Seldon

Interesting, Leonardo. The parents at both Centennial and Chattahoochi described Parkview and their fans/parents as being some of the worst sports in Georgia. As for your assessment of the Farragut players, methinks thou doest embellish just a tad. I have been at every Farragut game and, while they are not choirboys, their choice of language is not near as bad as you describe; no worse than any others and better than many. As for comparative scores, I agree...to a point. There is very little difference between 2-1 and 4-0, but there IS a difference between 2-0 and 7-1. A 2-3 point swing here and there can be easily compensated for next time around. But a 6-8 point swing rarely happens.

Well put Mr. Scary. In club, you play for yourself and your parents. In high school, you play for your school mates, friends, girlfriends, school and community. In one you represent a concept. In the other you represent a large group of people who experience the excitement vicariously through you. I'm wondering how many of those who find the idea of winning a state title in club to be more exciting, play on good club teams but not-so-good high school teams. If you want to see the difference in total level of excitement (players and fans both) between club and high school, be at Bearden Thursday night. There's no comparison.

mrfun, have you seen Parkview play? Seems like you're just making assumptions regarding club players. "Most of the good club players go to Parkview?" Do you think they recruit club players to live in Lilburn, Georgia? Get real. For your information, both Chattahoochi and Centennial are in the heart of some of the best soccer clubs in Georgia. The United club has some of the top teams in the state and they were represented well on both teams. Chattahoochi had 2 National ODP team players. As for the quality of players at Farragut (and Bearden for that matter) they are loaded with top club players whose teams have been D-1 State Cup winners and fared well in the Regionals. The quality of players is fairly equal to the best Georgia teams, Georgia just has a greater number of quality players, thus more very good teams.

I think you have to keep these "National Rankings" in perspective. First of all they are "somebody's" opinion on a bunch of teams that they have probably never seen play. Second, calling them "National Rankings" is a gross over-statement. The current rankings, just like Bearden's supposed National Championship last year, are based on ONLY 17 states. They are the "Spring" rankings. The other 33 states plus the District of Columbia are not even considered because they play soccer in the fall. The only way you can have a real National Champion is to consider ALL the schools, not just a third of them. That being said, I think Farragut is one of the most dominant high school teams I have seen in many years and I can't imagine Parkview being any better. So Farragut #1, Parkview #2 and I don't care about the rest. Actually, I don't care about Parkview either.

I don't know, DiVinci. Judging by comparative scores, Parkview appears to be marginally better than the other top ten teams, yet Farragut destroyed two top ten teams on their home fields with a depleted line-up. I'm not so sure there is a big difference in the two. Some of the Chattahoochie fans seem to think Farragut would have very good shot at Parkview. Too bad it won't happen.

dd15, either you ARE Matt and overly in love with yourself, or you have a very peculiar infatuation with him.

Who's to say if they are better or not? The two teams were ranked #4 and #8 in class AAAAA, Georgia's highest classification. Both teams would easily be top ten teams in Tennessee. The Chattahoochie team had two players on the National ODP team. Farragut dominated both teams, and did so while without two senior starters. I love it when someone says a keeper had a shutout. Truth is, most shut outs are due more to the defenders in front of the keeper than the keeper himself. For instance, Crunk for Bearden was a very good keeper, but he had a tremendous supporting cast in front of him. Teams got very few decent shots for him to contend with, yet he gets credit for the lack of goals.

It is generally acknowledged that the quality of play is greater in club soccer than in high school soccer, but I have a question directed at all high school players; Which is more important to you? In other words, would you rather win the State for your high school or for your club?

Agreed. I think his name is Reid Donnell. He's certainly the best I have seen in this area.

So what else is new? Football players/coaches/fans will always denigrate soccer. They don't understand the game and refuse to acknowledge it as being a great sport. In addition, a lot of the high school coaches are upset that many of the good athletes in their schools are opting to play soccer rather than football. Until the schools can generate the interest and revenue to construct soccer-only fields and stadiums, this conflict will continue to exist.

For the record, Crouse got his first red card EVER (in either club or school) this season in a scrimmage against Father Ryan, and even IT wasn't for a dangerous play. Thanks for playing; try again.

So there is some rule requiring one to identify themself? I am Seldon, that's all you need to know. I am objective, pragmatic, and opinionated. If you can refute what I say, go for it. If you don't like what I have to say, don't read it. This is a high school "sports" board. There is no requirement that one must be in high school to post here.

Just a recitation of the facts. Care to refute what actually happened? Didn't think so. I'll admit, Bearden was the better team last year........LAST year.

No, I don't stereotype a team because of one player (granted Jamison had his moments), I JUDGE a team by the actions of several players over a significant period of time. For the record, Jamison at his worst couldn't hold a candle to Noah.

Watch the tape.

Gee, let's see now. Farragut keeper catches ball and is standing still; Bearden player blatantly shoves him over the endline; ref calls a corner kick (on which, Bearden scores).....all this, 4 minutes after game SHOULD have been over....and no, there was no stoppage time. We won't even get into the 2 "questionable" calls that gave Bearden directs just outside the box that led to scores (that's 3 of their total of 6 shots-on-goal), after all, don't the rules say, "If, in the opinion of the referee..."????? No, he didn't put the ball in the back of the net, he just made sure Bearden had ample (unearned) opportunity to do so.

The only big deal is that he single-handedly kept your win streak intact. You know it, I know it, and everybody there knows it.

I know what Turner coached in club ball and I doubt anything has changed. He obviously doesn't coach them NOT to play dirty. I've watched Elliot, Bayer, Colquit, et al shove in the back, go for the legs, and throw elbows at the heads of opponents for years now. To deny this is to deny reality. Maybe you can't see the forest for the trees. I talk with players and fans of other teams quite often and they ALL complain about how dirty Bearden plays. Some Farragut players may complain to the refs, but at least they don't try to intentionally hurt people. Try explaining this Bearden "class" to Aaron Doyle, who must have intentionally broken his nose on Elliot's elbow while 20 yards off the play. I don't think you'll find anybody outside the Bearden family to agree with you on this one.

Yeah, yeah, Britton is a fine athlete, but only a so-so soccer player. He can generate nothing on his own. His throw-ins go a country mile but that is about that only thing in which he has any advantage. Herbstrit, Upshaw, and Radcliffe are all bigger threats. But since you're on last year's Bearden-Farragut game, how about explaining HOW Bearden scored 4 minutes after the game SHOULD have been over and WHY the center ref has since been blackballed.

Good question. Turner has demonstrated the ability to prepare and get his guys up for big games. He excels in designing set plays, which is how he beat Farragut last year. Wallie Culbreth at Farragut has an extensive history in club ball but this is only his second year coaching high school. He is older and considerably more mature and reserve than Turner and has a good grasp of motivational and team-building skills, something the previous coach lacked. Coaching experience should be a non-factor. Both teams should be well-prepared.

Usually I don't trade barbs with children, but I'll make an exception in your case. First of all, you don't know me, and I will promise you that if you hang around with certain of the Bearden crew, I am certainly not the dumbest person you have encountered. Secondly, no one has yet torn up Dustin Crouse and Bearden has no one capable of doing so, though the contrary may be true, since he's been doing it for years. I know Eric Turner, and the term "class" has never been used in discussing him. He teaches intimidation tactics which include going after the man. Watch the shoves in the back, the high elbows, the shots at the legs, then talk about who is dirty. You want to talk smack, go ahead and show your true colors. You want to talk serious, rational soccer, come back in a few years when you've matured enough to be capable of doing so.

No, I am not in high school and yes, I do know a great deal about both Bearden and Farragut and many of the key players. Been watching them for years; know many of them personally.

Derrick signed with UAB, as did Ian Backstrom.

Bearden, April 17, 7:00. Should be rockin'.

Bearden has been in Farragut's head for a couple of years. Last year's Bearden team was better than Farragut, but not by much. Their defense was the heart of the team, though the offense got all the publicity, and their defense and half the midfield are gone. Farragut lost considerably less than Bearden. Farragut's defense is well acquainted with Herbstrit, Upshaw and Radclife and their tendencies and is more than capable of stopping them. On the other hand, Farragut has so much fire power and speed up front with Morrow, Britcher and the Doyle boys, that Bearden may have a difficult time accounting for all of them. While Radclife is good, Farragut's midfield is both stronger and faster and Ian Backstrom can match Radclife skill for skill. Spencer Bobrowski may be the key in the midfield. If Farragut can get Bearden and Eric Turner out of their heads, it should result in a Farragut victory. If not, it could be interesting.