Privates in Other States

[Solomon]

Wasn't sure where to put this and decided to put it here.

 

I didn't get to see Moeller play but I did watch a godo bit of St. X/Good Counsel on Sunday and I wasn't impressed with either.

 

I know some of you follow the big privates from other states a lot more closely than I do and wondered if you could update me on who is their typical selves and who may be down this year.

[rollredroll]

Solly,

I remember seeing my first Titans game. They played Jacksonville, and Vanderbilt was their home stadium. Now, I had seen NFL games in person before, but as a runt, and in bleacher seats. At Vanderbilt, all of the seats are close to the field, and especially the ones in the first few rows. Long story short, to this day, I thought the common observation by rookies about “the speed of the game†was hogwash before that game. I never doubted it again after that game.

 

I saw the games on TV this weekend, too, including Hoover-Byrnes. I, too, agree that what was seen on TV didn’t blow me away either, public or private. But, while you have to apply the parallel above much more loosely (i.e., the difference from college to NFL is far more pronounced than TV HS football to live HS football), TV does not do justice. Factor in whatever awe there is of playing a “name†opponent, the thought of being on national TV, etc., and it is a different setting than the neighborhood rivalry – probably not for the whole game, but initially, yes.

 

I don’t know how KW felt when he saw Moeller two years ago, but I know how I felt. MBA looked to be set up for another blowout by an out-of-state biggie. Those blue jerseys, yellow pants, the roster, the routines and precision in which pregame drills were run, being in an NFL stadium – maybe it was the newness of it, but it was pretty impressive. Trinity (KY) looked pretty good in warm-ups in 2003 in Nashville, but Moeller was far more impressive. But, admittedly, once the game started, the butterflies stopped, I’m sure. A perfectly executed hook-and-ladder does wonders as well.

 

To your question, who the powers are this year, I am not sure. In OH, common thinking is that St. X is down this year and Moeller may have a good year. I know Trinity plays St. X (KY and OH) this year and should be good. As for other privates in the South, the ones from MS and AL aren’t much to talk about. GA has some decent programs in Atlanta, but they are usually a bit behind the ones is TN (I’ll let you know – I am actually attending a Westminster game in October; they are not an upper echelon football private – but academically, yes). And of course, there is a private out in Concord, CA, that has won a game or two and put together a streak that rivaled Maryville’s and South Panola’s – combined.

 

Probably didn’t answer your question exactly, but I’ll leave you with two thoughts:

 

1. The easiest schools to beat are the ones that don’t have to be played.

 

2. There is a decent amount of footage on the internet of MUS-South Panola from last year. By looks alone, that game is a huge mismatch – SP was bigger, stronger, faster. But watch what those little MUS boys did to them. I must say that I was utterly impressed - and literally watched it again, not believing what I saw.

[brothers]

As someone from the biggest rival of MUS, I must say they are so well coached its scary. I will be pulling for them again in the S.P. game. I think it helps all the teams in our league. Like someone said......oh to be DOWN, like MUS is supposed to be.......they ain't down much!

[Solomon]

Solly,

I remember seeing my first Titans game. They played Jacksonville, and Vanderbilt was their home stadium. Now, I had seen NFL games in person before, but as a runt, and in bleacher seats. At Vanderbilt, all of the seats are close to the field, and especially the ones in the first few rows. Long story short, to this day, I thought the common observation by rookies about “the speed of the game†was hogwash before that game. I never doubted it again after that game.

 

I saw the games on TV this weekend, too, including Hoover-Byrnes. I, too, agree that what was seen on TV didn’t blow me away either, public or private. But, while you have to apply the parallel above much more loosely (i.e., the difference from college to NFL is far more pronounced than TV HS football to live HS football), TV does not do justice. Factor in whatever awe there is of playing a “name†opponent, the thought of being on national TV, etc., and it is a different setting than the neighborhood rivalry – probably not for the whole game, but initially, yes.

 

I don’t know how KW felt when he saw Moeller two years ago, but I know how I felt. MBA looked to be set up for another blowout by an out-of-state biggie. Those blue jerseys, yellow pants, the roster, the routines and precision in which pregame drills were run, being in an NFL stadium – maybe it was the newness of it, but it was pretty impressive. Trinity (KY) looked pretty good in warm-ups in 2003 in Nashville, but Moeller was far more impressive. But, admittedly, once the game started, the butterflies stopped, I’m sure. A perfectly executed hook-and-ladder does wonders as well.

 

To your question, who the powers are this year, I am not sure. In OH, common thinking is that St. X is down this year and Moeller may have a good year. I know Trinity plays St. X (KY and OH) this year and should be good. As for other privates in the South, the ones from MS and AL aren’t much to talk about. GA has some decent programs in Atlanta, but they are usually a bit behind the ones is TN (I’ll let you know – I am actually attending a Westminster game in October; they are not an upper echelon football private – but academically, yes). And of course, there is a private out in Concord, CA, that has won a game or two and put together a streak that rivaled Maryville’s and South Panola’s – combined.

 

Probably didn’t answer your question exactly, but I’ll leave you with two thoughts:

 

1. The easiest schools to beat are the ones that don’t have to be played.

 

2. There is a decent amount of footage on the internet of MUS-South Panola from last year. By looks alone, that game is a huge mismatch – SP was bigger, stronger, faster. But watch what those little MUS boys did to them. I must say that I was utterly impressed - and literally watched it again, not believing what I saw.

 

Truthfully, I was expecting Hoover and Byrnes to score a lot of point too and was shocked by that one. I didn't get to see any of the Texas teams play due to family matters.

 

I was just curious. I've not kept up as much with high school ball the past couple of seasons as in years past. I would like to see MUS/SP though.

[jlmac4]

Wasn't sure where to put this and decided to put it here.

 

I didn't get to see Moeller play but I did watch a godo bit of St. X/Good Counsel on Sunday and I wasn't impressed with either.

 

I know some of you follow the big privates from other states a lot more closely than I do and wondered if you could update me on who is their typical selves and who may be down this year.

 

In Ohio, St. X will be down early, and improve as the season goes on, but nothing like their MNC year of '07. Lost a lot, with new qb(1st varsity game/4interceptions)entire secondary, and recievers. Watching the game, I saw they start 3 or 4 sophmores, which doesn't happen at X, with 340 players and two freshman squads of 60. Their schedule doesn't help, as Specht schedules harder than anyone in the country year in/year out. Six of X's opponents have won a big school title in the last 3 yrs. Played 5 returning state champs in '07, 4 last year. I see them losing 3 or 4 games and making the playoffs as a lower seed if they are lucky. Moeller will be solid, but lack overall team speed, and that will be their downfall come playoff time. With that enormus line and big backs, they will win most games. Right now, the best private in Ohio regardless of division might be DivIII Youngstown Mooney who beat a DivI playoff team by 20 last week....

Mooney

They can and do play with anybody, including other states' powers. They play an incredible schedule every year, because they have a tough time finding teams their size that will play them. Another team looking to have a great year is Mentor Lake Catholic, behind an offensive line that averages 6'4" 305 lbs and can move.

Edited September 2, 2010 by jlmac4