Welcome to the Class A playoff party Beth-Center.
Even though I picked the Bulldogs to finish second to Monessen in the Tri-County South and to beat Jefferson-Morgan Friday night, can't say I expected a 48-0 whitewashing.
Word on the street is B-C is the most underrated team in Class A and Jeff Tarley is the classification's best runner that you have yet to hear about.
The Bulldogs lost their opener at Carlynton, a game they led 21-0 before everything that could go wrong, went wrong. They shrugged off that and blew out the last three opponents.
The Varsity Letters is looking forward to Beth-Center's home game against Monessen Friday night. The Greyhounds haven't scored a point against a good team this year.
And hats off to Beth-Center. Any time a four-place finish (like last year) is a down year for a football team, it's one heckuva football program.
* As many big plays as Fort Cherry made during its 41-24 win against Serra Catholic, the Rangers defense was the most impressive aspect of the victory.
Fort Cherry's secondary eliminated the big-play passes of quarterback T.J. Heatherington, the shiftiest runner I've seen this year, by far. The defensive line played superior football after halftime, which allowed outside linebackers Gary Keifer and Sam Guidi make big tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
* Congratulations to FC's Derric Stankus, who scored a career-high four touchdowns on the day his grandmother died.
Considering his performance and the Jim Garry Stadium dedication, did anyone else attending the game feel like higher forced were at work? I sure did.
* In my humble opinion, two conference championships will be determined this Friday when Fort Cherry travels to Clairton (Black Hills) and Monessen plays at Beth-Center (Tri-County South).
* What's going on with the Canon-McMillan offense? If memory serves correct, one touchdown in three games. Four turnovers against Butler is not a winning road formula.
* Big bounce-back win for Trinity. It re-established the Hillers as one of the top three teams in the Class AAA Big Seven.
Speaking of big games, Trinity plays a huge one Friday night against Chartiers Valley.
* Add McGuffey to the list of teams with an impressive bounce-back victory.
* Clairton plays Fort Cherry and Chartiers-Houston in consecutive weeks.
The Rangers and Bucs are playoff teams for certain. How well they play against Clairton could demonstrate how long each enjoys the postseason.
Clairton and Rochester are the big boys in Class A. Right now, Fort Cherry and Chartiers-Houston are Nos. 3 and 4.
42 comments:
What IS wrong with Canon McMillan! So many boys are hurt - Maybe they are worn out - they have to be at the school to lift early in the morning and don't get home until around 9PM - do other teams do this also? On the weekends they watch the JV game and then films - all work and no play makes for? With all that talent, something is wrong somewhere. Could it be the coaching....
Steve Bucci should be the football coach at CM! He knows how to motivate, give proper rest to, and relax a team!
Are you saying the present coach doesn't know how to motivate, relax a team, give proper rest and motivate? If this is so, where are the "powers that be" that can make changes or is this political? I know of several players who are completely exhausted! Let's do something about this. Let's hear from CM players' parents and fans. Enough is enough!!
Just which coach would you be talking about at CM? I think any program would love to have your head coach! Remember, they are just kids. No kid wants to lose. Unfortunately it happens.
You have one loss and now it's your all your coaches fault. Hopefully they aren't so worn out that their grades are slipping. You would probably be more worried about that first, right?
anonymous, apparently you haven't read this blog before. One loss means nothing. Remember the baseball team was undefeated at 9-0 and the coaches for that team were taking a beating on this very same blog. Yes that team went on to win the PIAA Title, but it was not before the coaches were regularly the fodder of great abuse here on the blog.
Just part of living in C-Burg... I guess, fairly or unfairly, it comes with the territory.
So glad you complainers in C-burg are perfect.
Maybe those CM so called fans should have a blog of their own.
Jeravin Matthews doin big things as a true freshman at 4-0 Northwestern....
its not baseball season right now fyi
CM football parents are frustrated!!!At the beginning of the year we were inforomed that the players and parents had to sign a "BIG MAC VARSITY FOOTBALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES- 2008". This form was given to us by the coach/AD and if not signed our kids would not be allowed to play. We as parents and players are abiding by the policies and procedures but why isn't the coaching staff. It states that normal times are 3:30pm to 6:30pm normally with film study included. Our kids aren't leaving until 7:45pm or later I don't consider this "Normal time". In addition we are to be notified in advance of any changes in time, "wheres the notice"!!. On 9/19/08 our kids had to be at the stadium at 10am for films which lasted a whole 35 minutes then be back at 4:30pm to leave for the game and get back 12:15Am and then back at the stadium at 8:30in the morning for a JV game starting at 10am. The game ended at 11:45am for them to be dragged into films for 4 hours with no break with lunch for these kids. Again we were not informed in advanced. This is no respect for the players or there families. If we are to abide by the coaches rules so should he!! This needs to stop and if the parents and fans don't stand up for our kids who will!!
i thought football players were supposed to be tough
Wow, are you CM guys SOFT! This is funny stuff, late nights, early mornings, no lunch breaks, WAWAWAWA! It's football hunny, theres nothing easy about it. Every school works their kids long and hard during the season.
One loss to Butler and people are calling for the coaches head, unbelievable!
Folks let's look at the main issue here. If the C-M football team is spending this much time practicing/film studying/etc then they are in clear violation of PIAA rules and therefore subject to forfeits for each of their first four games. The football coach is also the athletic director, so he should be aware of the rules. I'm surprised that the principal hasn't said anything to this point (if in fact the allegations are true).
I think the term student athlete is misleading because some of these coaches just want the kids to be their pawns and do not care what they do outside of athletics. It is unfortunate, but if parents really are that upset then file a complaint with the school, the WPIAL, and the PIAA and said goodbye to the long practices and late nights.
the same few plays-from the same formations---against quality quad a teams that have a week to prepare. Section games are just starting soooo it's not too late to very the formations. Gooo Macs!
Are any of you parents also worried about grades? Watch what you wish for.
To anonymous--- that may answer the question---If you have 4 d-1 backs in your backfield then why would you only score 16 points in three games against quality quad a teams ? The same d-1 athletes are on defense.
Supposedly the best defense in years
One of the biggest wins against woodland hills in school history. One field goal and a defensive touchdown.
if I were a parent-- I would have no problem with hard work--- I believe there wasn't any school on the days that cm lost!
Every team is nicked up! Teams are all doing the same thing that cm is doing. Finding some quality replacements until the starters are back--- I see some athletes on the sidelines----- this is your chance to step up and help the team! Go Macs!
I have heard criticism of the o-line's play on this blog. I looked at the roster and most of the lineman play both ways. How can the same players be great on defense and terrible on offense? You have 4 d-1 athletes in your backfield[ which are real d-1 athletes] two are going to westpoint and 1 will go anywhere he wants] This doesn't add-up! Maybe the offensive coordinator needs to do something different!
I listened to the game on msa---they interviewed Butlers coach and he said he had something planned for cm. The announcers said their defense was shifting and we couldn't adjust. I know coach is a very intelligent man, It's hard to believe we couldn't do anything. Was Butler that goooood! Of course their announcers were very biased!
CM is very proud of Jeravin Matthews!
Good Job!
For cm football even a slight change in strategy would prove to be beneficial,but lets face it, it is what it is.
keep up the good work Jeravin!
Mike Kovak is not the only one asking what's up with the offense? CM fans are not the only ones wondering what is going on. I hope it is not---It is what it is----- Buckle up defense---
St.Clair is next!
merril #2... get a new name
Whomever is trying to post as me, stop it!
* What's going on with the Canon-McMillan offense? If memory serves correct, one touchdown in three games. Four turnovers against Butler is not a winning road formula.
The coach believes he can just run the football! That's what is going on.You have to have some kind of passing game! Take a look at their passing stats,That is the story
I am wondering if Mike Tomlin is reading this blog thinking we are talking about the Steelers! Everyone is a Monday morning Quarterback! Leave the coaching to the coaches [that's their job] CM'S conference play starts this week. Good Luck!
When you have Baker starting for CM it means you are sacrificing speed and athletic ability for heart. Heart can take you a long way, but it cannot chase down superior athletes. Baker and Will Burgess are the same player just in a different level-- three steps too slow, but with great heart. However the lack of speed puts them out of position for making plays.
Heart is good! talent is sometimes over-rated. That Baker player looked fast to me in the Woodland Hills game.
CM fans need to stick together! Could this be the enemy trying to divide our loyalties? We are tooo smart for that!
Ronnie if you think Baker is slow than I guess you are calling hagan, hull, pozonsky, and jer matthews slow. Baker has raced each of those kids and is only maybe a half-step behind them in a 40 yard dash. So instead of running a 4.4 or 4.5, Baker runs a 4.6.
will the real ronnie h please stand up? i believe that is an imposter.
I completely agree with the person above me here. Baker is fast and has heart.
CM will never win in football with these whining parents. Coach is A winner, disciplinarian and mentor to young men. In over 20 years @ Wash High probably less than 1% of the parents complained. And those whodid rally did not have merit. Remember where your were and where your at now. Look at the number of college coaches coming in to see these kids and giving them free educations. Coach M is at the very top of his profession and does not have to take a back seat to anyone. If you run him out, it will be the biggest mistake. All you have to do is look at Wash High since he left. Suck it up!
I think many of the blog originals have left due to the increasing number of offensive, ridiculous, and impostor posts.
I agree Brian, and that's a shame.
This used to be an area for intelligent conversation.
I hope this continues to be an area for people to voice an opinion but there are a select few (and coaches know who they are) continually steering off topic, making things far too personal or just being outright offensive.
Recently, I was asked why I have taken to deleting so many comments. Well, just read what people are posting. It's ridiculous.
This blog is not my full-time job. Thus, I do not have the time to continually delete the posts of the growing number of idiots.
The only alternative is having all posts moderated by me before they hit this site. I hope we don't get there, but we are getting very, very close.
What should we do readers?
And, finally, the C-M coaching staff won a state title as recently as 2001. They know what they are doing and Coach Montecalvo is one of the most respected, dedicated people I have met.
where's neighborhood mom when we need her? this blog has turned into smash~mouth cm bashing and it's really sad. how can anyone take this serious? mike....i used to like to read from time to time, but now it seems that the only reason for this comment board is to hurl insults and spew verbal garbage. i have no problem with 'freedom of speech', but where is the sense of decency here? these are people we all know...stop tearing the team and the coaches down. if you have something to say, make it matter. lets set an example for the kids and adults alike, and 'keep this clean'. we all have a right to our opinion, but let's not cross the line. this has gotten way too personal and not about the game. what do the fans and parents want? to see this team completely fail? i just dont get it...
To the parent concerned with policies and procedures,
As a former player I take it that your new to varsity football scene, because this isn't a new phenomenon. Every football team that has ever been successful has to make these sacrifices to excel friday nights. If you or your son are not ready to accept this commitment then I'm sorry so say this isn't their sport. Football is all about how hard you work. I think the best way to put it is you'll only get as much as you put into it, and thats the beauty of it. I remember waking up every saturday morning battered and bruised from the previous night and dreading to get up to go to films. Looking back in retrospect, yeah it sucked at times, but i would never trade those memories for the world. You have to truly love and dedicate yourself to the sport to be successful. On that note parents, if your son is truly not enjoying his high school football experience then simply get him out of it if you fear for their academics or they just can't handle the workload. Honestly, part of being a student-athlete is to successfully manage your time between practice and academics. Finally, lets be real for a second, all you cm players know what a certain coach would say about this whole matter. "Two tears in a bucket."
Well put J.D.
It's nice to have something like that said by someone who has been there before and who actually knows something about it.
Coach Montecalvo has said that this is one of the best group of football parents that he has had in a while. [as far as supporting the team]. Someone brought up an issue that should of been taken up with him. The team is a great group of kids and the coaches spend endless hours in preparation for the games [a labor of love and dedication ----not pay] Just wanted to let you know what the person who matters said!
I think the Monessen B-C game will be a good match up..but this just what monessen needed..another chance for their coaches to redeem themselves after poor game planning against clairton....i think Monessen will pull it out if the coaches get there stuff together and use their superior athletes....Look for ShelDOn Miller of Monessen to have a tremendous game. Also the QB stepoli.
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