Flat Rock (0-8) is coming off of a 48-7 loss to Huron while Stockbridge (3-5) defeated Bronson 56-20. These two teams have never met on the gridiron.
The Rams are trying to avoid going 0-9 for only the second time in school history while the Panthers are trying to put together back to back wins for the second time this season. Pick: Stockbridge 42 Flat Rock 12
So this post started out with a prediction for the game this week. Based on the comments about Flat Rock should be able to compete this week against a school that is smaller than they are. Is that really going to be the case or are we all wet?
I agree with Chris. There are many problems that build up and create a situation like what Flat Rock had this year. One thing not mentioned is Flat Rock's players lack of experience. From what I understand, they had few seniors and few others with much experience before this season.
Getting easy non-con games is huge. Where I coach in CO, we only have six teams in a league so we can schedule four non-con games. Some bigger schools that struggle play other struggling schools or schools from a smaller division. When they get a few wins, it sets the tone for league games later in the year. Kids play with more confidence when they win. Flat Rock should get a easy win the first week and hopefully it will carry some momentum into league play.
Also, I don't buy the enrollment argument. I used to believe it when I played at Flat Rock, but it was really just an excuse to lose. Look at the Downriver League. Lincoln Park is one of the bigger schools and just won their first game in 7 years. Melvindale is the smallest but has qualified for the playoffs six times since 2005. Enrollment is often the last factor when determining athletic success.
The interest in football in FR is not good at all. There are MANY athletes in the school who do not play football. Why?? It is NOT the current coaches fault, but they need to make a change. That change must be made in the youth program…….oh yea, there is NOT one. It is a long process, but it is the only way. Yes, they need to do what Huron did. Must start somewhere.
FR is still a growing community. Houses being built and filling up. I see many kids playing baseball, soccer, basketball. These programs will improve with the strong youth program. Nothing in football and NO the Yellow Jackets DO NOT count.
Please don't knock FR schools because we struggle at football. Our scores are very competitive with other districts and there have been and will be graduates that move on to great careers.
Finally, FR athletics is going through a difficult time on the boys side in sports. This happens in small schools and small communities. It will get better. HEY, the girls sports are rolling now. They had there "difficult" time and now look at Basketball and softball!
FR over-all is good for the Huron League.
Did he say go on a blog and complain…?
8:08
By playing schools that have comparable student numbers, it will give FR the opportunity to compete as well. By not getting beaten 71-7 and 48-6 and actually competing in games, it will encourage other students at FR to want to stay in the district and play football. Possibly adding 10-15 more athletes to the rosters.
Who wants to get hammered week after week and year after year. You don't have to be a coach on the field to see what is going on. If you can't see it from the stands then there are 1 of 2 things that are happening. a) you are on the other team or b) you are turning a blind eye.
I have been to all but 1 game and it is VERY obvious.
What would be the big deal for FR to schedule and independent schedule and still play Jefferson and Grosse ile? Build the program for a couple years and during that time maybe add a Huron and Airport to their schedule.
I just don't understand why everyone has such a huge "hang up" on change?
Why would a coach go on a blog to complain unless they have no class? The FR coaches are working with the school administration and school board as they should to handle any issues they have in the proper manner. The coaching staff is concerned about the kids more than the records and that to me is very refreshing.
7:49 it is a safety issue, and at the same time you build a program by winning and having success so more people come out. More kids equals your 155lb kids not having to play every snap and getting hurt. Figure it out. Every school/program eventually changes to make improvements for their program.
In my opinion no one on here can talk about FR changing except the people that have been to all their games, practices. Those are the only people that know. I haven't heard any coaches from FR complaining about it so what is the problem?
3:46PM
"CC and Flat Rock are the only schools consistently at the bottom in numbers. Everyone else seems to jump around every couple of years"
Thanks for pointing out the obvious of this particular blog!!!
I haven't seen one post about Riverview or Milan being too BIG to be in the HL. However, I do see some concerned parents from Flat Rock that are blogging about the safety issues of their players by playing teams "like" Riverview and Milan. It seems to me that they (FR) are wanting to step away to play schools that are more their size and avoid the injuries that are occurring because of players being on the field play after play.
No one has mentioned kicking the bigger schools out….like you are implying.
Your reaction to the topic makes it sound like certain schools need teams like FR in a league so they can "fluff" their records for playoff potential, rather than play teams that will give them a run for their money.
Sad to see that there are a few people that would rather see an impressive record at the end of the year….rather than a kids safety throughout the season.
Three
Teams and leagues change all the time…. You say toughen up like this league is the greatest ever…. how many state titles are in it?
Not a year goes by without sour grapes complaints about "blank" school being too big for the league. Iv'e seen it this year saying that Riverview needs to leave because they're "Class A". They said it about Milan and Airport 5 years ago. Enrollment numbers fluctuate every year. Jefferson was #2 in enrollment 10 years ago, now they're #5. CC and Flat Rock are the only schools consistently at the bottom in numbers. Everyone else seems to jump around every couple of years. I'd hate to see this league become a revolving door like the old Mega League with all their silly color divisions. This is the HURON LEAGUE. Toughen up!
Yea, the FR parents need to get back into the yellow jackets or start their own house league like Huron. I know Huron is no longer accepting out of township or district kids into their program. Kids from outside that are already in will be grandfathered but with a long waiting list they're not accepting anymore people from the outside. That program has really developed some fine players.
Chris, I am glad you brought up the Yellow Jackets. The reason the FR kids are going to play at Huron is because there is a lot more to offer with the Huron Jr Chief Organization.
There are 14-16 players on each team….therefore more playing time. The Yellow Jackets have what? 30-40? How many of them get any playing time? That isn't developmental!!!!! So you can't really say it was hi-jacked. Maybe say the Yellow Jackets lost focus?
I would much rather have my kids playing more that 2 snaps a half and actually learn the game instead of watching it from the sidelines.
There are several good football players that will be coming into FR Jr High next year that took advantage of what the Chiefs offered. So in the future IF FR can turn it around…..Maybe we should thank the Chiefs. Because to be completely honest….I am not sure why the FR district allows the YJ to use the facility. Maybe if they put a cap of 15-20 on a team and 85% of the teams are FR players then I would say let them use it. But it is really not beneficial to Flat Rock at this time. Nor will I camp out for 2 days or kiss anyone's tail to get my kid on a team. So in my opinion….Huron has their eye on the future and Flat Rock is looking the other way on some issues.
Yes my kids go to Flat Rock Schools
I would really love to debate all these points on here regarding FR football. There simply isn't enough time to address all of them. People make great points but I don't see this as a hopeless situation.
I would change the non-league schedule for next season. FR should play schools like Hamtramck, University Prep Science and Math or Detroit Edison. Those are winnable games. Those teams would be more than willing to play at your place. Home game equals revenue and excitement if you win.
The weight room can and will put muscle onto kids. If they start now, every kid in that program can be 10-15 lbs heavier and much stronger by next August. I am truely amazed every year at how much bigger my track athletes are after a year of growth and weight training.
FR's best athletes need to play football especially if they have played in the past rather than sit on the sidelines in the name of specializing or not wanting to get hurt.
Every kid that plays football should run track if they don't have a spring sport that they participate in. I personally have never sent a football player who ran track back to the coach in August slower than when I got him. They all get faster, even the throwers.
I can buy the argument that FR should go independent in football. That actually might even work. They could continue to play the other sports in the league while maintaining a Notre Dame like status in football (pun intended). Milan pretty much set a precedent last season by dropping JV football because it was in their own best interest. Maybe FR could do the same. I would imagine teams like Milan and SMCC would appreciate a move like this. It would allow some better competition during the regular season.
Some people say their kids are going to transfer to other schools. I understand the thinking behind this but I think it is being short sighted especially if your kid has gone to the same school for a while. Kids need to play sports and participate in extracurriculars with their friends. Sure the grass has a tendency to appear to be greener on the other side of the fence but I think you will find that more are unhappy with the move than happpy especially if done in the name of sports. With that said, with the competitive nature of schools these days and the dollars attached to each student I support the parents right to choose another school if they think it is in their child's best interest.
Well….everyone saw my pick but I think Stockbridge would be 0-7 in the Huron League but then again, so would Riverview Gabriel Richard. Injuries have hurt FR's chances this week but I haven't seen Stockbridge play so maybe there is a chance.
Lets talk about this game..any chance they can compete chris? i'd like to see them in a competitive game!
Chris,
You can lift all the weights you want. Success breeds Success. Lifting in HS is more important in Injury prevention rather than Building pure muscle and being a "stud". 85% of kids at this age don't get the proper diet or sleep to actually gain mass,nor does their bone structure support it at this point. It does prevent injury and is important, but the 155 lb kid that bulks up to 170 at FR isn't going to beat the 215 kid that bulks up to 225 at Milan. Lets be honest. Let the FR coach go independent and see what happens. Give him 3/4 years if he isn't doing the job then golden boy isn't your answer. He's on year 3 and I bet he is doing everything in his power to keep the kids together.
Commend him for keeping the kids together, ok, but that is his job. Kids respect the heck out of him there and so do most parents. It's unfortunate that some of the younger kids are going to transfer because their kid was a big fish in a small pond in 8th grade. They'd be decent athletes at FR. FR's best Freshman is on Varsity starting at LB in the HURON LEAGUE.
Sooo Im ranting because Im a parent that cares and I want to see this program go in the right direction. Some changes need to happen, but they do have the only guy at HC that can make it happen in oestrike.
FR would only need to leave the Huron League for Football
12:08 –
Why consolidate when they have a good base and are succesful in other things? The school is not failing everywhere else so no need to combine as that brings all sorts of other issues.
11:50 – you are right on.
Can't hold onto tradition forever, times change and those who fail to change with them… fail!
Maybe it's time for Flat Rock to consider consolidating with Huron. I know there was chatter about that not to long ago. The state gives incentives to do things like that. They could be one school district with one high school, two middle schools and four elementary schools. They could play in the Downriver League.
I am not sure what the records say, however I do not believe FR has been very successful in the HL in anything. Maybe won the HL in football 35 years and 9 head coaches ago.
They always seem to do well in district play becsue they are competing with schools their own size.
Even the real good classes of 10-12 years ago, won districts, regionals and a state championship, but can not win their league?
FR is the only original school from the onset of the HR, in 1940. Things change.They need to change with them.
I went to 4 games this year and looked at the size diffderence of each team compared to FR. It was frightening. Kids are beat up and hurt. It needs to stop.
I would not coach there and the guy who is there now deserves to coach of the year for putting up with what they go through.
Football is a very important thing to every school, give the coaches and kids a least a chance to be successful. Start playing teams your size.
My god an idiot can see that…
11:09 you're exactly right. FR needs to go independent and play schools their size. Possibly keep GI and Jefferson on the schedule and play schools that won't physically pound them. Huron has the kids to pick from and they have a solid program in place, correct.
How come when flat rock plays in state tournaments in every other sport they are playing huron league schools. has anyone looked at the draw for basketball districts? Everyone in the league but Riverview is in 2 districts. If this was like every other sport that only had 4 divisions or classes and everyone got into the state tournament this is a non issue.
What was the dispute with the administration about? Just curious
Chris –
with all due respect, things change and while I understand you have ties to the school and league it does not mean that FR belongs or should sty in it. Maybe in a few years if they can turn the ship around they can get back into the league. But the school will never build a good program but doing what they have always done. Last year was an exception because you had a few really good players -but they still struggled.
Not only does FR not have a dedicated AD they do not even have an atheltic trainer on staff to tend to the players on a daily basis for any sport! Even if Nick Saban came and coached here he would struggle because instead of game planning he would be busy wrapping ankles!
side note – every kid that leaves your district to play at Huron, GI or wherever is $7800 the school system loses from the state.
Spending money generates money!
At this point…..it isn't even a concern of competing. It is a SAFETY issue!!!!! My son does not even play football for FR but I have attended several games over the past few years. From what I have seen is there are about 22-26 boys on the roster. As I look over at some of the other teams, there are at least that many standing there waiting to play. Out of the 11-14 players standing on FR sideline…2 are on crutches and 1 or 2 suffering from concussion symptoms. There is no way these kids can compete playing both sides of the ball….play after play… week after week. After looking at the numbers of each school, the data proves it. Even if only 10% of the (300) students were football athletes…..that would be 30 athletes to spread between JV and Varsity. FR should look at playing other smaller class "B" teams that would allow them more safety as they compete. The numbers are there and the FR administration should look at it to keep these athletes safe.
Am I off my rocker? Most likely but it has nothing to do with me picking Stockbridge by a boatload.
As a FR alum I would hate to see FR get out of the league. Where was all this rhetoric last season when the Rams were 4-5 and two close losses away from the playoffs?
How many FR kids are playing HR Yellowjackets this season? Not many! Why is that? Another school district has basically hi-jacked that team. They use FR facilities for practice but the vast majority of kids go elsewhere. Start there!
Weight lifting needs to be available every hour as a gym class alternative. I understand cost and such but are the kids playing dodgeball and other useless games in gym right now?
The coaching stff needs to all be on the same page. Your only as good as your assitants. I'm not even sure who the assistants are but everyone needs to have a winning mind set and have that on their resume. They also need to be trust worthy and someone who always has the head coaches back.
I think the administration has to make a conscious effort to make the program better. There are many articles and research documenting the overall academic success of a high school based on two successful components; a strong football/athletic program and a strong band program. Flat Rock's academics aren't where they should be, just check the school ratings. Many students leave FR to go to schools such as Woodhaven and Huron because they have better overall academics and athletics. With that said, FR has a fine band and I enjoyed their renditions of Les Miserable last Friday.
Flat Rock also needs to hire a full time AD that is in charge of everything. They can't pay a stipend to the Vice Principal to spend 10% of his time on athletics. They can't pay kind of a good salary to someone classified as an Athletic Superviser but doesn't need to be there all of the time and they don't need to pay another guy a small fee to hang around when the top guy isn't there. Pay somebody $60 k a year to build the darn athletic program from top to bottom period!
One thing I know about the FR people, is that they support their kids and programs. Give them an honest effort from the administration on down and they will support you like no other place.
I think Huron is a good example of being able to be competitive in the league. The success hasn't been great but they competed in every game this year. People will argue that enrollment is up since they started getting better but I would argue that their improvement is based on a few things. A youth football program that started when these seniors were in 3rd grade, the administartion made an effort to get better at athletics all the way around, they hired a guy as a teacher and coach who would be committed to building a program for the long haul and they started weight lifting as a class that would be offered virtually every hour with bigger, faster stronger as the curriculum. They also have and pay an AThletic Director that is full time and completely committed to the school and the kids.
Am I off my rocker?
I am not an FR person but I agree that they need to care more but I have to agree with them in that it is hard to drum up support when you are getting blown out each week. Some success would do wonders so if that means going to a different league or playing teams their size, what is the harm?
People tend to get stuck on the league you are in and the teams you play. At the end of the day the key is player safety first and a good experience second. Most of the kids in the Huron League will never play college ball anyway so make the best of it and find a way to have success.
If you FR people cared as much about getting out of the league as you did your program, you might win!
Riverview 993 Class A
Milan 872 20 short of Class A
Huron 862 30 short of Class A
Airport 832 60 short of Class A
Jefferson 674
GI 632
FR 577
SMCC 445
There is a clear divide in the league. More students equals bigger pot to draw from equals more talent and larger roster. How will the smaller half of this league ever compete? They should play schools of similar size.
you've predicted closer HL games. You think stockbridge is better than HL teams? Are you off your rocker?
11:41 support your opinion.
I'm telling you don't be surprised if Oestrike isn't the coach next year. A big dispute between administration took place after the Milan game. Until the administration changes things over there it will be a revolving door.
How do they expect him to build something when the administration is not willing to help him build?
GI is a totally different situation. Look at the quality of kid they have over there. You don't get Mitroka's and White's at FR. No disrespect but the quality of kid at FR and GI is way different. GI kids aren't leaving the school because they can get a great education. The rich island folks aren't taking their kids anywhere else. FR enrollment is dropping because kids don't want to go there. Athletes are leaving. GR's two best players this year were FR kids. Look at Huron, one of their best players is a FR kid. What don't the people in FR GET?
GI is one example but the rest of the schools in the league have almost double the kids. The school needs to step up the support for sure but the parents also need to get more involved. I guarantee you that if the parents were more active the school would have to be more supportive.
It is not even fun to watch when everyone is playing their 2nd team and FR still struggles to compete. Sure it is less of a blowout but the 2nd team comes in fresh when the FR team is beat down already.
Huron has over 850 students, FR has 550. Huron is picking from 300 more students. It's a no brainer there. Someone who cares comes in and changes the attitude. They've always had the athletes and kids they just needed someone that could put it all together. Kids don't play at FR because they know what they're up against. Their best Receiver is on the soccer team this fall and he was on V as a soph last year.
FR has never won consistently in the HL. They just don't have the kid to pick from. The new HC will have them 2-7, or 3-6 in a few years which is acceptable and everyone will have "hope" then they'll be back to 1-8 0-9 when the next crop of bad athletes come through. Take Ida, Dundee, or Mason put them in the league after years of getting beat on and you think they win games in this league..umm no, but they have administration that cares and puts them in good situations to succeed.
Being from the Catholic League they move teams around. I think FR should try to play in the lowest level of the catholic league,heck SMCC can play in a public school league. FR should be playing Richard, Cabrini WOLL…etc. I like Oestrike, my kid likes him, but my kid won't be going to FR unless they make changes to their schedule. Im not sure if the coach is in Favor of that, but someone needs to approach the staff. I know the School Board has already been approached. It's not safe for these kids to play in the HL.
"Flat Rock is too small to compete in the Huron League anymore"
GI competes with only 55 more students.
Its starts with a good coach, from what I understand, they have one in place. If he can get the school to care just a little bit, thing can turn around. As they seem to have done at Huron, which at one point was the worst school in the entire state of Michigan, football wise.
-bn
-bn
The school will not step in because they don't care. You have a bunch of paper pushers at FR and a coach that is being strung along by the administration. If he's smart he gets out before it gets real ugly in FR>
This will be Closer than the expert(s) predict.
How do they belong? Explain it to me? They're never going to build at that place if they don't have success.
By snooze's lastest predictions it looks like both Milan AND Riverview have winnable districts. Melvindale will be a tough match for the Pirates and Tecumseh will be tough for the Big Reds. Both I think are winnable though. View may have to score 60 but hey who knows.
-bn
1035pm
just not true
Flat Rock is too small to compete in the Huron League anymore and they need to change leagues or go independent. They are putting kids at risk each week of injury….surprised the school has not stepped up to support these kids yet.