Hey Soledad, you better get with it.
Football season starts in five weeks and where is your head coach?
While a turnover in adminstration has delayed things, the program is in limbo. And it hasn't been on stable ground in five years.
The kids need stablity. And that starts with a coach willing to committ.
6/30/2008
6/27/2008
all star dramatics
After the last two debacles, in which a brawl cut short last years game, the annual Jaycees East-West All-Star football game could not have asked for a better finish.
A player, who some believed would never play again after collasping on the sidelines from a severe concussion last fall, scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final 54 seconds in Palma's Connor Farotte.
For as quiet as the first three quarters were, the fourth quarter resembed a Super Bowl 42 finish.
And now the annual affair appears back on stable ground.
If I was going to make two small changes, it would be to move the game to December, right after the CCS finals. Players would still be in football shape. And you could hold them accoutable should they act up.
The second is let the players use their own school jerseys. The home team is in all colors. The visiters in all white. I'd love to identify players by their school uniforms.
A player, who some believed would never play again after collasping on the sidelines from a severe concussion last fall, scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final 54 seconds in Palma's Connor Farotte.
For as quiet as the first three quarters were, the fourth quarter resembed a Super Bowl 42 finish.
And now the annual affair appears back on stable ground.
If I was going to make two small changes, it would be to move the game to December, right after the CCS finals. Players would still be in football shape. And you could hold them accoutable should they act up.
The second is let the players use their own school jerseys. The home team is in all colors. The visiters in all white. I'd love to identify players by their school uniforms.
6/26/2008
Stock climbing
One performance can turn a few heads. Backing it up will create immediate interest.
Palma quarterback David Fales' stock is rising as he was named one of EA Sports National Top 100 quarterback prospects.
Among five groups of quarterbacks (65 total) that took part in the Elite 11 regional camp at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Fales had the third highest point total with 13.
Fales, who was praised for his drop backs, smooth delivery and ability to hit the short and deep passes, has had coaches from Boise, Utah, Idaho State, Nevada and Colorado inquire about him.
Of course, the 6-foot-2 senior will have to back it up this fall on the field. While Palma has a talented offensive line, the skilled postions are still in question.
Also taking part in the camp were Gilroy quarterback Jamie Jensen and Carmel's Ken Johnston. Last year Jensen threw for a Northern California record 4,323 yards.
Junior Nick Montana of De La Salle, the son of 49ers Hall of Famer Joe Montana, and Jack Lomax, whose father was former Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax, were a part of the camp.
Palma quarterback David Fales' stock is rising as he was named one of EA Sports National Top 100 quarterback prospects.
Among five groups of quarterbacks (65 total) that took part in the Elite 11 regional camp at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Fales had the third highest point total with 13.
Fales, who was praised for his drop backs, smooth delivery and ability to hit the short and deep passes, has had coaches from Boise, Utah, Idaho State, Nevada and Colorado inquire about him.
Of course, the 6-foot-2 senior will have to back it up this fall on the field. While Palma has a talented offensive line, the skilled postions are still in question.
Also taking part in the camp were Gilroy quarterback Jamie Jensen and Carmel's Ken Johnston. Last year Jensen threw for a Northern California record 4,323 yards.
Junior Nick Montana of De La Salle, the son of 49ers Hall of Famer Joe Montana, and Jack Lomax, whose father was former Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax, were a part of the camp.
6/25/2008
all star football
If you ever wondered why colleges often tell their recruits NO when it comes to playing in a high school all-star football game, seeing Nick Martinez of North Salinas break his leg in a practice explains everything.
Martinez was slated to play this fall at MPC. But a freak accident during a scrimmage Tuesday broke his leg in three places. He certainly won't play Friday in the Salinas Jaycees East-West all-star game and may need a full year to recover.
This was just a practice. Football is a violent sport. There's no other way to play it. An all-star football game is a big risk for a kid on scholarship.
Martinez was slated to play this fall at MPC. But a freak accident during a scrimmage Tuesday broke his leg in three places. He certainly won't play Friday in the Salinas Jaycees East-West all-star game and may need a full year to recover.
This was just a practice. Football is a violent sport. There's no other way to play it. An all-star football game is a big risk for a kid on scholarship.
6/23/2008
football
Quarterback Connor Farotte will put on a football uniform Friday for the first time since suffering a severe concussion that left him unconscious for nearly 10 hours on Sept. 28.
No doubt, there are some who are questioning the recent Palma graduate's decision to play in the Salinas Jaycees East-West high school all-star football game.
Bleeding and swelling of the brain is a serious matter, life-threatening. Farotte survived. But what happens if he takes another blow to the head?
Maybe nothing.
But the risk of a recurrence is greater for Farotte than you or I.
Farotte talks about his reasons in full detail in Tuesday's Herald.
No doubt, there are some who are questioning the recent Palma graduate's decision to play in the Salinas Jaycees East-West high school all-star football game.
Bleeding and swelling of the brain is a serious matter, life-threatening. Farotte survived. But what happens if he takes another blow to the head?
Maybe nothing.
But the risk of a recurrence is greater for Farotte than you or I.
Farotte talks about his reasons in full detail in Tuesday's Herald.
6/18/2008
athlete of the year
Each year there is debate about who should be The Herald's Male and Female Athletes of the Year.
Makes sense.
Yet, what seems to create more controversy is the honorable mention list.
Eight apparently was not enough names.
Everyone feels someone was left off. Arguments are often valid.
Take Carmel's Alex Martinez. A three-sport athlete, who excelled in each sport. He probably should have been on the list.
Listen, I could put a dozen or so athletes on the list and it still wouldn't be enough. This is not a popularity contest or about an athlete dominating one sport.
It's about trying to find the best athletes. The trouble is, someone always gets left off.
Makes sense.
Yet, what seems to create more controversy is the honorable mention list.
Eight apparently was not enough names.
Everyone feels someone was left off. Arguments are often valid.
Take Carmel's Alex Martinez. A three-sport athlete, who excelled in each sport. He probably should have been on the list.
Listen, I could put a dozen or so athletes on the list and it still wouldn't be enough. This is not a popularity contest or about an athlete dominating one sport.
It's about trying to find the best athletes. The trouble is, someone always gets left off.
6/13/2008
Softball hurler
Here is a number of interest.
Kim Reeder has struck out at least one hitter in all 106 appearances she has made in her college career in the circle for the Ohio State softball team.
Reeder, arguably the best softball pitcher to come out of Notre Dame, has started 100 games for Ohio State and is 6-for-6 in save opportunities.
Over her last 18 starts this past year, the junior hurler compiled a 0.98 earned run average. Reeder won 18 games and struck out 200 hitters, moving her into fifth on the school's career strikeout list (491).
Kim Reeder has struck out at least one hitter in all 106 appearances she has made in her college career in the circle for the Ohio State softball team.
Reeder, arguably the best softball pitcher to come out of Notre Dame, has started 100 games for Ohio State and is 6-for-6 in save opportunities.
Over her last 18 starts this past year, the junior hurler compiled a 0.98 earned run average. Reeder won 18 games and struck out 200 hitters, moving her into fifth on the school's career strikeout list (491).
6/11/2008
all-star football
This years group of seniors that will play in the Salinas Jaycees all-star football game on June 27 at MPC will have a chance to erase the nightmare of last years debacle. A clean game is essential to restoring its image.
Because if the taunting and bench clearing brawls break out again this year, this game will be toast.
There's nothing wrong with pride. But keep it in prospective. This is an all-star game. It's a chance for players to showcase their skills. The last time I checked, brawling isn't a part of the game.
Because if the taunting and bench clearing brawls break out again this year, this game will be toast.
There's nothing wrong with pride. But keep it in prospective. This is an all-star game. It's a chance for players to showcase their skills. The last time I checked, brawling isn't a part of the game.
Prep of the Year
Who should be The Herald's Male and Female Athlete of the Year?
Here are some worthy candiates.
Boys
Deionte Gordon, Seaside
Diego Estrada, Alisal
Abe Ruiz, Pacific Grove
Mark Ramos, North Salinas
Girls
Pauline Ferrall, Carmel
Annie Busch, Notre Dame
Caroline Main, Stevenson
Devan Kennifer, Santa Catalina
Here are some worthy candiates.
Boys
Deionte Gordon, Seaside
Diego Estrada, Alisal
Abe Ruiz, Pacific Grove
Mark Ramos, North Salinas
Girls
Pauline Ferrall, Carmel
Annie Busch, Notre Dame
Caroline Main, Stevenson
Devan Kennifer, Santa Catalina
6/06/2008
MLB draft
Stranger things have happened.
But how many players become Major Leaguers after being drafted beyond the 30th round?
If you're counting, that's about 700 players drafted in front of you.
I know it's tempting for Skyler Crawford and Abe Ruiz, who were both drafted Friday in Major League Baseball's amateur draft.
Crawford, who prepped at Salinas High, has a decision to make. This is the second straight year the Florida Marlins have drafted the Hartnell College prodigy.
This time the Marlins grabbed him 11 rounds higher at No. 30. He has leverage.
Obviously, they're interested in the right-hander and his 92 mph fastball. But he also has a full ride scholarhsip to play baseball at Cal.
Do you want to go to Cal and experience a big-time program. Or do you want to end up in a rural town playing in front of 600 people in a Rookie League?
Depends on the money I suppose.
Ruiz went in the 47th round as a third baseman. It should be a no-brainer that the recent Pacific Grove graduate will keep his athletic scholarship to Arizona State.
Of course, he'll have to wait until his junior year in college to see his name on the draft board again.
He'll be drafted again.
But how many players become Major Leaguers after being drafted beyond the 30th round?
If you're counting, that's about 700 players drafted in front of you.
I know it's tempting for Skyler Crawford and Abe Ruiz, who were both drafted Friday in Major League Baseball's amateur draft.
Crawford, who prepped at Salinas High, has a decision to make. This is the second straight year the Florida Marlins have drafted the Hartnell College prodigy.
This time the Marlins grabbed him 11 rounds higher at No. 30. He has leverage.
Obviously, they're interested in the right-hander and his 92 mph fastball. But he also has a full ride scholarhsip to play baseball at Cal.
Do you want to go to Cal and experience a big-time program. Or do you want to end up in a rural town playing in front of 600 people in a Rookie League?
Depends on the money I suppose.
Ruiz went in the 47th round as a third baseman. It should be a no-brainer that the recent Pacific Grove graduate will keep his athletic scholarship to Arizona State.
Of course, he'll have to wait until his junior year in college to see his name on the draft board again.
He'll be drafted again.
soledad football
Nine weeks from the start of football season and Soledad still doesn't have a head football coach.
Could this program be on the verge of shutting down?
Don't bet against it.
Soledad has had four coaches in four years. Last fall it won one game and was winless in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
Keeping athletes eligible has been a tall order.
For a school that has become the largest in the MTAL, how can it not find enough players to at least be competitive?
If you're a rival coach, do you really want a game like this on your schedule, where the only risk is a kid getting hurt?
Could this program be on the verge of shutting down?
Don't bet against it.
Soledad has had four coaches in four years. Last fall it won one game and was winless in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
Keeping athletes eligible has been a tall order.
For a school that has become the largest in the MTAL, how can it not find enough players to at least be competitive?
If you're a rival coach, do you really want a game like this on your schedule, where the only risk is a kid getting hurt?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
