2-Minute Drill podcast - March 31, 2014

The Other Side of the Lens: Amp Up Videos

by Greg Gerber

Greenfield High School Video Coordinator & Wide Receivers Coach

Follow @CoachMitts

Amp-up videos are a very important part of football.  We use them to get the blood flowing and the adrenaline cranked up.  After all, don’t we all share the guilty pleasure of combing through YouTube trying to find videos that showcase big hits, amazing catches or plays where the running back breaks 24 tackles and does a flip at the end?  Well now you, too, can make your own amp up video using the team’s Hudl account (and your own athletes’ amazing plays).  Welcome to Amp-up Video Creation 101!  Follow these simple instructions to showcase your team and get them pumped for the following week’s game! 

High School Football America Top 25

By Jeff Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
High School Football America
Follow @HSFBamerica

Three of our teams suffered surprising losses over the weekend, which has shuffled the deck in the lastest High School Football America Top 25.

Falling-out are Camden County (Georgia), St. Edward (Ohio) and St. Joseph's Prep (Pennsylvania).  All three suffered their first loses of the season over the weekend.

New this week, Bentonville (Arkansas), St. John Bosco (California) and Allen (Texas). 

Bosco is interesting because they have four losses, but all four are forfeits from using an ineligible player earlier this year.  The Braves are undefeated on the field and won the extremely tough Trinity League title.

Allen is back-in after climbing as high as #11 before losing to current #20 Coppell.

High School Football America Top 25

1. Manatee (Bradenton, FL) 10-0
Manatee closes out an unbeaten regular season with a 49-6 win over Lakewood Ranch. Next up: Northeast in first round of Florida 7A playoffs on Friday. Last Week: #1

2. DeSoto (Texas) 10-0
The Eagles avoided an upset by scoring 15 unanswered points in the 4^th quarter to beat Manfield 37-23 Next up: Harker Heights (5-6) in first round of Texas 5A Division I playoffs on Saturday. Last week #2

3. John Curtis (River Ridge, LA) 10-0
The Patriots’ defense continues to roll with fourth straight shutout and sixth in the last seven games. JC beat Pope John Paul II 64-0 in opening round of Louisiana’s 2A playoffs. Next up: North Webster (7-4) on Friday. Last Week: #3

4. Bellevue (Washington) 11-0
The Wolverines win streak now 37 straight after 28-0 win over Ferndale. Next up: Peninsula (9-2) in 3A quarterfinals on Friday. Next Week: #4

5. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 10-0
Idle. Next up: Pittsburg (9-2) on Friday in CIF North Coast playoffs. Last Week: #6

6. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, CA) 11-0
Broncos’ star Su’a Cravens didn’t play in the first round of the postseason in 34-6 win over South Hills. Next up: Norco (7-4) in quarterfinals of CIF Inland Division playoffs on Friday Last Week: #7

7. Hoover (Alabama) 12-0
Bucs advanced to 2^nd round of Alabama 6A playoffs with a 38-7 victory over Shades Valley. Next up: Pell City (7-5) in 2^nd Round of 6A playoffs on Friday. Last Week: #8

8. Ensworth (Nashville, TN) 11-0
No problems for the Tigers in 37-7 win over McCallie that moves them to within two wins of a Tennessee Division II-AA state championship. Next up: Montgomery Bell Academy in Division II AA semifinals on Friday. Last Week: #9

9. Katy (Texas) 10-0
The finish a perfect regular season with a 41-6 win over Memorial. Katy averaged over 49 points a game during the regular season . Next up: Westbury (3-7) in the Texas 5A Division II first round on Thursday. Last Week: #10

10. Butler (Matthews, NC) 12-0
Bulldogs beat arch-rival Independence for the second time this year. Friday’s 55-26 over the Patriots moves the Bulldogs into the NCHSAA 4-AA quarterfinals. Next up: East Forsyth (13-0) on Friday. Last Week: #12

11. Narbonne (Harbor City, CA) 11-0
Gauchos’ appear primed to win back-to-back Los Angeles City Section Division I titles after 57-14 win over Locke. Next up: Garfield (6-5) on Friday in CIF-City Section quarterfinals. Last Week: #11

12. University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 7-0
Did not play. Next up: Cardinal Newman (9-1) in Florida Class 3A opening round. Last Week: #13

13. Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) 12-0
Cardinals’ are now in the Ohio Division 1 quarters after a 35-34 overtime win over Elder. Next up: Archbishop Moeller (9-3) on Saturday. Last Week: #14

14. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada) 10-1
Gaels top 70 points for third straight game in 71-28 win over Palo Verde. Next up: Nevada 4A Championship vs. Centennial (9-2) on Friday. Last Week: #15

15. North Allegheny (Wexford, PA) 11-0
Tigers beat Bethel Park 42-14 to advance to the WPIAL 4A semis. Next up: Seneca Valley (10-1) on Friday. Last Week: #16

16. Good Counsel (Maryland) 10-1
Good Counsel earned a rematch with arch-rival DeMatha for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference with a 21-7 win over St. Johns. Next up: DeMatha (9-2) on Sunday. Last Week: #17

17. Steele (Cibolo, TX) 10-0
The Knights finish a perfect 10-0 in the regular season with a 42-14 win over Southwest. Next up: Marshall (5-5) in Texas 5A Division II playoffs. Last Week: #19

18. Grayson (Loganville, GA) 9-1
Defending AAAAA champs beat Brookwood 42-13. Next up: Wheeler (6-4) in 1^st Round of Georgia AAAAAA playoffs. Last Week: #20

19. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NY) 7-1
The Ironmen beat Hackensack 42-8. Next up: St. Augustine Prep (7-1) on Friday in NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 quarterfinals. Last Week: #20

20. Coppell (Texas) 10-0
The Cowboys move into the postseason with a perfect 10-0 record after a 41-3 win over Lewisville. Next up: MacArthur (7-3) in the opening round of the Texas Class 5A Division I playoffs. Last Week: #22

21. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 11-1
The defending Division 1 champs are back in the state quarters after shutting-out North Royalton 56-0. Next up: Mentor (11-1) on Saturday Last Week: #24

22. Trinity (Louisville, KY) 10-1
The Shamrocks are seeking their 10^th title in 12^th year. Trinity moved to the state quarters with a 62-8 win over Madison Central. Next up: St. Xavier (8-4) on Friday. Last Week: $25

23. Bentonville (Arkansas) 10-0
New to the poll after being idle last week. Next up: West Memphis (8-3) in Arkansas 7A quarterfinals. Last Week: NR

24. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) 7-4
The Braves four losses were by forfeit for using an ineligible player otherwise a perfect 11-0 on the field. Next up: Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks (8-3) in CIF Pac-5 quarterfinals. Last Week: NR  

25. Allen (Texas) 9-1
The Eagles return to the Top 25 after beating Plano 35-34. Only loss is to #20 Coppell in overtime. Next up: Richardson (5-5) in Texas 5A Division I first round. Last Week: NR

Dropped-out:
#5 Camden County (GA), #13 St. Edward (OH), #22 St. Joseph’s Prep (PA)

Others receiving consideration in alphabetical order:
Abilene (Texas), American Heritage (Florida), Archbishop Moeller (OH), Byrnes (SC), Camden County (Georgia), Glenbard West (Illinois),  Goose Creek (South Carolina), Lassiter (Georgia), Jordan (Utah), Mission Viejo (California), Norcross (Georgia), Santa Margarita (California) Southlake Carroll (Texas), Whitmer (Ohio)

New National Top 25

By Jeff Fisher
HSFA Editor-in-Chief

There are two newcomers to this week’s High School Football America Top 25.

Overall, it was a fairly easy weekend for the Top 25 teams with only #11 Allen (Texas) and #21 Bolingbrook (Illinois) losing. #16 Narbonne (California) was challenged by Mater Dei, one of the top teams in Southern California.

With Allen and Bolingbrook falling out of the poll, two teams with one loss make their debut.

Grayson (Georgia), which opened the season with hopes of claiming a national championship, enters our poll at #24, while defending national champ Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey) takes over the #25 slot.

This week, the nation’s #1 team, Santa Margarita, will receive its first test since losing quarterback Johnny Stanton to season-ending knee surgery. The Eagles, who had a bye week, will face Servite in their Trinity League opener.

Two other ranked teams will be challenged by strong opponets this week when #21 Good Counsel hosts DeMatha in a Maryland showdown and #23 North Allegheny squares-off with fellow western Pennsylvania-power Gateway.

High School Football America Top 25

1. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) 5-0

Santa Margarita opens Trinity League play this week, one of the toughest leagues in the country. It will be the Eagles first game without quarterback Johnny Stanton (Nebraska verbal), who had successful knee surgery Friday. Next up: Servite Last Week: #1

2. Manatee (Bradenton, FL) 4-0
QB Cord Sanberg (Mississippi St. verbal) accounted for 4 TDs in 52-13 win over Southeast. Win was 270^th of head coach Joe Kinnan’s career. Next up: Braden River on Friday. Last Week: #2

3. DeSoto (Texas) 5-0
Eagles defense stuffed South Grand Prairie in 40-7 win Friday. DeSoto has a bye this week. Last week #3

4. John Curtis (River Ridge, LA) 5-0
The Patriots top the 50 point mark for the second straight game in 59-0 win over Riverside. It was also JC’s second straight shutout. Next up: Carver on Saturday. Last Week: #4

5. Byrnes (Duncan, SC) 6-0
Another big game for Rebels QB Shuler Bentley with 375 yards and 5 TDs in 49-7 win over Spartanburg. Next up: Riverside on Friday. Last Week: #5

6. Bellevue (Washington) 5-0
The Wolverines roll with their third straight shutout. Bellevue beat Juniata 49-0. Next up: Interlake on Friday. Next Week: #6

7. De La Salle (Concord, CA) 5-0
The Spartans defense limited Livermore, who was averaging 313 yards per game on the ground, to just 53 yards rushing in 57-0 victory. Next up: Foothill on Friday. Last Week: #7

8. Trinity (Louisville, KY) 6-0
Over 30,000 watched Trinity beat its arch-rival St. Xavier 34-7. The Shamrocks win streak reaches 31 straight. Next up: DuPont Manual on Friday. Last week: #8

9. St. Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) 6-0
Wildcat head coach Charles Kyle wins #296 in 35-7 victory over Glenville. Next up: John Adams on Saturday Last Week: #9

10. Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) 3-1
The Crusaders rebound from one-point loss to St. Joseph with a 62-20 win over previously undefeated Passiac Tech. 5 TDs passes for BC QB Jon Germano. Next up: DePaul on Saturday Last Week: #10

11. Camden County (Kingsland, GA) 4-0
The Wildcats Wing-T offense picked-up 278 yards on the ground to beat Valdosta 43-6. Next up: Coffee on Friday Last Week: #12

12. Hoover (Alabama) 6-0
Hoover wins the battle of unbeatens topping Vestavia Hills 35-15. Next up: Bessemer City on Friday Last Week: #12

13. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, CA) 5-0
The Broncos scored on its first six possessions to beat Palisades 42-6. Next up: Temecula Valley on Friday Last Week: #14

14. Ensworth (Nashville, TN) 7-0
The Tigers raced-out to a 42 point halftime lead on the way to a 49-0 win over Pope John Paul II. Next up: Montgomery Bell Academy. Last Week: #15

15. Narbonne (Harbor City, CA) 5-0
For the second straight week the Gauchos knocked-off an unbeaten SoCal power. This time it was Mater Dei 18-17. Next up Carson on Friday. Last Week: #16

16. Butler (Matthews, NC) 6-0
Bulldog back-up QB Zach Gross continues to play well while Riley Ferguson heals from a broken hand. Gross had 2 TD passes in 60-0 win over East Mecklenberg. Next up: Ardrey Kell on Friday. Last Week: #17

17. Katy (Texas) 4-0
The Tigers handed Morton Ranch its first loss of the season 62-24. Next up: Mayde Creek on Saturday Last Week: #18

18. University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 3-0
University’s has now gone three weeks with playing a football game. This week they will be tested against unbeaten Chaminade-Madonna in a 3A District 8 showdown. Last Week: #19

19. Colerain (Cincinnati, OH) 6-0
Cardinals’ junior running back Detuan Smith rushed for 200 yards and three 3 TDs in 35-0 shutout of Mason. Next up: Middletown on Friday. Last Week: #20

20. Bishop Gorman (Nevada) 4-1
The Gaels played their first Nevada opponent and had to problems in a 70-0 shutout of Legacy. Next up: Cimarron-Memorial on Friday. Last Week: #22

21. Good Counsel (Maryland) 4-1
The Falcons were idle last week. Two weeks to focus on arch-rival DeMatha on Friday. Last Week: #23

22. Steele (Cibolo, TX) 5-0The offense, averaging 43 points a game this year, continued to click in 42-14 win over San Marcos. This week is a bye week for Steele. Last Week: #24

23. North Allegheny (Wexford, PA) 5-0
Mack Leftwich tossed 4 TD passes as the Tigers beat Butler 49-0. Next up: unbeaten Gateway on Friday. Last Week: #25

24. Grayson (Loganville, GA) 4-1
The Rams have won two straight since its 22-7 loss to Parkview. The defending AAAAA champs beat Shiloh on Friday 45-27. Next up: Central Gwinnett on Friday. Last Week: NR

25. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, NY) 3-1
The defending national champs enter the poll after another solid road interstate win. The Ironmen beat Utah-power Alta 53-24. DBP also beat Florida’s St. Thomas Aquinas on the road on September 14. Next up: Fair Lawn. Last Week: NR

Dropping out: #11 Allen (Texas) lost to Coppell 27-24 in OT and #21 Bolingbrook (Illinois) lost to Lincoln-Way East 42-19

Others receiving consideration in alphabetical order:

Allen (Texas), American Heritage (Florida), Bentonville (Arkansas), Carmel (Indiana), Coppell (Texas), Lassiter (Georgia)

*Through games of September 30, 2012

"The Turnaround": Another Close Call

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Lubbock Cooper Pirates vs. Lubbock High

Location - Lubbock, TexasStadium - Lowrey Field at Plains Capital Park
Time - 8:00 p.m.
Captains - Joel Rivera, Raleigh Anderson, Keefe Gallagher, Dom Adame
Coin Toss - We want the ball (Cooper won toss and deferred).

Westerner Key's to victory:
1. Finish drives
2. Ball security/protect the ball
3. Red Zone efficiency (just score!)

Tidbits:

Coach Strunk's Cooper Note
Board

LHS had lost 24 straght games heading into this contest... Cooper is a state-ranked opponent that is located just outside Lubbock city limits... Weather was cool...perfect football weather...crowd approximately 8,000... 

Game Notes:

There is no point in going blow-by-blow on this game. This game was lost on two crucial drives.

With the Westerners up 21-19 in the first half, we had the ball with about 6 minutes to go in the quarter. We were moving the ball pretty good all game. We had it in our hands again. This time we had a chance to go up 28-19 at the half! A lead that would have been the difference in the game. A lead that could have snapped the streak. A lead that, well, simply put, could have been the LEAD of the year.

As it turns out, we marched inside the 5 yard line and came away empty... again. We mixed up the play calling well, I thought. RB Brandon Hernandez was hit for a loss on 1st down. 2nd down we were nailed with a sack. All of a sudden we are back to the 14. On 3rd down, we were sacked again. However, we caught a break as Cooper was called for an offside penalty. This set up and 3rd and goal from the 9. We tried Brandon on a run again. Why? He is an All District Running Back that carries people with him. He makes things happen. Also, I didn't want to be stuck with a 4th and 9. Percentages say, the lesser the yards, the higher the execution rate. I was hoping for very manageable 4th and 4 or 5.

Brandon was hit again in the backfield again. This time getting back to the LOS. I was right where I didn't want to be: 4th and goal from the 9. Kicking a field goal was not in my plans. I have all the confidence in the world in our kicker, Ryan Rodriguez, however, at some point we need to overcome this red zone funk. I can't always kick field goals, especially in a few weeks once district games start. They need to learn to finish. Finish a drive! If we could put 7 on the board it would have been the giant step we need to take!

On 4th and 9, QB Layven Armendariz dropped back and fired a bullet over the middle at WR Bam Jackson. He was open. Bam was walking in with a TD... except a Cooper LB got his hand up at the last second and tipped the ball up and over Bam's head. TD lost. Turnover on downs. 28-19 lead not to be had.

My thought at this point was, let's get into half with the 21-19 lead. Our defense came out and did their job. We got the ball back and ran out the clock. We will take a halftime lead any day of the week. We were up at half on a state ranked opponent. Not a situation too many people would feel down about. 

We felt we could sustain the lead and grind out one more score. Cooper was receiving the 2nd half kick. If we could get a stop and punch one in, we would be alright. Cooper had other plans, however.

Cooper took the opening drive and scored. Their QB threw a long TD to beat our man coverage. I personally felt our coverage was good. CB Amadeo Conyers was in good shape. Travis Windham, the Cooper QB, threw one heck of a ball. Give them credit. Cooper up 27-21. 

We weren't worried. We kept the sore this way until we began a drive with eight minutes left in the 4th quarter. We faced a 3rd and 9 in Cooper territory. from the 48, Armendariz hit Cory Schovanec on the outside. "Schov" caught it, made a move, put his hand on the ground, and off he went. 44 yards later, we are on the 4 yard line. Five minutes to go. Down by 6. On the 4. Time to punch this in and get the "W".

On 1st down, Hernandez carried to the 2 yard line. 3 plays to get two yards! On 2nd and goal from the 2, Armendariz kept it. He was dropped for a loss. now we were looking at 3rd and goal from the 6. No panic. We felt we were going to be fine.

On 3rd and 6 we slipped Brandon out on a screen to the right. He was WIDE open. The only thing between Brandon and the end zone was turf. Turf! Layven released the ball. A strike, so it seemed, until Cooper's DE stuck his left hand out and tipped the ball away. The ball falls to the turf and you could hear the roar of the crowd turn to a groan. He was clearly open.

Now we had another 4th down. Had to get the ball into the end zone. We liked all of our options. This was the make or break play of the game. Everything we wanted was right in front of us. All the frustrations could end, right here, right now. It was time.

Layven dropped back. He peeked the post in the end zone. He didn't like it. He checked to number 2. He didn't like it. Layven stepped up in the pocket. He never checked off to #3. He was dropped for a sack before he could ever get the ball out. Our #3 check down, Brandon Hernandez, was standing wide open to the left. We just didn't get it out to him. Ball game over. Cooper (who added a safety late) wins 29-21. If we punch it in, the safety never happens and we win 28-27, assuming our D had one more stop in them.

Possibly 4 yards from victory. We were on the doorstep again. Can we get any closer?

I will say this. Layven Armendariz is one of the toughest players I have ever been around. We don't want anyone else back there running the offense. Next time out, he makes that play and we pull it out. He is a solid QB and he is our guy all the way to the end. Layven, you are an excellent QB and we have nothing but good times ahead of us. Mental toughness and attitude! You have everything it takes.

Another tough loss to swallow. But we swallowed it. I didn't give them any time to hang their heads. We were back in on Saturday at 9 a.m. No time to rest. Time to work and work harder, at that. 

We enter our bye week this week. We have two weeks to get ready for the Andrews Mustangs. We will be ready!

Good times are ahead! I have no doubt about that!

Talk to you tomorrow....

"The Turnaround": Ready for Cooper

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

We had a cold front move in today. Practice was nice and refreshing, a huge change of pace or us. The heat, especially on the turf, can be unrelenting. The gray overcast skies were also a nice change. Actually, it felt more like a practice in Pennsylvania yesterday during this time of year. The temps were in the low 60's. I would take that every day!

The welcomed cool weather provided a boost in our energy. Very crisp, sound practice today. I have really been liking our Thursday approach to practice. All we need to do now is transfer Thursday into Friday nights. It is easier said then done. However, like I have said all week, we are close to busting out of this. Right at the top of the hill, teetering on success. Once it tips in our favor, watch out. These kids are hungry! They want to succeed and they want to taste victory!

After practice we marched up to the team dining hall and our weekly spaghetti dinner. It is amazing to watch the amount of food these guys consume. Even more amazing is the relationships that are being forged on this team. There is a sense of family in pride in tht team dining hall. It is fun to watch this grow.

Good news...our black jersey's (the one's shipped off for repairs) arrived back in Lubbock today. That means we are going all black tonight. The kids really get pumped when we go all black. Let's hoepe this helps in some fashion tomorrow night!

Concussion Rules...I have fielded numerous questions this week about concussion rules, particularly about helmets coming off during play. In case you missed it last week, our RB, Brandon Hernandez (200 total yards), carried the ball down to the 1 yard line late in the 4th quarter.  Unfortunatley, for us, his helmet popped off. Once a helmet comes off during play, it is MANDATED that the player leave the field of play for at least one snap. 

You cannot call a timeout in this instance. The player must sit for a single snap. There is nothing I could have done in this scenario. Brandon's helmet came off and he had to come out. We didn't score... but we should have. From the 1 yard line you need to be able to score with anybody on your roster. Sure, it hurt not having Brandon in, but the bottom line is we didn't score and it was there to score. The blame is on us, not a rule.

Tomorrow is game day!! Time to get after it!!


Editor's Note: Lubbock plays Cooper tonight. The Westerners are looking to snap their 24-game losing streak.

"The Turnaround": Duane Toliver, Defensive Coordinator

by Jason Strunk

Lubbock High School Head Coach

Lubbock Defensive Coordinator Duane Toliver
Photo courtesy of Paul Anderson

When I came into LHS I had no idea who I was going to retain. One guy I am thankful I kept on board is DC - Duane Toliver.

Duane is a high-energy coach who builds solid rapport with our kids. His intensity tunnels through the defense every day in practice and every Friday night. Our defense plays with a tremendous amount of passion. I think last Friday night against Coronado was the best we have looked on D since our arrival. What that tells me is, Coach Toliver and the defense are evolving and growing into the players we need. He has done an outstanding job!

Duane and his family join my family every Sunday night for dinner at our house. The Toliver's bring their kids over to play with our two rugrats as well. It is house full of fun chaos for a couple of hours. I wouldn't have it any other way!

All of us at LHS are lucky to have Duane on our side. Once we get this thing rolling here he will be in-line for a head coaching position somewhere (I just hope I can hang on to him for as long as I can).

Toliver Bio

Coach Toliver (left) getting after it
Photo courtesy of Paul Anderson

Duane Toliver is entering his 13th year of coaching.  He graduated from Knox City High School in 1996.  While at Knox City he was an All State football and basketball player.  He was also the state runner-up in the discus at the State track meet.  He then attended Texas Tech University, where he played collegiate football.  At Texas Tech he was Academic All Big 12.  Upon his graduation from Texas Tech in 1999, Coach Toliver entered the coaching ranks at Slaton Jr. High (1999-2000).  Then he moved to Lubbock-Cooper  (2000-2002) to become the offensive line coach.  He was a part of the staff that led Lubbock Cooper to their first ever berth into the state playoffs.  From Lubbock-Cooper he moved on to Midland Lee (2002-2004) and Shallowater High School (2004-2007).  This will be Coach Toliver’s fifth year at Lubbock High School. Through the years Coach Toliver has coached in countless playoff games and he has coached 10 different division I athletes. 

He and his wife Michelle have two children.  Trajan Duane (7) and Jordyn Kamile (5). 

Editor's Note from Jeff Fisher: Lubbock head football coach Jason Strunk began writing his daily blog on August 29th.  Every post can be read here on this blog and in the coming weeks on our newly redesigned High School Football America website.  In the meantime, to access his older posts or read from the beginning, click here or go to our Blog Archives in the righthand column beneath Follow us on Twitter.  Follow Coach Strunk on Twitter @WestTXCoach

"The Turaround": Coach Tull, One of the Boys

by Jason Strunk
Lubbock High School Head Coach

Coach Strunk in action
Photo courtesy of Lubbock Avalanche-Journal 

We started practice off yesterday a little today than usual. OC/OL coach Neal Tull went against some of our players in  a OL/DL pass rush drill. Obvioulsy, nobody had hemets on. Whenever the kids see a coach get involved in a drill they immedialtey become excited. This was the case yesterday. 

I felt it was getting a little stale and boring at practice. I like to mix it up and avoid falling into the same old dull routine. So yesterday, following a tough loss, was a perfect time to switch things up. In my opinion, it was what we needed and the kids responded with a good practice. 72 hours following our loss to Coronado, there are no signs that the game even existed. That is always good news.

The coaching staff this week is focused on raising the expectation levels of practice. Our job is to the show the team that we are not backing off from what we expect from them. Now isn't the time to let up and feel sorry for ourselves. It is time to kick it in high gear and start getting some wins. They will respond. When that first paycheck comes (a win) they will be looking for that check every Friday. It becomes addicting. Our guys haven't experienced that as of yet... but they will. We are very, very close to putting it all together!

Following practice we got a good lift in. We lift three times a week during the season. Our objective is to maintain the max weights they ended the summer with. I never understood why teams would lift all year and then stop when the season starts. If you have a 300lb bencher in August, you want him benching 300 in October too, not 250. Strength training and nutrition are the backbone of everything we do here. I will talk about this a lot over the course of this season. 

Some awards for Coronado game:

Offensive MVP - RB, Brandon Hernandez (200 total yards)
The Black Hammer Award - Safety, Keefe Gallagher (2 weeks in a row)
Special Teams Player - Punter, Dalequoin Love (great job with considering the wind he dealt with).

Later today, I will be putting together the second of our coacing staff features. This week it is going to be Defensive Coordinator, Duane Toliver. 

Arkansas High School Football Scoreboard - Week 1

Arkansas High School Football Scores
Friday, September 5, 2008

7A
Bryant 36 vs. Benton 12
FS Southside 22, LR Catholic 14
Bentonville 42, Conway 3
Webb City, Mo. 36, Rogers 33
Alma 35, Van Buren 14
Jefferson City, Mo. 45, Springdale 21
Rogers Heritage 52, Springfield (Mo.) Parkview 29
Fayetteville 35, LR Central 0
Pine Bluff 28, FS Northside 26
North Little Rock 17, Texarkana 0
Russellville 20, Morrilton 6
Springdale Har-Ber 45, Greenwood 15

6A
Jonesboro 49 vs Nettleton 18
Cabot 41, Jacksonville 15
North Pulaski 21, Searcy 15
Mills 40, LR Parkview 0
Marion 15, Wynne 13
West Memphis 39, Forrest City 0
Warren 54, Watson Chapel 16
Texas 30, Lake Hamilton 22
Mountain Home 43, Highland 0
Hot Springs 42, LR Fair 14
El Dorado 31, Camden Fairview 27
LR Hall 38, LR McClellan 6

5A
Vilonia 16 vs. Monticello 13 (Mon. at UAPB)
Jonesboro 49 vs Nettleton 18 (at ASU)
Siloam Springs 27, Farmington 14
Harrison 42, Huntsville 7
Pulaski Oak Grove 21, LR Christian 7
Sheridan 17, Arkadelphia 12
Nashville 48, Hope 0
CAC 23, PB Dollarway 14
Blytheville 28, Osceola 13
Magnolia 38, Crossett 22
Helena-West Helena Central 46, Pulaski Academy 29
Batesville 24, Newport 14
Beebe 28, Greenbrier 14
Sylvan Hills 25, Malvern 0
Pulaski Robinson 18, Hamburg 0
HS Lakeside 28, White Hall 23 Paragould 20, Greene Co. Tech 0

4A
Lonoke 35, Dumas 20 (Mon. at UAPB)
Gravette 27, Clarksville 16
Hoxie 35, Heber Springs 14 (Thurs. at Harding University)
Greenland 46, West Fork 27 (Tues. at Bentonville)
Bald Knob 32, Bauxite 16
Shreveport Evangel, La. 47, Shiloh Christian 9
Charleston 27, Ozark 6
Yellville-Summit 28, Berryville 20
Dardanelle 25, Danville 7
Glen Rose 41, Ashdown 14
Booneville 17, Mena 13
CAC 23, Dollarway 14
Gosnell 40, Dexter, Mo. 20
Harrison 42, Huntsville 7
Hernando, Miss. 52, Marianna Lee 8
Southside Batesville 34, Mountain View 29
Stuttgart 22, McGehee 0
Batesville 24, Newport 14
Subiaco Academy 40, Magazine 0
Clinton 20, Marshall 7
Siloam Springs 27, Farmington 14
Pulaski Oak Grove 21, LR Christian 7
Star City 28, DeWitt 0
Trumann 38, Rivercrest 13
Cedarville 39, Union Christian 12
Gentry 21, Colcord (Okla.) 14
Jonesboro Westside 6, Salem 0

3A
Greenland 46 at West Fork 27
Heber Springs at Hoxie (Thurs. at Harding University)
Mountainburg 40, Hackett 0
Earle 42, Conway Christian 0
Barton 30, Palestine-Wheatley 0
Drew Central 38, Cedar Ridge 22
Rose Bud 25, Quitman 16
Lafayette County 20, Spring Hill 14
Arkansas Baptist 42, LR Lutheran 0
Atkins 28, Pottsville 20
Corning 14, E. Poinsett Co. 12
Des Arc 53, Hector 0
Dover 29, Paris 28
El Dorado 31, Camden Fairview 27
Junction City 35, Gurdon 7
Elkins 14, Pea Ridge 7
Harding Academy 30, Pocahontas 15
Harrisburg 22, Cross County 17
Mansfield 20, Waldron 0
Prairie Grove 38, Lavaca 32
Riverview 35, Marked Tree 32
Brinkley 33, Clarendon 20
Smackover 41, Episcopal Collegiate 0
Centerpoint 26, Horatio 14
Carlisle 45, England 25
Green Forest 20, Reeds Spring Mo. 7
Harding Academy 30, Pocahontas 15
Rector 6, Manila 13
DeQueen 41, Mayflower 28
Elkins 14, Pea Ridge 7
Rison 32, Fordyce 18
Walnut Ridge 47, Cave City 36
Valley View 21, Piggott 6
Westville, Okla. 34, Lincoln 12
Hermitage at Prescott (ppd)

2A
Cherokee (Kan.) Southeast 54, Decatur 12
Cutter Morning Star 29, Western Yell Co. 6
Bearden 34, Camden Harmony Grove 13
Ola 40, Hartford 20
Des Arc 53, Hector 0
McCrory 43, Hughes 25
Dierks 34, Fouke 6
Fountain Lake 57, Murfreesboro 14
Harrisburg 22, Cross County 17
Lamar 39, Westside-Johnson Co. 0
Magnet Cove 26, Mount Ida 21
Mineral Springs 34, Norphlet 14
Mountain Pine 20, Jessieville 12
Perryville 34, Bigelow 14
Strong 52, Parkers Chapel 13
Hazen 42, Augusta 18
Hampton 41, Foreman 8

Louisiana High School Football Scoreboard - Week 2

Louisiana High School Football Scores
Friday, September 5, 2008

Bernice 14, Lakeside 6
Briarfield 20, Humphreys Aca., Miss. 14
C.E. Byrd 30, Parkway 27
Central Academy, Miss. 56, Tensas Academy 50
Delhi Charter 46, Cedar Creek 27
Glenbrook 46, Wilkinson County Christian Academy, Miss. 13
Haynesville 39, Springhill 2
Homer 47, Farmerville 20
Iota 26, Lake Arthur 0
Lena Northwood 36, Tensas 24
North Caddo 19, Plain Dealing 14
North DeSoto 38, Shreveport Northwood 13
Ouachita Parish 31, Richwood 28
Porter's Chapel Aca., Miss. 34, Prairie View 8
Rayville 40, Oak Grove 21
Ruston 17, Neville 6
St. Frederick Catholic 41, Ringgold 6
Sterlington 26, Caldwell 18
West Ouachita 21, DeRidder 6
Wossman 28, Logansport 7
POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS
Benton vs. Alexandria, ccd.
Vidalia vs. Block, ccd.
Peabody vs. Bolton, ccd.
Bunkie vs. Holy Savior Menard, ccd.
Marksville vs. Jena, ccd.
LaSalle vs. Pine Prairie, ppd. to Sep 6.
Westlake vs. Tioga, ccd.
Jonesboro-Hodge vs. Winnfield, ppd. to Sep 6.
Presbyterian Christian, Miss. vs. Central Private, ccd.
Oak Forest vs. Silliman, ccd.
Baton Rouge Episcopal vs. Albany, ccd.
Hammond vs. Baton Rouge Catholic, ccd.
East Iberville vs. Christian Life Academy, ccd.
Broadmoor vs. Denham Springs, ccd.
Assumption vs. Dutchtown, ccd.
Redemptorist vs. East Ascension, ccd.
Desire Street Academy vs. Independence, ccd.
Bastrop vs. Istrouma, ccd.
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Kentwood, ccd.
Livonia vs. North Iberville, ccd.
Clinton vs. Northeast, ccd.
Beau Chne vs. Plaquemine, ccd.
Pointe Coupee Catholic vs. Pointe Coupee Central, ccd.
Baker vs. Port Allen, ccd.
Loranger vs. Springfield, ccd.
Parkview Baptist vs. St. Amant, ccd.
Riverdale vs. St. Michael, ccd.
Morgan City vs. Walker, ccd.
Grambling vs. Southern Lab, ccd.
Zachary vs. West Feliciana, ccd.
Ponchatoula vs. Woodlawn (BR), ccd.
LaGrange vs. Barbe, ccd.
South Cameron vs. DeQuincy, ccd.
Church Point vs. Iowa, ccd.
South Beauregard vs. Merryville, ppd. to Sep 6.
Avoyelles vs. Rosepine, ppd. to Sep 6.
Teurlings Catholic vs. Notre Dame, ccd.
Pope John Paul II vs. Sumner, ccd.
Riverside Academy vs. Pine, ccd.
Brother Martin vs. Central Lafourche, ccd.
Bogalusa vs. Covington, ccd.
Amite vs. Franklinton, ccd.
Frederick Douglass vs. South Terrebonne, ccd.
John Ehret vs. Saint Paul's, ccd.
Loreauville vs. Berwick, ccd.
Opelousas vs. New Iberia, ccd.
McKinley vs. Carencro, ccd.
North Vermilion vs. Abbeville, ccd.
Westgate vs. Breaux Bridge, ccd.
St. Martinville vs. Cecilia, ccd.
Lafayette vs. Comeaux, ccd.
False River Academy vs. Delcambre, ppd. to Sep 6.
Crowley vs. Eunice, ccd.
Dunham vs. Opelousas Catholic, ccd.
Archbishop Hannan vs. G.W. Carver, ccd.
South Plaquemines vs. Belle Chasse, ccd.
John McDonogh vs. Chalmette, ccd.
Karr vs. Destrehan, ccd.
Bonnabel vs. East Jefferson, ccd.
Lutcher vs. Higgins, ccd.
Slidell vs. Holy Cross, ccd.
Ben Franklin vs. Country Day, ccd.
Easton vs. Newman, ccd.
Varnado vs. Pearl River, ccd.
South Lafourche vs. St. Charles Catholic, ccd.
West St. John vs. St. James, ccd.
McMain vs. St. Martins, ccd.
Ellender vs. Terrebonne, ccd.
Clark vs. O.P. Walker, ccd.
New Iberia Catholic vs. Jeanerette, ccd.
West St. Mary vs. Kaplan, ccd.
Northwest vs. North Central, ccd.
Lafayette Acadiana vs. Northside, ccd.
Erath vs. Port Barre, ccd.
St. Edmund Catholic vs. Sacred Heart, ccd.
Donaldsonville vs. St. Thomas More, ccd.
Rayne vs. Ville Platte, ppd. to Sep 6.
Vermilion Catholic vs. Westminster Christian, ppd. to Sep 6.
Jennings vs. Leesville, ccd.
Mamou vs. Pickering, ppd. to Sep 6.
University vs. Loyola College Prep, ccd.
Oakdale vs. Many, ccd.
Northshore vs. Salmen, ccd.
Oberlin vs. East Beauregard, ppd. to Sep 6.
Scotlandville vs. Sulphur, ccd.
West Monroe vs. Thibodaux, ccd.
Vandebilt Catholic vs. E.D. White, ccd.
Baton Rouge Central vs. Live Oak, ccd.
Patterson vs. East St. John, ccd.
Glen Oaks vs. Jackson, ccd.
West Jefferson vs. Fontainebleau, ccd.
McDonogh #35 vs. Hahnville, ccd.
Northlake Christian vs. White Castle, ccd.

Michigan High School Football Scoreboard - Week 2

Michigan High School Football Scores
Friday, September 5, 2008

Addison 35, East Jackson 0
Adrian 21, Ann Arbor Pioneer 3
Allen Park 34, Gibraltar Carlson 14
Allendale 34, Grand Rapids West Catholic 27
Alpena 21, Escanaba 7
Armada 20, Imlay City 8
Athens 35, Concord 18
Auburn Hills Avondale 33, Pontiac Central 22
Bangor 30, Lawrence 20
Bangor John Glenn 42, Pontiac Northern 7
Baraga 28, Ontonagon 20
Battle Creek Pennfield 35, Kalamazoo Hackett 7
Battle Creek St. Philip 14, Climax-Scotts 12
Bay City Western 28, Midland Dow 0
Beal City 18, Clare 9
Big Rapids 12, Reed City 6
Birmingham Groves 21, Farmington 13
Blanchard Montabella 47, Brethren 6
Blissfield 31, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 8
Bloomfield Hills Lahser 44, Berkley 0
Boyne City 41, Newberry 6
Bridgeport 26, Caro 25
Britton-Deerfield 48, Romulus Summit Academy 6
Brownstown Woodhaven 23, Taylor Kennedy 0
Buchanan 33, Bronson 6
Burton Bentley 25, Burton Bendle 8
Byron Center 56, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 7
Cadillac 23, Wyoming Godwin Heights 20
Camden-Frontier 47, Tekonsha 0
Canton 24, White Lake Lakeland 14
Carrollton 35, Saginaw Valley Lutheran 14
Cass City 21, Harbor Beach 20
Cassopolis 15, St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic 14
Cedarville 51, Engadine 6
Central Lake 41, Atlanta 14
Centreville 27, Niles Brandywine 6
Charlevoix 54, Maple City Glen Lake 14
Cheboygan 28, Gaylord 23
Chelsea 27, Northville 20
Clarkston 56, Troy Athens 26
Clinton Township Clintondale 50, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 12
Constantine 35, Olivet 0
Coopersville 19, Zeeland West 8
Croswell-Lexington 48, Capac 0
Crystal Falls Forest park 42, Wakefield-Marenisco 0
Dearborn 42, Belleville 26
Dearborn Divine Child 27, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 10
Dearborn Edsel Ford 32, Ypsilanti 12
Dearborn Fordson 44, Taylor Truman 26
Dearborn Heights Annapolis 36, Dearborn Heights Robichaud 28
Dearborn Heights Crestwood 21, Ypsilanti Willow Run 14
Decatur 54, Martin 8
Deckerville 50, Brown City 8
Detroit Cass Tech 21, Detroit Pershing 7
Detroit Chadsey 21, Detroit Cody 0
Detroit Crockett 28, Detroit Central 0
Detroit Henry Ford 15, Detroit Douglass 0
Detroit Loyola 49, Redford Covenant Christian 20
Detroit Mumford 43, Detroit Kettering 6
Detroit Northwestern 27, Detroit Denby 12
Detroit Osborn 7, Detroit King 0
Detroit Southeastern 43, Detroit Cooley 0
Detroit Southwestern 7, Detroit Renaissance 6
Detroit University Prep 20, Hamtramck 6
Dewitt 40, Perry 0
Dexter 21, Ypsilanti Lincoln 20
Dryden 52, Kingston 6
Dundee 21, Stockbridge 20
Durand 25, Byron 14
East Grand Rapids 49, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 21
East Kentwood 42, Grand Blanc 35
Eau Claire 32, Bridgman 6
Elk Rapids 40, Oscoda 6
Erie-Mason 13, Parma Jackson County Western 12
Essexville-Garber 14, Birch Run 13
Evart 42, Farwell 8
Farmington Hills Harrison 17, Rochester 14
Fenton 21, Lapeer West 16
Ferndale 14, North Farmington 7
Fife Lake Forest Area 48, Bellaire 0
Flint Central 21, Flint Southwestern 20
Flushing 46, Flint Beecher 0
Frankenmuth 28, North Branch 22
Frankfort 34, Manton 6
Freeland 28, Alma 7
Fremont 28, Spring Lake 7
Fruitport 27, Howard City Tri County 0
Genesee 44, Burton Atherton 14
Gladstone 36, Calumet 24
Goodrich 34, Comstock Park 19
Grand Haven 27, Traverse City Central 21, OT
Grand Ledge 27, Okemos 7
Grand Rapids Catholic Central 23, Cedar Springs 20
Grand Rapids Christian 41, Grand Rapids Union 8
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 42, Grand Rapids Northview 7
Grandville 57, Traverse City West 35
Grandville Calvin Christian 32, Marion 13
Grass Lake 48, Hanover-Horton 14
Grayling 22, Houghton Lake 8
Greenville 30, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer 20
Grosse Pointe North 13, Grosse Pointe South 0
Hamilton 28, Coloma 6
Hancock 30, Ewen-Trout Creek 12
Harbor Springs 45, Big Rapids Crossroads Charter Academy 0
Hartland 50, South Lyon East 14
Hastings 34, Belding 0
Hazel Park 28, Bloomfield Hills Andover 10
Hemlock 14, Shepherd 6
Holland Christian 56, Middleville 20
Holland West Ottawa 29, Wayland 28
Holton 7, Hesperia 6
Hopkins 36, Berrien Springs 6
Howell 35, Livonia Stevenson 21
Hudson 33, Morenci 6
Hudsonville 46, Bradley-Bourbonnais Community (Ill.) 14
Ida 21, Clinton 0
Iron River West Iron County 40, L'Anse 7
Jonesville 21, Union City 20, OT
Kalamazoo Central 7, Benton Harbor 6
Kent City 35, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 13
Kingsford 27, Minocqua (Wis.) 22
Kingsley 45, Harrison 0
Laingsburg 46, Fowler 7
Lake City 12, Mesick 7
Lake Linden-Hubbell 38, Hurley (Wis.) 20
Lake Orion 24, West Bloomfield 15
Lapeer East 41, Holly 17
Lawton 21, Bloomingdale 12
Leroy Pine River 45, Benzonia Benzie Central 8
Leslie 40, Sand Creek 20
Lincoln Alcona 32, Au Gres-Sims 19
Linden 40, Swartz Creek 0
Livonia Churchill 37, Waterford Kettering 14
Livonia Clarenceville 47, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood 27
Livonia Franklin 56, Walled Lake Western 34
Lowell 65, Muskegon Mona Shores 25
Macomb Township Dakota 24, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 14
Macomb Township L'Anse Creuse North 35, Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse 27
Madison Heights Lamphere 26, New Haven 7
Madison Heights Madison 38, St. Clair 15
Manchester 31, Michigan Center 14
Manistee 30, McBain 28
Manistee Catholic Central 47, Vestaburg 0
Marcellus 10, Fennville 6
Marine City 42, Marysville 7
Memphis 51, Carsonville-Port Sanilac 6
Mendon 1, Warren Conner Creek West 0, forfeit
Mequon (Wis.) Homestead 17, Menominee 0
Midland 38, Bay City Central 13
Milan 26, Flat Rock 0
Milford 40, South Lyon 14
Millington 32, Mount Morris 28
Mio 16, Twining Arenac Eastern 0
Monroe Jefferson 42, Grosse Ile 0
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 28, Riverview 8
Monroe-Jefferson 42, Grosse Ile 0
Montague 63, Scottville Mason County Central 21
Montrose 48, Lake Fenton 21
Morley Stanwood 48, White Cloud 6
Mount Clemens 45, St. Clair Shores South Lake 19
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 50, Coleman 3
Muskegon Catholic Central 41, Hillsdale 13
Muskegon Heights 34, Grand Rapids Central 0
Muskegon Oakridge 56, North Muskegon 6
Muskegon Orchard View 47, Ludington 6
Negaunee 28, Munising 12
New Buffalo 40, Three Oaks River Valley 6
New Lothrop 34, Flint Hamady 20
Newaygo 44, Grant 29
Niagara-Pembine-Goodman (Wis.) 44, Ironwood 12
North Adams-Jerome 40, Litchfield 6
North Dickinson 42, Bark River-Harris 36
Norway 42, Stephenson 12
Onekama 46, Baldwin 6
Onsted 48, Brooklyn Columbia Central 20
Orchard Lake St. Mary's 42, Detroit U-D Jesuit 0
Ortonville Brandon 13, Clio 3
Otisville LakeVille 20, Saginaw Buena Vista 0
Oxford 14, Flint Kearsley 0
Paw Paw 27, Richland Gull Lake 7
Petoskey 21, West Branch Ogemaw Heights 20
Pickford 50, Brimley 0
Pinckney 10, Westland John Glenn 6
Plymouth 28, Brighton 7
Port Huron 31, New Baltimore Anchor Bay 6
Port Huron Northern 25, Utica 16
Potterville 34, Carson City-Crystal 0
Rapid River 13, Powers North Central 6
Redford Thurston 41, River Rouge 0
Remus Chippewa Hills 47, Ada Forest Hills Eastern 25
Richmond 14, Almont 13
Rochester Adams 56, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 21
Rockford 20, Davison 19
Rogers City 39, Posen 0
Romeo 36, Utica Ford 0
Romulus 41, Garden City 13
Rudyard 40, Hillman 0
Saginaw Arthur Hill 28, Flint Northwestern 20
Saginaw Nouvel 17, Traverse City St. Francis 14
Sandusky 34, Mayville 7
Sault Ste. Marie 21, Marquette 16
Southfield 46, Birmingham Seaholm 7
Southgate Anderson 12, Monroe 7
Springport 44, Homer 30
St Clair Shores Lake Shore 49, Roseville 28
St. Ignace 37, East Jordan 25
St. Johns 15, Flint Powers Catholic 13
St. Joseph 35, Marshall 12
Stanton Central Montcalm 36, Lakeview 0
Sterling Heights Stevenson 42, Utica Eisenhower 7
Suttons Bay 13, Kalkaska 6
Tecumseh 42, Ann Arbor Huron 34, OT
Temperance-Bedford 15, Saline 14
Three Rivers 19, Dowagiac 14
Trenton 40, Lincoln Park 0
Troy 45, Royal Oak 0
Ubly 49, Marlette 14
Vandercook Lake 32, Napoleon 26, 2 OT
Walled Lake Northern 20, Salem 14
Warren Cousino 21, Sterling Heights 13
Warren De La Salle 35, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 14
Warren Fitzgerald 31, Eastpointe East Detroit 18
Warren Lincoln 26, Clawson 13
Warren Mott 49, Fraser 14
Warren Woods-Tower 44, Center Line 6
Washburn (Wis.) 30, Bessmer 12
Waterford Mott 22, Wayne Memorial 14
Watervliet 19, Gobles 14
Webberville 36, Adrian Madison 0
Westland John Glenn 42, Pontiac Northern 7
Westwood 38, Houghton 20
White Pigeon 38, Edwardsburg 15
Whitehall 47, Hart 13
Whitmore Lake 51, Morrice 0
Wyandotte Roosevelt 24, Redford Union 6
Wyoming Kelloggsville 34, Wyoming Rogers 8
Yale 34, Algonac 0
Zeeland East 41, Sparta 7

Illinois High School Football Season Begins Friday

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


As the 2008 high school football season in Illinois opens this weekend, it looks like the the Mt. Carmel Caravan could be the Kings of the HIll when all is said and done. The Sun-Times has ranked head coach Frank Lenti's team #1 in its pre-season Top 25 Poll thanks to the return of three Division 1 players from last year's squad that lost to Glenbard North 28-21 in the 8A state semifinals.

Leading the way for the Caravan this year with by quarterback Jordan Lynch, who's verbally committed to Northern Illinois, senior defensive lineman Anthony Battle, who given his word to Northwestern and linebacker Dimitrius Carr, who's heading to Indiana.

Mt. Carmel gets things kicked-off on Saturday at Soldier Field when it faces Chicago Public League foe Curie in the first game of a tripleheader.

For the this weekend's schedule, click here to go to the Illinois High School Football Huddle.

For league and conference previews from the Sun-Times, click here.

Greer High (SC) Placed on Probation

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle




The 2008 high school football season for Greer High School in Greenville, South Carolina may be over before it starts.

The school's football program has been placed on probation by the South Carolina High School League for participating in an illegal practice. That means that the team's players are ineligible to play this season, but they are able to practice until appeals are made. An appeal will be made by the school on Monday.

Head coach Will Smith and his team are scheduled to open the season August 29th at home against Woodruff.

For more on the story, please check-out the video below.

Opening Night

It's full speed ahead to the crowning of state champions are the country. Of course, we're going to have to wait at least three month for the crowning of our first high school football champs, and that will come in Alaska. So it stands to reason that if Great North is the first to crown, it's also the first to start and things kicked-off last night with five games and will continue Saturday with a full slate of games.

The biggest surprise of the night was that that defending Big Schools champ South Anchorage was beaten by Chugiak 10-7. Actually it wasn't that big of a shock considering the Chugiak was ranked #2 in the state in the pre-season polls. For a complete wrap-up of the game you can click on our headline "Opening Night" to read the game story from the Anchorage Daily News.

If you want a complete wrap-up of the night's five games, please click on the Alaska Huddle in our links section.

Here are the finals from all five games:

Chugiak 10 South 7
Soldatna 62 North Pole 42
Wasilla 41 Eagle River 6
Colony 47 Eielson 0
Skyview 54 Nikiski 6