Don't worry, with 28 kids (including Freshman) some on here will be expecting nothing short than an OCC Title and Playoff Birth...or it's all the coach's fault. Idiots...good luck dealing with that!

CCRolly;1472762 wrote:Don't worry, with 28 kids (including Freshman) some on here will be expecting nothing short than an OCC Title and Playoff Birth...or it's all the coach's fault. Idiots...good luck dealing with that!

All the more reason why we DO NOT BELONG in the OCC...obsolutely no way we can compete with those kind of numbers...no way! I wish I could put my finger on one single reason for the low numbers, but I can't. I think its a combination of kids just not wanting to have to work that hard for a sport, not wanting to play a physical sport that could involve a serious injury, parents not wanting their kid to get hurt, and possibly our youth program needs a complete revamping to spark intersest in the youngsters in this town. Orrville football falling down a slippery slope REAL FAST!

I assume some freshman may get pushed into a few backup spots this season now...which is never good. Wooster went through some lean times like this in the mid-90's in the Federal League, so I know what this stretch could end up being like. I wouldn't wish it on anyone...

Starting spots possibly. I remember when I was a sophmore I was ectatic because I was on kick offs. We had 20 some kids from our class.

Interesting read:http://fridaynightohio.com/news/justin-zwicks-two-years-massillon-unrivaled

His brother was pretty darn good as well and got some starting time as a freshman. I saw lots of kids get time as sophmores and some even start but rarely freshman. Both these kids handled the pressure well.

As far as 7 on 7's, they don't mean much in respect to actual success. Without lineman blocking and SO many different facets of the game missing they really just represent kids getting to know the vocabulary, routs and timing. Touchdowns through the air seem to come a lot easier in the 7 on 7's that is for sure! And with no threat of a running game???? All very important but with so much missing its a hard measuring stick. I never really liked the format we used for live full contact scrimmages either. We would get 10 posessions then the other team and at the end play some goal line. It was hard to get in a gametime grove.

I don't remember numbers being this low historically, last year was pretty slim as well wasn't it? Orrville = Smuckers, QC tech and Football!!! Times they are a changing!!!

Props to Kent Smith! Stand up actions right there!

Yep...7 on 7's are pretty much worthless. Smuckers employees dont live in Orrville and yes...times have changed! Less than 30 kids playing football for a program that has nearly 600 wins and 22 playoff appearances...really sucks!

Old Rider, do you think the WCL would allow Orrville in? Another team would have to come with them, but not sure if the WCL would even want them? I wonder what the WCL Athletic Directors think?

Old Rider;1472937 wrote: Less than 30 kids playing football for a program that has nearly 600 wins and 22 playoff appearances...really sucks!

I agree.

Perhaps Series62 could enlighten us with his wisdom as to why this is so.

sanitizer;1472848 wrote:His brother was pretty darn good as well and got some starting time as a freshman. I saw lots of kids get time as sophmores and some even start but rarely freshman. Both these kids handled the pressure well.

As far as 7 on 7's, they don't mean much in respect to actual success. Without lineman blocking and SO many different facets of the game missing they really just represent kids getting to know the vocabulary, routs and timing. Touchdowns through the air seem to come a lot easier in the 7 on 7's that is for sure! And with no threat of a running game???? All very important but with so much missing its a hard measuring stick. I never really liked the format we used for live full contact scrimmages either. We would get 10 posessions then the other team and at the end play some goal line. It was hard to get in a gametime grove.

I don't remember numbers being this low historically, last year was pretty slim as well wasn't it? Orrville = Smuckers, QC tech and Football!!! Times they are a changing!!!

Props to Kent Smith! Stand up actions right there!

I agree with the 7 on 7 bit especially this year. If Orrville does anything but run the football this year they will be 0-10! They need to try to win the time of possession every game by running the ball and keeping other teams offenses off the field. Sounds simple but we shall see

Red Rider Nation;1473136 wrote:I agree with the 7 on 7 bit especially this year. If Orrville does anything but run the football this year they will be 0-10! They need to try to win the time of possession every game by running the ball and keeping other teams offenses off the field. Sounds simple but we shall see

Orrville will have a very undersized line, what is easier to do control the line of scrimmage with run blocking or slow the pass rush up to throw the ball? Honestly, you think Orrville will have success running the ball? Please tell me how?

The 'home run' pass just isn't going to get it done. Have to execute better than the other team...and that's never been a strong suit of ours.

I sure hope 28 kids isn't everyone. But fearing that it won't be much more than that.

I'll tell you what kills participation - losing. It's hard enough to get kids out for football because it's hard. Add in a losing season and they jump ship. It's that way in every school. These kids don't get the tradition. Waynedale's going through the same thing, and Wooster struggled to field a freshman team last year.
And I, for one, would really like to see the OCC broken up. I was told there was consideration of a "big school/small school" break up of the OCC, but nobody wants to drive as far east as Wooster and Orrville. Imagine that? You can drive to Lexington, but don't ask them to reciprocate. Orrville, West Holmes and Wooster need to jettison the OCC and let it become the Richland County Conference.

Coach_08;1472972 wrote:Old Rider, do you think the WCL would allow Orrville in? Another team would have to come with them, but not sure if the WCL would even want them? I wonder what the WCL Athletic Directors think?

IMO, no way does the WCL let Orrville in. They're pissed enough that your basketball team can be around .500 or below and almost win the Wooster DIII District every year. The times surely are changing...heck, it was just a couple of years ago that Orrville/OCC fans looked down on the WCL as a HUGE step down, and now some are clamoring to join it.

While I understand the drive times and class sizes matching up better, I still think Orrville would be doing itself a huge disservice by joining. You're going through a rough spot now, but it will pass. The Riders "playing up" or scheduling those bigger/tougher teams is what adds to the Orrville mystique. My advice...sit tight, fight through this tough period, and things will come back around. Don't do anything drastic.

jaco;1473164 wrote:I'll tell you what kills participation - losing. It's hard enough to get kids out for football because it's hard. Add in a losing season and they jump ship. It's that way in every school. These kids don't get the tradition. Waynedale's going through the same thing, and Wooster struggled to field a freshman team last year.
And I, for one, would really like to see the OCC broken up. I was told there was consideration of a "big school/small school" break up of the OCC, but nobody wants to drive as far east as Wooster and Orrville. Imagine that? You can drive to Lexington, but don't ask them to reciprocate. Orrville, West Holmes and Wooster need to jettison the OCC and let it become the Richland County Conference.

Totally agree! I for one, wish that Wooster would've sent some interest towards the Suburban League expansion, or at least made a call to check into the Federal League expansion. I understand football is way over our heads there, but most of the other sports had some good success there.

Flash;1469514 wrote:Maybe we'll see this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg6FH78fyEM

RedRider1;1469546 wrote:Wow. Freshman by grade, but probably old enough to vote...LOL.

Man among boys in that video.

You should have seen what Jake Davis did to other junior high kids a few years ago. I compared it to Adrian Peterson running the ball against Timken, or Brian Urlacher tackling a kid from Fairless. Davis is a stud RB for Indian Valley. If you have a chance, get out and watch him. No doubt the most valuable player to his team in the PAC. By far. Kid is an animal running the ball.

BRF;1472445 wrote:I was told that there is a grand total of 28 kids out for the team.

Is this for real?! If so, there are several WCAL teams with twice as many kids out for football. That is sad for such a storied program. How many kids have transferred?

While I understand the drive times and class sizes matching up better, I still think Orrville would be doing itself a huge disservice by joining. You're going through a rough spot now, but it will pass. The Riders "playing up" or scheduling those bigger/tougher teams is what adds to the Orrville mystique. My advice...sit tight, fight through this tough period, and things will come back around. Don't do anything drastic

.

I agree as a prideful red rider but if we continue to have numbers like 28 we may have to at least consider a change. I definately think schools go through 'tough" patches as a program but a 1-3 win season isn't even something Orrville has been through in a while! I do still have faith in my little town, the coaching staff and the community. I am reminded of a quote, "in times like these it is always important to remember there have always been times like these". I also think kids are kids. Most kids live up to the expectations of the adults around them? You expect a kid to act like an idiot and they usually won't dissapoint you. I am not in any way trying to signify that talent does not play a part but attitude goes a long way in public high school programs. I really don't think we should be jumping ship quite so soon. As a rider these seasons are dissapointing to me FOR THE KIDS. If you HAVE put in work, blood and sweat then loosing really sucks and winning is one goooooooooodddd feeling. Success is built on habbits, I just hope this team is putting the habbits together to put them in the best postition to have success this year. There is too much history and pride in this town, coaching staff and community for me to believe its just over in Orrville??? Sorry to ramble, waiting on an airplane........

My soph and junior years we had 33 and then 31 guys on JV and Varsity. seasons of '77 and '78. didn't lose a game either year. Numbers help but are not the deciding factor. I stopped by field last night and took a gander at the fellas. One thing that stood out is that we actually have size up front. Pretty decent looking ..just not many. Injuries are a big concern with low numbers....that could be the deciding factor on the season. that is where playing WCAL or PAC schools each week would make a difference. Playing Ashland, Senior, Madison, can beat you up over a season. I am more optimistic after taking a look in person. Seniors are gonna have to play through some ouchies.....only way we survive this year. Time to show your toughness.

CCRolly;1473166 wrote:IMO, no way does the WCL let Orrville in. They're pissed enough that your basketball team can be around .500 or below and almost win the Wooster DIII District every year. The times surely are changing...heck, it was just a couple of years ago that Orrville/OCC fans looked down on the WCL as a HUGE step down, and now some are clamoring to join it.

While I understand the drive times and class sizes matching up better, I still think Orrville would be doing itself a huge disservice by joining. You're going through a rough spot now, but it will pass. The Riders "playing up" or scheduling those bigger/tougher teams is what adds to the Orrville mystique. My advice...sit tight, fight through this tough period, and things will come back around. Don't do anything drastic.

I agree 100%

RedRider1;1473157 wrote:The 'home run' pass just isn't going to get it done. Have to execute better than the other team...and that's never been a strong suit of ours.

I sure hope 28 kids isn't everyone. But fearing that it won't be much more than that.

No we don't have the athletes for the "home run" that is not what I want to see. I want to see kids get the ball in space the passing game can be used like a run if done right. That is the only offense I can see working with our schedule and our team roster. Just because I want to throw the ball does not mean every play is 70 fade...

Orrville's has been looking for different opportunities in leagues for a number of years, so its not all just because were losing. It has to do with drive times and other factors like school size and competitiveness in the long run. We rarely win a league title unless we make the playoffs or go to state.

Talked to the OCC commish recently & he said the WCAL folks would never let us in. Guessing the Rittman's & Dalton's of the world wouldn't be too crazy about it.

Those greenies over in Smithville would probably wuss out too.

Playing through the "ouchies," great point 5knots.

Your first stop after getting your bell rung can't be to the trainer....but with how rules are now, refs will be looking for kids seeing stars after big hits & they'll be removed from the game until cleared by a trainer on the sidelines.

New reality...

RedRider1;1473269 wrote:Talked to the OCC commish recently & he said the WCAL folks would never let us in. Guessing the Rittman's & Dalton's of the world wouldn't be too crazy about it.

Those greenies over in Smithville would probably wuss out too.

I don't think any league schools would be against playing Orrville, especially in their current state. However, Orrville wouldn't be able to survive the embarrassment of losing to a Dalton or Rittman, so they will continue to look for opportunities elsewhere that still provide them with a decent excuse if they go 2-8 or 1-9.