Globe Article About Joplin's First COC Schedule

[sw5890]

http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/l...cle_21ce2f5f-4d13-5f02-9792-0e399ef0635c.html

If I were a Joplin fan I would be ecstatic to see this schedule with all these local teams on it. Joplin hasn't played any of them in a long time so I'm interested to see how they fare.

 

[tigershs]

http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/l...cle_21ce2f5f-4d13-5f02-9792-0e399ef0635c.html

If I were a Joplin fan I would be ecstatic to see this schedule with all these local teams on it. Joplin hasn't played any of them in a long time so I'm interested to see how they fare.

They should fare well. They are almost twice the size of most of the local schools they will play.

 

[LHSTiger81]

It should be interesting to see how they do against these teams.

 

[JNreturns]

7-2 with that schedule. At least four wins 20+.

The thing about being Class 4 and playing Class 6 isn't that you can't beat them...its the pounding they put on you because they have such a larger pool of players to go through..with a chance for more size and speed.

 

[wcfanfourever]

It should be interesting to see how they do against these teams.

How long has it been since Joplin has won a district/playoff game

 

[Eagles_Ball]

I'd be pumped if I was a Joplin coach!!! A lot less big yellow cheeseox time!

 

[mofootballcoach]

Has there ever been any talk about a second high school in Joplin?

 

[greenergrass]

7-2 with that schedule. At least four wins 20+.

The thing about being Class 4 and playing Class 6 isn't that you can't beat them...its the pounding they put on you because they have such a larger pool of players to go through..with a chance for more size and speed.

So how is this easier than the OC, The COC large has always had better football? Not sure about this post. 4-6. If they are lucky.

 

[hitch_and_go]

Joplin was very sophomoe heavy last year. They should be pretty good at least the next two years. They picked a good time to join .

 

[tigers#1fan]

Joplin will be lucky to go .500 against the teams listed. Unless being a class 6 team, they're (yes they're, not there, or their) gets 15+ players on the field instead of 11!!!

 

[Bear_Eagle]

Well being one of the few Joplin fans on here ill add some thoughts. This is a great move for Joplin. Parents and fans will get to see more games, I cant remember what it feels like to travel only 20 miles to an away game so we are pumped about that. As for size of schools, the entire conference is class 5 but Webb City and Carl junction. Nixa I believe will be a class 6 team someday soon and Ozark is not to far behind. I mean should we feel sorry for Webb, regardless of class one of the top 5 teams in Missouri every year. Webb will help Joplin prepare for class 6. Overall the COC teams are larger in school size I bet. Yes Joplin had some good soph playing last year so we will see if they improve. In my opinion Joplin will compete well next year Somewhere between 9-0 and 0-9 lol

 

[sw5890]

I think Joplin will do well, something to the effect of Joey's preduction. And they did pick a very good time to join following a excellent season with a ton of returning experience. If I had to guess I'd say then end up a bit like Carthage last year. Lose to the top 2, maybe a random garbage loss just from having a bad night somewhere. The games they don't lose will possibly be blowouts.

In my opinion, playing the COC isn't going to help Joplin in districts much more than the OC. I think it might help generate some more fan interest and participation, especially as some local rivalries are developed. But other than WC, no one in the COC is going to prepare them for that KC district. Even WC is probably a stretch most years.

 

[PartyMyWay]

I can't believe there is even a debate regarding which conference is tougher...OC vs COC? It's not even close, top to bottom the COC was and is much stronger. I do agree Joplin will be competitive next year, but won't challenge for the top spots.

 

[NorthWestBleachers]

I think Joplin has some great returning athletes and will have a thoroughly enjoyable season ... the fans will experience something Joplin hasn't experienced in a couple of three decades. It's an uphill battle for them to pull together in sports and this will definitely be a boost for them. The only 'negative' I would add? Don't OVERestimate what their Class 6 numbers bring them. They don't have what I think anyone is ready to call a 'strong program'. They have a class here or there with some good athletes and they'll have some momentum going into the season. I wouldn't automatically put the big red check mark next to DEPTH.

 

[sw5890]

Has there ever been any talk about a second high school in Joplin?

This topic has been brought up many times especially after the tornado and there was some push to rebuild as 2 but it was never given any serious consideration by the administration at the time.

I think the powers that be believe that a single high school is more economical and affords more educational opportunities to all students. Another factor I hear is that community leaders prefer the image of having everyone united under one school/mascot rather than division with this side or that side of town. It presents more of a "small town" image to prospective residents and employers rather than a larger city school system.

I like the idea of two, but the process of carving up the district would inevitably become political and messy and a ridiculous distraction. You'd have people with pull wanting to gerrymander the boundaries to fit certain criteria.

 

[JNreturns]

This topic has been brought up many times especially after the tornado and there was some push to rebuild as 2 but it was never given any serious consideration by the administration at the time.

I think the powers that be believe that a single high school is more economical and affords more educational opportunities to all students. Another factor I hear is that community leaders prefer the image of having everyone united under one school/mascot rather than division with this side or that side of town. It presents more of a "small town" image to prospective residents and employers rather than a larger city school system.

I like the idea of two, but the process of carving up the district would inevitably become political and messy and a ridiculous distraction. You'd have people with pull wanting to gerrymander the boundaries to fit certain criteria.

It changes things...see Liberty, Mo..soon to have two Class 6 schools.

 

[Bear_Eagle]

I can't believe there is even a debate regarding which conference is tougher...OC vs COC? It's not even close, top to bottom the COC was and is much stronger. I do agree Joplin will be competitive next year, but won't challenge for the top spots.

By top spots do you mean top 1 or top 3 or four? Who is probably the top teams next year? Just curious.

 

[Bear_Eagle]

I think Joplin has some great returning athletes and will have a thoroughly enjoyable season ... the fans will experience something Joplin hasn't experienced in a couple of three decades. It's an uphill battle for them to pull together in sports and this will definitely be a boost for them. The only 'negative' I would add? Don't OVERestimate what their Class 6 numbers bring them. They don't have what I think anyone is ready to call a 'strong program'. They have a class here or there with some good athletes and they'll have some momentum going into the season. I wouldn't automatically put the big red check mark next to DEPTH.

I agree we are a class 4/5 depth team. when we see KC class 6 teams they seem to be deeper and more athletic at 6/7 positions on the field. Now I dont except that it means we cant compete with them but its tough.

 

[Bear_Eagle]

This topic has been brought up many times especially after the tornado and there was some push to rebuild as 2 but it was never given any serious consideration by the administration at the time.

I think the powers that be believe that a single high school is more economical and affords more educational opportunities to all students. Another factor I hear is that community leaders prefer the image of having everyone united under one school/mascot rather than division with this side or that side of town. It presents more of a "small town" image to prospective residents and employers rather than a larger city school system.

I like the idea of two, but the process of carving up the district would inevitably become political and messy and a ridiculous distraction. You'd have people with pull wanting to gerrymander the boundaries to fit certain criteria.

If the average joe would have thought there was a chance to get two schools after the tornado we would have pushed for it. Now with the new school built it will probably never happen. The schools around us are growing slowly like we do down here so Joplin schools shouldnt have dramatic enrollment growth in the future.
Voting would probably split 50/50 (maybe better) on creating another school. 30 years ago Memorial families (north town, snob hill lol) had great influence on the two schools combining back to one. That same group felt sports ie football meant to much to Parkwood. So they took junior high sports and went intramural only, killing Joplin sports for years yet to get back but recently looking better.

 

[NorthWestBleachers]

I like your honesty Bear_Eagle.
It was said earlier that should the community have rallied around going back to two high schools those same 'powers that be' would have likely politicized it and strong-armed it into a disaster. Unfortunately, that's Joplin. They seem to have that problem in spades. Pulling for the Eagles to see some success in spite of it all!

 

[PartyMyWay]

By top spots do you mean top 1 or top 3 or four? Who is probably the top teams next year? Just curious.

Just my opinion, but probably 4th or 5th. 1. Webb 2. Carthage 3. CJ 4. Joplin (if they don't lose to Ozark, Willard, or Nixa)

 

[Rock Hard Corn Frog]

WC is the likely favorite in the COC next year but Joplin will contend for the next couple years . After that I can see them slipping to the middle of the pack.