Football players returning [Archive]

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Irish87

02-26-07, 09:24 AM

All-State

02-26-07, 12:33 PM

Couldn't tell you would any of these players really even have an effect??? Is there any talent at the high school? Because I've seen bits and pieces every now and then, but nothing to impress me. Are a couple of those the kids from two years ago???

Irish87

02-26-07, 03:31 PM

3 of these Players were starters as Sophmores. Of the remaining 2, one platooned at RB last year as a JR, before quitting, the other was their backup QB, before quitting. I believe the RB had over 1000 yards as a Sophmore.

They would have had a fairly large impact on last years team, if they would have stuck it out. 4 of those 5 would have been starters.

Pack Rat 24

02-26-07, 05:45 PM

Sources tell me Abrams and Shackelford will be back next season

Jack32

02-26-07, 08:56 PM

Sources tell me Abrams and Shackelford will be back next season

Who are they? Anything like Deuce and Reggie? That team needs a lot of help.:dang:

All-State

02-27-07, 10:06 AM

For real. what did they play when they were still on the team???

Irish87

02-27-07, 11:45 AM

Ok lets start with:
Barlow- rushed for 1000 yards his Sophmore year. He started the 2006 season at Tailback and Linebacker, but quit the team after the 3rd game, after a falling out with the Coach. He is, or would be, the fastest and most athletic kid on the team. I think a lot of people that are familiar with the Team, know, what an impact he has.

Shoemaker- shared time at the fullback position last season, but he also, quit right around the 3 game of the year. Very athletic and has deceptive, slithery moves as a RB. Would be a good compliment to Barlow, if he plays. Would prolly double as a CB on Defense.

Mullohan-Was Backup QB his Sophmore and Junior years. Not the strongest arm, but would easily be the starter this year at QB. Had problems not being a starter. Got his chance to play in the 3rd game last year, but on the first play he was in, threw an INT and never got back in. Quit after that game.

Abrams-Played some Linbacker and Tight End his Sophmore year. Coach had big plans for him in 2006, but never came out for the team. Has decent size, prolly 5'11'', 210 lbs, and is Athletic.

Shackleford-Played Defensive End his Sophmore year. Again, has some athletic ability, but opted not to come out for Football last year. Has good size, around 6'0" 200 lbs.

All 5 of these kids were part of winning teams on the JR High and Freshman teams. People wonder where the Athletes are in Springfield, well, here are 5 of them, that could not make it through the tough times and quit.

Not to make excuses, but to add to the struggles, the team had last year were Injuries. Their starting Fullback and Middle LB(Jr.) went down the 2nd or 3rd game of the year, and never returned. They had one of their starting OFF and DEF tackles(Sr.) go out with an injury the first game vs Ellet and didn't return till the 6th game. They had their Def Nose tackle and Offensive Guard(Sr.) go out with an injury in the 4th game and I don't think he ever returned. And to end things, the QB injured his shoulder(Rotator) in week 9, but was forced to play through it, becasue there was no backup. He couldn't lift his throwing arm above his chest.

Now again, I'm not trying to make excuses, but it seems a lot of people are interested in Springfield, but do not attend games to get the whole story, about what is going on, so I am simply trying to give an overview, of how I see things, and what I have witnessed during the last 4 Seasons.

Emperior Ming

02-27-07, 10:34 PM

Irish87

02-28-07, 07:57 AM

Irish,
Something is very wrong with the "QUITTING" epidemic at Springfield???
Are you kidding me? You start as a sophomore, but quit as a junior, because you don't like the coach? Don't these kids realize that now they are labeled as quitters? How can the new coach or any of the players count on them when times get tuff? And times will definitely get tuff! I don't know Mazur, but what did he do to get all these kids to quit? All those injuries do hurt a team, but they are also a part of the game. Didn't they work-out enough?
WOW!!! No wonder they have only won 5 games in the past 5 years...

There was a huge discipline problem with many of the players last year. Kids were constantly missing practices. Other players just didn't like Mazur from the start, so never even came out for the team.

As far as working out, the only time you saw anybody lifting, was when it was mandatory. There were only 2 kids in that weight room, on a regular basis, that was the QB and a soccer player.

I've played HS football, and been around it for a long time, and have never seen such lack of dedication from the players and coaching staff in my life. It was not uncommon for the HC to not show up, for Saturday morning practices. During Conditioning, there was hardly anybody there.

I also forgot to mention, that there were 3 Seniors last year(2 that started as Juniors), that were ineligible for Academic reasons. Where was the coach trying to help these kids keep their grades up?

Emperior Ming

02-28-07, 08:57 AM

Where are the leaders on this team?? Those kids should have been approached by the captains and seniors when thinking about quitting and told, "DON'T, we need you!!"
I also played the game in HS and College and just the THOUGHT of quitting was unheard of. Weren't they told that once you quit something, you will always think it's oaky to do it again; even in life itself?
My goodness...the new head coach sure has his work cut out for him!

Irish87

02-28-07, 09:17 AM

There are 2 ways to look at that situation: yes, try and talk them out of it, because they are a vital part of the team. The other, why would you want kids on the team, who are not dedicated and comitted to helping the team. Would you want kids on your team, that only show up half of the time(or less) and don't really put forth the effort when they are there?

Its a double edged sword.

Emperior Ming

02-28-07, 05:46 PM

I wouldn't want them on my team!! If they really wanted to play and just had a problem with the last coach, I would sit them down and find out what was the problem and then either fix it or let them walk. Quitters are a cancer to any team...

spartanatheart

02-28-07, 09:09 PM

Irish87

03-01-07, 07:11 AM

irish 87 get you head out of the clouds, those kids you mentioned have absolutley no character, or work ethic from what I hear! None, zip! You don't win with kids like that, they are a cancer and will infect a whole team. Barlow never ran for 1000 yds.

I never said I would be glad to see them on the team. If you read my posts, I'm simply wondering, if they will be returning, and pointing out some of my opinions about the players. Relax. People are constantly wondering where the athletes are, in the Township and I am simply pointing out a few. Are they good for the team? I think that is up to the coach's to decide. If you are confident that Barlow did not rush for 1000, care to share the facts? I will pull the stats from 2 years ago tonight, and advise later. I am pretty sure, as a team, they rushed for over 2000 yards. I think Haynes had 1000 and Barlow was very close. I could be wrong, but I'll get the facts. Didn't mean to get anybodies panties in a bunch.:laugh:

All-State

03-01-07, 01:00 PM

I think the reason a lot of those kids quit is because football is their secondary sport. Aren't a couple of those kids mainly baseball???

Irish87

03-01-07, 02:24 PM

Yes, I think 4 of these kids were on the Baseball Team last year.

Jack32

03-01-07, 05:59 PM

OK there are 4 football players on the baseball team. What do the rest of players do? How many boys are in the school? I questioned the youth program in a previous posting and Irish seems to think it is fine - so then what happens to all your players to have only 25 on the sideline in the season?

Irish87

03-02-07, 07:10 AM

The 5 players being questioned in this Thread, were "impact" players. There were others that quit, but I didn't think it was worth mentioning.

Once again, I think the Youth program is good. The coaches do a good job of teaching the fundamentals, and getting all the kids sufficient playing time. Is it perfect? No, but it does do a good job of preparing the kids for the next level(JR High and HS). The proof is in the success the JR High and Freshman teams have had over the last 5 years. What happens after those grades, lies on the HS coaches.

Emperior Ming

03-02-07, 07:25 AM

The fact that others quit is relavant, because it speaks volumes about the dedication of the kids and the inability of the coach to reach them.
I heard the new coach has very good communicatin skills and has a ton of experience (25+ years). If what you say about the youth program is correct, Irish, I like the Spartan's chances in the furture.

Irish87

03-02-07, 08:24 AM

I wouldn't get excited yet. They are still lacking talent, to be competive. It will take a few years, for the program to turn back around. The new coach has his work cut out for him. From what I heard, a Lifting program has been put in place for Mon, Weds and Fri. So far, there has been approximately 12 kids showing up. Unfortunately, most of these are Freshman and Sophs.

With the Levy situation going on, there has already been a lot of talk, about kids leaving for other schools. Keep in mind, just about every neighboring town of Springfield, has Open enrollment(Mogadore, Ellet, Coventry, Field, Lake and I believe, Green), not to mention the Privates.

Emperior Ming

03-02-07, 09:46 AM

Irish,
Thanks for the splash of cold water in my face!! LOL Maybe I needed that!But I have to admit that I know the new coach and he has been part of turning losing programs around before. I can tell you this; it will be sound fundamental smash-mouth football on offense and an attacking blitz oriented defense with a real emphasis on special teams. If the kids come out, he'll have them ready to play.

RealBaseball10

03-02-07, 12:14 PM

hey,
This is a player from the team and I know that everyone on that list is back except I'm not sure about Barlow. He's been in and out of school for suspensions and the sorts. Just lettin ya know.

chopblock

03-03-07, 04:51 PM

Emperor,
The coach was head coach at richmond heights from 1981-1984. Would you happen to know what was his record?

Emperior Ming

03-03-07, 06:12 PM

I'm not sure what his overall record was as head coach at Richmond Hts, but I do know they won more than they lost. The big year was in 1983 when Richmond Hts. was undefeated ESC Champs, but back then only 2 teams from each region qualified for the playoffs and Richmond Hts. was 3rd or 4th.

RealBaseball10

03-07-07, 12:08 PM

irish 87 get you head out of the clouds, those kids you mentioned have absolutley no character, or work ethic from what I hear! None, zip! You don't win with kids like that, they are a cancer and will infect a whole team. Barlow never ran for 1000 yds.

Oh and for that. Barlow did have over a 1000 yards and have a huge impact on the team. If 1000 yards isn't an impact tell me what is...

Emperior Ming

03-07-07, 01:55 PM

The REAL impact is the fact that the kid quit the next year! How do you quit a team as a junior when you run for 1000 yards as a sophomore? Unfortunately, spartanatheart is right, quitting is a cancer. It will ruin any team. If your stud running back quits after an "impact year", what do you think the other players will do when they aren't getting the ball as much as they want? How about the boderline players not getting as much playing time they think they should be getting?

RealBaseball10

03-08-07, 10:26 AM

Barlow did play last year and got kicked off the team.

Emperior Ming

03-09-07, 02:02 PM

RealBaseball10,
You're on the team. How would you feel about Barlow coming back next year and playing? Would it bother you if he won your spot? How does the rest of the team feel about those quitters coming back next year and playing?

RealBaseball10

03-10-07, 02:35 PM

We want those kids back. The kids you name make a huge impact on the team and we need them to win theres a reason why we didn't win last year. Barlow doesn't take anyones spot the only person who played there last year was a senior.

BetterBelieveIt10

03-25-07, 10:11 PM

irish 87 get you head out of the clouds, those kids you mentioned have absolutley no character, or work ethic from what I hear! None, zip! You don't win with kids like that, they are a cancer and will infect a whole team. Barlow never ran for 1000 yds.

I agree. Those kids don't have any of that you mentioned. If they did they would have dedicated themselves to playing last year in an attempt to build their status up. Even if they didn't play because they didn't like the coach, that's bull, they still should have got themselves together and gone out there and played.

RealBaseball10

03-27-07, 12:46 PM

How would you build your status up in an offense that runs the ball every play and a defense that is completely out of whack. Your just asking to get hurt. I talked to one of the players the other day and he said that he was working on baseball. He said he'll be back, but he's not gonna risk gettin hurt playing for a losing team and he knows that one player isnt going to make that big of a difference....unless his name is Tomlinson or Bush...

Irish87

03-27-07, 03:26 PM

But thats just it, its not just one player. The five mentioned earlier in this thread, were impact players. With all 5 of them back, it would make a difference. If these players would change their attitudes, maybe they wouldn't lose every game.

On another note, maybe its a good thing this particular player doesn't come back. If you're concerned about getting injured, you shouldn't be playing the game anyways. I'll leave it at that.

Emperior Ming

04-10-07, 10:26 PM

Does anybody know, if the players listed below, will return to the team in 2007(if there is a team)?

Barlow
Schoemaker
Shackelford
Abrams
Mullohan

A couple of these players did not go out last year, and the others quit after 3 weeks. I was curious, if the hiring of a new Coach, has changed their minds, and they'll be in uniform next season.

I spoke with the new coach this weekend and he said all 5 of the above mentioned kids are coming out this fall. All 5 have spoken to the new coach and he told them that the "slate has been wiped clean". He didn't know why they quit, but would not hold it against them.

I don't know if I agree, but the new coach wants to give everybody a fresh start with him. We'll just have to wait and see...

BetterBelieveIt10

04-13-07, 12:49 AM

Okay... well say it was off-season for football, players SHOULD be getting their butts in the weight room, period. And if they play another sport, like you mentioned baseball, they should still be working out for football. You can't say if your working on baseball your getting enough excerise for football, because that not right. Players need to follow a plan on working out and stick to it. If they don't they are just going to fall apart by getting hurt. And you can't even say "I'm too busy with baseball" because you play what 2 games a week, practice after school for a bit. After that you should be staying even longer and be lifting for football.

Take It 2 Tha Bank

04-25-07, 07:24 PM

Get in the weight room and lift. Weight training does nothing but enhance your performance in EVERY other thing you do!!! People who say it messes up their other sports do not know what they are talking about!!! Put it this way, if Michael Jordan could lift weights religiously and still perform the way he did, I am all for it!!!!

GBulldogs06

07-03-07, 09:48 PM

Im a senior at Green and on week 2 every season in the past i had a blast because i knew we would crush Springfield but now my attitude has changed a bit. I feel as though the football program is stuck and no one really knows how to get out of the rut....i remember hearing about how not too long ago springfield would light up scoreboards and i think those days are the ones people want to get back to...i think that the new coach is doing the right thing by wiping everyone slate clean. This gives him an opportunity to "re-program" if you will the players mentality and hopefully change their attitudes they have had prior. If you kick everyone off the team youll have nobody so therefore it think the head coach as the leader has to teach whats right and wrong and hopefully change some kids minds. I remember 2 years ago when springfield won a game it made front page sports section and the whole team went nuts...as a student at green i get to experience this feeling of accomplishment 7-8 times a year when green football comes out on top and i also know the crappy feeling after a loss and how awful it feels....i think that the feeling of accomplishment after a win can be brought back along with school pride..i work with a few people from springfield and they all have no hope for the team but i think in the next couple of years if done right the program can achieve more than anyone would have previously belived and hopefully "spartan nation" can experience this more than just once a year. so good luck to the spartans this year and hopefully it will be a year of change, for the better.

see you in week 2: Springfield Spartans at Green Bulldogs

I'll leave you with this, a saying we use on my Drumline: "Believe, Do-It, The Best" meaning you have to believe in what your doing, that you can be successful, and that you dont have to walk off that field every friday night with your head hanging. You have to get your butts in the weight room and lift, to have to put in the extra work, when you feel lazy get over it and just "do-it" for the team if not for yourself. and finally take pride in what you do and do it the best you can. Seniors need to be leaders out there pick up players who need encouragement, help someone out on their math homework to keep them eligible, put forth your best effort and if everyone does their best and you still walk away with a loss keep your head up because theres next week...and the day you win enjoy it but stay focused and get back out there and do it again.
good luck to the Springfield Spartans in the 2007 season and beyond!

Emperior Ming

07-04-07, 09:38 PM

Shiloh

07-05-07, 09:05 PM

Irish 87,
Barlow, Shoemaker, Talbert, Bohon and Lowe all flunked out. Abrams and Shackleford haven't decided if they want to play and Mollohan has been sporatic in attendence all off season. Don't count on any of them playing football.

Unbelievable!

If this is true, why do parents there allow this to happen?? How about spending some time with your kids, and reinforce the importance of commitment and education??

What's happening in Springfield? With girls basketball being cancelled because of off the field problems last year, and the kids flunking out this year (probably because they are afraid to actually commit to something-it's easier to just fail your classes then have to stand up and fight), it's no wonder all the coaches left!

That community has problems way deeper than high school athletics. :Ohno:

GBulldogs06

07-05-07, 09:25 PM

hey but the band is pretty good ;)

Emperior Ming

07-06-07, 06:34 AM

Shiloh,
I agree with your post. All 7 of those players mentioned would have been starters. But, as you can see, they are all seniors. I think this is indicative of the old coach's lack of expierience on how to run a program. Add to that, the lack of accountability of the parents and you have the sad situation the football program is in.
It may be a blessing in disguise, though. If the new coach is to turn the football program around, he might not want those type of players anyway. Losing as many games as they did in the past 5 years, it might be better to play the underclassmen. This way, he can teach them the correct way how to be part of a team that has pride in themselves; on AND off the field. Sure, this year might not be as good as it could have been, but the future will be better because of it.
Rome was not built in a day and 5-45 football programs aren't turned around in one year!