Monday, September 10, 2007

Help wanted

Spent part of the day compiling something I hope turns out interesting. Working on my all-time high school football team (yeah, I know, not much of a life). There's two conditions:
1. The player must be from the Observer-Reporter coverage area.
2. The player have played high school football at any time from 1999 to the present. This exludes the likes of Wash High's Brian Davis or Ringgold's Joe Montana. The reason? I started at the O-R in 1999, and I'm still here.

There are a few definites on the club and I'm working on a starting lineup with the possibility of a few backups. I'm asking for help. Offer your suggestions. Any player, within reason, can be considered.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Anonymous said...

I live in the California Area and I'm so sick of hearing about the Donte Valentino show. Granted, Donte is a good player, but he's not the best that Cal has had over the past few years. What's not being said is what happens at the school in order for him to be ABLE to play football. Such as an assistant principal paying him to attend school everyday, and paying him to attend tutoring, and paying for his lunch. It gives the child the wrong idea about how life works. Instead of Donte, lets hear about some of the other past Cal greats, Waugh Carter, Class of 07, Steven Chester, Class of 06, Brad Wright, Class of 05, need we go on?

Anonymous said...

I think this guy is full of shit...i went to high school with donte valentino and ive played football with him since 1st grade...i think people just need to stop hating on him because he is the best offensive player california has had in forever. Now i would have to say steve chester probably one of the greatest high school linebackers ive seen play the game, and waugh carter is an amazing full back. But that doesnt give anyone the right to assume what a principle does for a student. No one really knows if that is a true statement or not.

Unknown said...

I live with Donte and have grown up with him since I was 5 or 6. If he was getting any sort of pay I would know. To see a post like that, it makes me sick. For someone to hate on someone else so much that you need to make up stuff about him.. you really need help. You live in the California area, do you like to see California win? Take Donte off the team and see how many games California wins.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Donte isnt the best Cal has had over the past few years? I am steve chester and Donte is the best Cal has had - probably EVER. There is no need to hate when talent comes through the program such as Donte Valentino. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

You must be a white parent who's kid either doesnt play on the team because he isnt good enough or your kid sucked when he did play and Donte took his spot on the team. Either way, quit hating on a black man.

mike_kovak said...

All I can say is it's about time someone had the guts to put a name to a message. Thanks Steve.

Anonymous said...

My name's Dawne. I am Steve's mother and have watched this whole group of kids play football for YEARS. Steven, Donte, Waugh and the whole group of kids that have graduated in the past two year and will graduate this year are awesome football players...how else do you explain them getting to the 2nd round of playoffs when these kids get to high school, when it hadn't happened in years!?!?! Is Donte the best player Cal has had? Maybe, maybe not...who cares really? He makes for an enjoyable show on Fridays! Does Ms. Fulmer pay him for everything he does? I've heard many RUMORS about what he gets paid to do at school, but who cares? If its true, it's not going to help him in the long run, but it doesn't affect his football game, so again, WHO CARES!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,
This sounds like a great idea. I coached at Mapletown for quite a few years before moving on to Carmichaels, and I believe Drew Denham (MHS '03)deserves to be among the players on this team. He set every school record for passing including career TD passes(32), career yardage (3,058 yds), career completions (231)and a single game record of 294yds total. He led the area in passing his senior year with 1382 yards and 15 td's, ahead of Matt Humbert who is now at CAl U. All of this while playing for a primarily running team. Drew was also a 1000 point scorer in basketball and made the all PAC at Waynesburg University for baseball. He was a pleasure to coach and a hard working kid. I not only had the pleasure of coaching him, but to be by his side as a brother. Again, I think this is a great idea for some of these small town kids to get some recognition. Thanks again!!
Fred Morecraft

Anonymous said...

I would like to nominate Bobby Hathaway one of the best running backs I have ever played against. Not only did he walk on at now power house WVU be he also earned a scholarship and is one of the hardest working individuals I've ever met. He deserves and should be on this team, thanks for the coverage over the years...Drew Denham

The Chosen One said...

The idea for the all time team is a great idea...But everybody knows who`s gonna be considered....names like Hathaway..Of course u have to put Heller on the team...Um who else Brandon Steele, Mick Williams, Perry Ivery..All the names everybody is used to hearing. There has been alot of underated players that have come out of this area, that have been overlooked. Players such as Dom Wytovich from Bentworth who had over 100 tackles on defense ..900 yards rushing basicallly by himself and 15 touchdowns his senior year. And speaking of Bentworth my son played them in 04 and 05 they had a kid by the name of Lloyd Williamson who was one the best and hardest hitting linebackers ive ever seen at the high school level. Watch some film of him, he is really that good. So before you go making the all time team do some research, ask around....peace

mike_kovak said...

The Chosen One wrote:
"So before you go making the all time team do some research, ask around"

Uhhhh, that's why I made this post. There are obvious guys. I want to know some I may not remember or a few I never saw play.

Keep them coming. I will continue to put this post toward the top so people can add to it. I'm in no hurry to put the finishing touches on this team.

Anonymous said...

Link for a few highlights of Waugh Carter(C.O. 2007) California HS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF1Xbvfyhwk