293 replies to this topic

[PostPlayer]

BlueTiger - I agree with you. This is probably the most heralded football team Arlington has had in many years - maybe since the 80's. Hard to believe this team doesn't have the tools to win the BVC, but let's face it - we haven't beaten McComb and LB in what seems like forever. The O-Line should be amazing with every player back except Blunk (TE) and Inniger (Guard). Blunk will certainly be replaced by Speyer (Sophomore) who will be more than capable and there are a few options to replace Inniger - both with good size. The big concern is QB - I think there will be a surprise or two at this position next year - but bottom line, whoever it is has to be effective at throwing the ball and not missing wide open receivers b/c WHEN we pass, it would be my guess they will be wide open b/c of everyone trying to stop Rettig and the run. I think everyone is really excited about this team in Atown - and rightfully so. A big hole at QB is about the only spot that there isn't an answer for at this time. Games at home against the big three are a huge plus but going to Parkway isn't going to be a picnic either - despite their record. The only other "issue" I see is our defensive backfield with Hunter doing so well there last year. There are a few young guys to fill the holes but we historically haven't been a great pass defense so we will see.

[WhiteBear20]

PostPlayer, on 03 March 2014 - 09:47 AM, said:

BlueTiger - I agree with you. This is probably the most heralded football team Arlington has had in many years - maybe since the 80's. Hard to believe this team doesn't have the tools to win the BVC, but let's face it - we haven't beaten McComb and LB in what seems like forever. The O-Line should be amazing with every player back except Blunk (TE) and Inniger (Guard). Blunk will certainly be replaced by Speyer (Sophomore) who will be more than capable and there are a few options to replace Inniger - both with good size. The big concern is QB - I think there will be a surprise or two at this position next year - but bottom line, whoever it is has to be effective at throwing the ball and not missing wide open receivers b/c WHEN we pass, it would be my guess they will be wide open b/c of everyone trying to stop Rettig and the run. I think everyone is really excited about this team in Atown - and rightfully so. A big hole at QB is about the only spot that there isn't an answer for at this time. Games at home against the big three are a huge plus but going to Parkway isn't going to be a picnic either - despite their record. The only other "issue" I see is our defensive backfield with Hunter doing so well there last year. There are a few young guys to fill the holes but we historically haven't been a great pass defense so we will see.

I personally wouldn't say the 80's. The mid 2000's had a Red Devils squad loaded with talent anchored by a huge senior class and a very good football team that was an early favorite to win the league that year going in. Who will be replacing Coach Dennis as the defensive coordinator?

[bvcgrad]

I think Inbody had pretty much been calling the defense .

[PostPlayer]

Feathers will be taking the reigns of the defense this year.

[DirtyPBear76]

PostPlayer, on 03 March 2014 - 04:21 PM, said:

Feathers will be taking the reigns of the defense this year.

🍻😆

[WhiteBear20]

Feathers!!!!

[evilscotsman]

Not to change topic, but VB should be a vastly improved team next year. We only lose two seniors and have a swell of upcoming talent and returning starters. Looking forward to a great season of BVC football next year with lots of good games and matchups. Nobody's gonna have anything for the Devils though. They are stacked.

[Bluetiger76]

Evil....I agree on VB....I think they are getting better.

[Shotgun_Blues]

Evil, I concur as well... Even though the score against Arlington got lopsided 42-6... Our players said that was one of our more physical contests last year. Loads of talent and solid coaching. Not sure if next year is "the Year" but defiantly headed in the right direction! Will be a force in BVC in years to come IMHO...

[bvcgrad]

probably even more physical this year.

[evilscotsman]

I can truly say, being involved heavily in our midget football and biddy wrestling programs at VB, that success at the high school level starts at an early age. My oldest boy will be in 6th grade this year at VB, and having started playing football and wrestling since 3rd grade, its insane how his knowledge and respect of the game has grown. We have a pretty hardcore midget football program at VB that has amazing support from the parents and our high school AD and players. We are now seeing this success carry over into our junior high program on up. It absolutely amazes me the complete lack of support some of our area schools have for their midget programs. Through talking to some of the coaches in the Northwest Ohio Midget Football League which we are a part of, I sympathize for them. I mean they are donating their time to teach these boys to become better men through discipline and teamwork that will carry on into their high school years both on and off the field. All they ask for is a little support from the school and they get shunned away. Sorry for the rant...............just sayin'.

[Common Sense]

Football is a numbers game, and those numbers are declining. I understand the merits of youth football, I feel the need for midget football has more to do with keeping kids away from soccer and other sports than anything else. One of the better high school programs currently is Arlington. Their midget football program is less than 10 years old. They were able to take kids as 7th graders and move them up through the system. Youth coaches, weather it be football, basketball, baseball, softball is the lifeline of any successful high school athletic program. The bigger issue is when do the Dad's let go and the high school coaches take the reins. At some places, it becomes and issue.

[reddevils]

Common Sense, on 05 March 2014 - 11:28 AM, said:

Football is a numbers game, and those numbers are declining. I understand the merits of youth football, I feel the need for midget football has more to do with keeping kids away from soccer and other sports than anything else. One of the better high school programs currently is Arlington. Their midget football program is less than 10 years old. They were able to take kids as 7th graders and move them up through the system. Youth coaches, weather it be football, basketball, baseball, softball is the lifeline of any successful high school athletic program. The bigger issue is when do the Dad's let go and the high school coaches take the reins. At some places, it becomes and issue.

I'm not sure I read this correctly but Arlington has had midget football since around 1970 I believe.

Edited by reddevils, 05 March 2014 - 11:54 AM.

[Common Sense]

reddevils, on 05 March 2014 - 11:53 AM, said:

I'm not sure I read this correctly but Arlington has had midget football since around 1970 I believe.

I stand corrected, that's right, they have not had jr. high football for that long, correct?

[reddevils]

Common Sense, on 05 March 2014 - 12:01 PM, said:

I stand corrected, that's right, they have not had jr. high football for that long, correct?

Junior high started in the early to mid 90's. Coach Metzger wasn't a big fan of junior high football. Didn't want the kids to get burnt out and come in with a fire to play.

[RealDeal]

evilscotsman, on 05 March 2014 - 11:10 AM, said:

I can truly say, being involved heavily in our midget football and biddy wrestling programs at VB, that success at the high school level starts at an early age. My oldest boy will be in 6th grade this year at VB, and having started playing football and wrestling since 3rd grade, its insane how his knowledge and respect of the game has grown. We have a pretty hardcore midget football program at VB that has amazing support from the parents and our high school AD and players. We are now seeing this success carry over into our junior high program on up. It absolutely amazes me the complete lack of support some of our area schools have for their midget programs. Through talking to some of the coaches in the Northwest Ohio Midget Football League which we are a part of, I sympathize for them. I mean they are donating their time to teach these boys to become better men through discipline and teamwork that will carry on into their high school years both on and off the field. All they ask for is a little support from the school and they get shunned away. Sorry for the rant...............just sayin'.

Does VB have separate 7th and 8th grade teams?

[evilscotsman]

RealDeal, on 05 March 2014 - 01:23 PM, said:

Does VB have separate 7th and 8th grade teams?

No it's combined 7th and 8th grade. I believe they have only lost 2 games in the last two years. The seventh graders this year won the Northwest Ohio Midget League Super Bowl their 6th grade year.

[roarintiger1]

Some of Arlington's success can be attributed to keeping soccer out of the high school. Correct me if I am wrong, but Arlington started jr. high football as a tool to keep soccer out of the high school. You just have to look to the west and see what has happened to football at Cory-Rawson.

[bvcgrad]

I know it has helped not having soccer, but this years class is definitely NOT soccer players !

[KitnaSucks]

evilscotsman, on 05 March 2014 - 11:10 AM, said:

I can truly say, being involved heavily in our midget football and biddy wrestling programs at VB, that success at the high school level starts at an early age. My oldest boy will be in 6th grade this year at VB, and having started playing football and wrestling since 3rd grade, its insane how his knowledge and respect of the game has grown. We have a pretty hardcore midget football program at VB that has amazing support from the parents and our high school AD and players. We are now seeing this success carry over into our junior high program on up. It absolutely amazes me the complete lack of support some of our area schools have for their midget programs. Through talking to some of the coaches in the Northwest Ohio Midget Football League which we are a part of, I sympathize for them. I mean they are donating their time to teach these boys to become better men through discipline and teamwork that will carry on into their high school years both on and off the field. All they ask for is a little support from the school and they get shunned away. Sorry for the rant...............just sayin'.

That is because a lot of youth programs do not know how to work with the varsity coaching staff. Some youth leagues actually do more harm than good because of parents that only have the interests of their son in mind. Youth leagues should work hand in hand with the varsity staff to ensure success and make sure the proper fundamentals are taught. That should be where the game is taught not how many madden plays my dad the coach knows. Too many youth coaches try to tell a kid what to do instead of showing them. But again most dad/ coaches do not know the game they are coaching at the youth level. They are there for their kids first and because it is hard to get qualified coaches at the level to stay there past the time when their child moves up.

I have seen it both ways and when the wrong people are running the youth program you might as well not have one.