bobcat4life

Slam, I understand what you are saying. I guess from a kids point of view they got beat by a school half its size, and one that isn't necessarily a power house year in and year out.  (For instance when Newton plays 3A teams, they win a lot.) So I understand the pro's, but the psychological cons may outweigh them.  I really do wish the best for LCM. 

One more general comment; LCM scrimmaging OF is a lose-lose for them.  If they win the scrimmage, everyone says, well you should have won.  If you lose it, it gets your kids down.  Not sure of the alternative, but it is definitely true. Best of luck to all of you Bear Fans and kids

Josh Smalley and his staff deserve a ton of credit.  They have those kids believing in what they are doing.  They averaged 65-70 kids per day at summer workouts, which is a huge percentage of the kids participating.  They are prepared to have success on the field because of the work they have done in the off season and summer. Now, they just have to keep moving forward and do it on the field.

OK Venom, I'll take that bet with that spread :) How much you got?

It is amazing that more teams don't run the Slot T with the success that people have had with it.  Buna, OF and Vidor are proving it is hard to defend!

Seems like it has come down to the BC-OF game for the last 4 years or so.  Even when OF has won, we can't seem to get over the point hump and are watching during the playoffs.  Unfortunately, it means something to beat your opponent by as many as possible!

This is why matchups in every sport our huge.  We didn't match up well against Silsbee, and not having several starters was huge.  If you read this thread, OF shouldn't have even showed up.  However, you can't predict anything other than high taxes and death! Good job Cats!

33-6 Orangefield at halftime

Completely unbiased opinion, my guess is 17-14 Jasper.

OF fumbled twice driving when it was still a game.  Had two 4th down plays end up disastrously.  OF is very young.  Will only lose a few seniors, so they have several kids on Varsity for the first time.  Funny someone should mention the fans.  My sons were discussing that at home, it holds true for all of our sports.  It's gonna take Smalley a while to turn things around, but he's on the right path! The boys just need a lil break in the schedule.  If we quit putting the ball on the ground it will help immensely.

My comments before were based off of what I have witnessed with Jasper teams in the last several years.  Guess that goes to show you what a difference a year can make! OF is young, and will get better as the year moves along.  They are trying to fill some holes that were left and it showed! I thnk everyone that knew anything about the schedule understood the first 4 games were gonna be a fight a battle.  We could very well be 0-4 going into district and still fight for a playoff spot. 

I'm gonna eat crow and tell you that I was shocked at the difference between this years Jasper team and last year.  There is a drastic difference.  I'm proud of our boys, they didn't get too down, and kept playing in the second half.  I'll have to say that is THE worst group of officials I've ever seen, although they were bad all the way around and had zero to do with the outcome.  Good luck to you guys, and I hope that your announcer has lost his voice next time we come to visit ya'll!!  :) 

I guess Jasper has earned a bit of respect through the years.  I agree with you though OF should be getting more respect than they are on the thread so far.  I think it will be a high scoring affair. [/quote] OF was only out of 2 games last year.  Coldsprings and BC.  All the rest they were at least competetive.  If OF was in the same district as jasper, they would have been in the playoffs the last 4 years.... jmo

Absolutely no way Jasper keeps OF under 30. Once OF decided to play they scored 28 in one half.  That was without Carl Wiley, who in my opinion is the best player hands down on OF's team. He is the same kid that had a 98 yard run last year against Jasper as a Sophmore.  The game will come down to turnovers and possession. It should be a good game. I do find it interesting that OF has won all but one of the games in the last several years, yet every pick has Jasper winning...

I personally hope Coach Smalley has a long and successful career at OF.  I also hope that several of the items of discipline that Huck brought to the program will be continued.  There is no question that the kids need a measure of discipline brought to the program.  I watched my oldest son cry when Smalley left back a few years ago. I didn't really know him at the time, but now I understand what he was upset about.  Smalley touches kids hearts wherever he goes, and now I get the chance to watch my youngest son play for him, and become a better young man from the experience.  If someone has a beef with an administrator or a school board member then by all means, look them up and discuss it with them.  However, it is time to get behind Coach Smalley and the rest of the coaches and be supportive of what they are bringing to the table.

I am thrilled that my son gets to play his senior year for Coach Smalley.  My stepson, (a junior) now plans to play.  I have heard nothing but positives from the kids in the community.  By the same token I would be very dissapointed if the other coaches that interviewed didn't stay on board.  As far as I'm concerned, Coach Prouse is one of the best coaches we've ever had at OF.  I also believe that all of these guys are personal friends, and can definitely work together.  As I said, I'm excited for the kids first, the school and community, and for the Smalley family.  They will all serve as a tremendous asset.

If you took what I had to say as myself, or anyone for that matter want a coach that allows disrespectful, partying kids, then that is sad.  I was talking in general terms.  There is absolutely no way that any coach or teacher had any blame in what happened with the boys, could have happened to any kids.  I was merely making the point that coaches/teachers have a unique opportunity to influence kids, and the more that are in the program the better.  Before you get to talking about ignorant statements it would be wise to find out the true meaning of what is meant.  I think you will find that I said, I am supportive of Huck or any coach that reaches out to kids to support them in their endeavors.  I want to be supportive of ALL KIDS, no matter if they are playing football, basketball, or the kids that don't play sports at all and their thing is debate.

The moral to the story about her, is why is it too much to ask to have an AD that accepts every kid.  Many of these young men and women are reaching out for a father figure at home because they don't have one.  As you well know I have a soft spot for kids, and all the kids, not just mine.  My heart goes out to some of them, and as you know I open my home up to them as well.  So I just don't see where it is a huge leap to ask people who are in the profession of motivating as many kids as possible, and to make a difference in their lives, to do it.  I know this, when coaches and teachers are mentors to these kids, maybe just maybe, a few of them will decide that they don't want to let down their coach and will stay away from some of these parties. So if I seem a little sensitive on this issue it is because there isn't a day that goes by that I don't look at a room where a young man stayed that is no longer with us.  Every single time I go to a basketball game I am reminded of the young man that would have been beside my son playing. So yes, I believe that is all of responsiblity to help these young people get to adulthood. And I believe that an AD has a unique opportunity to play a significant role in these kids lives.

One more thought that came to my head that I thought I would share, and then you can take this and start a new thread if you like lol There is a particular elementary teacher that in my humble opinion is probably one of the best teachers in OF.  For years she has consistently gotten kids that are a little bit more difficult to deal with because she makes sure to include them and not stick them in a corner to discipline all year long because they don't fit a particular "mold." She looked at each of these kids as a blessing, and an opportunity to help, not as a hinderance or a disturbance to the rest of the class.  I remember one particular time she had like 4 kids that other teachers had labled as "issues."  Those are the type teachers that deserve as many accolades as we can give them.  I'll give you 2 guesses who I am talking about Solo and you can respond on a PM if you like :)

Also, I received a text this morning from someone that was reading, and asking what is going on.  Let's be clear, I don't really dislike anyone, and am not saying what I am saying based on anything but what I feel is best for all of the kids in OF.  I don't care if it is Huck, or whoever.  I will be totally supportive of an AD, Coach, teacher, volunteer in the community or whatever as long as they are supportive of all of the kids.  I don't have an ax to grind with anyone. My main motivation for posting on here is to support friends that I have known for literally 40 years. They are the ones doing their thankless job for zero pay, it is because they have a vested interest in the community, and their loyalty doesn't lie with a paycheck or some personal glory. One of the board members graduated from HS with me.  I would challenge anyone to show me a person with a kinder heart than she has.  It is amazing to me that everyone jumps on a bandwagon to support a teacher or coach, and yet won't do the same thing with a board member.

I was kidding with you about the being on the message board :) I'm gonna change your name to Mr. Sensitive :D I didn't name the name of the teacher. I agree that there is no way that everyone can be a great teacher or coach, however I will say this the best teacher I ever had was Coach Condrey (sp?) for Texas History in 7th grade.  He literally gave me a love for history.  In the mean time I had a lot of good teachers, and to be honest, I wasn't exactly a stellar student :) However, history is what motivated me and when I stepped into US history at a junior the teacher said, and I quote, "I hate history, I don't know why we have it, but since it is part of the curriculum we will just get through the year." Now you tell me my friend, is that a teacher that the school would want to keep around forever? I will say this, of all of the teachers that I personally had at OF AND the teachers all of my kids have had while going there I would say that 95% of them range from good to great.  There is nothing wrong Mr. Sensitive,  8) with encouraging all of them to step up.  Are you with me now bud?

maybe you and I should just call each other and talk about all this :)

I agree with the fact that teachers and coaches get paid a pittance for their efforts.  However, I know some teachers that were there when I was in school that were HORRIBLE.  And were still there up until they finally retired a few years ago. My personal opinion is that teachers have more protection than average people in the workforce.  After all, how many people at OF that you know have actually been relieved of thier duties for poor performance? The coach we discussed is one of the few.  Here is the deal, people that do a good job don't have to worry about it. I mean, you must be doing a good job since they let you get on message boards all day... lol

To be totally honest, I know that he was reassigned for supposedly pushing a kid down in PE.  Josh was in that class and said he had no idea what was going on.  I have always hated that he left, I think it was a loss for the school.

And Solo, the reason I said I agreed with you is because I really did :) I think the track program should be pushed more.  I saw the best High School track coach we have ever had last week in BC watching the pole vaulters.  I wondered to myself just how awesome Ty Johnson could have been in pole vault if he would have still been here.