What's next for the SEOAL?

[Paladin]

Good point, SS. Lets take Logan since many here think they are a "big" school as a D-II. Look at a map. Logan takes in most all of Hocking Co. Yet many , many kids are not involved in sports or extra-curriculars because they have no way home if they don't ride the bus after school. Take them out of the picture and you just dropped a division or two in reality to a D-III or D-IV. Many schools don't look at your size as much as they look at the type kids you have in the program. Raw, tough kids are more than worthy opponents. But soft, coddled kids get eaten up in sports, no matter the size of the school. This really applies to many MAC schools who used to played much bigger sized school and butt stomped them. Suddenly bigger schools didn't want to play MAC teams anymore even if they were 3or4 divisions bigger.

That's why I pay close attention to schedules. You can tell who has guts and who is faking it. Who is trying to create a program and who is looking for cheap meaningless wins.

As for the SEOAL, I expect Marietta back. Check the ECOL scores since they have been in. Terrible. Non-competitive. And I do expect Athens back. They are in a league now where everyone else is non-competitive with them. That's not what a league is supposed to do and other schools will look to rectify the situation. When Athens came begging , the TVC took in a crushed school dominated in the SEOAL. Now that they have "recovered", it time to leave the gravy train and swim with the sharks again where the big fish play.

[noreply66]

I don't look for Athens to come back to the SEOAL. Starting the 2015 football season they will fall back in the TVC. They just do not have a very good program in the lower grades right now. The SEOAL teams the lower grades played this year crushed them big time. Marietta and South would give Warren two close trips. With the highways now Jackson wouldn't be that long of trip for Marietta.

Gallipolis,Jackson, Logan, Marietta, Park. South and Warren sounds like a nice SEOAL. I would like to see Point Pleasant in there too. Might be a odd number but that wouldn't be that much of a problem.

[Paladin]

The problem, noreply, is that the other schools don't see themselves as competitive with Athens now and won't be for most sports. Athens may not be as good in FB soon but they will still be a problem as competition for schools not as big as them. In every league in Ohio that I'm aware of, human nature and self preservation take over and other teams move if the problem doesn't resolve itself. And far too many let size dictate who they play or not. Athens is now looked at as a big fish and unlike Logan , who has almost the entire Hocking Co. but doesn't get all the kids out to play because they would have no way home from sports if they don't ride the bus, Athens is much smaller in geography so most kids can play sports there. There are comments on here from TVC fans who already see what has happened and won't get better. Don't expect the schools to sit back and allow it to continue. The TVC will get restless and force the issue. What you say about lower grade competition may be true but it doesn't always translate into losing varsity teams.

[Paladin]

BTW, South would be O.K. for the SEOAL.

[surfsider]

Right now I just can't recognize a "league" with 4 schools in it. It's bad enough the PVC will be down to 6 schools next season when River drops out.

Maybe dissolve the league and come back with a new name and work with a geography map and see who could fit where.
After all, fans want to afford driving to events, parents too. I remember a few years back Edison (Jefferson County) had 5 away football games no further than 30 minutes away.

[loganlocos]

Right now I just can't recognize a "league" with 4 schools in it. It's bad enough the PVC will be down to 6 schools next season when River drops out.

Maybe dissolve the league and come back with a new name and work with a geography map and see who could fit where.
After all, fans want to afford driving to events, parents too. I remember a few years back Edison (Jefferson County) had 5 away football games no further than 30 minutes away.

Surfside -

I think 6 member is a pretty good number for a conference. 8 is good if you have the RIGHT members, but get too many bottom feeders and it effects the whole league in terms of playoffs.

The GCL South in Cincinnati is a pretty good league with only 4 teams (Moeller, Elder, St. Xavier, LaSalle). The Central Catholic League in Columbus has 5 teams and 2 divisions (DeSales, Watterson, St. Charles / Ready, Hartley). Other central Ohio private schools have run from that league.

[Paladin]

Maybe 4 isn't enough for some, but I watched the Steel Valley for 10 years when only Warren Harding, Mooney and Ursuline were the only schools left ( Boardman, Fitch, Hubbard, Howland and others all gone) . And the SEOAL would be just as interesting with only 4 teams because it won't be that way forever. Its never the size but the quality there. The East District has the same problems -- too many schools keep ducking playing each other. PVC is weak to begin with and much of the Ohio Valley avoids competing by relying on a league that doesn't really exist except on paper --Ohio Valley

[questionmark]

I don't look for Athens to come back to the SEOAL. Starting the 2015 football season they will fall back in the TVC. They just do not have a very good program in the lower grades right now.

I agree that I feel Athens will not return to the SEOAL. However, in 2015 Athens will still have a very strong football team. They will by no-means be the caliber of the 2014 Class, but they will be just fine in 2015, still have a lot of time to improve skills and hit the weights.

After all, fans want to afford driving to events, parents too. I remember a few years back Edison (Jefferson County) had 5 away football games no further than 30 minutes away.

This is exactly what Athens loves about the TVC-OHIO. Another reason why I feel Athens will not return to the SEOAL.

unlike Logan , who has almost the entire Hocking Co. but doesn't get all the kids out to play because they would have no way home from sports if they don't ride the bus, Athens is much smaller in geography so most kids can play sports there.

Athens has it's fair share of socioeconomic problems. Just like the Logan, there are kids who miss out on athletics because they can't afford them. Their parents can't afford to get them to and from practice. Or they do not have access to a vehicle to get to and from practice. All SEO schools have this problem Paladin...

[loganlocos]

There are comments on here from TVC fans who already see what has happened and won't get better. Don't expect the schools to sit back and allow it to continue.

Exactly. It's why many on here are actively cheering for the demise of the SEOAL.

Some in the TVC-Ohio know that the best way to get rid of Athens is to absorb Jackson, Gallipolis, Logan, and Warren and then create a new division of the TVC with:

Athens
Gallipolis
Jackson
Logan
Vinton County
Warren

The rest of the TVC will vote to realign because it is in their own self interest. Would allow for some realignment in the Hocking and Ohio Divisions as well, so its a win-win-win.

Except for Athens and Vinton County. Athens essentially ends up back in the SEOAL (except their vote is now 1/18 or 1/19 compared to 1/6 or 1/10 in the SEOAL)

VC gets forced into the "Big School" division because they are D3. Maybe they would be fine with this, but they would lose a conference rivalry w/ Wellston.



Don't be fooled though. The push for expansion by the TVC in regard to current SEOAL schools is to find a way to get Athens out of the Ohio Division.

[loganlocos]

Athens has it's fair share of socioeconomic problems. Just like the Logan, there are kids who miss out on athletics because they can't afford them. Their parents can't afford to get them to and from practice. Or they do not have access to a vehicle to get to and from practice. All SEO schools have this problem Paladin...

Every school in SE Ohio has this problem. But only a handful of school districts (Logan-Hocking, Vinton, Morgan, etc) cover such a LARGE geographic area.

[Paladin]

Athens won't budge until forced to. The TVC schools will talk among themselves but at some point SOON, it becomes apparent that Athens being in the league is detrimental to everyone else. That's the thanks they get for saving Athens butt from the SEOAL where they were a laughing stock. But self interest will prevail. The SEOAL isn't going anywhere, even if they play with only 4 schools. It won't be long that will happen. Marietta already is bleeding with no mercy in sight. Athens will not be welcome much longer and will move or the TVC will split up and start another league without Athens. Thats the way it works. Seen it happen many, many times.

[loganlocos]

Every school in SE Ohio has this problem. But only a handful of school districts (Logan-Hocking, Vinton, Morgan, etc) cover such a LARGE geographic area.

A few numbers to back my point up:

Largest School Districts in Ohio by Land AREA:

1. Switzerland of Ohio (Monroe County); 543 sq miles (Largest, for measurement)

3. Vinton County; 413 sq miles
4. Miami Trace; 399 sq miles
5. Morgan; 381 sq miles
6. Gallia County; 380 sq miles (But 2 High Schools)

9. Logan-Hocking; 315 sq miles



20. Federal Hocking; 205 sq miles

23. Meigs; 198 sq miles
24. Logan Elm; 197 sq miles
25. Warren; 194 sq miles



For comparison, Athens is 87.8 square miles, or 3.5 X smaller than Logan.


So if you do your enrollment based on how many boys per square mile, Athens has 3.4 boys per square mile while Logan has just over 1.5 boys per square mile (1.5174).

[Paladin]

And because Athens is the biggest city in Athens county where MOST of the kids reside, Athens will get a larger % of kids out than a Logan who has serious transportation problems. Locos numbers also show why others have difficulty putting out winning teams. The TVC won't put up with Athens winning everything and being non-competitive with them. Not going to happen. Athens will move or they will. Take that to the bank ! That's alos why the SEOAL demise talk is hilarious. If they don't get more teams for Athens to play with 3 divisions, the others will walk.

[questionmark]

The TVC schools will talk among themselves but at some point SOON, it becomes apparent that Athens being in the league is detrimental to everyone else. .

I think a team who doesn't win many games, doesn't travel well, has poor facilities would be detrimental to a League. Not the opposite.

Strictly Football...
POST-2008 TVC-OHIO - Here is how the teams finished...Champs in Bold
2008 - (NELSONVILLE-YORK), Meigs, Wellston, Athens, Belpre, Alexander, Vinton County
2009 - (ATHENS/NELSONVILLE-YORK), Alexander, Meigs, Wellston, Vinton County, Belpre
2010 - (NELSONVILLE-YORK) Alexander, Athens, Wellston, Vinton County, Meigs
2011 - (ATHENS) Nelsonville-York, Alexander, Meigs, Wellston, Vinton County
2012 - (ATHENS) Nelsonville-York, Alexander, Wellston, Meigs, Vinton County
2013 - (ATHENS) Meigs, Vinton County, Wellston, Nelsonville-York, Alexander

Athens has 4 Titles (1 Shared)
NY has 3 Titles (1 Shared)
Meigs has finshed 2nd with 1 League Loss Twice (08 & 13)
Alexander has finshed no worse than 3rd in every year but (08 & 13)

POST-2008 TVC-OHIO
ALEXANDER - (2009 Play-Offs), (2010 Play-Offs) 32 Wins (32-28 Record)
MEIGS - (2008 Play-Offs) 32 Wins (32-28 Record)
NELSONVILLE-YORK - (2008 Play-Offs), (2010 Play-Offs), (2011 Play-Offs) 42 Wins (42- 18 Record)
ATHENS - (2011 Play-Offs), (2012 Play-Offs & 2WINS) (2013 Play-Offs). 47 Wins (47 -13 Record)
WELLSTON - 24 Wins (24 - 36 Record) * Did Beat NY for the 1st Time in Several Years
VINTON COUNTY - 11 Wins (11 - 49 Record)

4 of the 6 Teams in the League have Winning Records since 2008, with those 4 Teams making a Play-Off or Play-Off(s) appearance in the same time frame can't possible be detrimental to the League.
In Football, it has only Strengthend the League to Have Athens...O&B and Dundas would most likely agree...I do not see that as detrimental.

The Gates of the Athens/NY, Athens/AlX, AlX/NY Football Games are def. not detrimental to the League.

[questionmark]

The TVC schools will talk among themselves but at some point SOON, it becomes apparent that Athens being in the league is detrimental to everyone else.

Now lets look at the Big Sports...not including Football

VOLLEYBALL
2008 - Alexander
2009 - Alexander/Athens
2010 - Alexander
2011 - Athens
2012 - Alexander
Alexander wins 4 out of 5 years plus shares 1 with Athens...detrimental?

BOYS BASKETBALL
2008/09 - Vinton County
2009/10 - Athens
2010/11 - Vinton County
2011/12 - Vinton County
2012/13 - Vinton County/Athens
Vinton County wins 4 out 5 years plus shares 1 with Athens...again detrimental?

GIRLS BASKETBALL
2008/09 - Alexander
2009/10 - Alexander
2010/11 - Alexander
2011/12 - Athens/Vinton County
2012/13 - Athens
Alexander snags 3 titles, Athens shares 1 and wins 1 outright, VC shares 1...not seeing the detrimental part to the League?

BASEBALL
2009 - Athens
2010 - Athens
2011 - Meigs
2012 - Athens
2013 - Athens
Athens does take 4 of the 5 Baseball titles, but Baseball is the schools statistically best program...

SOFTBALL
2009 - Meigs
2010 - Athens
2011 - Meigs
2012 - Athens
2013 - Wellston
Meigs and Athens trade titles in odd years while Wellston earns one last season...pretty competitive ...

Athens has 12 Titles while the other schools have 16 Titles...add in the football and that moves the totals to Athens 15 to League 19 Titles over 2008-2013 seasons...I just have a hard time seeing how Athens is detrimental to the TVC-OHIO...

[jervin]

S.E.O.A.L.

In my opinion should consist of teams that can each benefit someway,

Jackson, Gallia, Logan, Athens, Wheelersburg, Wavery, Vinton County, Portsmouth

Jackson - Baseball, Football
Gallia - baseball, Football, sometimes Basketball
Logan - football, baseball, sometimes basketball
Athens, football baseball basketball, track
burg - BASEBALL, football, basketball
Waverly - baseball, basketball football
Vinton county - basketball,
Portsmouth - basketball

I believe all of these schools have volleyball, soccer, track and field as well

Not going to happen.. but that would make for a very competitive league in most sports.

[noreply66]

The TVC schools will talk among themselves but at some point SOON, it becomes apparent that Athens being in the league is detrimental to everyone else.

Now lets look at the Big Sports...not including Football

VOLLEYBALL
2008 - Alexander
2009 - Alexander/Athens
2010 - Alexander
2011 - Athens
2012 - Alexander
Alexander wins 4 out of 5 years plus shares 1 with Athens...detrimental?

BOYS BASKETBALL
2008/09 - Vinton County
2009/10 - Athens
2010/11 - Vinton County
2011/12 - Vinton County
2012/13 - Vinton County/Athens
Vinton County wins 4 out 5 years plus shares 1 with Athens...again detrimental?

GIRLS BASKETBALL
2008/09 - Alexander
2009/10 - Alexander
2010/11 - Alexander
2011/12 - Athens/Vinton County
2012/13 - Athens
Alexander snags 3 titles, Athens shares 1 and wins 1 outright, VC shares 1...not seeing the detrimental part to the League?

BASEBALL
2009 - Athens
2010 - Athens
2011 - Meigs
2012 - Athens
2013 - Athens
Athens does take 4 of the 5 Baseball titles, but Baseball is the schools statistically best program...

SOFTBALL
2009 - Meigs
2010 - Athens
2011 - Meigs
2012 - Athens
2013 - Wellston
Meigs and Athens trade titles in odd years while Wellston earns one last season...pretty competitive ...

Athens has 12 Titles while the other schools have 16 Titles...add in the football and that moves the totals to Athens 15 to League 19 Titles over 2008-2013 seasons...I just have a hard time seeing how Athens is detrimental to the TVC-OHIO...

look at all the teams in the TVC and you just have a hand full winning titles and Athens is there in everyone. Teams times sports is how many chances and Athens has won 15 in five years with an average of 3 a year....that gives the rest of the league with a little over one on the average. One team has won 15 and the other 13 or so has won 19 together.

[noreply66]

S.E.O.A.L.

In my opinion should consist of teams that can each benefit someway,

Jackson, Gallia, Logan, Athens, Wheelersburg, Wavery, Vinton County, Portsmouth

Jackson - Baseball, Football
Gallia - baseball, Football, sometimes Basketball
Logan - football, baseball, sometimes basketball
Athens, football baseball basketball, track
burg - BASEBALL, football, basketball
Waverly - baseball, basketball football
Vinton county - basketball,
Portsmouth - basketball

I believe all of these schools have volleyball, soccer, track and field as well

Not going to happen.. but that would make for a very competitive league in most sports.

Don't know about Athens in track over the last dozen years Athens finishes well behind Logan, Marietta, Warren and Gallipolis. When the SEOAL was at 10 teams Athens was last or near last with one year wondering if they would score a single point.

[TigerBacker#1]

If Athens was the seoal they would not have near that many championships. For example this year they did not defeat the seoL football champs.

[bd452]

If Athens was the seoal they would not have near that many championships. For example this year they did not defeat the seoL football champs.

You are completely clueless. I actually feel sorry for you.