For my part, I’ll admit to posting some things that were better left unsaid or, at least, stated with more tact.
Admit to being guilty as accused.
Clown-like? Subjective statement that additional clarification may help with. MoSports has long had a touch of goofiness and humor, but I think you mean something different.
Racist accusations? Not from you, but I’ve come to find that you’ve got some common sense. There are others here tossing that label around like Mardi Gras beads.
The jealousy accusation? Oh, I suppose that could come into play for a couple, but I’d like to believe most here want all those kids to take advantage of their opportunities and to be successful.
It comes down to one thing - LuthN amassing all those kids at a tiny school that can never be duplicated in but maybe two other class 2 programs (private ones in Metropolitan areas).
* Lutheran N should not be prevented from trying to be as good as they can be (provided players come to them and not vice versa...and I can see why kids would want to be there)
* I am glad LN provides an alternative for some of those kids who live in public school districts to have a better option.
* My experiences with LN, although many years ago, were great ones. Very hospitable, friendly. Kids played well, no nonsense, all business.
Consider, however,
1. Their situation, with the exception of Ritter, could not be replicated anywhere else in class 2. They play Grandview this week - a team who had to shut down their program due to lack of interest a couple of years ago. Notable football alum from Grandview include a kid who walked on the Culver Stockton in 1989 and quit in week 2.
* Our playoff system needs some serious evaluation. Grandview, nor Lutheran N, are getting anything out of this.
2. “People don’t complain about Valle, Borgia, etc.... “ Okay, granted, not as much, but they still do...or did when they were on top. Many years, it was apparent they had better talent, but you’d REALLY hear some carping if Valle or Borgia had 12 + D1 signees on one squad. Hint: THEY NEVER HAVE
*Now, you can’t place teams in classes based on talent; however, that class system was designed with the intent to keep the talent levels among each class somewhat even. That intent has been skewed immensely.
3. The claim that Lutheran North has developed all these kids into D1 prospects is the epitome of delusions of grandeur. I have no doubt they work them hard and make them better. I admire the attention they put into getting kids noticed.
Colleges recruit kids based on one thing only: raw, natural talent.
Period.
*Had a first team all state O-linemen one year. Solid. Great person, hard worker, played his tail off. He was having trouble with the science and math portion of the ACT. Got him tutors, he took it over and over again. His grades were good, but man, that ACT! Eventually, sent film of him to some jucos in Texas. They loved him, courted him, official visit. I went down with him (15 hour drive). First thing they did was measure him. 6’3”.
Oh, so sorry, we’re not offering to any offensive lineman under 6’4”.
We turned around and drove back. So silly, sad and frustrating.
Had another O-lineman. Kid could do it all. Huge, fast, could run. Met all the specs. Thing was, he was also soft and egocentric. Big U is in our office and gloating over this kid. I told the line coach, “I hate to tell you this, but in shooting you straight, you may consider looking elsewhere.” Big U Coach is flabbergasted and seemed offended. He asked, shocked, “What are you telling me this for?”
My answer: “Because one day, we’re going to have a player that’s legit and I want to be believed when I call you about him”.
Big U offered this kid anyway....and he quit on them within a week and a half.
These D1 programs are looking for a mold, that’s it, nothing more. Getting kids exposure these days is easy! Don’t even have to dub the dozens of video cassettes, box them, and mail them off, either. With hudl, it’s real hard for a D1 athlete to slip under the radar.
Let it be known I have no horse in the race. I’m retired from coaching, my son is no longer playing. I’m all for Lutheran N being as good as they can be. I admire them stepping up and taking on some bigger programs recently. They’re STILL totally out matching these teams in talent; in fact, they may be the most talented team in the state.
I guess it’s our system that really irks me and I don’t know how Lutheran N can actually feel good about beating anyone in class 2.
I’d put them in class 6 and think they may have a decent shot at it. They would probably win 4 and be right in the thick of things in class 5.
Exhaustive post over,
Leo Tolstoy
