay... maybe that's a competition coach! I get paid by supplement from the county. Even when I coached competition, I still got just a supplement from my county. Taking into consideration 2 three hour practices a week, one day to make signs, prepare pep rallies, another day at the gym to improve skills, one game a week for football, two for basketball, decorate gym or field, "goodies" for players, fill out endless forms, travel to and from games home and away, practice time two to three days a week for 3 hours during March, April, May, and June to get ready for camp, fund raising activities, afternoons set aside for fittings for uniforms and camp clothes, attending camps with squad (that's 3 days times 24 hours per day), Athletic Club meetings in the evenings once a month, updating my certifications by attending instructional, information seminars and classes, attending TSSAA meetings to keep abreast of changes in rules, and other responsibilities...all this adds up to a measley $3.23 per hour! But, I love coaching, so I do it! And my family doesn't suffer too much! They know I love coaching. I'd love to get paid just minimum wage for my time. And now you know the rest of the story!

Thanks for the kind words...and mature attitude. Hunters Lane will be tough, but I think Franklin can meet the challenge! Also, I agree...it's past time to shut up those folks! Whining and bad mouthing coaches, starting nasty unfounded rumors and destroying their character - without personally having a sit down conversation with them, discussing your concerns, listening to the coaches', understanding that both of you will disagree sometimes - is detrimental to the team, other students, the school, community, and county. We are intelligent individuals who are able to express our 'concerns' without resorting to a baser level. There is no place for 'football dads' who yell at the coaches during the game, run to the coaches after the game with loud, angry voices attacking the coach's game calls, strategy, substitutions, asking belligerently why their son didn't get more playing time, complaining about how the coach is hurting their son's chances to get on a college team, challenging the coach's decision to play their son in a certain position, accusing the coach of not playing their son who is "better" than the players he used, going so far as to jump over the fence to tell their son how he should listen to his father teach him the position he plays and what to do on the field, not the coach, using inappropriate language....in essence acting in an offensive manner in the public arena of a football field with other adults and children around who are trying to visit with their sons. This kind of behavior is too often seen and heard on football fields during and after games - wins and losses! Maybe that's why coaches have police security surrounding them! Maybe high schools need to hire security for their coaches....or better yet, eject those dads! These are the folks I'd like to see shut up! As you can tell, in my many, many years of attending and watching high school football games, my pleasure is being impeded by these individuals! And yes, I know freedom of speech.....yada...yada...yada...but it's setting a real negative atmosphere that turns my stomach. Okay...off my soap box... GO REBELS!

/roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> Boy, were you out to lunch on that one! Franklin not only stopped the run, but they ran all over Overton. It was a beautiful sight! Overton couldn't even score until Franklin played their scout team!

Oh, yeah! They brought the crowd... and they clobbered DC...even with the refs' calls!

/roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> Franklin by 17...