who should win counties?

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

its early in the season, yeah, but who do you guys think will win the county judging by what we've seen so far?

[gvcsjag2000]

As we are talking about Allegany county, many teams have the talent and skill to win the county title. In D2, Belfast was my favorite going in with all the returnees and the young good team they still have. Whitesville has the ability though to knock Belfast off and they tied in their first game played head to head. Ellison gives Whitesville a great shot, but I'm taking Belfast as being an overall better team to win D2 in the AC. In D1, 3 teams have a shot as usual, GV, B-R, and Fillmore. B-R and GV have looked the best so far. Fillmore has struggled a bit to score and has been beat up by Keshequa and B-R early on. But Fillmore is always going to be tough, they will figure it out. GV and B-R have looked solid and have been playing stellar "D". All 3 teams boast legit scoring threats and solid midfields. GV heads to Ellicottville for a big V vs. VI match up. B-R lost to Hornell, but it was a good game by two good teams and could've gone either way. GV and Fillmore play this week as well. Should be a lot of good games and any of these teams could take D1 in the AC. My pick is GV to claim it this season.

[hoops99]

In Div. 1, it will come down to GV and B-R, and at this point I'm giving the slight edge to GV. Their defense is extremely tough, having only surrendered 10 shots through 4 games. Their fitness level as a group is also incredibly high. I watched them totally dominate Belfast the other night in a game that could easily have been 6-0 without the play of the Belfast keeper. It was one of the most lopsided 2-0 wins I've seen in a long time. BR has already beaten Fillmore 4-0, but as you said, Fillmore will figure it out and be capable of knocking these teams off later on.

In Div. 2, the title could be determined in the last week of the season as it was last year. I agree that it comes down to Belfast and Whitesville, early on though, I'm going with Whitesville. Ellison should score 40+ goals again this year and Brubaker is a very nice complimentary player. Their defense also seems to do just enough to keep the ball out of the net. Belfast has potential, and probably the best keeper in the county, but many of the girls seem to be happy resting on their laurels after the success they had last season. While defense was their strong point last season, so far this year they're giving up far too many scoring opportunities and committing foolish fouls that lead to dangerous chances. They're also struggling to put anything together up front. The early tie against Whitesville and last night's loss to Canaseraga have them behind the 8 ball early on.

Who do you like for boys?

[gvcsjag2000]

On the boy's side, In DII, I like Houghton. Belfast and Andover both have solid squads as well, but I think Houghton has the most talent. Of course, al the games should be close and well played hard fought affairs as usual. Could go many ways, but my pick is Houghton.
In DI, I have to go with Fillmore for now. Really it's only between Fillmore and GV for the DI title, so we'll see. GV lost a ton from last years team, but they have played pretty well and will get better throughout the season as they still have some talented players. Fillmore at GV wednesday night, we'll see if GV can defend the home turf against their rivals. If GV can win this game, they have a great shot to win the county title. Both teams are a little down from the last few years, but both should keep getting better and will be tough come sectional time if they both get in. I went to GV, so I'm trying not to be biased. I'm picking who I think might win in my mind. But, GV has a great shot, but a win tonight will show something if they can get it.

[gvcsjag2000]

My mistake, I think Houghton is DI again this year. If I'm right, then at this point, I like Houghton in DI, and Belfast in DII even though Andover has beaten them.

[gvcsjag2000]

Well, according to the SectionV site, Houghton boys are in DII again this year. I thought they would stay and play in DI. But anyway, so back to what I posted for boys first. Houghton in DII, and Fillmore in DI at this point.

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

well tonight is a really important matchup between GV and fillmore, and itll def have county implications, so we'll see what goes down

[jrmill24]

I hate Fillmore but have to respect them... GO GVCS! Houghton and Belfast are tough in d-2 and I guess you have to include andover.... GV and Fillmore will decide d-1... its an early season match-up and both teams will get better throughout the season...

[hoops99]

I agree with Fillmore and GV in D1. They both lost a lot but these 2 programs don't rebuild, they just reload so as sectionals near I'm sure they'll be playing very good soccer. The rest of D1 is a non-factor honestly. In D2, it should come down to Belfast and Houghton. While GV and Fillmore are solid, these 2 teams from D2 are the class of the county. Yes, Andover beat Belfast 3-2 early on, but Belfast is the far superior team. With the already intense rivalry being kicked up a notch this year, anything can happen when these 2 play. With the addition of key senior, Aaron Worthington to the lineup (he missed the tournament game due to a foot injury) and some added experience for the young Belfast keeper, I'd expect Belfast to win the next 2 times they play. I feel like the 2 games between Belfast and Houghton will decide the title. We may even be looking at co-champs if they split. I don't expect either of them to a lose a league game outside of playing each other. (The section v website counted the tournament loss to Andover as a league game for Belfast, which it wasn't.)

[spoco57]

After the 4-0 crusheroo in GV, I don't think there's much doubt left about the better of those 2 teams. Fillmore plays Belfast in Belfast tonight (9/18) and Houghton plays Andover. The 4 best D teams in AC will be going at it. This should separate the men from the boys (so to speak). :)

[ballin'40]

Houghton beat Andover tonight 3-1, not sure how the Belfast-Fillmore game turned out

[hoops99]

1-0 Fillmore.

[gvcsjag2000]

Stunner of the night: GV goes on the road after getting beat up at home by Fillmore wednesday to knock off J-T 1-0. You just never know. But, that is a great victory for those GV kids and coaches. Houghton is definitely looking good, Belfast and Fillmore I'm sure had a great duel as always. Fillmore squeaks out the win.

[gvcsjag2000]

Girls soccer: GV- 4 Fillmore- 0

[spoco57]

Houghton may not be as good as they think they are. Only one quality (still questionable) win (Andover). They need to play some non-league games to toughen the team. Every year they seem to fold when the competition gets hot. It remains to be seen if this year they will be able to break the trend.

Belfast is probably better than they think they are and definitely better than their record. They need a confidence boost and I assume they'll get one. They played very well the first quarter of the Fillmore game, but got frustrated with Fillmore's close man-marking tactics on Winchell and just couldn't recover. They need to learn how to take advantage when teams assign players to mark their talented star.

Fillmore is probably playing above expectations. It helps that their coach is a very good soccer tactician and manages to have his team hang tough in close games. They are fielding a lot of young guys, and inexperience may begin to show, however they seem to work as a team. Like Houghton, they could use some stiffer competition. Belfast was a good test, and Keshequa at Nunda has always been a problem for them but it was a good season opening challenge.

[sectvathletics]

Houghton may not be as good as they think they are. Only one quality (still questionable) win (Andover). They need to play some non-league games to toughen the team. Every year they seem to fold when the competition gets hot. It remains to be seen if this year they will be able to break the trend.



How is Andover a questionable win? I was at the game and Houghton played better than they did when i watched them last season. Going into the game, Andover was #13 in New York State, I'd say that is a pretty quality win by a good team, a bit inexperienced at defense, but well coached. Last year, Houghton did not collapse under the heat of higher competition, but lost to a very good Andover team (who Houghton had beaten twice in an undefeated regular season) it just seems that it was Andovers turn to win. Also, Houghtons league schedule makes it hard to schedule tough opponents, they are forced to play Scio, Canaseraga, and Friendship. Schools that do not have binding league schedules like Webster Christian prey on bigger schools with dreadful soccer programs (School of the Arts, Warsaw, Charlotte, East, and Sodus) that is ill preparation for sectionals, and we have seen that the past 2 years when Belfast has beaten #1 seeded Webster Christian in sectionals (Houghton Beat Belfast twice both seasons). Houghton plays Belfast tomorrow, Belfast always has a good team and is looking good this year, we'll see how it goes for both sides, it may be a preview of the class D sectional championship.

[hoops99]

Very nice post spoco. I agree with everything you said. You seem to have nailed the analysis of these teams. What an entertaining game that was Friday night in Belfast and what a brilliant strategy by Coach Mullen. There was no way he was going to let Winchell beat him...and he still was able to get some chances. They could've easily tied it late as the 9th grader Harrington kicked one right at the keeper all alone from the doorstep. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's Belfast Houghton matchup.

[spoco57]

Hey Sectvathletics,

I meant that the Andover win was questionable (at least to me) at this point in the season only as to the quality of opponent. 13th in state was a very early ranking and remains to be seen. Houghton's win over them (based on your post, I was not there) was not questionable and I didn't mean to imply that the win wasn't a good one. I assume it was a very tough game. And it may prove to have been a win over a quality opponent yet. Let's see what Andover does with their season.

I also agree with you about H'ton's league scheduling problems. I'm sure it is very difficult in D2 to get the kind of competition that can prove a real challenge. Why doesn't H'ton play a couple games up a bracket (as does Fillmore v Keshequa)? I'm sure there are some good opponents nearby!

Don't take it too seriously. I'm always open-minded and I still would consider a win over Belfast a quality win. Remember, this is all personal opinion based on conjecture and supposition, that's all. Nothing more than speculation. Come on Houghton, surprise me!:)

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

the GV-JT game on friday night was a really tough game, and even though i may be a little biased, being a GV guy, i think maybe this could turn their season around and start them on the right path. heres to hoping for a great 2nd matchup between them and fillmore, instead of another beating. no matter which one wins, i just want to see a good game between the two like last year instead of a beatdown

[sectvathletics]

Hey Sectvathletics,

I meant that the Andover win was questionable (at least to me) at this point in the season only as to the quality of opponent. 13th in state was a very early ranking and remains to be seen. Houghton's win over them (based on your post, I was not there) was not questionable and I didn't mean to imply that the win wasn't a good one. I assume it was a very tough game. And it may prove to have been a win over a quality opponent yet. Let's see what Andover does with their season.

I also agree with you about H'ton's league scheduling problems. I'm sure it is very difficult in D2 to get the kind of competition that can prove a real challenge. Why doesn't H'ton play a couple games up a bracket (as does Fillmore v Keshequa)? I'm sure there are some good opponents nearby!

Don't take it too seriously. I'm always open-minded and I still would consider a win over Belfast a quality win. Remember, this is all personal opinion based on conjecture and supposition, that's all. Nothing more than speculation. Come on Houghton, surprise me!:)

The scheduling lies on the athletic director, I am not sure why he doesn't schedule any tough opponents, do yo u know why Houghton and Fillmore don't play anymore. It seems that the games would have been very competitive this year and last, they just don't schedule the game anymore. It used to be a great rivalry, most of the kids seem to be friends off the field, it puzzles me why they don't play anymore. As for Andover, I'd say watch out to all of section V they look better than they did last year, which is very surprising.

[spoco57]

The scheduling lies on the athletic director, I am not sure why he doesn't schedule any tough opponents, do yo u know why Houghton and Fillmore don't play anymore. It seems that the games would have been very competitive this year and last, they just don't schedule the game anymore. It used to be a great rivalry, most of the kids seem to be friends off the field, it puzzles me why they don't play anymore. As for Andover, I'd say watch out to all of section V they look better than they did last year, which is very surprising.


I agree 100% and I don't know why, though there are plenty of rumors. It has been a friendly rivalry for many, many years. Perhaps some of the parents have gotten in the way. Sometimes they take things way too seriously while the kids are just busy competing. At any rate I'm sorry that the AD's have the belief that it's better to run away from challenges than learning to deal with them. Now THAT would be a good lesson for the kids, and this could be a GREAT game to really blend sportsmanship with competitive friendship.


I look forward to coming out to watch the Belfast game this afternoon. That will go a long way towards adjusting my sense of how the Houghton Acadamy team is doing. Good luck!

[hoops99]

Watch out Section V? This years Andover team is not even close to the level of last years, which is why spoco referred to Houghton's win over them as questionable. As for Belfast and Houghton, I thought that Belfast was the better team. Without the stellar play of Mastin in net, Belfast probably wins by 3 or 4. He was the best player on the field hands down and in a one game situation, he is more than capable of beating a team single handedly. Houghton did very little to even test the shaky Belfast keeper. Your thoughts spoco?

[spoco57]

Only managed to get in on the last couple minutes of regulation and the two 10 minute overs. By that time the kids looked pretty well wore out.

Thoughts: Coty W missed two golden opportunities on breakaways in the final overtimes which probably should have been netted. It looked like he was just plain wore out. I know people get nervous, but I like coaches that find time to rest their players even during tight games. (Maybe he was rested, I don't know, but not while I was there) Had he been fresh, it was all over. Not as impressed with Belfast as I had been earlier.

Houghton? While I understand the need for competence on D, the stopper seems (TO ME, just opinion here, don't anyone get their knickers in a twist) a questionable use of talent. They need control and competence on O badly. He should be where he can make and set up gamebreaking plays. They seemed to be all speed and little teamwork up top, while the guy who has the best head for soccer and probably the most experience on the team is wasting away down low. JMO here. I see a lot of talent and capability ON the team, but it doesn't seem to me that they are working optimally yet AS a team. As this team gels, it could really make some noise down the road.

Understand, this is all from a casual observer's viewpoint... Monday Morning QB'ing, if you will. I'm only calling it from those few minutes of watching.

[sectvathletics]

Only managed to get in on the last couple minutes of regulation and the two 10 minute overs. By that time the kids looked pretty well wore out.

Thoughts: Coty W missed two golden opportunities on breakaways in the final overtimes which probably should have been netted. It looked like he was just plain wore out. I know people get nervous, but I like coaches that find time to rest their players even during tight games. (Maybe he was rested, I don't know, but not while I was there) Had he been fresh, it was all over. Not as impressed with Belfast as I had been earlier.

Houghton? While I understand the need for competence on D, the stopper seems (TO ME, just opinion here, don't anyone get their knickers in a twist) a questionable use of talent. They need control and competence on O badly. He should be where he can make and set up gamebreaking plays. They seemed to be all speed and little teamwork up top, while the guy who has the best head for soccer and probably the most experience on the team is wasting away down low. JMO here. I see a lot of talent and capability ON the team, but it doesn't seem to me that they are working optimally yet AS a team. As this team gels, it could really make some noise down the road.

Understand, this is all from a casual observer's viewpoint... Monday Morning QB'ing, if you will. I'm only calling it from those few minutes of watching.

How do you put those three missed opportunities on Coty? He did as much as he could as a striker, ran right through the middle of the defense, got the ball, and brought it all the way to the 18 where, if any other goalie in Allegany County (Maybe sectionV) would have allowed a goal. Mastin played unbelievably well, we'll see if he can keep it up the rest of the season. If he continues to play at that level I see Houghton going very far.

Merrill, the "stopper" is playing the position of a defensive mid-fielder, the position that Greg Wright played last season, and probably the most opportune position on the field in terms of a place to make game breaking plays. He can help make up for Houghton's inexperience on defense, then he can set Houghton's offense loose by playing a ball into the attacking third of the field(thats why he has 8 or so assists). The only reason Winchell got the opportunities that he got in overtime were because Houghton was trying to push up and score, and in essence, Merrill was not shadowing him as he had been doing most of the game.

As for the offense, I agree, they did not seem to mesh like I've seen or heard about them playing. One of the strikers who makes things happen went home early from school due to illness, and Karrel Kuwong was playing through a strained groin. No excuses for Houghton, they were out-played, but they did not play anywhere near their potential. They play again next Wednesday at Belfast, I wouldn't be surprised if a quick goal is scored either way...both teams will be hungry and they both know it will be a must-win game.

Let me remind you though, numbers typically don't lie, and Houghton is the only undefeated team in AC D-1 or D-2, it shows a lot about the character of a team when it looks like they will lose and one player or another comes up big, Mastin did it last night, we'll see who does it on Wednesday, we know it will have to be a goal scorer, we know the goalies are up to the task. who will it be: Merrill? Winchell? Cho? Harrington? Kuwong? Worthington?

[spoco57]

Great points Sectv. I'm certainly not casting my opinions in stone, and I don't know 99.9% of why some things are the way they are.... just posing questions and comments for good dialogue and debate. Thanks for the civil responses.

I admit too, that I am only looking at a tiny fraction of the game. Yep, H'ton is unbeaten, and I'm guessing from looking at the schedule they'll remain that way for a while. We've been over that already!

You certainly can't take anything away from the Hton keeper. Great progress has been made there. And if stopper isn't the normal position played by Merrill, sorry, it's my only time seeing HA play. Kudos for the great job on shutting down a very good striker. Like I say, I'd like to see him in a higher post on the field. But that's just me. I think he's a tremendous player.

Good luck, and I hope all the best for my hometown team! We'll see how things play out down the line.

[sectvathletics]

Great points Sectv. I'm certainly not casting my opinions in stone, and I don't know 99.9% of why some things are the way they are.... just posing questions and comments for good dialogue and debate. Thanks for the civil responses.

I admit too, that I am only looking at a tiny fraction of the game. Yep, H'ton is unbeaten, and I'm guessing from looking at the schedule they'll remain that way for a while. We've been over that already!

You certainly can't take anything away from the Hton keeper. Great progress has been made there. And if stopper isn't the normal position played by Merrill, sorry, it's my only time seeing HA play. Kudos for the great job on shutting down a very good striker. Like I say, I'd like to see him in a higher post on the field. But that's just me. I think he's a tremendous player.

Good luck, and I hope all the best for my hometown team! We'll see how things play out down the line.

Merrill has a college career ahead of him, I think he's having a great year. I think everyone in Houghton would like to see him father up on the field, but it seems that the weakness and inexperience of Houghton's defense make it necessary for him to play a more defensively oriented mid-field position. Thanks for your wishes, I hope Houghton can pull it together and start playing their best soccer before long!

[spoco57]

Caught last night's Belfast v Houghton game. I'm sticking with my original assertion. Houghton really has the speed and talent but it's misaligned. Put the stopper up where he can do more good than make an occasional foray up top and always have to worry about getting back on D.

There was little or no coordination up top, and if there was any it was only when he was there. It was every man for himself. The best defense is a good control offense anyhow. Put the big left wing back on D and do your best without the experience on D, and move the stopper up front to where he can seriously impact the game. JMO but it seemed obvious last night. If the keeper is as good as people think he is, he should be able to make up for a less experienced D.

Again. JMO.

[sectvathletics]

Caught last night's Belfast v Houghton game. I'm sticking with my original assertion. Houghton really has the speed and talent but it's misaligned. Put the stopper up where he can do more good than make an occasional foray up top and always have to worry about getting back on D.

There was little or no coordination up top, and if there was any it was only when he was there. It was every man for himself. The best defense is a good control offense anyhow. Put the big left wing back on D and do your best without the experience on D, and move the stopper up front to where he can seriously impact the game. JMO but it seemed obvious last night. If the keeper is as good as people think he is, he should be able to make up for a less experienced D.

Again. JMO.

I don't really understand...are you saying that skilled players should not play defense?

[spoco57]

I don't really understand...are you saying that skilled players should not play defense?

Of course I'm not saying that. I paid attention to the game. Houghton has a lot of speed and flash up front, but no teamwork. There was no ball distribution during that game. The wings tried to dribble across the line for a shot rather than give it up for a cross. Don't you find it significant that the only goal was scored on a Merrill corner? What is needed up front, or at least at high midfield is a field general who can distribute the ball or score. Fillmore has the perfect combo in Murphy. He has a head for the game, experience playing, and can make decisions on how to distribute the ball to the open man. Houghton's best field general is wasting away on defense. What I'm saying is that if I had to choose where to put Jake, it wouldn't be back where he can't impact the game the way a player of his caliber should. I realize Houghton's defense is lacking. It has always been that way, they never seem able to play good tactical position. But that's on the coaching. Putting Jake back there is a poor tradeoff. Again, it would make better defensive sense to have a better offense. I'd trade him from stopper for any two of the hotshots that are up front now.
JMO

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

okay so as of right now, (october 7th at approximatley... 9:15 AM) the order for (mens varsity) counties is:


DI
Gen valley
cuba rushford
Fillmore
B-R

DII
Belfast
Houghton
Andover
whitesville
friendship
canaseraga
scio


do you think this is gonna stay, or change before the end of the season?

[spoco57]

okay so as of right now, (october 7th at approximatley... 9:15 AM) the order for (mens varsity) counties is:


DI
Gen valley
cuba rushford
Fillmore
B-R

DII
Belfast
Houghton
Andover
whitesville
friendship
canaseraga
scio


do you think this is gonna stay, or change before the end of the season?

Probably not gonna stay. Compare the number of league games that have been played, look at schedules and you can see that there's going to be some shifting, especially in DI.

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

Probably not gonna stay. Compare the number of league games that have been played, look at schedules and you can see that there's going to be some shifting, especially in DI.

GV plays Cuba tomorrow, that'll be pretty important and they had a good battle last time they played. and expect fillmore to make a jump pretty soon.

[hoops99]

Division 2 will finish that way. D1 will not. Fillmore hasn't lost a league game and they won't. They'll win the county, followed by either GV or CR followed by BR, who between boy's soccer and football, is having an absolutely terrible fall sports season. Good thing their girls soccer is good!

[sectvathletics]

Of course I'm not saying that. I paid attention to the game. Houghton has a lot of speed and flash up front, but no teamwork. There was no ball distribution during that game. The wings tried to dribble across the line for a shot rather than give it up for a cross. Don't you find it significant that the only goal was scored on a Merrill corner? What is needed up front, or at least at high midfield is a field general who can distribute the ball or score. Fillmore has the perfect combo in Murphy. He has a head for the game, experience playing, and can make decisions on how to distribute the ball to the open man. Houghton's best field general is wasting away on defense. What I'm saying is that if I had to choose where to put Jake, it wouldn't be back where he can't impact the game the way a player of his caliber should. I realize Houghton's defense is lacking. It has always been that way, they never seem able to play good tactical position. But that's on the coaching. Putting Jake back there is a poor tradeoff. Again, it would make better defensive sense to have a better offense. I'd trade him from stopper for any two of the hotshots that are up front now.
JMO

Merrill has always been at midfield, he was just marking Winchell when Belfast had the ball. Or else why would he have near 15 assists? Also, for the previous 2 years, before this year of course, Houghton has had the best defense in the county. Greg Wright, and Andrew Roorbach last year made them so good!

[spoco57]

Well, I guess I'd be willing to compromise and see Jake at high mid and leave it at that. But that's neither here nor there. It's where his coach puts him that counts. All I'm saying is I'd like to see it, it think it would truly benefit the team.

I disagree about the state of Hton's defense too. Who are they shutting down this year? Not too many good teams on that list.

Wright was an individual power to be sure, but even with him they never got out of the D1 semi's which leaves me skeptical of the team's O and D.

I can live with disagreement and am open to being proven wrong. Let's see how it plays out this year.:)

[ballin'40]

Well, I guess I'd be willing to compromise and see Jake at high mid and leave it at that. But that's neither here nor there. It's where his coach puts him that counts. All I'm saying is I'd like to see it, it think it would truly benefit the team.

I disagree about the state of Hton's defense too. Who are they shutting down this year? Not too many good teams on that list.

Wright was an individual power to be sure, but even with him they never got out of the D1 semi's which leaves me skeptical of the team's O and D.

I can live with disagreement and am open to being proven wrong. Let's see how it plays out this year.:)
With Wright they had an undefeated regular season and lost to a team they beat twice, in a game that to me was officiated very poorly. Houghton has the team to get them where they want to go. Now it's about the players deciding that they want to do it, and playing together with the skill that they have. And Merrill is an individual power as well as a team power, whether he's playing defensive mid or stopper or offensive mid he's been assisting and controlling the game to the tune of 8 wins.

[spoco57]

With Wright they had an undefeated regular season and lost to a team they beat twice, in a game that to me was officiated very poorly. Houghton has the team to get them where they want to go. Now it's about the players deciding that they want to do it, and playing together with the skill that they have. And Merrill is an individual power as well as a team power, whether he's playing defensive mid or stopper or offensive mid he's been assisting and controlling the game to the tune of 8 wins.

Well, we're going around and around here. We've already had the discussion about WHO they're beating. 8 wins against the Scio's of the world is not worth a state ranking. No disrespect to Scio here, but they are playing at a completely different level. At some point, put the team on the line and challenge a couple teams that are better than Hton, and win. Belfast being the only quality challenge they've had all year and what is their record in that matchup? Good luck with Canaseraga tonight, by the way.

Read all the posts before you jump in. I'm not saying Merrill isn't a power, it all started because I saw him play twice at stopper (A tie and a loss, by the way) and had suggested that I'd like to see him play higher (as a matter of my own opinion, which I stated many times). That's all. I thought it was a pretty good discussion, but it was all theoretical. Inasmuch as they have yet to beat a quality team this year, I thought maybe it remains to be seen, which if you read the last post, was why I was willing to leave it like that.

By the way, blaming the refs for that loss....... Oh..Kay.

[sectvathletics]

Well, we're going around and around here. We've already had the discussion about WHO they're beating. 8 wins against the Scio's of the world is not worth a state ranking. No disrespect to Scio here, but they are playing at a completely different level. At some point, put the team on the line and challenge a couple teams that are better than Hton, and win. Belfast being the only quality challenge they've had all year and what is their record in that matchup? Good luck with Canaseraga tonight, by the way.

Read all the posts before you jump in. I'm not saying Merrill isn't a power, it all started because I saw him play twice at stopper (A tie and a loss, by the way) and had suggested that I'd like to see him play higher (as a matter of my own opinion, which I stated many times). That's all. I thought it was a pretty good discussion, but it was all theoretical. Inasmuch as they have yet to beat a quality team this year, I thought maybe it remains to be seen, which if you read the last post, was why I was willing to leave it like that.

By the way, blaming the refs for that loss....... Oh..Kay.

How many have you seen this year? two? against who? Belfast? What did you say about the way YOUR Fillmore team played Belfast? You said that you liked the way that they put a man on Winchell to shadow him for the entire game? What did Houghton do? The same exact thing as Fillmore. Does that mean that is where Jake Merrils position is? no. Actually that is regularly where Will White or Zehao Liu play.

And I never said Houghton had a good defense this year, this year, in fact, their defense is simply lacking this year, in every aspect, from the lazy mid fielders to the slow outside backs. Seriously though, I value your opinion, I just don't think you have seen Houghton play enough to pass that kind of judgment on them. I also think that coach Mastin will have them ready to win come sectional time, and the team will be ready to prove you wrong.

[spoco57]

I put it out there on the line, and you and others didn't like it. Fine. I've seen your points and I still have my own opinion. I said at least twice I was willing to let it rest and wait the seasons outcome, and I have challenged Houghton to prove me wrong, multiple times, and if so, GREAT! I will be very happy for the team and they will have shown me why I'm not a coach. :)

Whoever plays whatever position, fine. I'm done with it. Let's see how the sectional run goes, and I truly wish Houghton good luck with their season.

[Coach_H]

okay so as of right now, (october 7th at approximatley... 9:15 AM) the order for (mens varsity) counties is:


DI
Gen valley
cuba rushford
Fillmore
B-R

DII
Belfast
Houghton
Andover
whitesville
friendship
canaseraga
scio


do you think this is gonna stay, or change before the end of the season?

Fillmore just mowed down GV, 5-0, in Fillmore. I think this needs to be rethought now.

[hoops99]

Division 2 will finish that way. D1 will not. Fillmore hasn't lost a league game and they won't. They'll win the county, followed by either GV or CR followed by BR, who between boy's soccer and football, is having an absolutely terrible fall sports season. Good thing their girls soccer is good!

See my previous post. Someone posted those standings from the website before they were really updated at all.

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

well, yeah fillmore ended up winning counties with a killing at home against GV. Hopefully itll be closer when they play in quarters on thursday

[spoco57]

How many have you seen this year? two? against who? Belfast? What did you say about the way YOUR Fillmore team played Belfast? You said that you liked the way that they put a man on Winchell to shadow him for the entire game? What did Houghton do? The same exact thing as Fillmore. Does that mean that is where Jake Merrils position is? no. Actually that is regularly where Will White or Zehao Liu play.

And I never said Houghton had a good defense this year, this year, in fact, their defense is simply lacking this year, in every aspect, from the lazy mid fielders to the slow outside backs. Seriously though, I value your opinion, I just don't think you have seen Houghton play enough to pass that kind of judgment on them. I also think that coach Mastin will have them ready to win come sectional time, and the team will be ready to prove you wrong.

I think they didn't prove as much as even I'd hoped they would. But apparently they DID need either more competence on D or more potency on O. I'd be glad to advise the coach next year. :) (Just kidding. Sorry about the loss..... Kinda ;))

[Coach_H]

well, yeah fillmore ended up winning counties with a killing at home against GV. Hopefully itll be closer when they play in quarters on thursday

I wouldn't call it a killing, but it was pretty obvious that GV was playing their hearts out and just could not break through. Tony Heard simply took over that game and dominated up top. He was impressive, and all over the field on the offensive half.

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

I wouldn't call it a killing, but it was pretty obvious that GV was playing their hearts out and just could not break through. Tony Heard simply took over that game and dominated up top. He was impressive, and all over the field on the offensive half.

are you talking about the 2nd time they played or the 3rd? because GV did get mowed down in the first two games, but they played a lot better in the
3rd

[Coach_H]

are you talking about the 2nd time they played or the 3rd? because GV did get mowed down in the first two games, but they played a lot better in the
3rd

I was referncing the last game. It was close, but I thought Fillmore controlled the play pretty well throughout the game.

[Gnarkill_21_GV]

I was referncing the last game. It was close, but I thought Fillmore controlled the play pretty well throughout the game.

yeah fillmore controlled the play through most of the game, but it was a way better game than the first two. GV's defense really stepped it up, at least until the end until fillmore (mainly heard) broke it open

[tgrs07]

Don't you mean GV's defense stepped ON? One of the most ridiculous dirty plays I have ever seen was a GV defender taking down a Fillmore forward, getting called for the foul and then stomping on the downed players leg after the fact. He then mouthed off at the Fillmore coach who was protesting his action. At least the GV coach did something about it...oh wait...he didn't. He yelled at the Fillmore coach too. Makes for a nice video clip.

What's is even more disgusting is that I heard the player was bragging about it at the Fillmore/A-A semifinal, that is, in between calling ballboys homophobic slurs.

Real classy...

[Section5Soccer]

GV is as far from classy as it gets... simply put.

[gvcsjag2000]

Maybe they are now, but we used to have better kids who played the game and might trash talk a bit, but just your general back and forth, nothing to this nature. That's dispicable and I resent those actions from players from my school.

[gvcsjag2000]

Unfortunately, every few years you may have some players who act this way.

[Gvfan2010]

its a completly unfair thing to say about that school .. yes i agree the last two years classes have been nothing close to classy but the juniors that played last year have not had any problems with other schools besides an inccident where a few kids let thire emotions get in the way in an arkport game in jv but if your going to call the school classless make sure your refreing to the last two graduating classes.