Probably will make the trip to Orrville this Friday for the last time. Ashland and Orrville have had some good games. I think the one I will remember the most was 2009 at Orrville. Cold rainy night, the field was as mess by the second half, both defenses were playing great, Ashland couldn't move the ball with their passing attack. I remember Orrville scored very late but mishandled the extra point and Ashland escaped with a 14-13 win. Ashland went on to lose in the regional final against Lake Catholic, while Orrville went on to lose in the regional final vs OG. Both great teams. That is how I will remember Orrville and the OCC. Hoping the Arrows can pull another win for the series.

Also looking ahead. I'm glad the OCC put Ashland and Wooster week 10. I think it could be a solid rivalry in the making.

unc4life;1755508 wrote:Probably will make the trip to Orrville this Friday for the last time. Ashland and Orrville have had some good games. I think the one I will remember the most was 2009 at Orrville. Cold rainy night, the field was as mess by the second half, both defenses were playing great, Ashland couldn't move the ball with their passing attack. I remember Orrville scored very late but mishandled the extra point and Ashland escaped with a 14-13 win. Ashland went on to lose in the regional final against Lake Catholic, while Orrville went on to lose in the regional final vs OG. Both great teams. That is how I will remember Orrville and the OCC. Hoping the Arrows can pull another win for the series.

Also looking ahead. I'm glad the OCC put Ashland and Wooster week 10. I think it could be a solid rivalry in the making.

I remember that night....two extra point plays that year (ashland and o-g games) could have been the difference between 9-4 and regional runner up and at least 11-2 and another final 4 appearance.

Ashland, more than any other team in the last 20 years, gives us fits.

Only team to beat us in our 98 title year, 1 of 2 reg. season losses in 2006 when we went to regional finals, beat us in 2010 when we made it to the final 4, and in 2011 our last playoff year. If we we're good enough to beat Ashland...we had high hopes for the postseason.

Lots of respect for how they run their program.

unc4life;1755508 wrote:Also looking ahead. I'm glad the OCC put Ashland and Wooster week 10. I think it could be a solid rivalry in the making.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Matt Williams fired today after back to back winning seasons-hmmmmm!

Never mind he didn't have any talent

Weren't they expected to be battling for the World Series this season?

An-Old-Fan;1755590 wrote:Weren't they expected to be battling for the World Series this season?

Were the Riders predicted to battle for a conference and state title? Sorry, another bad analogy by RRN. Shocker.

7th grade lost to WH - 58-0
8th grade beat WH - 28-6
Frosh play at Ashland Thursday

RedRider1;1755805 wrote:7th grade lost to WH - 58-0
8th grade beat WH - 28-6
Frosh play at Ashland Thursday

I have heard many 7th graders were out of that game for disciplinary reasons. I hope that is the case and that they learned the lesson!

RedRider1;1755805 wrote:7th grade lost to WH - 58-0
8th grade beat WH - 28-6
Frosh play at Ashland Thursday

What are the records for the 7th, 8th, and frosh football teams? If I heard correctly, the 7th grade team has had disciplinary issues hamper them for much of the season.......in addition to losing their QB in the first game. Hard to survive all of that and win against bigger schools.

Frosh have only lost to Senior and Triways JV.

8th grade are around .500 I think.

7th graders have gotten throttled in every game...several kids chose not to come out because they are playing fall baseball (puke in my mouth now)...and several others have been suspended and/or disciplined for various reasons.

Old Rider;1755907 wrote:7th graders have gotten throttled in every game...several kids chose not to come out because they are playing fall baseball (puke in my mouth now)...and several others have been suspended and/or disciplined for various reasons.

I sure do like the days when coaches encouraged these kids to play multiple sports. I hate the specialization at this age.

Old Rider;1755907 wrote:7th graders have gotten throttled in every game...several kids chose not to come out because they are playing fall baseball (puke in my mouth now)...and several others have been suspended and/or disciplined for various reasons.

Baseball is pretty much a year round sport now if you wanna get really good at it. Especially in the SSBL which I know Orrville plays in. My son has played over 60 games this year and is still playing. His last game is this weekend then we start indoor winter workouts November 5th. Anymore it is hard for kids to play multiple sports especially at bigger schools. Our baseball players in Jackson play only baseball. It might be a little different at Orrville but fall baseball is gaining popularity.

Red Rider Nation;1755915 wrote:Baseball is pretty much a year round sport now if you wanna get really good at it. Especially in the SSBL which I know Orrville plays in. My son has played over 60 games this year and is still playing. His last game is this weekend then we start indoor winter workouts November 5th. Anymore it is hard for kids to play multiple sports especially at bigger schools. Our baseball players in Jackson play only baseball. It might be a little different at Orrville but fall baseball is gaining popularity.

Probably the same as JO volleyball & AAU basketball. Kids aren't told they "HAVE" to play...but they're falling behind if they don't.

Football is unique in that there's 1 season. Spring football would be tough in Ohio....but you can always be in the gym getting stronger.

What's the quote..."champions are made in the offseason."

Red Rider Nation;1755915 wrote:Baseball is pretty much a year round sport now if you wanna get really good at it. Especially in the SSBL which I know Orrville plays in. My son has played over 60 games this year and is still playing. His last game is this weekend then we start indoor winter workouts November 5th. Anymore it is hard for kids to play multiple sports especially at bigger schools. Our baseball players in Jackson play only baseball. It might be a little different at Orrville but fall baseball is gaining popularity.

I agree. It just sucks to see kids at such a young age giving up a sport to focus specifically on another. These days...if you want to get noticed in any sport it seems that you almost HAVE to play AAU or some specialized travel ball that allows for more exposure. It makes recruiting much easier for colleges when they can go to one tournament and be able to scout several players at once from multiple schools!

Old Rider;1755936 wrote:I agree. It just sucks to see kids at such a young age giving up a sport to focus specifically on another. These days...if you want to get noticed in any sport it seems that you almost HAVE to play AAU or some specialized travel ball that allows for more exposure. It makes recruiting much easier for colleges when they can go to one tournament and be able to scout several players at once from multiple schools!

Football seems to be the only sport in which recruiting operates even closely to how it did 15-20 years ago. There are football camps and combines that evaluate kids. There always have been.........but how you play for your high school team still holds a ton of weight for college recruiters. Potential baseball, volleyball, softball, and basketball players will be evaluated far more on their performance with their club, travel, AAU, etc. team than their performance on their school teams. That's one of the big reasons why many small school football teams are struggling with numbers. Football is probably the last "true" high school sport left when compared to how things were in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I think that many people in small school communities fail to understand that recruiters only pay attention to the upper echelon of club, travel, AAU competition. While travel baseball, JO volleyball, and AAU basketball provide extra reps for the kids who take part, 90% of those teams will never be invited to or attend the actual events that provide exposure or have college coaches in attendance. Most of the travel, AAU, JO stuff is just a money maker.

Football is the way it is because of the rules that the OHSAA have in place. Everywhere else in the country football is a year round sport. Spring football' 7x7 'conditioning all year long. The funny thing about most peoples argument about choosing to play one sport is they are choosing that sport over football. But if it where the other way around and kids didn't want to play baseball in the spring to focus on football you wouldn't have a problem.

unc4life;1755960 wrote:Football is the way it is because of the rules that the OHSAA have in place. Everywhere else in the country football is a year round sport. Spring football' 7x7 'conditioning all year long. The funny thing about most peoples argument about choosing to play one sport is they are choosing that sport over football. But if it where the other way around and kids didn't want to play baseball in the spring to focus on football you wouldn't have a problem.

Agreed 100%

unc4life;1755960 wrote:Football is the way it is because of the rules that the OHSAA have in place. Everywhere else in the country football is a year round sport. Spring football' 7x7 'conditioning all year long. The funny thing about most peoples argument about choosing to play one sport is they are choosing that sport over football. But if it where the other way around and kids didn't want to play baseball in the spring to focus on football you wouldn't have a problem.

As long as kids continue to get drafted out of high school in baseball it is more attractive. Not saying a high percentage do but they know it happens and it keeps them working at a young age. Kids stand out more on a baseball field than they do on a football field. Look at Austin Domer. A Top 40 prospect in Ohio and has only played 2 years there in baseball. It's because he can play that game year round and play for a team like the Ohio Glaciers and get recognized. That just doesn't happen in youth football or football much in general.

unc4life;1755960 wrote:Football is the way it is because of the rules that the OHSAA have in place. Everywhere else in the country football is a year round sport. Spring football' 7x7 'conditioning all year long. The funny thing about most peoples argument about choosing to play one sport is they are choosing that sport over football. But if it where the other way around and kids didn't want to play baseball in the spring to focus on football you wouldn't have a problem.

I would still have a problem! I played 3 sports all of my life and through school. EVERY coach I had along the way encouraged ALL of us to play as many sports as possible. My post was not geared towards older (high school) kids. I was referring to a few of our 7th graders choosing to specialize in one sport. Their only 12 yrs old...enjoy them ALL now! The years go by too quick. I have heard so many grown men tell me that they regret not playing other sports in school.

Red Rider Nation;1755983 wrote:As long as kids continue to get drafted out of high school in baseball it is more attractive. Not saying a high percentage do but they know it happens and it keeps them working at a young age. Kids stand out more on a baseball field than they do on a football field. Look at Austin Domer. A Top 40 prospect in Ohio and has only played 2 years there in baseball. It's because he can play that game year round and play for a team like the Ohio Glaciers and get recognized. That just doesn't happen in youth football or football much in general.

Most kids that do get drafted still end up going to college. Baseball is also a sport where height/weight doesn't matter (as much) and that is the equalizer for a smaller player like Domer. He is a skilled baseball player no doubt...but not a 5 tool player. He WILL play college baseball...but I think his best fit is a really good D3 school. However, if he can start hitting for power and raise his batting average...he may get that D1-2 sniff.

Old Rider;1755987 wrote:Most kids that do get drafted still end up going to college. Baseball is also a sport where height/weight doesn't matter (as much) and that is the equalizer for a smaller player like Domer. He is a skilled baseball player no doubt...but not a 5 tool player. He WILL play college baseball...but I think his best fit is a really good D3 school. However, if he can start hitting for power and raise his batting average...he may get that D1-2 sniff.

I hope he does make it there. I think if he is going to need more power he would also benefit from living in the weight room...but that is just me...

Kids that participate in more than one sport are simply better athletes IMO. Now that is not to say that specializing at an older age does not have its place. I have known a few guys and still do that are in the "scouting" world. An all state athlete in one sport is looked at with high regards, a kid who is all state or competes at a high level in more than one is looked at even more. And I also believe there are individual cases where specializing may make sense but I am with Old Rider, I see too many parents of 7 year olds who think that kid is going to the NFL!!! S A D!!!!

Riders made a valiant effort in the comeback against Ashland. Way to battle.