[DEVILOLOGIST]

The feeder system is no longer a strength. Less kids getting a chance to play and quitting football before they get to highschool. It needs to go back to the way it used to and allow kids to develope.

Hopefully the current system changes back to the old way next year. You are already seeing the effects in this years sophmore and freshman classes.

Russell's biggest strengths this year are alot of experience in the skill positions, an athletic offesive and defensive line and one of the best coaching staffs around.

8th grade has 30 kids or close to it
7th grade has over 25
6th grade has 30 kids.

Since the change of JFL to the current settings with grade ball playing outside the league against other schools we have WON 1 state championship 2005, RUNNER-UP in 2006.
..........2000....2001..2002..2003....2004...2005...2006...2007....over all....win %
Russell...... 8-4 ......7-5 ......11-3.. ..10-3....... 13-1.. ...14-1... ..13-2......11-2........... 87-21....... 80.5%

As you can see after the change, the school record has improved...
Now granted less kids are playing football, but you have to look at these issues:
1. Fall baseball
2. Fall Soccer
3. Fall Travel basketball
4. XBOX360
5. Kids just dont want to play outside anymore. The current kids want to text, email and stay online playing games instead of doing it themselves.

Now if you are saying they dont get enough chances or playing time, at the younger levels. Have the parents STOP complining about playing games during the week and help find a way to get more field time. You will only get as good as the best player, so why be a big fish in a little pond....
NEXT...-

If you look at the winning percentages again: It would seem that we are doing better than most after changing the way our feeder system works.
1. Danville- 84%
2. Male-83%
3.Beechwood- 81.6%
4. NCC- 80.7%
5. RUSSELL- 80.5%
Hard to argue with the results and numbers post change of the feeder program. If anything it seems to be helping the HIGH SCHOOL program.

One last thing:
As most of us on here are either current players or parents of current players, we can agree. .............NOT ALL KIDS WHO PLAY FOOTBALL IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL PLAY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL......
That is a nice way of saying that as parents we all think our kid is the best and should be playing more, but when they get the opportunity to perform on the field.. well thats the FINAL result. If you only get to play 15 dows a game, you better do something..... if you dont stand out or do your job someone else will..... I have played in the OLD JFL system and it worked THEN. Other than ASHLAND around here we are the only school that still plays INTRA-LEAGUE.. If you see Ashland Football it has been in a decline in the recent past.. is it becasue they went to INTRA-LEAGUE play?????
You tell me...

This is just an opinion and not directed toward anyone.... Not even to FBALL> I still ove ya......