December 13, 2011
Finally, I get around to posting my final high school football blog of the 2011 football season. The big highlights were Pinecrest getting in the playoffs and Scotland High going undefeated and winning the 4A state football championship.
I knew Scotland would go far, but back in August, I didn't think the Fighting Scots would go all the way and capture a state championship. But when the first week of the playoffs rolled around, I had a good feeling the Scots would roll through the 4A bracket, and that they did.
Yes, the Scots, were behind at halftime versus Porter Ridge in the title game, but it wasn't that the Pirates were better. The Scots were beating themselves, and head coach Chip Williams had to wake'em up at halftime. And of course, the Fighting Scots responded.
Of course, with the four classes being broke up for football and eight state title games, lots of folks still wonder what would have happened if the Scots were in the 4AA bracket. I think they would have won that title also, but Page and Mallard Creek would have gave them some kind of challenge. Still, the Fighting Scots would have found a way and come up victorious.
My final record for the season is 151-28 (84.4%), much better than that Earl guy in Fayetteville and slightly better than last year (154-29, 84.1%). Would like to shoot for 90% next season, but I'll be happy with 85%.
As for next season, well, what can we expect?
In the Southeastern 4A conference, Scotland will lose a ton of seniors and folks will be wondering if head coach Chip Williams will retire. I look for Richmond to return back to the top of the heap and everyone else fighting for second. Next season will bring a lot more parity in the SE 4A.
In the other two conferences Moore County teams are associated with, it will be business as usual. Douglas Byrd, Gray's Creek, and Overhills will fight for the top spot in the Cape Fear Valley 3A conference, but definitely do not sleep on Southern Lee. And, in the Yadkin Valley 1A conference, West Montgomery and Albemarle will be fighting for the top spot in the league, but South Stanly and East Montgomery may have something to say before all is said and done.
I think Pinecrest will finish 4-7 next season. I have heard rumors about Barron Collier of Naples, FL not returning to Southern Pines for a second game with the Pats next season. Also, making the state playoffs next season will be a huge question mark.
Unless more young men come out for the team and a miracle happens, North Moore's losing woes will continue. Union Pines will continue its conference losing streak and finish 2-9 again unless some major changes are made. It appears that UP is looking for assistant football coaches these days. Could the Vikes hire an assistant or two that could make a positive impact? There's no reason why the Mustangs and Vikings can't be competitive and have winning seasons. Folks at UP and NM have got to want success and work harder in order to make it happen. Community support also can make a big difference. But, whether folks want successful football programs at these schools still seems to be an unanswered question.
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nchawk 1 year, 5 months ago
"Community support also can make a big difference. But, whether folks want successful football programs at these schools still seems to be an unanswered question"
No truer words were ever spoken than those above... The community needs to get behind the program and insist on improvement as well as offering the total support of the young men playing. We need to get more athletes into the program and community interest cvan accomplish that along with GOOD coaching!!!
BostonYankee 1 year, 5 months ago
Great blog! Well deserved congratulations to Scotland County. I was a referee during the 7 on 7 tournament last July, Scotland was very impressive, our own Patriots didn't look to bad either.
mooremb3034 1 year, 4 months ago
One thing is for sure, "The community needs to get behind the program and insist on improvement" is the understatement of High School Football in Moore County...and believe it or not, it starts when the County's players are at the beginning of their tackle football careers, NOT when they're in High School. That means Moore County MUST establish a County-wide feeder program that contributes to ALL the High Schools, not just one or even two. If you look around the country, the successful High School football programs have GREAT feeder programs where the coaches from all levels are working together. As long as the county has struggling, disfunctional feeder programs, we'll always have teams that consider losing seasons where they make it to the playoffs (round 1 only) a success!
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