xavierbreath

How about "Spindletop Stadium"?  or something that identifies with the area?

[quote name="smitty" post="786055" timestamp="1270413062"] People in Hampshire-Fannett need to start calling those that are making the decision who to hire, and tell them Danny Malone is the answer.  Like I said, someone will hire this fine coach... [/quote] Is there any chance that you might be.............Mrs. Malone? :)

Congrats to all these fine young men

I have a new vacuum cleaner.........I call it OU

[quote name="HFHORNS" post="782998" timestamp="1269705037"] [quote author=Bucof2010 link=topic=67631.msg782584#msg782584 date=1269651805] [quote author=vidort-bone42I link=topic=67631.msg782431#msg782431 date=1269629520] [quote author=HoopInsider_Cooper link=topic=67631.msg781428#msg781428 date=1269457748] [font=Courier]Could be a situation where the new coach won't be able to bring in too many assistants.[/font] [/quote] Imagine that  :o :o :o  Are assistant coaches required to [b]TEACH[/b] something at HF  ??? ??? ??? [/quote] Obviously? [/quote]Not really an issue there is not much teaching going on at HF. They need to put as much effort into getting "QUALITY" teachers into the high school and getting them to stay.  There is a revolving door at HF when it comes to this issue. [/quote] Wasn't HF an exemplary district last year?  If so, how do they get there without good teachers?

[quote name="_Alan_" post="779828" timestamp="1269147096"] hf pulls the upset winning 3-2 =] [/quote] Wasn't this the 2 teams that were going to have players missing for "spring break"?  If so, were Vidor's players on "spring break" this week?

[quote name="7Sammy7-Jags" post="779656" timestamp="1269115122"] I know I'm from Central high and play for the Varsity squad and duh I want say us.....But it's true look at all the other teams and they pretty much accomplished wat evryone thought they would.....With the exception of HF....But no one knew how they would so it doesn't count......We started off bad but ended in fashion....We made it to the playoffs and Beat first place in their district Lumerton, we came in fourth...we are beasty....[size=16pt][b]all of the refs were always against us but we still pulled win after win[/b][/size], now we're in the 2nd round of playoffs....wat a cinderella story right [/quote] Will the team that the refs are always for please stand up?!  ??? ;D

[quote name="mmag1122" post="776141" timestamp="1268425454"] Central did not win.  HF lost.  You can't beat referees and opposing coaches. [/quote] Oh boyyyyyyy!  Here we go again........it was the referee's fault.  I wish I had a dollar for every  post saying the referees cost one team or the other a ball game.  I would be $rich$ ;D

[quote name="soccerguy1" post="775890" timestamp="1268371980"] Ok, wondering if I should step off into this discussion or not because at times it really does not seem to be going anywheres but here goes anyways. As some have said previously, I have had the luxury of playing, coaching, and also refereeing. I have seen all view points of the games. Yes referees will miss calls, soccer is a fast paced game and stuff will be missed. Are the rules enforced consistantly, no way, why because the game of soccer is one big gray area. When soccer becomes where it is not as much of a gray area sport, I think the enjoyment of the sport will truly deterroitate. Why? Because with hard stead fast rules such as the DGSO rule where a player is automatically red carded, someone is not going to be happy. Now I know you'll say, well the player committed a foul against an attacker who was one on one with the keeper, it should be a red card. You are correct! Now, what happens when the score is 8-0 and a defender from the losing team commits this foul? Still think that it will add to the spirit or the enjoyment of the game if he/she receives a red card in an already dire game? That is why it is not good for the  game for some of the descretion that the referees have be taken away. Now, are the referees in this area lacking, of course. Is the knowledge, experience and skill of SOME of the referees in this area lacking, of course. Guess what, it is not different than any other area in the State of Texas. Having rubbed shoulders with many of those who still continue to do games (I do not) I know that there are some outstanding referees in this area. I know of a few who have gone on to do high levels of games and in my opinion are still some of the best referees I have seen. So do not say that the referees around here are not good, because believe me, there are some good ones. To the comment about the referee saying he didnt like a particular school. His comment was probably based around the fact that ever time he goes to a particular school to do a game, he receives a ration of sh*t from the fans, coaches, and sometimes players who are not controlled by those in the stands or on the sidelines. Though referees know that they have to take some criticism or griping, or know that there are idiot fans up there who really dont know the game but think they do, it is disheartening to be on the field in any level of game (but happens more in High School) and have fans up in the stands screaming derrogatory comments at you, telling you that you "suck" "blow" or do nothing more than sit up in the stands and further insight the players on the field, from both teams i might add. It is disheartening because most of the times, it is ADULTS. Why do they do it, they do it because they know they can generally get away with it. Bad part is, who does it really affect, it affects the players. The players on the field hear the fans screaming and unfortunately, it is contagious. However, I do not think that the referee that made that comment purposely called fouls against a certain team because he/she did not like them. It is also silly to quote statistics because some teams are more physical than others so some teams will be called on more than others. Some teams player the advantage or take advantage of "advantage" situations than others. So yes the player may have gotten fouled, but the player continued through the foul and the foul was not called. Again, statistics are silly. And lastly, yes the referees here do go to the same classes. It has been a while but when I sat in them, they are told the same information at each one, but as with most soccer referees nationwide, each sees the game in a different light based on their skill, experience, knowledge etc. I agree with those who say if you want to change how games are called in this area, join up, and see how well you do. If you're wondering why I do not referee anymore. Well here is my quick soapbox on that issue. I refereed for many years, did some of the bigger games in this area. However, I found myself dreading going to certain schools like the official mentioned in a previous post because of the constant badgering I received by students and fans. I found myself in situations at times where fans had followed me out into the parking lot. Ask yourself, why are there cops at UIL events, well that is why. Because some people take it past extreme and do silly stuff like that. After figuring out that I was tired of the badgering, that I was getting to where I did not want to go to many schools around here, I found that I was not enjoying it anymore. It is not worth doing it if you do not enjoy it, believe me, the money is not that good. Was I a great referee, by no means, but I think I was a good one. However, I did not feel that any human deserved to be treated or talked to the way I would be talked to by spectators and coaches. So once I figured out that I wasnt enjoying it, I hung up my jersey and stuck with the coaching aspect of it. I still cringe today when I hear some idiot on the sidelines of my sons youth soccer game ranting and raving over a hand ball that was not a hand ball and verbally abusing a referee. I see young children who are refereeing games that are getting talked to the same way I was when I was refereeing many moons ago. This too is disheartening to watch adults talk to a teenager or even worse, threaten a teenager in that way. Do they mess up, yes, but what is yelling at them, no matter what age going to get you, nothing more than a pissed off referee! So for those of you who are up in the stands and are unhappy with the level of officials on your games, look around and watch the guy who you think to yourself, oh that's just "that guy" who likes to jack with the referees. You may not like the level of officials on your childs games because the high level of officials walked and said "no way, I'm not going there to deal with that, I'll go somewhere else or quit". Ok I have writer's cramp now, enjoy your evenings. [/quote] great post Soccerguy, I am glad to hear from a ref.........someone who has been there and can express what it must feel like to be constantly harassed and insulted when you are trying to do a job the best that you can.  You have my utmost respect.  Sorry you decided to give it up.  Your post, I think, explains why there is a shortage of referees in soccer and in most sports.  It is a shame, because as we know, you cannot play the games without referees.

[quote name="Rizon" post="774970" timestamp="1268281014"] Email the UIL and see what they have to say about it. How are you going to punish an athlete for going on vacation during a school holiday. They go on vacation as faimilies, what are you going to do...leave a teenager at home unattended...not a good idea. I don't think the parents should be planning a vacation during this time period if their child is going to be participating in a sport that has games over spring break, but you can't punish the athlete for the parents decision. Missing practice during a school day and a school holiday are completely different. I know when I was in school coaches couldn't even make practices mandatory over spring break. I don't know if that was a school rule or UIL. Maybe someone else knows. [/quote] Some interesting points. If the parent(s) of the player(s) decide to plan a vacation during the season of the sport that their child is playing in, should they have any complaints if the coach decides not to play their child when they return from vacation? What if you are a backup to the player that left for "vacation" and you made all the practices and all the games during spring break; should the player that returns from "vacation" get his or her starting position back? how would that make you feel if you are backup?

[quote name="WellRead" post="774989" timestamp="1268282081"] Please take note Xavier,      1) As to refereeing - been there, done that      2) I'm busy watching my kid(s) play      3) The "blatant bias" comment is not baseless. Another area ref told of one local referee who said prior to a game "I don't like ____________(school name)." The ref then proceeded to call 12 fouls and issue at least one yellow card against that school to two foul calls in their favor, despite several flagrant fouls injuring two of that school's players.      Over the past several years I have observed particular players throughout the area appear (emphasis on appear) to be singled out by certain refs. They (the players) are consistently called (or carded) for minor (non injuring) fouls, but when they are seriously fouled (i.e. hip-checked or shoved to the ground) not even a call is made in their favor. Observing this makes one at least question the unbias attitude of the rule keepers.      Oodoo is right, there is a problem having enough competent (my word added) refs available for games which contributes to this problem. And I do appreciate those who take on this thankless job - without them the games could not go on.      My whole point of the post is this - any player, boy or girl, who intentionally fouls and seriously injures another player should experience an appropriate consequence (some form of card) The center referees with the aid of the ARs are responsible for this response. The response should be consistent from game to game and school to school. I would be naive to think all fouls will be called, but the above mentioned type of fouls being left unchecked can ultimately open the door to events such as happened at the recent Ned-Central game as well as other games. [/quote] [b]"1) As to refereeing - been there, done that"[/b]............Great, then you should be able to step right in when your kid(s) finish their athletic careers and add 1 "competent" ref to the shortage of good refs........unless of course you are tired of being criticized at games and on some "opinion" message board [b]"2) I'm busy watching my kid(s) play"[/b]............I don't blame you, that is where you should be, I respect that 100%, you are to be commended for that [b]"3) The "blatant bias" comment is not baseless. Another area ref told of one local referee who said prior to a game "I don't like ____________(school name)." The ref then proceeded to call 12 fouls and issue at least one yellow card against that school to two foul calls in their favor, despite several flagrant fouls injuring two of that school's players"[/b]........................If what you say here is true, it should be easy to prove.  If indeed "another area ref told of one local referee who said prior to a game "I don't like ____________(school name)", then there should be witnesses that can back up that claim.  I would also imagine that there is video that can collaborate your allegation.  If these events happened as you claim then I agree it should be reported and the evidence presented to the UIL and the proper consequences for such actions should be handed down.  But it is easy to repeat "hear-say" that may or may not have any substance.  It could be a parent or player that is upset that their team lost and they are looking for someone to blame it on.  Bottom line is, if you are not going to take action to prevent these allegations that you are making, then just live with the consequences. Bottom line is "The "blatant bias" comment is not baseless" is baseless unless you have evidence and can prove these accusations. JMO of course.  :)

[quote name="Dogs2x2" post="774607" timestamp="1268247696"] [font=Comic Sans MS]I'm sure the refs are big boys and can take a little criticism, and I  really could argue with you allll day about this but this forum is not the place.  You are certanly intitled to your opinion as am I. [/font] [/quote] I consider calling someone "lazy" or "blind" bashing and not an opinion.  I am sure the refs can take constructive "criticism" though, but I really haven't seen any of that.  Just name calling by people who do not have the guts to put on a shirt. But I agree, we all have a right to our own opinions.........so state one

Which teams will represent 38 4A? Are the teams set yet and if not, what are the scenarios?

[quote name="Dogs2x2" post="774480" timestamp="1268237366"] [font=Comic Sans MS]Oh did we touch a cord? You a ref ??? If you cant take the truth then stop reading the board.  By the way that is what the board is for, stating our opinion. That being said I never said it wasn't a hard job. And no not just anyone can or should do it.  But come on don't all refs go to the same classes?? Aren't there rules for a reason?? When they let the game get too out of hand thats when the kids get hurt.  And after all isn't that what its all about the KIDS and keeping them SAFE!!! [/font] [/quote] I repeat, I am not a referee.  I just get tired of people getting on a board and "bashing" referees.   Maybe refs should sit in the stands to call games, because the viewpoint is much better from there than on the field, I mean I read tons of things the refs missed from people on these boards.  You can see how "blind and lazy" refs are, you can see how bias they are, you can see all the things missed and bad calls (I should say calls that you don't agree with) from the stands.........I hope some refs are on here so they can consider this.......this would even keep them from getting in the way of the players that are competing.  Why haven't those blind, lazy, biased refs thought of this before? In response to your comment "If you cant take the truth then stop reading the board", I can handle the truth, I just get tired of the bashing(which is not an opinion).  When was the last time you saw a comment on here about how well a game was officiated?  Or this would be great......... a comment saying "my team won because the refs were biased for my team" ;D I still challenge you to put on a shirt and do the job (and you could get Well to help you), then you 2 could replace 2 lazy, blind, biased refs. :D and the world would be a better place.

[quote name="Dogs2x2" post="774463" timestamp="1268236455"] [font=Comic Sans MS]Couldn't agree more.  There is nothing worse than a blind or lazy ref and obnoxious fans.  :-\[/font] [/quote] I challenge you to become a ref Dogs, and you 2 can replace these "blind or lazy refs". So unless you have the b@!!s to put a shirt on..........well, you know the rest. ;)

[quote name="WellRead" post="774331" timestamp="1268203364"]     It has been said the game of soccer could not be played appropriately without rules or rule enforcers. There is a lot of truth to that. That said, I have seen enough high school soccer games this year that it is time to make a couple of important obsevations reguarding the local rule keepers.     This year I have seen too many players receive moderate to severe injuries with the player committing the foul receiving no consequence for the physical harm they bring to other players. While I know injuries are part of the game, I believe it is time for the referees to penalize players for obvious injurious play. When players walk off the field with concussions, finish the game with cleat marks on their upper thighs or back, and young players suffering broken collar bones or separated shoulders, offending players should walk off the same field with yellow and/or red cards for their actions. Instead, the cards given this year - while generally warranted - are for innappropriate verbal comments, pulling jerseys, or other less offensive penalties. I encourage the powers that be to put as much emphasis on the physical aspect of the game as they do on soccer's traditional "gentlemanly" aspect. [b]I also encourage them to consider dropping their blatant biases toward certain teams. It only discredits your job as well as your respect. [/b]     That said, I also want to also encourage the fans to conduct themselves appropriately while in the stands. While it is understandable you do not want your young ladies and gentlemen hurt due to missed calls of rough play, [b]you still need to show the referees the correct respect[/b]. While referees will not see everything you see in the stands, students will see your example. Be sure it is positive.     Good luck to all the teams as the season comes to a close. [/quote] So, Well, why don't you become a ref and correct all these wrongs? Stop just observing and do something about it, other than criticizing on a board. In one paragraph you say [b]"I also encourage them to consider dropping their blatant biases toward certain teams. It only discredits your job as well as your respect"[/b] and then in the next you say [b]"you still need to show the referees the correct respect"[/b].  Seems to me that in the first comment that you are insinuating that refs are "helping" (in other words not calling the game fairly........or could be translated into "cheating") certain teams.  Are these comments showing "the referees the correct respect" that you are telling everyone else they need to do.  Sounds like one of those "do as I say, not as I do" comments. Again, I challenge you to become a referee. You can stop all these wrongs and you can make the game better. And no, I am not a referee.  I just get tired or reading over and over how bad officials are (in all sports and on all threads on this board) by people who just sit in the stands and don't have the b@!!s to put a shirt on and improve the officiating to the level that they believe it needs to be.

[quote name="Islander" post="774249" timestamp="1268194876"] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Fighting for their playoff lives, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears catapulted to fourth place with a solid 3-2 victory over the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns on Tuesday night at Battlin' Bear Stadium.  Garhett Bonneaux had a hand in all the Bears' goals with two goals and one assist; while Kevin Hernandez scored the game-deciding goal for the Bears.     Bears Coach Jeremy Watzlavik was proud of the team's victory.  "I am happy for our team, it was a good team effort", said Watzlavik.  "They deserved the win."     The game had a slow start for the Bears.  In the game's opening minute,  the Longhorns earned a throw-in on the Bears' side of the field.  The Longhorns headed the throw-in into the Bears' goal for a 1-0 lead.      The Bears answered one minute later from a nice throw-in of their own when Tommy Jones threw the ball in front of the Longhorn goal.  The ball was kicked several times around the box and ended up at Bonneaux's feet.  Bonneaux blasted a left-footed shot that deflected off a Longhorn defender for a goal and a 1-1 tie.          The teams battled hard for the next 25 minutes without either team scoring.  Then, Bonneaux took a free-kick from 25 yards away from the Longhorn goal.  Bonneaux's shot went through a crowd of Longhorn defenders and into the opposite side of the net for a 2-1 Bears lead.  "I saw that the Longhorn goalie was standing at the near post; so I tried to catch him off guard while he was organizing his wall, and it worked", said Bonneaux.  "It was a beautiful kick", observed Watzlavik.     The Bears struck again in the game's 53rd minute when Bonneaux passed to Hernandez at the 35 yard line.  Hernandez controlled the ball and charged towards the Longhorn goal on a breakaway.  Going one-on-one against the Longhorn goalie, Hernandez drilled the ball past the goalie and into the net.  "It was a strong goal by Hernandez", noted Watzlavik.  "I was happy that he got the goal for us."  Hernandez's goal gave the Bears a 3-1 lead.     The Longhorns scored four minutes later when they were awarded a penalty kick.  The Longhorns converted the kick to make the game's final score 3-2.  Although the Longhorns made several offensive runs, a resilient Bears defense prevented any further scores.     Watzlavik noted that other Bears players with strong individual performances were Jordan King, Fabian Mankat, Cristian Diaz, Tommy Jones, Mauricio Benitez, Dylan Cope, and Mitchel Heil.           [b]The Bears can punch their playoff ticket with either a win against  the Nederland Bulldogs or a Longhorn loss against the Ozen Panthers.  [/b]The Bears will host Nederland on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. [/quote] What are the possibilities of one or both happening?

[quote name="HFHORNS" post="772870" timestamp="1268003771"] Or the other choice is to stay and hope you kids doesn't get screwed by HF athletic department.  I would love to see the programs turn around [i][b]you have great parent support and a lot of kids with alot of heart[/b][/i].  Mangan was definitely not a good fit for this school.  Put it in the past and move on.  Consider it a lesson learned and fix the problem.   [/quote] Didn't I read on the "High School Soccer" board that HF had 4 starters that would be missing  2 or 3 district games so they could go on spring break?   If this is true, is it also possible that similar things could be happening in all the sports?  And if this is true, is this the kind of "great parent support and a lot of kids with alot of heart" that is happening out there?  If any of it is true, then it will probably be hard to be competitive in the district that HF is in.

[quote name="vidor2012" post="772595" timestamp="1267936718"] Vidor is in 2nd right now, and I'm sure that they wont be moving from that spot anytime this year. [/quote] How many players exactly will Vidor be missing during spring break? How many if any are starters?

[quote name="andy." post="772124" timestamp="1267900970"] any teams losing players due to spring break vacations?? i know HF will be missing four starting players: Terry Affolter - Striker Travis Bertrand - LMidWing Cody Dailey - LWingDef Michael Smith - RWingDef :-\ however, starting keeper, Eric Maggio will be back  ;) [/quote] Are they missing games for the same reasons as the Vidor players? What is happening to make all these players miss district games? Is Vidor and HF the only teams with this happening? Is Vidor in the hunt for a playoff berth? 

[quote name="andy." post="772131" timestamp="1267901714"] yeah, it is a little. really puts a dent in team's strategies and stuff. however, yes. HF is in the hunt. they were in 3rd but the loss to central last night pushed them down to 4th. they will most likely be going to the playoffs. [/quote] Did the players you listed above play last night? 

Unbelievable, I posted my opinion on this under the "Teams to make it to the playoffs" thread.  I saw where Vidor may be missing some players during spring break.  What are these players thinking?  Awfully selfish if you ask me. Is HF in the hunt for a playoff spot? 

[quote name="SportsFanatic79" post="770665" timestamp="1267731931"] Spring Break will throw a little wrinkle into this scenerio.  Is anyone going to be missing players? [/quote] I don't understand this.  How can a player go on "spring break" and not attend a game or practices ???.  I might understand at the sub varsity level, because schedules may not be set for those levels, but how can a varsity player choose their "spring break" over competing for playoff spots. Players know varsity district schedules well in advance so I don't buy "not knowing" when games will be played. This is very selfish in my opinion.  How could a player or players let down their teammates, and schools, like that ???  More importantly, where are the parents of these athletes?  Where is the teaching of responsibility ???  I believe if you commit to playing a team sport, you should commit 100% and schedule your personal (leisure) time around your 1st commitment, which should be the team. If you are not going to commit [i][b]100% for the entire season[/b][/i], then don't play at all.  If I were a coach and I had players choose to go on "spring break" instead of attending practices or games, I would tell them to stay on "spring break" and we will play without them.  I remember my parents making me attend basketball practice during Christmas holidays (and we were not even close to making a playoff run), instead of letting me go hunting in west Texas.  It made me realize that when I made a commitment to someone, I had to honor that commitment......believe me, I had rather been hunting at the time. Sorry for the rant, but I couldn't believe players would choose to go on vacation instead of competing for a playoff spot.

Blue, I am just curious and I am not trying to start anything, but if it is a common process, can you name the schools that are doing it? I am sure private schools do it because they need "student-athletes" for revenue, but I am just curious if you know of any public schools that might be "courting"?

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="763802" timestamp="1266808247"] [quote author=horndawg link=topic=65861.msg763783#msg763783 date=1266806387] I'm in agreement with HF being exemplary, and it does seem to me that kid's parents that "want little Johnny to be looked at by big time colleges" want to move them away from HF, which is a sad sad deal.  For their education sake, I don't know why they'd leave HF.  Now if they'd all have that mentality, then HF could keep a core group of really good athletes that wouldn't lose that athleticism to other places. [/quote]Student-athletes are courted by other high schools with good acadeic and athletic programs. It's a common process. [/quote] Correct me because I could be wrong, but I believe that "courted" would be considered "recruiting" and I believe that is a violation of UIL rules (of course proving such a thing may be next to impossible)