FL West 2011

[lbcoach45]

It's always interesting to see what people think about the next season and see how those thoughts match up to reality 12 months later.

Dundee - Will still be the team to beat. Lose several key players, but have some kids coming back that will be among the top in the league. I see them reverting to more of a running offense with two big backs carrying the load.

SS - Should be at the top. Return several key players, including a very strong backfield. Will be very physical on both sides and should contend for a league title.

Clyde - Big question mark. They lose their best players in Fasano and Munson. Their JV was solid, but they only had 1 sophomore on Varsity during the year. I think they remain towards the top of the league and if they get some quality time from kids moving up, will be in the mix again.

RJ - Huge shoes to fill. JV was very physical, but another team with no one playing up. They don't have the kids coming through to replace what they lost, but they have enough moving up to be competitive.

Lyons - I think they make a big move next year. They lose some good players, but they had a lot of younger guys playing big roles this year. Depending on who takes over, they could be the most improved team next year.

DeSales - Return a lot on the line, lose a lot of production with Wilson and Hudson leaving. Based on what they have back, they should be at the top of the league. Never know if they will lose some kids, or pick a few up.

Whitman - Probably returns as much talent and experience as anyone in the league. They'll have a new coach running things, but it will be someone that was on staff this past year, so I don't see them missing a beat. Bigger question is how the kids respond after a bad year.

Mynderse - They return just about everyone, but they weren't able to pull a win out this year. I don't think they jump from the bottom to the top, but I do see them moving past a few teams next year.

[fivelakesfreddy]

RJ - Huge shoes to fill. JV was very physical, but another team with no one playing up. They don't have the kids coming through to replace what they lost, but they have enough moving up to be competitive.

rj won't be a contender as long as they keep the head coach.good guy but knows very little about the game.

[flwball11]

Gorton, Ellison and Prior in the backfield will be one of the strongest, if not the strongest backfield in the West.

[lbcoach45]

Gorton, Ellison and Prior in the backfield will be one of the strongest, if not the strongest backfield in the West.

Not sure, but I believe Ellison was on JV the first time we played them. Big back, decent speed. Not sure who Prior is, but the second time we played them they had a very tall kid running the ball, very shifty. I think Gorton is going to be a monster next year.

South Seneca will have a strong backfield as well. Return both starters from one of the top backfields this year and they should only be better.

Whitman should be very strong as well, two backs return that should both be over 200 pounds with enough speed to break a long run and another returner with good speed.

Long ways away, but with the kids that return in the skill spots, I think the league will be better next year than this past year.

[coachstew]

Not sure, but I believe Ellison was on JV the first time we played them. Big back, decent speed. Not sure who Prior is, but the second time we played them they had a very tall kid running the ball, very shifty. I think Gorton is going to be a monster next year.

South Seneca will have a strong backfield as well. Return both starters from one of the top backfields this year and they should only be better.

Whitman should be very strong as well, two backs return that should both be over 200 pounds with enough speed to break a long run and another returner with good speed.

Long ways away, but with the kids that return in the skill spots, I think the league will be better next year than this past year.

The tall kid was Brace, Prior was a little shorter and very strong no. 21 I believe.

[flwball11]

Not sure, but I believe Ellison was on JV the first time we played them. Big back, decent speed. Not sure who Prior is, but the second time we played them they had a very tall kid running the ball, very shifty. I think Gorton is going to be a monster next year.

South Seneca will have a strong backfield as well. Return both starters from one of the top backfields this year and they should only be better.

Whitman should be very strong as well, two backs return that should both be over 200 pounds with enough speed to break a long run and another returner with good speed.

Long ways away, but with the kids that return in the skill spots, I think the league will be better next year than this past year.


Ellison was brought up for sectionals and got some solid touches during the semi's and finals. Max will be fun to watch.

Wycoff (sp?) will do good things for SS.

Lyons had a back that will be returning that was on 2nd team I believe, He could do some damage.

Eddinger from Whitman is a beast. He'll tear it up.

[x4Ballard21x]

Max is a solid kid. Huge legs able to keep them going running through tackles. He has pretty decent speed too. Im just wondering what it would be like if his knee wasnt messed up. Ellison is also a big kid with good speed. I also expect Col, and Brace to be brought up next year to get some experience. Might not get a ton of touches but it will help them thier junior and senior seasons to get some experience. All of them must get into the weight room though. I know Gorton gets in there and gets after it...the others must as well, as I see them having to manage to break tackles as Dundee's line wont be what it has been the past couple years.

[x4Ballard21x]

The tall kid was Brace, Prior was a little shorter and very strong no. 21 I believe.

Yes Stew he wears the best number in the world. lol

[lbcoach45]

Bringing this thread back up, since there was some talk in the Gorton video about the league this coming season.

I still see Dundee as the team to beat. They lose a lot, but they lost a lot the previous year and still went undefeated and won a sectional title. The returners learned how to win close games and that can play a huge role during the season.

My biggest question mark is DeSales. They had some bad losses during the year and didn't figure things out until sectionals. Two huge parts of the sectional success are gone and it's going to be hard to replace them. They have the kids coming back to contend, but can they replace what they lost?

[coachstew]

Bringing this thread back up, since there was some talk in the Gorton video about the league this coming season.

I still see Dundee as the team to beat. They lose a lot, but they lost a lot the previous year and still went undefeated and won a sectional title. The returners learned how to win close games and that can play a huge role during the season.

My biggest question mark is DeSales. They had some bad losses during the year and didn't figure things out until sectionals. Two huge parts of the sectional success are gone and it's going to be hard to replace them. They have the kids coming back to contend, but can they replace what they lost?

The team I'm curious about is South Seneca. They have turned their program around the las two years. Last year they were a 5 pt. loss to Dundee in week 1 from winning a league title. Will they continue to build on these successes??

[x4Ballard21x]

Bringing this thread back up, since there was some talk in the Gorton video about the league this coming season.

I still see Dundee as the team to beat. They lose a lot, but they lost a lot the previous year and still went undefeated and won a sectional title. The returners learned how to win close games and that can play a huge role during the season.

My biggest question mark is DeSales. They had some bad losses during the year and didn't figure things out until sectionals. Two huge parts of the sectional success are gone and it's going to be hard to replace them. They have the kids coming back to contend, but can they replace what they lost?

Been home for 2 days now and been going to workout at Dundee school. Been a lot of players in there. Prior getting into the weight room which is great to see. Kid is my hero. Hopefully a few others will follow suit. I really think they will be a contender this coming year. Will work with them with some stuff that I learned this past year playing college ball. Will have a better idea what they will look like after working with them for a couple weeks. Anyways I do think they will be able to field a tough team.

[MarshallGrad1]

Bringing this thread back up, since there was some talk in the Gorton video about the league this coming season.

I still see Dundee as the team to beat. They lose a lot, but they lost a lot the previous year and still went undefeated and won a sectional title. The returners learned how to win close games and that can play a huge role during the season.

My biggest question mark is DeSales. They had some bad losses during the year and didn't figure things out until sectionals. Two huge parts of the sectional success are gone and it's going to be hard to replace them. They have the kids coming back to contend, but can they replace what they lost?


Dundee, is the team to beat until they get beat. they hold 3 straight league titles as well as 3 straight section v crowns...Ellison and Gorton are the backs to watch out for. what their line doesnt pick up, i am sure they will run it over!!!!The Jv Qb replacing Rapalee is big with a rifle. They might be losing alot to graduation, but those coaches will reload. Dundee knows how to win


Rj, will need to have the Jvs that are replacing those seniors jump right in and get their feet wet as soon as possible... There defense will be wild and having to replace Sanders at qb is huge shoes to fill, as for that persons Blast on coach Schartel, why be like that. Everyone is always a better coach from the stands..


SS, has a tremendous qb and backfield back, however they are losing there core line that hepled them win some huge games last year. I am sure Oddi and Thomas will have that team dialed ready to bang!!

Lyons is under new mangaement...Coach Wadhams is back at the helm...Look for him to run musolini til his tongue wags and also dont forget about Derrick Fera, real good athlete with speed and great arm.

Mynderse was bottom feeding the past couple years, however a young team that is sick of losing is the most dangerous team out there.. look for them to pick up a few wins this year..

Whitamn loses Coach Whitcom to retirement. they have a big back in Jordan Truley but no line to open the holes for them. Not to knock the program, but it will need to build a year or so to get back where they used to be.

DeSales loses Wilson & Hudson. They will be hard to replace, however remember during the post season it was Devon Walton who carried DeSales through the post season. Solid line back qb spot is questionable as always with them.

The West is open in my opinion....just my opinion..

[lbcoach45]

I don't think Whitman can have what I think of in terms of a building year; playing younger guys in the hopes they gain experience and improve for the next year. I view Mynderse as taking that approach the last two years and Whitman to an extent last year.

The rest of the above post, I completely agree with. Dundee team to beat, Lyons, DeSales and Mynderse should have better in league seasons, SS will be very physical and Clyde and RJ will have to rely on some youngers guys filling in. Overall, I think the league will be very competitive again, maybe a little bit better top to bottom than last year. I'd be surprised if anyone went without a win this year.

[x4Ballard21x]

Was in the weight room yesterday lifting, saw all three players I expect to see carrying the ball this fall- Prior, Ellison, and Gorton. Max looks absolutely HUGE. Was hitting the weights hard! Ellison is up there in size too. From what I have heard I dont think Prior has been brought up yet but I fully expect him to be. Max and Greg will be tough to stop at their size, both also having decent speed. Colin has more speed but is smaller in size. I think he said he was 160 or 165. Hopefully he'll put on some weight. Kid hits like a truck on both offense and defense despite being smaller. Really cant wait to work with these kids a bit and see what they can do in the fall.

[coachstew]

Dundee has plenty of skill players. Gorton, Ellison, M. Prior, Jensen, Brace, C. Prior and Kirkendoll are all very capable players. They question might be line play. For all the skill players they have had, their line play has been great with guys like Perez, Jayne, Z. Carruthers, Gilbert and Raplee among others. They have Carruthers who should be really good on both O and D lines, but after that I'm not sure. I'm assuming Carruthers-Smith will be one of those lineman, Miller will have to play big as a sophmore.

[MarshallGrad1]

Dundee has plenty of skill players. Gorton, Ellison, M. Prior, Jensen, Brace, C. Prior and Kirkendoll are all very capable players. They question might be line play. For all the skill players they have had, their line play has been great with guys like Perez, Jayne, Z. Carruthers, Gilbert and Raplee among others. They have Carruthers who should be really good on both O and D lines, but after that I'm not sure. I'm assuming Carruthers-Smith will be one of those lineman, Miller will have to play big as a sophmore.

Dundee may not be the team of previous years, but they are still the top team and they worked real hard to deserve those credentials.

[lbcoach45]

There is a lot of talent back at the skill spots, but most of the teams lost their best linemen from last year. You look at the all stars from last year and most of the linemen are gone. Like most years, the best line will probably win the title. Unlike most years, who has the best line coming into the season is a pretty big question mark.

To me, I think there is more talent at the skill positions, especially at QB and RB, throughout the league than there has been in recent years. I can think of 6 backs off the top of my head that could be the best in the league this year based on what they did last year. That doesn't count the JV players I saw that should move up and be very successful, or the back ups from last year that showed a lot of talent. I think there are 3 QB's returning that could each be considered the best in the league. Should make for a very exciting year.

[MarshallGrad1]

There is a lot of talent back at the skill spots, but most of the teams lost their best linemen from last year. You look at the all stars from last year and most of the linemen are gone. Like most years, the best line will probably win the title. Unlike most years, who has the best line coming into the season is a pretty big question mark.

To me, I think there is more talent at the skill positions, especially at QB and RB, throughout the league than there has been in recent years. I can think of 6 backs off the top of my head that could be the best in the league this year based on what they did last year. That doesn't count the JV players I saw that should move up and be very successful, or the back ups from last year that showed a lot of talent. I think there are 3 QB's returning that could each be considered the best in the league. Should make for a very exciting year.
That's a good topic: who are the 6 best backs in the West?

[coachstew]

There is a lot of talent back at the skill spots, but most of the teams lost their best linemen from last year. You look at the all stars from last year and most of the linemen are gone. Like most years, the best line will probably win the title. Unlike most years, who has the best line coming into the season is a pretty big question mark.

To me, I think there is more talent at the skill positions, especially at QB and RB, throughout the league than there has been in recent years. I can think of 6 backs off the top of my head that could be the best in the league this year based on what they did last year. That doesn't count the JV players I saw that should move up and be very successful, or the back ups from last year that showed a lot of talent. I think there are 3 QB's returning that could each be considered the best in the league. Should make for a very exciting year.

I was thinking about this. There does seem to be a lot of good backs in the league next year. Moore and Fera should both have very good years at QB.

[lbcoach45]

That's a good topic: who are the 6 best backs in the West?

Not in any particular order and I'm sure I butchered some names. Based on last year, I'd say the top 6 are:

Gorton - Dundee
Muscolino - Lyons
Walton - DeSales
Eddinger - Whitman
Passalacqua - Mynderse
Wyckof - SS

Not sure how I would rank them. There are also some fullbacks who are very strong runners that could be in the discussion for top 6, but I went with guys that are most likely to be 2 backs.

[SaintsCoach1]

Not in any particular order and I'm sure I butchered some names. Based on last year, I'd say the top 6 are:

Gorton - Dundee
Muscolino - Lyons
Walton - DeSales
Eddinger - Whitman
Passalacqua - Mynderse
Wyckof - SS

Not sure how I would rank them. There are also some fullbacks who are very strong runners that could be in the discussion for top 6, but I went with guys that are most likely to be 2 backs.

I would agree with you on the Backs, you would have to kinda bulk them in groups...Gorton/Walton/Eddinger/Truley/Ellison are more tackle to tackle backs....Passalacqua/Wycoff/Musolini are scat speed backs. All these backs will definitely make it very interesting for defenses in the West this year. They all can take games over very quickly. This might be the most competitive the West has been in some time. I look forward to the upcoming season hope all the players stay healthy.

[lbcoach45]

What I think is a little bit different than the past few years are the number of starters coming back. Guys that have already been 1st/2nd teamers and guys that will be going into their 3rd Varsity season. The list I posted, almost all of them (if not all) are going into their third Varsity season. That's pretty rare, to have 6-8 backs that will already have 2 years of Varsity experience.

The other thing is even the guys that SaintsCoach1 listed as power backs have good speed and can break a long run and the speedier guys he listed all have enough power to run someone over. Should be a fun year.