Bull GreenDog
Well-known member
While I think that Geis and his staff have done an outstanding job, and that Green football will continue to be competitive in the Federal League, I do not expect deep playoff runs to be the norm. Unfortunately, Green has had very small rosters and very little depth for the past few years. This year's senior class was large and will be hard to replace. Next year's senior class is solid, but not as big. Schaal and the Fortunato brothers are excellent, and Hunka getting game experience at QB last season should pay dividends for the offense in 2024. Martin's injury hurts a lot though. The 2023 freshman team only won one game, and I think was shut out in all but two games. Green has been very lucky having extremely talented classes two of the last three years. The talent level is just not going to be at the same level in the near future. I predict that Bulldogs won't be bad but won't be great either. Some way, somehow, Green needs to get their roster numbers up. From 2013-2021 Lake had a long run of 5-5 or 6-4 seasons, and were consistently competitive, but not especially successful in league play. Hoover had a similar period like that from 2016-2020, and Jackson from about 2011-2015. That is what I anticipate for Green football in the immediate future.Well personally I've never believed Massillon's accomplishments didn't mean anything just in the same way Ohio State went 30 or 40 years without a championship until they got one in '02.
Far as the Fed teams... if Lake goes pay-to-play, that's devastating because they have big numbers and have recently reclaimed some of their 90s glory when they went to the semifinals three or four times. I do think out of everybody else someone will pop up. I do not believe it will be McKinley for a lot of reasons. Whomever it is, it'll be an all-sports school. Jackson, GlenOak, or Green. Green already has but we'll see if it's sustainable.
GlenOak is interesting, and I agree that there is potential there. They certainly have a bigger talent pool to draw from than either Green or Lake. But the Eagles have two problems. One, they can't seem to keep their star players from transferring. Two, they are undisciplined and shoot themselves in the foot time and time again with stupid penalties. 2023 should have been the year GlenOak won the Federal League, got a top 4 seed, and won multiple playoff games, but until the last few games of the regular season, the Eagles couldn't get out of their own way. They, like Green, lost a large and talented senior class. Avante Burt, Morrison, Ashcraft, Davis, and most of their excellent O-line is a lot to replace in one year, and Johnson transferring is just devastating. I could be wrong, but I expect only a 3 or 4 win campaign in 2024 for GlenOak.
As for Jackson, they really should be better in football than they are. I thought hiring Rohr would take them to the next level, but it hasn't happened. I'd like to see Jackson have at least one year where they prove the detractors wrong and beat McKinley and get to the third or fourth round of the playoffs. Maybe Ecrement can get them over the top? He is a very impressive QB. You guys were young across the board and, despite the disappointing ending, were still decent in 2023. I actually think Jackson has a good shot to finish second in 2024, behind only the Pups.