Halls High School Football?

[osunut2]

I'm with oledog again. Gibson was a fine athlete and a decent runner. But like he said Pancaked, Halls has had atleast one good running back for as long as I could remember, and without any toughness or aggression in the trenches you simply cannot run the ball. The back can't do it all himself, that's why football is an eleven man sport. One guy doesn't do his job, they all suffer. Unfortunately, if five lineman don't do their job..it's the backs that suffer. Might want to make a few adjustments with the big boys to see if things improve? Can't get much worse...

Perfect example - Cody Blanc at Central. When you have a bad offensive line and a QB who can't throw the football well enough to take pressure off of the running game, there isn't a lot that even a great RB can do.

[Zoom33]

Bingo. Let's be honest - Halls just doesn't have the horses right now, and there isn't a lot that can be done to overcome that. Sure, they may have some attitude issues, but even well-coached teams have a difficult time overcoming a lack of talent, especially on the prep/high school level.

 

Agreed osunut. All great points. Speed kills in this sport no matter what level you are competing on. If you don't have it, you better have some meat and muscle. If you don't have that, you're out of luck. And I think the Red Devils luck might start to run thin if some sort of adjustments aren't made. Even if there is a lack of talent on the team, take the best players you have and put them in the spots and plays where they are best and give your team the best chance to win. Simple.

 

And that's a great example using Blanc from Central. Unless if you have some dominating athletes in either the run or passing game, you can't be a one dimensional offense. That's how you lose games when coaches try and force the ball down the field. Figure out what works, run and pass, mix it up, but stick to it. SIMPLE!

[lostoledog]

Maybe there is a lack of leadership amongst the boys. The coaches can yell jump and flip all they want, but if the players don't motivate themselves and each other the team won't get anywhere. In recent years there has always been atleast three or four upperclassmen on the team who were considered leaders by the players and coaches. Whether that was by example or rah rah-ing around to pump everyone else up.

 

Maybe this isn't happening anymore or the other players aren't buying into it? Hmm...

 

Well, can't quite agree with you on this one. Halls seems to have a couple seniors who are good kids all around that have been great leaders for the team this year and from what I understand the younger classmen really look up to. This is something they really didn't have at all last year and really needed. Gotta start with the coaching. Hopefully Halls can pull out the last three games.

[osunut2]

Gotta start with the coaching.

I'm sure that coaching does have something to do with it, but if you don't have the talent, you aren't going to win very many games, especially against more talented teams. IMO, through their first 7 games, Halls has beaten the only team with a similar talent level - Clinton. I don't see another team in Halls' first 7 games that they should've beaten, although getting blown out by Karns was a bit surprising.

 

Last year, Halls was on par, talent-wise, with 3 district opponents - Clinton, Karns, and CC. They lost all 3 of those games. This year, they've started 1-0 against teams who they match up evenly with. If they beat Campbell County and Central (they have enough talent to go toe-to-toe with both of those teams), they will be 3-0 in winable games, which is a huge turnaround from last year. I think that the Halls community just isn't used to losing this many games, and they certainly aren't used to losing games against annual cellar dwellers, like CC.

[DiverCity]

I'm sure that coaching does have something to do with it, but if you don't have the talent, you aren't going to win very many games, especially against more talented teams. IMO, through their first 7 games, Halls has beaten the only team with a similar talent level - Clinton. I don't see another team in Halls' first 7 games that they should've beaten, although getting blown out by Karns was a bit surprising.

 

Last year, Halls was on par, talent-wise, with 3 district opponents - Clinton, Karns, and CC. They lost all 3 of those games. This year, they've started 1-0 against teams who they match up evenly with. If they beat Campbell County and Central (they have enough talent to go toe-to-toe with both of those teams), they will be 3-0 in winable games, which is a huge turnaround from last year. I think that the Halls community just isn't used to losing this many games, and they certainly aren't used to losing games against annual cellar dwellers, like CC.

Good post, OSUNut. I agree with everything you say. I too was surprised with the Karns blowout but Halls has in every other game played consistent with the players' overall talent level. To expect them to be able to win consistently against superior talent would require miracles from the coaching staff. Coach Julian has implemented several changes that will enable them to compete once they can get a few more players. Heck, look at the teams' overall numbers. It wasn't long ago that there were 80 or 90 who dressed. What are we now, 45? You simply can't beat the Powells, ORs, and others of the world like that with such depressed numbers. True, we have a few who could play with and excel on any team, but not enough of them. Fans need to realize that.

 

As far as ORKat's comment, it's true as far as it goes but it's a function of depressed numbers. Halls has had plenty of speed in the recent past. Now, with so few to pick from, not enough. There are some promising signs in the community park. Yet it would be a huge help if the high school coaches took a bigger role there. We lose too many good players to other programs, such as yours, OSUNut. I could name a few who play for your 12U XFL team, which, I might add, is coached by an alum of the 1986 Halls state championship team! Needless to say, way too much hemorrhaging to other programs over the past 10 years! Not sure all of the reasons for that but I do know some.

[osunut2]

Good post, OSUNut. I agree with everything you say. I too was surprised with the Karns blowout but Halls has in every other game played consistent with the players' overall talent level. To expect them to be able to win consistently against superior talent would require miracles from the coaching staff. Coach Julian has implemented several changes that will enable them to compete once they can get a few more players. Heck, look at the teams' overall numbers. It wasn't long ago that there were 80 or 90 who dressed. What are we now, 45? You simply can't beat the Powells, ORs, and others of the world like that with such depressed numbers. True, we have a few who could play with and excel on any team, but not enough of them. Fans need to realize that.

 

As far as ORKat's comment, it's true as far as it goes but it's a function of depressed numbers. Halls has had plenty of speed in the recent past. Now, with so few to pick from, not enough. There are some promising signs in the community park. Yet it would be a huge help if the high school coaches took a bigger role there. We lose too many good players to other programs, such as yours, OSUNut. I could name a few who play for your 12U XFL team, which, I might add, is coached by an alum of the 1986 Halls state championship team! Needless to say, way too much hemorrhaging to other programs over the past 10 years! Not sure all of the reasons for that but I do know some.

45? Wow, I didn't realize that the numbers were down to that. Tough to put more talent on the field when you only have that many kids on the sideline.

[Zoom33]

All great posts folks!

 

I stand corrected by oledog, IMO leadership is a huge quality and a must have for any football team. Whether you're sitting pretty with a great record or down like our boys in red. I just wasn't sure if there was any trouble or lack of fire under the players butts. But I agree with you, I've heard Jared Long #7 and Brady Brown #12 motivate and also carry the team on their shoulders. This is great for them and for the team, but also can be a negative when you have just two players carrying the weight of the team. Maybe it's time for some of the other seniors or even underclassmen to step up? And if this isn't the case, then it does go back to coaching. So I'm back with you again oledog, hopefully the boys can pull out these last three for the seniors and to build on next season!

 

Also agree with osunut, without talent it doesn't matter how great your coaching is or the attitude of your team it's going to be hard to win any ball games. That's just a simple fact. I too was shocked by the Karns fallout especially after how both games within the past two seasons have turned out. A close loss last year, and a convincing win the season before. Just surprises me the game could be so lopsided after that. Where the Devils stand now, I think their best shot for another win this seaosn will be against a down Central team. But with most rivalry games like that one it could go either way, just depends on who wants it more.

 

And to Divers post, just two words. HOLY COW! Only 45 players on the varsity team? That number is extremely low for a 5A team. Seems more accurate for a 3A or below team. Unbelievable....

[lostoledog]

One comment to osunut. Not sure if you are from the Halls area or not, but I see a lot of times you are quick to say Halls has "no talent" even in your blog. I will agree with another post (don't remember if it was you or someone else, think it was divercity) where some of the kids from Halls in the years past have deflected to other schools, which is true and we have lost "some" talent. I am just curious to know if you actually know the group of athletes that have come up through Halls. If you did or do, I would imagine you would not be so quick to throw in the "no talent". Still got to start with coaches.

 

 

Zoom33. Those are the two boys I was referring to. That #7 is an awesome athlete and a leader that the younger players to look up to, just a good kid on an off the field. I heard about him through the years that he was a kid to watch for when he got to HS and boy has he ever. I have only had the pleasure of watching him more so through his middle to high school years and I tell you what, he is a force to be reckoned with. He isn't getting much opportunity this year to get an open hole, if his line would open up for him it would be all the difference in the world cause when that kids lets loose he is gone. He is a good athlete on both sides of the ball, I sure wouldn't want to see him coming at me. Watched from the fence at OR and that kid scored 20 of the 21 at OR. #12 has really come along as well. He is not like most QB, not afraid to take or give a hit on either side of the ball either. He's like a silent giant. When he can't get the ball off to #7 he drives the yardage himself. Most QB dont want to be hit but he is probably one of the stronger QB I have ever seen play. The combination of #7 & #12 is something to watch, its like they work for each other but I guess that they have played together so long they know what the other is going to do. Wish both those boys and the rest of our guys best of luck in the next three games. Lets bring home some wins men!

[osunut2]

One comment to osunut. Not sure if you are from the Halls area or not, but I see a lot of times you are quick to say Halls has "no talent" even in your blog. I will agree with another post (don't remember if it was you or someone else, think it was divercity) where some of the kids from Halls in the years past have deflected to other schools, which is true and we have lost "some" talent. I am just curious to know if you actually know the group of athletes that have come up through Halls. If you did or do, I would imagine you would not be so quick to throw in the "no talent". Still got to start with coaches.

I grew up in Powell/Claxton in the 80s & 90s, and Halls had a great deal of football talent back then. I live in Hardin Valley now, and I've gotten to see a lot of 3-AAA football since I moved back to Tennessee in 2005. IMO, Halls just doesn't have the talent that they once did. Yes, there are some talented athletes still playing at Halls, but in terms of numbers, there is a less talent now than there was even back in 2005. Keep in mind, I'm strictly talking about the talent walking through the halls of Halls HS (no pun intended). If you lose a kid to another school/district before they even set foot at Halls HS, it's completely moot. Families move for a plethora of reasons. While I'm sure that some parents have the luxury of moving to give their kid(s) a competitive advantage on the playing field, most adults with a career don't have the luxury of picking up and moving anywhere.

 

I've watched this team play a number of games, and I do believe that coaching is a factor, but the overall lack of talent is undeniable. Campbell County, Central, and Clinton are in the same boat. I just think that teams like Halls and Central aren't used to having this issue. Unless you are a powerhouse program, like Maryville, overall talent is cyclical - that is a fact. Clinton dealt with it through the early 2000s, Powell went through it in the late-90s, Central went through it in the mid-90s, and Halls has been going through it the past few years.

[Zoom33]

To what oledog said, I agree with all of that but on side note. I've seen and heard of plenty of players who have been on, to be polite, "less than satisfactory" teams that have gone on to the next level and had success. College coaches recognize talent when they see it. Football is a team sport, and like I said earlier if the team isn't up to speed a single player or in this case two players cannot carry the weight of the team alone. But when they have the drive, heart, and love for the game that #7 and #12 have, coaches will see that and realize that it can be a valuable asset to their team. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to shine the spotlight or single out just these two boys because I would love just as much as the next man for the TEAM to finish out with some wins and on a high note that will hopefully carry over to the next season. But to Long and Brown, keep up the hard work and don't let this season get you done about what's could be coming down the road!

[deablo]

Been reading several post concearning whats wrong with Halls.Maybey a combination of things.Imo it does start with coaching.I think more players should be involved because sometimes you just may find hidden tallent for example,Wesley Kitts was one of our best backs but if not for an unfotunate accident to another back,he was not our starter.We have had seniors who didn't get in on senior night.We had a kid with two long kick off returns one week to be taken off the retun team the next week.One parent pitched a fit over a db position and the next week his son started.Rule of thumb is dont outshine the picks or you will be replaced.Players know this so where is their incentive?Give the coach credit for making some changes this year but Imo too little too late.Players disheartend,parents and community dissheartend,looks to me to be time for change.Need to bring someone in,not from around here,to bring new fire to our program which will get our numbers back up which in turn gets our tallent pool up and in turn the program should be on the upswing.

[lostoledog]

Well. Any comments on Fridays game last week?