Week 10 - Portsmouth (2-7) vs Cincinnati Hughes (4-5)

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

Take the OVC by storm and still not make the playoffs? Only one OVC team is still even eligible for the playoffs( coal grove) but they are a division below us and will need a win and help to get in. More then likely nobody from the OVC makes it. They have a combined record of 17-25 and are 9-14 out of conference with 4 of those coming against SOC 1 schools and no victories over SOC2s top 3 Burg, West, Valley.
So is that the goal go beat up on a traditionally bad conference, beat our chest and still stay home week 11? Also don't forget Ironton is joining too, and idk that we would beat up on these ovc teams from what I have seen. If mediocrity is the goal just let me know.

[Westfan]

When you commit to a coach from the college ranks to coach your high school team you have to give him at least three years to implement his system. We aren't talking about the typical stuff most coaches around here run. You can go to any game in Southern Ohio and see the same old recycled stuff. Sparks system is both dazzling and complicated. Once the kids have time to buy in and comprehend you will see a program that will go down as one of the best every in Portsmouth history. Coach Sparks is the answer, if you can't see it then you are stuck in the past. Sparks is the future, time to get on board for a wild ride!

I will continue to wear my New Spark, New Season shirt with pride when I head to the Ribber on Friday nights after the game!

Haters are his motivators. The more pressure you put on him the more he will perform.

What does it take to light this fire in P-Town - that's right a single Spark!

Go Trojans.

Are you high?

[hbk2016]

I am high on the direction this program is headed.

Check back in two years and you will be like HBK knew. How did he know you might ask?

He believed, he had faith in Ole Sparky!

Feel the Spark! We are on fire baby!

[Westfan]

I love your enthusiasm. But I still think you're on something. :122245

[The_Joker]

trojandave: Have you seen the movie 300 yet? I am not talking about the version with Gerard Butler about the Spartans....it's the one about the number of lonely, loyal fans that show up to every home game at the Coliseum to watch a guy who coaches like his hair is on fire and gets his playbook from video games. Coach Hickman said it best, watching film, driving the sled, tackling, blocking, that wins games. Not homemade motivational videos and being a cheerleader.

Trojan_FB_Alum: I am not sure if they know what the definition of "defense" is. Wikipedia tells us that the defensive team or defense is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. The object of the defensive team is to prevent the other team from scoring. The defense accomplishes this by forcing the offense to turn the ball over, either by preventing them from achieving a first down and forcing a punt, or by forcing the offense to fumble or throw an interception. You should pass that along to the mastermind.

hbk123: I am with Westfan, I think you are high or delusional.

Reaper: I hate to break the news to you, but I don't think that with the current state of the program that they will ever finish better than third in the OVC behind Ironton and Coal Grove.

[bleed_blue]

Having no real affiliation with Portsmouth football but being a fan of the game I have managed to catch a handful of Portsmouth games the last couple of years. I think coach Sparks has given the Trojan Football Program a needed change of pace and after 2 years it seems to be a bit early to start calling for a change. Especially after a year where they lose their starting QB and arguably one of their best play makers that put up some very impressive numbers against 2 quality oppents in Valley and West. Another thing I've noticed is that a majority of the coaching staff is the same staff that coached under Clifford. I don't know if this was Coach Sparks' doing or if it was a political thing with the school or what not but one would think a new coach being hired that he would have his guys that are familar with his system similar to what Coach Johnson has done at West.

[osu 77]

Having no real affiliation with Portsmouth football but being a fan of the game I have managed to catch a handful of Portsmouth games the last couple of years. I think coach Sparks has given the Trojan Football Program a needed change of pace and after 2 years it seems to be a bit early to start calling for a change. Especially after a year where they lose their starting QB and arguably one of their best play makers that put up some very impressive numbers against 2 quality oppents in Valley and West. Another thing I've noticed is that a majority of the coaching staff is the same staff that coached under Clifford. I don't know if this was Coach Sparks' doing or if it was a political thing with the school or what not but one would think a new coach being hired that he would have his guys that are familar with his system similar to what Coach Johnson has done at West.

I think Portsmouth coach is not from this area and if that is so getting new coaches could be tuff. Coach Johnson at West hired his family not many coaches can do that.

[loganlocos]

This season I have seen this "defensive mastermind" lol line up in his 3-3 defense against obvious runs when ppl have been in double tight full house backfields. It's simple math with 7 guys on the line of scrimmage there are 8 gaps to fill already before we even consider the backfield yet sparks stayed in the 3-3 on more then one occasion. This means we have to rely on a safety or corner blitz to try to stop a more then likely bigger back . 6 guys can't cover 8 gaps so we are left guessing. His defensive alignments have changed some but his defense is always guessing and hoping he gets lucky because of basic numbers. Do we have a problem with tackling? Yes I have seen a lot of missed tackles, but the main reason I have seen them this year is because boys are playing out of position and can barely get a hand on a guy and even more times then that I see an undersized defensive back trying to bring down a larger running back in open field. These are scheme problems,

FWIW - the two BEST defenses I have seen this year both ran a 3-3 stack defense. If run right (and with the right personnel) it can absolutely dominate running games.

Both Jackson (9-0) and Loudonville (9-0) run the 3-3 and they are dominate defensive teams. But you have to have big athletic linebackers and the key is having the two "right" players who can play at the "strong safety" posititions on the outside. You need the right kind of kid there, usually at least one who is comfortable as a D-End and one as a DB. Ideally one is your QB who probably has the size and athletic ability to do that.

Jackson uses their quarterback as one of the strong safeties.

To be honest, when I watched PHS I couldn't figure out WHAT defense they were running. It looked more like confusion to me to be honest.

[PTrojan59]

I don't think you can afford to give up on coach Sparks after 2 seasons, but something needs to change. Coach Sparks did not get to pick his own staff, the staff is pretty much the same as the Clifford regimen. Sparks has improved the Offense, idc where he gets his plays from, as long as they work. That being said, the Defense is still awful. I know it isn't the coaches fault that the players miss tackles or take a bad angles. But at the same time they need to be coached on those mistakes. You should learn how to tackle at the pee wee level. It's fundamental football. Jmo I think we need to clean house on the staff. Wether that means keep Sparks and all new assistants, or all new everything, a change needs to happen. Someone I could see staying on the staff no matter what is Gerald Cadogan. The O Line has actually improved this year. He played at the college & pro level, has experience & could and maybe should stay. The Defense has been poor for years, and it may be getting worse. Cleaning house won't happen though, because all the coaches pretty are also teachers in the district, except a few. Moving to the OVC may generate a few more wins. So when there's a down year in the region the Trojans may sneak in at 6-4 or 7-3, and then get blasted in the first round. Portsmouth has had talent, but they haven't been able to put it together. The weight program isn't working. Great facilities, but if the kids don't show up and get pushed in the weight room, it will show on the field. I was at the game against Warren, it was sad to see such a little crowd. I honestly don't know when or if the Trojans will get back to being a team that can compete weekly. Changes should and need to happen, but won't. As for this game, I wish it was Friday and not Saturday. I'll have to miss it because Ohio State also plays. I don't know much about Hughes & since it's week 10, I'll say 34-27 Trojans.

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

I haven't seen loudenville, but know they are a strong team. Jackson what I saw wasnt 3-3 looked more 3-4,and 4-3 to me, doesn't really matter if you have the studs they have they could play about anything and be successful. You will never make me a fan of the 3-3 unless it is a prevent situation. With the speed Portsmouth has why not just load the box and dare some one to run on you then let our burners( that can run with anyone around here) play coverage? Will we get beat sometimes? Probably but I guarantee we won't be giving up 38 points a game.

I'm not giving up on Sparks after two years, I said he was the wrong hire from day one actually lol.
The problem isn't the assistance, the assistance for the most part are solid guys who know football in and out and bleed and HAVE bled for the Trojans. The problem is that Sparks refuses to take advice or listen to suggestions from any of them ( heard this from ppl inside). He refuses to admit anything he does is wrong just blames it on the kids.
How about the time the JV team is winning till Sparks shows up? You can hear parents in the stands complain, " oh no he's here now, hope he doesn't blow it?" Sure enough he makes the JV coach make changes and they end up losing.

Also Sparks has hired 3 assistance in the past 2 years that weren't previous assistance, they were all 18 year olds right out of high school, one having just graduated from Ironton. All are good young men but how is an 18 year old that just graduated supposed to be an authority figure to his friends that he played with the year before? That's part of the problem that happened in the locker room last week, the coach couldn't take control of the situation.

As for his offense, increased productivity? Well they have scored lots of points at times, normally the result of pure athleticism from the boys, turning nothing into something. So many times this year we have had a busted play that lucked into something because we were so superior athletically. This was especially true the first 2 games with Oliver at QB just shaking and baking running for his life till he found a seam, or till someone got open only because he was so much better athletically then the defense.

Football is obviously not a priority at Portsmouth. If it was we would have hired a different candidate.

[wobycat]

Coach Hickman, you are such an inspiration to the kids today. It's obvious the coach is trying everything in his power to get the kids to believe in him. Yes they need more sled work, but they don't owe sparks anything. Once he gets the kids to by into him, then they will fight for him.

[trojandave]

Very interesting discussion about the problems of Portsmouth football. As an individual who never played the sport at any level, I enjoyed reading the posts of Coach Hickman, Trojan FB Alum, LoganLocos, The Joker and others who played the game and who know X's and O's and other important details about the sport. My above post is nothing more than a fan's point of view, but a concerned and passionate fan at that. I have been going to PHS games for the last 40 years, and going 20-49 since 2007 is probably the worst stretch record wise in our history.

Losing Sky Oliver, Alex Dickerson, and Darion Robinson off this year's team are HUGE losses, and Trojan fans won't see another trio like that for quite a while. Robinson, in particular, has been outstanding on both sides of the ball.

Whatever it takes to fix the defense, whether it be scheme or otherwise, it MUST BE FIXED!! I have maintained this stance for years, and have said until this issue is resolved, we will not win meaningful games against quality opponents.

The Joker: I haven't seen the movie that you're talking about, and you make good points in your post. I will continue, though, to be the fan who will show up to see a losing team play. Not that I like that, I much prefer the opposite, but I will not turn my back on the kids. I still enjoy Friday nights watching the Trojans.

GO TROJANS!!!

[hbk2016]

What is an assistance coach?

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

assistant, sry didnt catch what auto correct did from my phone

[hbk2016]

Almost game time! Trojans will pick up their 3rd win and head into the offseason with a winning attitude.

I can hardly wait for Sparks 3rd year, things are really going to come together next year. A new era of Trojan football is dawning!

Spark
noun \ˈspärk\
something that sets off a sudden force
<provided the spark that helped the Trojans to rally>

Coach Sparks is the future, the way, the light and the path to Trojan Glory!

Let's get this done Trojan Nation!

[Oaks_Fan_06]

C'mon Sparky light my fire.....I'm in. The more I hear about this guy, the happier I am to be Ridin' for the Brand. I wish this guy would adopt me.

RFTB!

RFTB!

RFTB!

[LetsGoPSU]

hey now,lol, one year at a time. 3 wins this year.....maybe, four next, five etc etc etc

[PTrojan59]

What exactly is the brand? Lol

[dirt_cinders]

Sparks will look like a mastermind next year with the switch of the conferences.
It will have very little to do with coaching and alot to do with quite simply playing a level of competion well-suited for Portsmouth.

[The_Joker]

trojan59: I don't think it is so much giving up on the guy after two seasons, but it is more so that when things start coming out like playing xbox in the locker room during pregame or putt-putt golf on the field that so many people find it troublesome. People can say what they want about Clifford, but those teams at least went into games prepared and fundamentals were taught and film was watched. If HALF of what is going around about the current state of the program is true (kids getting suspended for fighting over video games in the locker room, no attendance policy, blaming assistants instead of taking responsibility as the guy in charge), then this kid just wasn't ready to be a head football coach.

trojandave: 300 (the actual movie) is a good one and you should watch it when you get a chance. The trio of athletes they are losing will be a major blow to the program and with those three they should be finishing 7-3 instead 3-7 or 2-8. Like you, I will continue showing up to cheer on my Alma Mater, but it may just be you and me in the stands if the program keeps heading in this direction.

HBK: I still think you are high...

Trojan_FB_Alum: I agree with you 100% on the "assistants". A lot of these guys were on the staff when Portsmouth saw multiple playoff runs that it had never seen before in the early 2000s. As matter of fact, most of them were coaching in regional finals and a state semi-final while this guy was still in high school.

Reaper: Riding for the Brand? You seem to have the skinny on the program. Is your friend "Sparky" a fan of westerns? It would be kind of appropriate if you consider this. Hiring an outside coach with a "college" resumé, I bet some felt that they struck gold. Looks like it is turning out to be fool's gold instead.

RFTB? Westfan maybe you can confirm this, but doesn't that acronym stand for Raining Foolish Tears Before the whole West locker room after getting your butt handed to you with three of the best athletes in the area and losing your QB on a fake punt play from your own end of the field?