Friday night lights shine on transfer quarterbacks
A new football season means players at new schools and teams in a new playoff format.
As the 2016 high school football season begins this weekend, let’s take a peek at trends, issues and debates likely to break out:
Quarterback movement
More than 20 quarterbacks have transferred to new schools looking for fresh starts or seeking better opportunities. You need a pencil, an eraser and a transaction wire to keep track of the changing loyalties.
In some instances, it’s as if trades were made among multiple schools. Michael Bonds transferred from Newport Harbor to La Cañada St. Francis, which saw Miles Bryant transfer to Mission Hills Alemany, which lost Brevin White to West Hills Chaminade, which saw Jake Kaplinski transfer to Westlake Village Westlake.
In Orange County, Matt McDonald, the backup at Santa Ana Mater Dei, left for Mission Viejo, which caused two Diablos quarterbacks to transfer to Tesoro. Ryan Hilinski left San Juan Capistrano JSerra for Orange Lutheran. Doug Jackson left San Clemente for San Juan Hills.
Tyger Goslin could open a sporting goods store with all his jerseys, socks and shoes acquired during the last four years. He started his quarterback career at Westlake, transferred to Chatsworth and is ending it at Moorpark.
So pull out your game program, check the roster and don’t be surprised if someone who was an opponent last season is suddenly yelling, “Omaha!” for your team this season.
New playoff groupings
There are still 13 playoff divisions in the Southern Section, but there’s a new format. Schools have been placed in divisions based on performance — it’s called competitive equity — over the last two years and not based on what league they play in. That’s going to lead to new champions, more balance and a little grumbling from some small schools that don’t like having to take on bigger schools.
Many coaches want the playoff divisions decided at the end of the regular season instead of at the beginning (the new formula doesn’t take into account who graduated the previous year). That’s likely to happen in the future. But for now, get ready for a little uncertainty and lots of suggestions for improvement.
Motivation to play tough opponents
There’s a growing consensus among players, parents and coaches that playing tough teams in nonleague games is important. It prepares teams for league play; the best games receive Web or television coverage; college recruiters get to see how good a prospect is; and strength of schedule is critical for playoff seeding.
Yet, some coaches are stubborn: They’re stuck on wanting to win big at home to impress alumni or improve their coaching record. They’d better change their philosophy fast because there’s a growing realization that beating a weak team by 40 points with a running clock offers little gratification.
Dwindling rosters
Parental concerns about concussions continue to raise questions about the sustainability of 11-man football at schools that are having trouble filling rosters.
Last year, there were forfeits and schools unable to finish their season because of safety issues with diminished rosters. In response, several schools gave up on 11-man football this season and switched to eight-man games. Others have been told that if they start a varsity season, they need to finish it or don’t start at all because it’s not fair for opponents to lose out on a game late in the year.
Whatever happens, the concerns are real that football participation is dropping. Walnut had to cancel its freshman team after only 12 players showed up.
Saying goodbye
After 38 years of coaching at Huntington Beach Edison — 31 years as head coach — Dave White will step down. Lots of people are rooting for him to go out with a Division 3 championship, but the smart people know a high school coach shouldn’t be judged simply by championships. It’s what he has taught his players about life. Count on him to be teaching through the final play of the last game.