[Proud Raiders Mama]

Okay, you all know from my Avatar what school I'm talking about so ....

I'm just wondering if it is "normal" for so many freshman to quit football. There have been at least 4 freshman (upcoming sophomores) that have quit the team during spring practice. (I actually think it's more like 6 or 7 players).

I just cannot understand why! We have an excellent coaching staff (from the freshman team all the way to varsity) and a GREAT group of kids on all the teams. The kids that quit are not "newbies" either -- most of them have played since pee-wee (75 lb.) ball. Thankfully, **knock on wood** both of my boys are loving it and are very excited!! Honestly, I can only speak on my experience -- but my kids have gained substantial knowledge of the game ... as well as self confidence on the field since playing at EPHS. The coaches know exactly when to push them and how hard to push them. At this point, I have nothing bad to say about any of the coaches.

I just didn't know if this was a normal thing when high schoolers move on to JV/Varsity? I understand the whole "weeding out" process ... I was just kind of surprised that it is so many kids all at once and most of them are seasoned players.

Alright, let the bashing begin!

[PauldingMom]

Well.....it's probably because your school has chosen such ridiculous colors and mascot. I mean, come on, the Raiders. The ONLY good thing that has ever come out of that team is Howey Long.

[Proud Raiders Mama]

Well.....it's probably because your school has chosen such ridiculous colors and mascot. I mean, come on, the Raiders. The ONLY good thing that has ever come out of that team is Howey Long.

Touché

[Wineguy]

I honestly do not think it is so rare to lose that many. I remember there were a lot that played freshman year when I was in High School that didnt go onto JV or Varsity. I do not think the mascot or colors have anything to do with it. EPHS has one of the best programs in the state. Has for a couple of years now. Most students that are serious about football will do anything to play for this team in the coming years. I hate saying this as I am a Patriots grad, but the truth is the truth. I have been going to EPHS games for years now to support what is to me the best team in the county. There is so much spirit and fun at every game, Home and Away.

[I'm Floored]

My guess would be (because I don't really "know") that many kids play several different sports while growing up. As younger kids, it's possible to do this, but as they get older and the commitments become more intense, high school seems to be the level where they make a decision to select only one sport on which to focus.

[K96W8]

I have heard of a few sophomores and juniors at another school who started Spring practice and quit. It may be because other kids were in front of them and they didn't think they would get playing time. You know there is a lot of time and commitment (their whole summer and then some) not to get playing time. I know the teams needs "scout players" but I wouldn't give all my time to be one (from a mom--not a player).

[PauldingMom]

I honestly do not think it is so rare to lose that many. I remember there were a lot that played freshman year when I was in High School that didnt go onto JV or Varsity. I do not think the mascot or colors have anything to do with it. EPHS has one of the best programs in the state. Has for a couple of years now. Most students that are serious about football will do anything to play for this team in the coming years. I hate saying this as I am a Patriots grad, but the truth is the truth. I have been going to EPHS games for years now to support what is to me the best team in the county. There is so much spirit and fun at every game, Home and Away.

Honestly, could it be the cost?? I'm wondering if perhaps the cost is so high that mom and dad can't afford it.

[K96W8]

My guess would be (because I don't really "know") that many kids play several different sports while growing up. As younger kids, it's possible to do this, but as they get older and the commitments become more intense, high school seems to be the level where they make a decision to select only one sport on which to focus.

I wish my kid would just pick one!

[Mom2wild]

Alot boys are starters in the pee wee ball are not high school starters, When they get up to high school if they are not going to start they quit.

But most have to earn their place on the field and these days most don't want to work that hard, they want it handed to them.

I will be the first to say spring ball and summer workouts are not fun, but this is what makes a winning team

[K96W8]

Honestly, could it be the cost?? I'm wondering if perhaps the cost is so high that mom and dad can't afford it.

They haven't had to"pay to play" at EAST in the past. If they do this year I'm sure they giving lots of fundraiser opportunities like they are for the booster club membership.

[I'm Floored]

I wish my kid would just pick one!

I'm thankful....it does make it easier!

[Proud Raiders Mama]

Alot boys are starters in the pee wee ball are not high school starters, When they get up to high school if they are not going to start they quit.

But most have to earn their place on the field and these days most don't want to work that hard, they want it handed to them.

I will be the first to say spring ball and summer workouts are not fun, but this is what makes a winning team

Boy is that the truth!!! My boys HATE practice and summer workouts ... but they endure them because the LOVE being on the field and under those lights.... the love all the hard hits, fan cheering blocks and interceptions! Can you tell Mama likes it all too?

Honestly, my oldest played rec ball every year and I NEVER thought he'd play in high school (I'd never tell him that! ). He just wasn't the most aggresive player out there. However, to my amazement, he's been busting his hump, lifting weights and has morphed into quite the little football player! He is definitely not the best player on the team and most definitely still has a lot of learning to do ... but he's much more aggresive now than he ever was before and has given a lot more effort since entering high school too!

[RaidersRock]

I honestly do not think it is so rare to lose that many. I remember there were a lot that played freshman year when I was in High School that didnt go onto JV or Varsity. I do not think the mascot or colors have anything to do with it. EPHS has one of the best programs in the state. Has for a couple of years now. Most students that are serious about football will do anything to play for this team in the coming years. I hate saying this as I am a Patriots grad, but the truth is the truth. I have been going to EPHS games for years now to support what is to me the best team in the county. There is so much spirit and fun at every game, Home and Away.

[RaidersRock]

I have heard of a few sophomores and juniors at another school who started Spring practice and quit. It may be because other kids were in front of them and they didn't think they would get playing time. You know there is a lot of time and commitment (their whole summer and then some) not to get playing time. I know the teams needs "scout players" but I wouldn't give all my time to be one (from a mom--not a player).

I am a very proud mom of an upcoming sophmore football player & let me tell ya, he knows what this year is. it's the year you earn respect, it's the toughest year but he would never dream of quitting. He got knocked on his butt so hard last week but one of the meanest, Baddest dudes out there (still has the bruise over his eye) but when the coach asked him if he wanted out (when he could hear again ) he got up & did what he needed to do. It is hard work, it is brutal. He has to ice his knees down at night, he is sore ALL over but so are the rest of the boys. I guess the point I would like to really make is if they want "IT" bad enough they will do everything in their power to earn it.

Alot boys are starters in the pee wee ball are not high school starters, When they get up to high school if they are not going to start they quit.

But most have to earn their place on the field and these days most don't want to work that hard, they want it handed to them.

I will be the first to say spring ball and summer workouts are not fun, but this is what makes a winning team

exactly, great life lesson!!

[RaidersRock]

This is a quote from my son's facebook, this is how he feels about his team~


I AM A EP RAIDER.theres nothing like being apart of the ephs football team.ita a family knowing that the guy next to you will leave it all on the field,and knowing that there is no sacrifice to big you wont make for the team,working all summer long in the pit and lifting your heart out in the weight room the guys before you have built with their blood sweat and tears..and playing for the guys before you to hold up the tradition and there is no excuse for not winng for your team mates and for the hundreds and hundreds of fans that are there every game,you win every down, every series,every quarter,every half,and every game,each snap is like the last... you leave it all on the field and laugh in the face of those who have fallen to your victory,being a role model in the classrom and in the community... THE BLOOD.... THE SWEAT......THE PAIN.... THE TEARS.... THE DRIVE... A RAIDER....A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE in which no other school could ever match.


I love my boy, he also has straight A's (had to brag, sorry)

[MommaS]

Honestly, could it be the cost?? I'm wondering if perhaps the cost is so high that mom and dad can't afford it.

No football player at EPHS would ever be denied the opportunity to play due to not be able to afford the player participation fee.

[Ball]

Maybe they don't get a long with the Head Coach. He rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

[heyyourblockingmyview]

Okay, you all know from my Avatar what school I'm talking about so ....

I'm just wondering if it is "normal" for so many freshman to quit football. There have been at least 4 freshman (upcoming sophomores) that have quit the team during spring practice. (I actually think it's more like 6 or 7 players).

I just cannot understand why! We have an excellent coaching staff (from the freshman team all the way to varsity) and a GREAT group of kids on all the teams. The kids that quit are not "newbies" either -- most of them have played since pee-wee (75 lb.) ball. Thankfully, **knock on wood** both of my boys are loving it and are very excited!! Honestly, I can only speak on my experience -- but my kids have gained substantial knowledge of the game ... as well as self confidence on the field since playing at EPHS. The coaches know exactly when to push them and how hard to push them. At this point, I have nothing bad to say about any of the coaches.

I just didn't know if this was a normal thing when high schoolers move on to JV/Varsity? I understand the whole "weeding out" process ... I was just kind of surprised that it is so many kids all at once and most of them are seasoned players.

Alright, let the bashing begin!

Could it be "burn out"? It happens.

[Mom2wild]

BBALL DON"T START

We all know why you hate EAST

Hey grow up and get a life move pass your high school years

[The Intern]

Personally I think that other than not wanting to put forth all the effort and sacrifice their summer if they don't believe they will have a chance on the field most of the players either decide to quit because they realize they will not have anything handed to them or that they will not be babied as they may have been on other teams. H.S. football is on a whole different level and after the freshman year many players realize this and realize they either do not have what it takes (attitude, time, etc..) or they may decide to focus their efforts on other activities. I had a lot of friends who played freshman year but never played again, its not that they weren't able its just that they decided it wasn't for them.. That is just my two cents

[Ball]

BBALL DON"T START

We all know why you hate EAST

Hey grow up and get a life move pass your high school years

Yep, hate them.

That 8 hr drive roundtrip and sitting in the cold rain last night for 5 hours watching EP move on to the Final 4 sure proves that.

This post has been edited by Ball: 20 May 2009 - 10:19 AM

[Cuteyellowbug]

Maybe they don't get a long with the Head Coach. He rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

I think it's the short man syndrome.


There have been Junior and Seniors (starters and not) that have dropped since spring practice as begun too. They just don't have their heart into it and would perfer not to play. I understand there were several fights on the field yesterday too. I hope that trend does not continue.

BBALL DON"T START

We all know why you hate EAST

Hey grow up and get a life move pass your high school years

Is "growing up and getting a life" like whining and crying about the Indians and throwing a temper tantrum giving back your diploma?

[K96W8]

Is "growing up and getting a life" like whining and crying about the Indians and throwing a temper tantrum giving back your diploma?

Did you really just say that?

[Tropical Breezes]

Usually there is a lot of agression in early practice so thats no big deal. It usually draws a team togehter once emotions are let out....Reed is a hard man to understand sometimes, but the winning tradition he has brought to East is unbelievable. I for one am glad hes there, and I wish other schools could learn that a good coach can make a world of difference!

I think it's the short man syndrome.


There have been Junior and Seniors (starters and not) that have dropped since spring practice as begun too. They just don't have their heart into it and would perfer not to play. I understand there were several fights on the field yesterday too. I hope that trend does not continue.



Is "growing up and getting a life" like whining and crying about the Indians and throwing a temper tantrum giving back your diploma?

[VillaRicaDAWG]

As they get closer to Varsity, the intensity level gets to be higher and higher. It's pretty hard to stay motivated and put in all that work when you are an occassional starter or you have never started. It's also pretty humbling to be standing on the sidelines watching all of your classmates get all the reps while you are keeping coming with the under classmen.

Another reason is grades. Kids get into high school and see that their grades on this next report card are going to make them inelligible going forward. Why bother if you know it's all coming to an end.

Then there is just those kids that decide thats not what they want to do anymore. Their good buddy decided to quit, so did another buddy, heck they were the only reason he has kept at it for so long until now.

[smy34]

My insight is this...after freshman year....you really know where you stand...this goes for every school in this county....now on to other reasons...parents pushing for job to pay for car and insurance. And last but not least hormones....yes, the kind that parents cannot control...each young person has been doing what kinda they wanted, or for the parents...and then suddenly....this is not what they want....I really guess I could go on.....the cream rises to the top....and this is true in sports also....

[OMacG]

Okay, you all know from my Avatar what school I'm talking about so ....

I'm just wondering if it is "normal" for so many freshman to quit football. There have been at least 4 freshman (upcoming sophomores) that have quit the team during spring practice. (I actually think it's more like 6 or 7 players).

I just cannot understand why! We have an excellent coaching staff (from the freshman team all the way to varsity) and a GREAT group of kids on all the teams. The kids that quit are not "newbies" either -- most of them have played since pee-wee (75 lb.) ball. Thankfully, **knock on wood** both of my boys are loving it and are very excited!! Honestly, I can only speak on my experience -- but my kids have gained substantial knowledge of the game ... as well as self confidence on the field since playing at EPHS. The coaches know exactly when to push them and how hard to push them. At this point, I have nothing bad to say about any of the coaches.

I just didn't know if this was a normal thing when high schoolers move on to JV/Varsity? I understand the whole "weeding out" process ... I was just kind of surprised that it is so many kids all at once and most of them are seasoned players.

Alright, let the bashing begin!

Totally normal, IMO. In rec/junior program ball, their team and their opponents are generally the same age they are. The sophomore year is typically the first time most boys have to go up against boys who are above their age group...the size, strength and speed difference is intimidating. This culls the herd...if a lad doesn't really want it, he will easily rationalize that there are better things to do. And, unless the kid is just a physical specimen or the junior/senior classes are thin, he will see little or no playing time on Friday nights...mighty tough on the ego of any young man who has been a top-stud player all of his life.

My son went through a bit of this before spring...but I was proud he was man enough to admit that he was concerned with going up against grown men, and that it bothered him to think he'd spend Friday nights standing on the sideline until his time arrived. After that first week, he saw he could "hang" with the big boys and his position coach helped him realize that he'd see the field some on Friday nights. The knucklehead had his ol' cocky swagger back the next week.

[OMacG]

Is "growing up and getting a life" like whining and crying about the Indians and throwing a temper tantrum giving back your diploma?

Crying about the Indians? The ones from Powder Springs?

[Proud Raiders Mama]

Totally normal, IMO. In rec/junior program ball, their team and their opponents are generally the same age they are. The sophomore year is typically the first time most boys have to go up against boys who are above their age group...the size, strength and speed difference is intimidating. This culls the herd...if a lad doesn't really want it, he will easily rationalize that there are better things to do. And, unless the kid is just a physical specimen or the junior/senior classes are thin, he will see little or no playing time on Friday nights...mighty tough on the ego of any young man who has been a top-stud player all of his life.

My son went through a bit of this before spring...but I was proud he was man enough to admit that he was concerned with going up against grown men, and that it bothered him to think he'd spend Friday nights standing on the sideline until his time arrived. After that first week, he saw he could "hang" with the big boys and his position coach helped him realize that he'd see the field some on Friday nights. The knucklehead had his ol' cocky swagger back the next week.

Well hello there OMacG -- nice to see you again. Haven't seen you since last year about football time. Although I was on here for a long time either! Looking forward to seeing you guys again this season! I've already heard LOTS of smack talk from the Barnwell boys for the upcoming season! I honestly have no idea what you guys look like -- or how both teams compare to each other ... all I know is I love watching the McEachern/EP game cause I know so many kids on both sides!!!

That's so funny about your son! My son had the same type of thing happen. He was extremely nervous about going against the rather large varsity defense in practice as a WR ... but after a few good licks ... and he realized he was still breathing He got up and kept it moving! I don't expect him to see much playing time on varsity this year -- but, you can't tell him that!

I really don't care where he plays, I just like watching him on the field!

Look forward to see you guys in the fall!

[OMacG]

Well hello there OMacG -- nice to see you again. Haven't seen you since last year about football time. Although I was on here for a long time either! Looking forward to seeing you guys again this season! I've already heard LOTS of smack talk from the Barnwell boys for the upcoming season! I honestly have no idea what you guys look like -- or how both teams compare to each other ... all I know is I love watching the McEachern/EP game cause I know so many kids on both sides!!!

That's so funny about your son! My son had the same type of thing happen. He was extremely nervous about going against the rather large varsity defense in practice as a WR ... but after a few good licks ... and he realized he was still breathing He got up and kept it moving! I don't expect him to see much playing time on varsity this year -- but, you can't tell him that!

I really don't care where he plays, I just like watching him on the field!

Look forward to see you guys in the fall!

Same here, mama- just a joy to watch our babies perform, whatever the stage may be.

Barnwell boys always run that mouth (smile). Far as I know Kelton still isn't playing football, but Kenyon is doing well at QB- busted a long one in the spring game. I've seen precious few as athletic as him...in hoops last season, he threw down a monster dunk off an alley-oop pass that looked like it was thrown way out of bounds.

We really kicked it into gear after our freshman game against you last year...reeled off 5 in row and didn't allow a score until the 2nd half of the final game, 18 straight quarters of scoreless defense. Coaches made some great adjustments on defense and the O-line and the kids finally got comfortable with the new offense. Heck- most of 'em knew nothing but Wing-T since they were old enough to play; hockman's Pistol offense is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum.

Hard to say how teams will play when it comes to JV...so much player movement between that team and the varsity each week. Either way, I'm looking forward to football in the fall!

[MJF]

Well.....it's probably because your school has chosen such ridiculous colors and mascot. I mean, come on, the Raiders. The ONLY good thing that has ever come out of that team is Howey Long.

LOL

[methyl1]

This forum is suspiciously missing in the school groups section so I'm posting to get it in the recent topics list.