The BIG STAGE is KRYPTONITE for Fighting Tigers

[RBH23]

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

My “why” referred to all of SEO, not just Ironton. My question was not a dig at IHS.

So back to the question as to why Burg and IHS can’t compete against these schools…

Kirtland and the MAC schools are not pumping out a bunch of OL/DL college football scholarship kids. Also, Kirtland and ML had never won state titles until their current coaches took over. Coldwater has only won under two coaches. Coldwater and ML didn’t become powers until 2000, Kirtland in 2011.

So what magic elixir do these coaches from Coldwater, Kirtland and ML have that others do not? How do these coaches do so well along the lines even though they produce fewer college OL/DL athletes than IHS or Burg? And, more importantly, how did these coaches turn irrelevant programs into powerhouses?

They create a system and have a template for success. I watched Marion Local and Coldwater in 2019 at Maria Stein. It’s very simple: 2 parent homes, low crime rates, low drug rates, and expectation. They are NOT hopeful to win a state championship. They expect it. When kids are up working at 4 A.M. on a farm, then weight lift, then go to school, there’s an expectation to perform well at a level of consistency that’s unparalleled in the United States. They’re also balanced from a spiritual standpoint. Every one of their athletes are in church on Sunday, too. It’s a community effort. The community supports them. Their split the pot that year was $9,500. The lady next to us said, “that’s the lowest it’s been in years.” When they come to the game to expect excellence in every facet, it’s no surprise to see why they are great. Marion Local had 90 boys in high school that year and 88 of them was on the football team. The other 2? They ran cross country and won state.

Thanks the info. That’s a good explanation.

Question: what did the current coach do that others before him couldn’t? I assume ML always had the benefits you mentioned above, so how did this coach turn those into championships when no one before him could?

[BTWNTHE__]

Kirtland and South Range won because those teams were well coached, had excellent game plans, executed said game plans, and made no mistakes. While Ironton made lots of mistakes, and, in the case of Kirtland, didn’t seem to have any game plan. In these games, Ironton was by far the more talented team as well.

Midland, on the other hand, did not execute extremely well nor did they avoid making mistakes. They had the same number of penalties as Ironton (6 each) and the same number of lost fumbles (3 each). Midland just had more talent and depth to overcome their mistakes. If Kirtland coach was in leading Midland, this game would have been over by halftime.

Although I agree that IHS repeated many of the same mistakes, they actually lost for different reasons.

Ironton got beat because they got BULLIED at the line of scrimmage. Same way they got big boyed at the line of scrimmage vs Kirtland and South Range. ..

Bullied

You Say your a Ironton fan but it don't sound like it because you are always smack talking them like they are 2nd class citizens saying they can't beat this team or that team and saying that every school and person in northern Ohio is above or more superior than Ironton and all other Southeastern Ohio teams and the people from southern Ohio.

Im a fan/supporter. Not a sycophant. So I have the capability of being objectively critical. I do the same for myself and thats why I have succeeded achieving goals I set for myself.

You can buy and send the team a hallmark card if your goal is relaying your sentiments my guy.

[BTWNTHE__]

Thinking IHS was going to walk over CM was silly. West Virginia football may not be at the same level of Ohio football, but WV does produce some really good/great athletes. Plus, CM is still a very large school with such athletes.

As for Ironton folding, they are still on path to play for and even win the region. But you are right that they need to play better to win the biggest games/state. Three fumbles against the best in Ohio D5 will turn into a blowout loss.

Lol.sidenote: my fam who live in Cleveland have ALWAYS told me that Ironton isn't really Ohio its really just Kentucky north and not to worry myself about things like seo football cause were not good at it. Lol. Azzholes lol

Before anyone asks they are St Eds alumn. Smh lol

Speaking of that.

A high school football team in Ohio has the biggest offensive line in the country and it’s not even close. St. Edward High School’s front five is made up of five giants. Almost to the point that it’s unfair.
https://brobible.com/sports/article/st- ... ht-weight/

They're sending the twins to the school in Columbus and the other tackle to THE University of Michigan. St. Ed would hang with any program in the country this year. Not saying they'd be favored, especially against the likes of Duncanville, St. John Bosco, IMG, Mater Dei; but they'd give those teams a lot of trouble just because of how big they are up front.

I watched their game against the Maryland squad. They had some success against that big front of st eds. Was a fun game to watch. Hell of an atmosphere in Canton that day.

[BTWNTHE__]

You can twist the enrollment #’s all you want but with the number of transfers Ironton has they don’t have a D5 enrollment for Football (more like D3), and if they weren’t very creative in their use of apartments and housing their CB Numbers would represent that.

Fact is when Ironton plays teams of equal or better talent they loose and usually loose bad. Turnovers, penalties, and mistakes are examples of lack of discipline and coaching.

Bad coaches do not make it to 3 state championship appearances, and great talent alone won't get you there. If that were the case, Glenville would have been in the D1 state championship every year between 2000 and 2010

I didnt mention bad coaching in this comment

[BTWNTHE__]

Games are won and lost on the line of scrimmage. All the “big games” mentioned here, were lost on the line of scrimmage. Ironton may have had more talent in most of those games at “skilled” positions but not on the Line of scrimmage. If you go
back to I great Ironton teams of the past, 78, 81,82,88,89, etc.. they were great and very deep on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Midland dominated up front. That’s why they won the game. IMO, Ironton was fortunate to score.
That being said, below Columbus, Irontons program is dominant. If the Fighting Tigers are ever going to win another State Title, they will need to get back to where the front 7 dominates the line of scrimmage.

True about the line of scrimmage. Burg 2017 team didn’t dominate on the OL, but their DL was a beast.

My question is why? It’s not as if SEO hasn’t produced talented linemen.

Very valid question. I think the way their technique is taught and discipline. Watching Ironton or many other local area schools, we can say with certainty that the number 1 and number 2 penalties thrown in a game are: false starts and holding. Holding can be called quite a bit in any given game in any area. However, I think that it boils down to overall discipline. You watch the Coldwaters and Marion Locals and Kirtlands of the world and what’s the one thing that they never do or very rarely do? They don’t start in the hole (1st and 15, etc.) and you rarely see them make holding mistakes. Some athleticism plays into it but I am in agreement with why don’t we have the same balance as other areas because we do produce good linemen as an area. I don’t know if there’s one definite answer or solution for it other than proper technique and discipline.

Fundamentals. Exactly.

[BTWNTHE__]

True about the line of scrimmage. Burg 2017 team didn’t dominate on the OL, but their DL was a beast.

My question is why? It’s not as if SEO hasn’t produced talented linemen.

Honest opinion & this is gonna get a lil deep. NEO folks are "healthier" than SEO folks on average. More active lifestyles imo. Also more financial stability eg: being healthy is expensive. Look at a Ironton or burg crowd then go look at a say Moeller crowd? ( not neo but still a good example) Wanna guess which crowd is more overweight and disabled? Maybe its not ALL - But i dont think its a reach to suggest sociological "lifestylsle/condition" is at least a factor.
How much of a factor, hard to tell. But.. I think it IS a factor.

Unfortunately.

You could be right.

Kirtland’s median household income is over $90k. MAC area is blue collar but really good blue collar paying jobs. Liberty is just north of Columbus…

However, Germantown (VV) is kind of a dump. It’s economic situation is probably about the same as Burg and Ironton.

There are most def sociological variables that play a part.

[BTWNTHE__]

Games are won and lost on the line of scrimmage. All the “big games” mentioned here, were lost on the line of scrimmage. Ironton may have had more talent in most of those games at “skilled” positions but not on the Line of scrimmage. If you go
back to I great Ironton teams of the past, 78, 81,82,88,89, etc.. they were great and very deep on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Midland dominated up front. That’s why they won the game. IMO, Ironton was fortunate to score.
That being said, below Columbus, Irontons program is dominant. If the Fighting Tigers are ever going to win another State Title, they will need to get back to where the front 7 dominates the line of scrimmage.

True about the line of scrimmage. Burg 2017 team didn’t dominate on the OL, but their DL was a beast.

My question is why? It’s not as if SEO hasn’t produced talented linemen.

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

#1 in seo where else are they really gonna go?
#2 - absolutely correct. Unfortunately Irontons linemen are "chubby" with short limbs and they are slow mostly. Not a lot of athletes. Just chubby appalachian kids who like to play football - which is fine - but it is also a factor. Big difference between BIG atheletes and just big for no reason kids. Its not the same. Some of that lack of athleticism HOWEVER, can be countered with BETTER FUNDAMENTALS.

Kirtlands line isnt chalked full of D1's BUT their FUNDAMENTALS & technique are ELITE.

[BTWNTHE__]

True about the line of scrimmage. Burg 2017 team didn’t dominate on the OL, but their DL was a beast.

My question is why? It’s not as if SEO hasn’t produced talented linemen.

Honest opinion & this is gonna get a lil deep. NEO folks are "healthier" than SEO folks on average. More active lifestyles imo. Also more financial stability eg: being healthy is expensive. Look at a Ironton or burg crowd then go look at a say Moeller crowd? ( not neo but still a good example) Wanna guess which crowd is more overweight and disabled? Maybe its not ALL - But i dont think its a reach to suggest sociological "lifestylsle/condition" is at least a factor.
How much of a factor, hard to tell. But.. I think it IS a factor.

Unfortunately.

You could be right.

Kirtland’s median household income is over $90k. MAC area is blue collar but really good blue collar paying jobs. Liberty is just north of Columbus…

However, Germantown (VV) is kind of a dump. It’s economic situation is probably about the same as Burg and Ironton.

Miami Central in Fla has the dogs to be unstoppable every year ( for example) however the area these kids come from have a lot of sociological "issues" that factor in and impact the school, neighborhoods, program negatively.

Same general impact and different sociological factors in SEO that has a negative impact vs NEO.

[wobycat]

Games are won and lost on the line of scrimmage. All the “big games” mentioned here, were lost on the line of scrimmage. Ironton may have had more talent in most of those games at “skilled” positions but not on the Line of scrimmage. If you go
back to I great Ironton teams of the past, 78, 81,82,88,89, etc.. they were great and very deep on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Midland dominated up front. That’s why they won the game. IMO, Ironton was fortunate to score.
That being said, below Columbus, Irontons program is dominant. If the Fighting Tigers are ever going to win another State Title, they will need to get back to where the front 7 dominates the line of scrimmage.

True about the line of scrimmage. Burg 2017 team didn’t dominate on the OL, but their DL was a beast.

My question is why? It’s not as if SEO hasn’t produced talented linemen.

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

Lol. Nice shot taken on the Burg there, comparing them to your "lowly" OVC competition. Truth is, if you didn't have outside transfer help, especially Terry, you lose that game to Burg, badly. Ironton fans are finding fault with their lineman, when they would struggle this year without the transfer of skilled kids. That well is going to run dry, and then you will hear silence on this board because transfers don't equate to winning big games.

[BTWNTHE__]

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

My “why” referred to all of SEO, not just Ironton. My question was not a dig at IHS.

So back to the question as to why Burg and IHS can’t compete against these schools…

Kirtland and the MAC schools are not pumping out a bunch of OL/DL college football scholarship kids. Also, Kirtland and ML had never won state titles until their current coaches took over. Coldwater has only won under two coaches. Coldwater and ML didn’t become powers until 2000, Kirtland in 2011.

So what magic elixir do these coaches from Coldwater, Kirtland and ML have that others do not? How do these coaches do so well along the lines even though they produce fewer college OL/DL athletes than IHS or Burg? And, more importantly, how did these coaches turn irrelevant programs into powerhouses?

They create a system and have a template for success. I watched Marion Local and Coldwater in 2019 at Maria Stein. It’s very simple: 2 parent homes, low crime rates, low drug rates, and expectation. They are NOT hopeful to win a state championship. They expect it. When kids are up working at 4 A.M. on a farm, then weight lift, then go to school, there’s an expectation to perform well at a level of consistency that’s unparalleled in the United States. They’re also balanced from a spiritual standpoint. Every one of their athletes are in church on Sunday, too. It’s a community effort. The community supports them. Their split the pot that year was $9,500. The lady next to us said, “that’s the lowest it’s been in years.” When they come to the game to expect excellence in every facet, it’s no surprise to see why they are great. Marion Local had 90 boys in high school that year and 88 of them was on the football team. The other 2? They ran cross country and won state.

People in seo are so isolated from the world outside of that bubble. Sometimes it almost feels like they just assume everywhere else is just like them unfortunately.

The sociological attributes you hilighted here play such an integral role.

[BTWNTHE__]

True about the line of scrimmage. Burg 2017 team didn’t dominate on the OL, but their DL was a beast.

My question is why? It’s not as if SEO hasn’t produced talented linemen.

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

Lol. Nice shot taken on the Burg there, comparing them to your "lowly" OVC competition. Truth is, if you didn't have outside transfer help, especially Terry, you lose that game to Burg, badly. Ironton fans are finding fault with their lineman, when they would struggle this year without the transfer of skilled kids. That well is going to run dry, and then you will hear silence on this board because transfers don't equate to winning big games.

The OVC swept the SOC week one right?

[wobycat]

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

Lol. Nice shot taken on the Burg there, comparing them to your "lowly" OVC competition. Truth is, if you didn't have outside transfer help, especially Terry, you lose that game to Burg, badly. Ironton fans are finding fault with their lineman, when they would struggle this year without the transfer of skilled kids. That well is going to run dry, and then you will hear silence on this board because transfers don't equate to winning big games.

The OVC swept the SOC week one right?

What's your point in regards to my post?

[BTWNTHE__]

True about the line of scrimmage. Burg 2017 team didn’t dominate on the OL, but their DL was a beast.

My question is why? It’s not as if SEO hasn’t produced talented linemen.

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

#1 in seo where else are they really gonna go?
#2 - absolutely correct. Unfortunately Irontons linemen are "chubby" with short limbs and they are slow mostly. Not a lot of athletes. Just chubby appalachian kids who like to play football - which is fine - but it is also a factor. Big difference between BIG atheletes and just big for no reason kids. Its not the same. Some of that lack of athleticism HOWEVER, can be countered with BETTER FUNDAMENTALS.

Kirtlands line isnt chalked full of D1's BUT their FUNDAMENTALS & technique are ELITE.

.
Disclaimer: my characteristic description isnt a jab at seo, its an observation/comparison.

[BTWNTHE__]

Lol. Nice shot taken on the Burg there, comparing them to your "lowly" OVC competition. Truth is, if you didn't have outside transfer help, especially Terry, you lose that game to Burg, badly. Ironton fans are finding fault with their lineman, when they would struggle this year without the transfer of skilled kids. That well is going to run dry, and then you will hear silence on this board because transfers don't equate to winning big games.

The OVC swept the SOC week one right?

What's your point in regards to my post?

Well burg and ovc is not an innacurate comparison. Not a lotta difference between 2023 burg and 2023 fairland.

[wobycat]

The OVC swept the SOC week one right?

What's your point in regards to my post?

Well burg and ovc is not an innacurate comparison. Not a lotta difference between 2023 burg and 2023 fairland.

Again...what's your point to my post?

[Boo-Duh]

I guess my question is why.. kids are going to
Ironton to play for a guy, who obviously can’t get the job done. I mean, don’t these kids parents read SEOPreps? Why in the world would these kids leave their home districts, that are obviously getting the job done, to play at Ironton?

Back to topic.. Ironton is not very athletic on the line of scrimmage. They can get away with that playing Burg and OVC teams. However, Kirtland is very athletic on the line of scrimmage. When/if Ironton ever focuses on getting more athletic up front, you may get the answer to
your question

Lol. Nice shot taken on the Burg there, comparing them to your "lowly" OVC competition. Truth is, if you didn't have outside transfer help, especially Terry, you lose that game to Burg, badly. Ironton fans are finding fault with their lineman, when they would struggle this year without the transfer of skilled kids. That well is going to run dry, and then you will hear silence on this board because transfers don't equate to winning big games.

The OVC swept the SOC week one right?

Nope Minford beat Rock Hill 17-7!!

[ohbuckeye2]

If you consider the big stage as being the state championship game you have a valid point. Look at all of the teams the Fighting Tigers beat to get to the championship game, do you consider those games as not being on the big stage? Sounds like it if you are considering the Cabel Midland game as being the “big stage” lol.

Vs Midland at Marshall Univ, a top 5 big school wv conf team loaded w D1 commits is the big stage.

A 1st or 2nd rnd playoff game vs Wellston. Not so much. School of the blind.

As you know, Ironton has made it way past the first 2 rounds in 3 of the last 4 years. They weren’t playing “Wellston or the school of the blind” as you say to reach the championship game each of those years lol. Ironton scheduled a Big school to get better, learn and to prepare them for the playoffs and you still gripe because they got beat, it’ll only make them better in the long run. Wait until next years schedule comes out, we probably won’t win every game, but we’ll be a lot better off for playing a tougher schedule.

[Jason Vorhees]

My “why” referred to all of SEO, not just Ironton. My question was not a dig at IHS.

So back to the question as to why Burg and IHS can’t compete against these schools…

Kirtland and the MAC schools are not pumping out a bunch of OL/DL college football scholarship kids. Also, Kirtland and ML had never won state titles until their current coaches took over. Coldwater has only won under two coaches. Coldwater and ML didn’t become powers until 2000, Kirtland in 2011.

So what magic elixir do these coaches from Coldwater, Kirtland and ML have that others do not? How do these coaches do so well along the lines even though they produce fewer college OL/DL athletes than IHS or Burg? And, more importantly, how did these coaches turn irrelevant programs into powerhouses?

They create a system and have a template for success. I watched Marion Local and Coldwater in 2019 at Maria Stein. It’s very simple: 2 parent homes, low crime rates, low drug rates, and expectation. They are NOT hopeful to win a state championship. They expect it. When kids are up working at 4 A.M. on a farm, then weight lift, then go to school, there’s an expectation to perform well at a level of consistency that’s unparalleled in the United States. They’re also balanced from a spiritual standpoint. Every one of their athletes are in church on Sunday, too. It’s a community effort. The community supports them. Their split the pot that year was $9,500. The lady next to us said, “that’s the lowest it’s been in years.” When they come to the game to expect excellence in every facet, it’s no surprise to see why they are great. Marion Local had 90 boys in high school that year and 88 of them was on the football team. The other 2? They ran cross country and won state.

Thanks the info. That’s a good explanation.

Question: what did the current coach do that others before him couldn’t? I assume ML always had the benefits you mentioned above, so how did this coach turn those into championships when no one before him could?

Offensive and defensive changes and instilling a system. Every school in that conference doesn’t start tackle football until Junior High. Their system at Marion Local is very simple. Winning by committee and individual sacrifice for the betterment of the team. They don’t do anything that particularly special on offense or defense. Their coaching staff just knows the right type of offense and defense to use predicated upon their natural skills. They’re always athletic and very strong. They’ll line up in I-Formation or Wishbone and knock you off the or can also line up in the shotgun and throw the ball around if needed. They teach fundamentals constantly and the community is behind them 100% of the time. It’s Marion Local’s template to never defeat themselves. They also have great attitudes. I think that if I gave a rundown of what makes them and the conference great overall it’s about these 10 things:
1. Community backing
2. Two Parent Homes with blue collar mentality
3. Low crime rates
4. Low drug rates
5. Balance of spirituality
6. Work Ethic
7. Fundamentally sound on and off the field
8. Academically great
9. Return to town and community. Most families stay in their respective community or return there to raise their family.
10. High but realistic goals.

[Donnie Hagglethorpe]

If you consider the big stage as being the state championship game you have a valid point. Look at all of the teams the Fighting Tigers beat to get to the championship game, do you consider those games as not being on the big stage? Sounds like it if you are considering the Cabel Midland game as being the “big stage” lol.

Vs Midland at Marshall Univ, a top 5 big school wv conf team loaded w D1 commits is the big stage.

A 1st or 2nd rnd playoff game vs Wellston. Not so much. School of the blind.

As you know, Ironton has made it way past the first 2 rounds in 3 of the last 4 years. They weren’t playing “Wellston or the school of the blind” as you say to reach the championship game each of those years lol. Ironton scheduled a Big school to get better, learn and to prepare them for the playoffs and you still gripe because they got beat, it’ll only make them better in the long run. Wait until next years schedule comes out, we probably won’t win every game, but we’ll be a lot better off for playing a tougher schedule.

No doubt some water-boy that never played a down of football in his life. He surely got picked on by the real players back when he was in school in the 1990’s. Now he lives in mommy’s basement and spends countless hours on the internet researching Ironton and SEO football so he can get back at them with posts on social media. I’ve seen him on here with multiple usernames. He is entertaining though, but embarrassingly transparent.

[RBH23]

They create a system and have a template for success. I watched Marion Local and Coldwater in 2019 at Maria Stein. It’s very simple: 2 parent homes, low crime rates, low drug rates, and expectation. They are NOT hopeful to win a state championship. They expect it. When kids are up working at 4 A.M. on a farm, then weight lift, then go to school, there’s an expectation to perform well at a level of consistency that’s unparalleled in the United States. They’re also balanced from a spiritual standpoint. Every one of their athletes are in church on Sunday, too. It’s a community effort. The community supports them. Their split the pot that year was $9,500. The lady next to us said, “that’s the lowest it’s been in years.” When they come to the game to expect excellence in every facet, it’s no surprise to see why they are great. Marion Local had 90 boys in high school that year and 88 of them was on the football team. The other 2? They ran cross country and won state.

Thanks the info. That’s a good explanation.

Question: what did the current coach do that others before him couldn’t? I assume ML always had the benefits you mentioned above, so how did this coach turn those into championships when no one before him could?

Offensive and defensive changes and instilling a system. Every school in that conference doesn’t start tackle football until Junior High. Their system at Marion Local is very simple. Winning by committee and individual sacrifice for the betterment of the team. They don’t do anything that particularly special on offense or defense. Their coaching staff just knows the right type of offense and defense to use predicated upon their natural skills. They’re always athletic and very strong. They’ll line up in I-Formation or Wishbone and knock you off the or can also line up in the shotgun and throw the ball around if needed. They teach fundamentals constantly and the community is behind them 100% of the time. It’s Marion Local’s template to never defeat themselves. They also have great attitudes. I think that if I gave a rundown of what makes them and the conference great overall it’s about these 10 things:
1. Community backing
2. Two Parent Homes with blue collar mentality
3. Low crime rates
4. Low drug rates
5. Balance of spirituality
6. Work Ethic
7. Fundamentally sound on and off the field
8. Academically great
9. Return to town and community. Most families stay in their respective community or return there to raise their family.
10. High but realistic goals.

Appreciate the breakdown. Given the MAC schools’ success in nearly all sports, I think you are on to something.

That said, one thing you left off is poverty. If I compare Burg using that list, the numbers Burg is inferior are 2 (slightly), 3, 4, 7 (in football), and poverty. I see poverty and drugs being the biggest gaps between ML and Burg. Spirituality, academics, and return to town are almost identical.

“Fundamentals on the field” is a really big gap when it comes to football. The 2017 Burg team is the only team I’ve seen that had similar discipline to the MAC schools. Rest of the Burg football teams since ‘89 have not been close.

However, this brings up something interesting: Burg baseball (under Estep) and softball (under Ruby) have possessed those fundamentals.

Estep won seven regional titles and two state titles in eight years. His teams were always fundamentally solid and rarely to never beat themselves.

Ruby has won six regional titles and three state titles in eight years (may have won another if 2020 season was not cancelled) with last year’s team ranked #2 in Ohio regardless of school size; probably should have been ranked nationally. The key to Burg’s success? Fundamentally sound and never beat themselves.

If Estep and Ruby can accomplish this in two sports typically dominated by schools that are in wealthier communities, then why can’t Burg be like this in football? At a minimum, why can’t the football team be as fundamentally sound as the softball program?

Really don’t know the answer to this question. But Estep and Ruby obviously turned Burg baseball and softball into “MAC like” programs. Assume something to learn from them.