Vinton County football 2009

[Bringdanoise]

Ok, after reading all of this; how does it turn from supporting our team to bashing and fighting. This is ALL a BIG part of the problem.

I will comment on what I know as facts. I know Jeff Downs, I know he took the Vikes to the playoffs, I also know that we were a very talented team that season. Coach Downs was fortunate to take over a team with very good players and if anyone wants to argue that then you know nothing about football. He left not because of the good ol' boy system. He resigned! I like Jeff, I think he is a great guy. But he was not run out of VC he left. As far as what he did at Fed Hock or why he left I cannot answer that, I was not there.

I know nothing about the little league program except that I have family that are players on the team. Do I think that winning is the main priority? No, however if you win then it must show that something is being done right because your team is better then the other and you get better by practice abd coaching. I also agree that there should not be a "super bowl" for such a young age group. Let them play some games, let all the kids play, have another team so all of the kids get a chance. You never know what a 6th grader will turn out to be. I have seen kids who dominate at the lower level and never get any better. I have also had to privilage to coach a young man who was cut in middle school and was an all state DB as a junior. I am not claiming to know everything. Again, this is only my opinion so take it for what it is worth.


As far as the season, I hope nothing but the best for Coach Yates and the rest of the Viking staff and team. I know these kids have worked hard and I really believe they may shock some people this year...

[Orange and Brown]

Why are you guys so hard on youth football? Ny has the best youth football program in SEO and all our kids play, they win superbowls and they all learn how to play football. If you want to build a program at the highschool you have to start in biddy league.

[hateraid]

Why are you guys so hard on youth football? Ny has the best youth football program in SEO and all our kids play, they win superbowls and they all learn how to play football. If you want to build a program at the highschool you have to start in biddy league.

This might be where the problem starts. Our "biddy" league does not colaborate with the high school program. Oh it may now that the high school coach has kids playing, but back when my kid played in Lil' Vikes, I was told by Mr. Cantrell himself that the Lil' Vikes had no connection to the Vinton County Vikings, the Lil' Vikes are a stand alone program. That is why you have coaches in Lil' Vikes that transfer their son to another school district when they get to the high school level. If the high school program has no respect coming from the Director of the biddy league program, why should any one else respect it?

[dilligaf]

Well it looks like vc is falling apart already didnt even make it to the first game it seems to get worse every year in vc land.

[Orange and Brown]

Why are you guys so hard on youth football? Ny has the best youth football program in SEO and all our kids play, they win superbowls and they all learn how to play football. If you want to build a program at the highschool you have to start in biddy league.

This might be where the problem starts. Our "biddy" league does not colaborate with the high school program. Oh it may now that the high school coach has kids playing, but back when my kid played in Lil' Vikes, I was told by Mr. Cantrell himself that the Lil' Vikes had no connection to the Vinton County Vikings, the Lil' Vikes are a stand alone program. That is why you have coaches in Lil' Vikes that transfer their son to another school district when they get to the high school level. If the high school program has no respect coming from the Director of the biddy league program, why should any one else respect it?

Thats not good!!!!!

[Poo Bear]

Listen, the facts are that participation and interest in VC football at most level is declining. I hear theres like 30-40 kids playing varsity football. Low jr high numbers. In the mid 90's there was 75 kids playing high school football, more than enough for a varsity, jv, and freshmen teams. 40-50 kids in the junior high program. And this was well before Lil Vikes was in place. As a matter of fact ever since Lil Vikes our programs numbers and wins for that matter have been in decline. Now I know that that era was the glory days of VC football and everyone wants to get on board the ship when its smooth sailing. This is just my opinion but when I came through that program in 92-95 there was culture of winning established and when it was your turn to play varsity you wanted to do your part to keep it rolling. Practices were intense , very physical , and kids worked out and got in shape in the off season. Which leads me to my next point. VC gets the least out of its talent than any other school in the TVC. We have a big area and some very talented kids. No we also deal with issues that no other school in this area deals with. Our kids are so spread out that in some places its a 40 minute drive to get to the weight room and how many parents are going to drive that 3 nights a week to lift weights? But the fact is that Wellston, NY, Jackson, ect is lifting in the off season and in todays age its almost a must to compete. Now I know VC basketball is doing great and thats awesome. But for schools around this area to be successfull there athletes must play as many sports as possible. And there is no reason that coaches cant work together to make sure that the payer is geting his workouts in as he's is playing summer basketball or baseball or whatever. I guess my point is that one sport shouldnt have to suffer for the other one to succeed. Im not a guy that just wants to point fingers and blame everyone, I say that if you dont like something then get involved and try to fix it. Part of the solution or part of the problem. As I am trying to do with VC youth baseball. I see so many good young kids and I just feel that they deserve better. So here are a few of my ideas to help improve VC football. And all these haters and bashers need to submit some as well.

1) Scrap the current pee wee format. Try and get enough VC teams that they play each other on saturdays. VC has enough kids to do this. This way theres 3-4 teams of 15-20 kids , or more, playing football instead of 1 team with 50 kids on the sidelines. This will include more players, cheerleaders, parents, and volunteers. Saturdays could be like a big festive day in VC. I say the more people involved the better.

2) Get all the coaches together at every level, as a matter of fact get anyone interested in the betterment of VC football from pee wee on up and have a meeting on how to improve on whats established. Hear all ideas kicked around. Every team should run the same system. And it should be decided by the head varsity coach, whoever that is at the time.

3) Try and start a satelite gym in Wilkesville, Allensville. Z town , and Hamden. Some way have small area set up with just some weights maybe a bench, squat rack and some other basic stuff , it dont take alot to get into some shape. And send some coaches or volunteers from that area to open it up 3 days a week for those kids to attend. The weights could probably get donated by people and garages or something could be used to train in a few months a year.

These are just ideas to help get better. I dont like people that complain but offer no alternatives. I do want to thank every coach and volunteer in every sport at every level in VC, whether they be paid or unpaid. They obviously care about the kids or they would be out there. Lets get this once proud program turned around.

[Jake Roberts]

1) Scrap the current pee wee format. Try and get enough VC teams that they play each other on saturdays. VC has enough kids to do this. This way theres 3-4 teams of 15-20 kids , or more, playing football instead of 1 team with 50 kids on the sidelines. This will include more players, cheerleaders, parents, and volunteers. Saturdays could be like a big festive day in VC. I say the more people involved the better.

This is one of the best ideas I've seen on here. I think it's basically what the youth basketball program does. Am I correct on that? I agree there is no reason to play other schools and try to win "super bowls" at the grade school level. It should be about improving as individual players. Is there really only 1 team with a large number of kids standing on the sidelines? Do all kids get to play? From the sound of folks on here it looks like all the importance is placed on winning. I'm not familiar with the Lil' Vikes program and was curious as to how it is set up. Could someone please fill us in?

[JohnKnight]

That is exactly what we did in Waverly a few years ago. We have 2-4th graders playing Flag Football and 4-6 playing tackle 4th graders choose which one they want to play. Most parents love it because they get to watch their kid get on the field and then they get home to watch the Buckeyes on Saturday.

[Poo Bear]

That is exactly what we did in Waverly a few years ago. We have 2-4th graders playing Flag Football and 4-6 playing tackle 4th graders choose which one they want to play. Most parents love it because they get to watch their kid get on the field and then they get home to watch the Buckeyes on Saturday.

We could do that in VC so easy. For 4 teams of 15-20 we would need 60-80 kids from 4th - 6th grades. I think we could get that. We could have a maroon, white, silver , and black team. All with their own cheeleaders, volunteer staffs and they coaches could have a meeting with the head coaches, jr high coaches and decide what system to run on both sides of the ball. Think about it, 4 teams 4 qb's 4 back ups, thats 8 qb's choose from in 7th grade, all with game time, and plenty of reps. And let the younger ones play on the field with their flag football. Get them involved, maybe a few under the lights, of course game times would be scheduled around the Buckeyes if they were earlyor late. We could have a post season party, some way to raise money for the next year. Now Im no X's and O's guy when it come to football. Im a baseball guy but I do understand that it takes a whole community to get involved and support from the parents. Nobody can make a program a success alone. Im excited just thinking of the possibilities.

[nybucksgrad06]

anyone kno the final score of the varsity jamboree game between vinton county and fort frye
????

[boilermaker]

I was at the Wellston game ,but was told that Fort Frye won the varsitiy game.

[hawkeyepierce]

Vikings96, those are great ideals. I love it. Especially the satellite gym prospect, that could benefit all sports. It was also great talking to you last night.

JR, I am to understand that if you have questions concerning the Lil' Vikes programs you can call Mike Strite directly. If you PM me I can give you his number.

BM, the final was 20-21, Fort Frye.

[nybucksgrad06]

Thank You

[Jake Roberts]

Vikings96, those are great ideals. I love it. Especially the satellite gym prospect, that could benefit all sports. It was also great talking to you last night.

JR, I am to understand that if you have questions concerning the Lil' Vikes programs you can call Mike Strite directly. If you PM me I can give you his number.

BM, the final was 20-21, Fort Frye.

I was just curious. I don't care enough to give the effort of picking up the phone. Why does the name Mike Strite sound familiar? I've heard that somewhere.

[EasternDspy]

Ok here I go Fort Frye at Vinton County.VC had the ball 1st and got a 1st down on a nice Grillo run.Then the Cadets stopped them rather easy.The Cadets got the ball and Ellis ran 4 carries for 55 yards.Then Fort Fryes Robinson threw a 8 td pass to Rabourn.VC got the ball back and Robinson picked it off Fort Frye and went 60 yards down to the 8.Then Ellis ran it in.13-0 Cadets.Then VC got 2 1st downs and punted.Fort Frye on its 3rd possesion threw a screen that was taken for 55 yards by Eddie Watson for a td.Robinson and Ellis were done at that point.21-0 nothing at halftime.In the 3rd half the varsity sat out.Fort Frye had a bad snap on a punt and the VC got the ball at the 25.VC scored againest half jv half Varsity to make if 21;6 after 3.Ok Fort Frye has 25 players and had 14 sophs and freshman quit so they have a really bad jv team.VC Jv team out scored the Fort Frye jv 14-0. For a 21-20 final.Fort Frye could of scored every possesion is they keep in Robinson and Ellis.Robinson just seemed faster then all the Vikings.So the score was 21-20 but in a real game probably would have been 49-13.Fort Frye a D5 team dominated VC.

[hawkeyepierce]

So the score was 21-20 but in a real game probably would have been 49-13.Fort Frye a D5 team dominated VC.

It is amazing that when comes to rationality, total objectivity is a myth. Dominated? Vinton County was dealing with issues of their own my dear bias one. Vinton County's primary ball carriers for that evening were two sophomores, and they were learning on the fly because of injuries that have plagued the Vikings. In fact, your astute greatness, the Vikings were without the services of 7, that is right seven, seven starters, all on the sidelines, that included two running backs, a tight end, a slot receiver, and two defensive ends, and a starting line backer. Five with injuries and two suspended for violating team rules. Now, I may be ignorant and obviously not as intelligent as you, however, I am not sure I would use the word "dominated." Fort Frye, played extremely well the first quarter, the Vikings were muddling along and having alignment issues. In the second half, adjustments were made and the Vikings preformed better. Every Viking fan should be proud of the Junior Varsity team, they are young and working and playing hard, and they will be a fun class to watch in the next three to four seasons.

[EasternDspy]

You only scored in the varsity game because 6 count it 6 starters were on the sidelines with there pads off.Get real no one one Vintons team could catch Robinson.Vinton recorded 3 1st downs the whole 1st half when most of Fort Frye starters were in.With or without the missing players Fort Frye is a better team.If the FF coach does not take so long to bring in the play they would of scored more.FF varsity 17 plays for 155 yards and 3 tds on 3 possesions.Thats dominating.So what your jv team is better it should be you have double the kids as Fort Frye.

[Orange and Brown]

Good luck on the upcoming season!!!!!!!!!!! I hope week 10 is a good ole good one!!!!

[hawkeyepierce]

ED, you are right, you guys should go a long way in your league and in the D5 playoffs. Your team's greatness was on displayed and it was inexhaustible, incredible, and astonishing. Good luck this season. Oh, you don't need luck, you are great.

[EasternDspy]

FF is not great but they are pretty good for a D5 school and alot better then Vinton County.