PRIVATE SCHOOL DOMINANCE

[SoccerSwami]

Currently in the A-AA joint classification, there are 187 public schools (their enrollment is limited to students living in each school's particular zone). There are 38 schools that are able to draw from an unlimited talent pool academically and athletically (33 private schools and 5 magnet schools).

 

No one is surprised that the private and magnet schools dominate A-AA girls soccer among many other sports (essentially 17% of the A-AA schools have a stranglehold on the sport and the 83% that are pure zoned schools typically don't have a prayer).

 

However, in recent years, University School of Jackson, Franklin Road Academy, and Donelson Christian Academy finally had the guts to brave Division II. Has this finally opened up the A-AA state tournament for public schools to have a shot? Notre Dame had the nerve to back out of Division II and return to A-AA. Christian Academy of Knoxville, Chattanooga Christian, and Christ Presbyterian will always desire to bully around the A-AA schools rather than stepping up to the big leagues. But looking at the state brackets, an unprecedented number of zoned public schools actually qualified. Any thoughts?

 

Until last season, does anyone find it incredible that not one of these 187 public schools has ever won a single game at the A-AA soccer state tournament? Last season, Greeneville and Page squared off in the quarterfinals, both public schcols, so something had to give. Greeneville became the first non-magnet public school to ever win a game in the state tourney in A-AA.

 

This season, Greeneville, McNairy Central, McMinn Central, Dyersburg, and Page all qualified for the tournament. I never thought I'd live to see 5 of the 8 spots at state represented by public schools. But was this just a fluke or is it the new trend?

 

McNairy Central and McMinn Central failed to score and Dyersburg had one goal late in a 6-1 loss to Page. Those three publics were clearly outmatched. So Page and Greeneville advanced to face private schools Notre Dame and CAK respectively (Page joining Greeneville as the second public school to win at the state tournament).

 

But the wins by Page and Greeneville came against other public schools so a public school has still never beaten a private school at state. Could it happen tonight? Could #2 Greeneville knock off #4 CAK? Could #5 Page upset #3 Notre Dame?

[simplegame]

Currently in the A-AA joint classification, there are 187 public schools (their enrollment is limited to students living in each school's particular zone). There are 38 schools that are able to draw from an unlimited talent pool academically and athletically (33 private schools and 5 magnet schools).

 

No one is surprised that the private and magnet schools dominate A-AA girls soccer among many other sports (essentially 17% of the A-AA schools have a stranglehold on the sport and the 83% that are pure zoned schools typically don't have a prayer).

 

 

 

However, in recent years, University School of Jackson, Franklin Road Academy, and Donelson Christian Academy finally had the guts to brave Division II. Has this finally opened up the A-AA state tournament for public schools to have a shot? Notre Dame had the nerve to back out of Division II and return to A-AA. Christian Academy of Knoxville, Chattanooga Christian, and Christ Presbyterian will always desire to bully around the A-AA schools rather than stepping up to the big leagues. But looking at the state brackets, an unprecedented number of zoned public schools actually qualified. Any thoughts?

 

Until last season, does anyone find it incredible that not one of these 187 public schools has ever won a single game at the A-AA soccer state tournament? Last season, Greeneville and Page squared off in the quarterfinals, both public schcols, so something had to give. Greeneville became the first non-magnet public school to ever win a game in the state tourney in A-AA.

 

This season, Greeneville, McNairy Central, McMinn Central, Dyersburg, and Page all qualified for the tournament. I never thought I'd live to see 5 of the 8 spots at state represented by public schools. But was this just a fluke or is it the new trend?

 

McNairy Central and McMinn Central failed to score and Dyersburg had one goal late in a 6-1 loss to Page. Those three publics were clearly outmatched. So Page and Greeneville advanced to face private schools Notre Dame and CAK respectively (Page joining Greeneville as the second public school to win at the state tournament).

 

But the wins by Page and Greeneville came against other public schools so a public school has still never beaten a private school at state. Could it happen tonight? Could #2 Greeneville knock off #4 CAK? Could #5 Page upset #3 Notre Dame?

Perhaps it is different in Chattanooga and East TN than Middle TN where the strength of a team (public or private) is primarily due to the "proximity" of local soccer clubs.

 

Power Factors

1st - local soccer clubs

2nd (close to first) - kids in clubs will often gravitate to local privates - takes $$ to be on a club team and to attend a private school.

3rd - parental recruiting (happens more in public schools given the advantages of Magnet Schools and IB programs, and or open zoning)and happens in the privates as well.

4th - private schools typically hire coaches with experience in the sport versus just assigning someone to help boost their pay level.

 

Until private citizens are no longer paying taxes to support public schools, you cannot argue against a private school competing in Division I.

[ChattanoogaCannon]

 

 

But the wins by Page and Greeneville came against other public schools so a public school has still never beaten a private school at state. Could it happen tonight? Could #2 Greeneville knock off #4 CAK? Could #5 Page upset #3 Notre Dame?

 

Yes, yes, and yes.

 

Good luck to Page tonight. And kudos to your coach for stepping up the schedule this year. Last year's schedule was a bit much on the soft side.

[nizolek]

Yes, yes, and yes.

 

Good luck to Page tonight. And kudos to your coach for stepping up the schedule this year. Last year's schedule was a bit much on the soft side.

 

Agree to the yes, yes, and yes.

 

Greeneville in particular seems to have a strong chance.

 

But watch out for CAK! As usual, they're peaking at the right time. Should be a very interesting game!

[soccer67]

I think Chuckey-Doak, another Greene County public school, eliminated McNairy Central in the 2005 state quarterfinals.

Edited November 4, 2010 by soccer67

[BigG]

MVM can attest to this... it is NOT an issue of public and private. It is an issue of club players vs non club players.

 

Look at ALL of the successful soccer teams across the state. If you would poll them you would find a HIGH percentage of players on their teams that compete on Division 1 club teams, and this occurs even in AAA public schools.

 

Alcoa boys took the time to develop their club programs and their players worked hard in the off season in these clubs. Where did this get them? State finals in 2009 and state tournament in 2010 (and they got to 2009 by beating a private school).

 

Greeneville has a good club system. Where has it gotten them? State semi's and possibly beyond!

 

The argument used to JUST be about publics and privates. Now it is moving to privates and magnets vs. publics.

Edited November 4, 2010 by BigG

[CHAMPDDS]

Is there any comparison to amount of practice for either side also ? I am sure that every team that has made the state level has a vigorous time commitment, starting at the earliest allowable time during the summer..Can the teams that possibly continue top whine this arguement say they have put in enough time to actually be competitive ?

 

D

[simplegame]

Is there any comparison to amount of practice for either side also ? I am sure that every team that has made the state level has a vigorous time commitment, starting at the earliest allowable time during the summer..Can the teams that possibly continue top whine this arguement say they have put in enough time to actually be competitive ?

 

D

Indeed.

[easttnref]

MVM can attest to this... it is NOT an issue of public and private. It is an issue of club players vs non club players.

 

Look at ALL of the successful soccer teams across the state. If you would poll them you would find a HIGH percentage of players on their teams that compete on Division 1 club teams, and this occurs even in AAA public schools.

 

Alcoa boys took the time to develop their club programs and their players worked hard in the off season in these clubs. Where did this get them? State finals in 2009 and state tournament in 2010 (and they got to 2009 by beating a private school).

 

Greeneville has a good club system. Where has it gotten them? State semi's and possibly beyond!

 

The argument used to JUST be about publics and privates. Now it is moving to privates and magnets vs. publics.

 

 

The fact is G its an uneven playing field and you know it, and just cannot admit it still and probably never will. The public schools cannot play 8th graders. Like Ben Holt who you used to beat that same Alcoa team you spoke of as an 8th grader. The private schools recruit just by being private. There are no lines as to how far kids can travel to go to your school. Publics are not afforded that opportunity. Nor do the publics in small schools have the money the privates do to upgrade facilities which aides in recruiting. Privates win 3 state championships a year in soccer as history shows us. Publics win 1. Argue that G!!! One day the Privates will join up with the big dogs like Knox Catholic did and prove they are one of the best, or at least go Div II with schools that are afforded your same opportunities. But beating up on the small schools in the state and blaming it on them not having club is getting old!!!

[BigG]

The fact is G its an uneven playing field and you know it, and just cannot admit it still and probably never will. The public schools cannot play 8th graders. Like Ben Holt who you used to beat that same Alcoa team you spoke of as an 8th grader. The private schools recruit just by being private. There are no lines as to how far kids can travel to go to your school. Publics are not afforded that opportunity. Nor do the publics in small schools have the money the privates do to upgrade facilities which aides in recruiting. Privates win 3 state championships a year in soccer as history shows us. Publics win 1. Argue that G!!! One day the Privates will join up with the big dogs like Knox Catholic did and prove they are one of the best, or at least go Div II with schools that are afforded your same opportunities. But beating up on the small schools in the state and blaming it on them not having club is getting old!!!

I agree. There is a disparity. Never said there wasn't. Just explaining on the "why".

[BigG]

And by the way, I am all for a "merit based" playoff system, kind of like the EPL uses. Win, move up a classification, do poorly, move down. Throw out all private and public distinctions.

[simplegame]

The fact is G its an uneven playing field and you know it, and just cannot admit it still and probably never will. The public schools cannot play 8th graders. Like Ben Holt who you used to beat that same Alcoa team you spoke of as an 8th grader. The private schools recruit just by being private. There are no lines as to how far kids can travel to go to your school. Publics are not afforded that opportunity. Nor do the publics in small schools have the money the privates do to upgrade facilities which aides in recruiting. Privates win 3 state championships a year in soccer as history shows us. Publics win 1. Argue that G!!! One day the Privates will join up with the big dogs like Knox Catholic did and prove they are one of the best, or at least go Div II with schools that are afforded your same opportunities. But beating up on the small schools in the state and blaming it on them not having club is getting old!!!

 

So is this argument. Proximity to clubs is the common denominator to strength....public and private.

Brentwood Soccer Club, TNFC, Harpeth, Music City, Cobras,TN United, etc.

 

FEED

 

Ravenwood, Franklin, Brentwood, Centennial, Independence

BGA, Brentwood Academy, Christ Pres., Page, Father Ryan, Ensworth, JP2,

Hendersonville, FRA, DCA