The time has come for that time honored tradition of the kickoff of the high school football season. We're blessed here in the Midwest with some of the finest levels of competition in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri. While I don't agree with eight classes of football here in Illinois, things could be worse like that disaster of a regional system in Indiana. My least favorite part of the new season has to be preseason rankings. You're going to try and project how competitive schools are going to be when half of the team has never step foot on a varsity field. Good luck with that.
Many kids will suit up for the first time this Friday. Some will be happy just to be a part of the team, while others will start their progress toward earning a free education. No one likes the recruiting and forged eligibility problems that happen behind the scenes, but once the lights go on this Friday it will just be about kids flying around having fun on the field. I suggest that you make a trip back to your high school or just stop by to support your local team once this fall. Those guys bust their butts all year around these days. Half of them don't get the opportunity to play basketball or baseball because they have to be conditioning and lifting during those times. Who knows maybe you'll see the next Simeon Rice, Donovan McNabb, Eric Steinbach, or Owen Daniels out on the field of play here in Chicagoland. Maybe you'll catch the newest Michigan or Ohio State recruit at your local high school. Some of these crosstown rivalries are worth the measly $3 admission charge I can promise you that.
Good luck to all those involved for a healthy and fun season. Lord knows in this state if you know how to snap a football you'll likely make the playoffs. Hopefully that enhances your high school experience because that is all you can ask. There are numerous high quality quarterback prospects in Illinois this year, so find a game that peaks your interest and enjoy Friday night!
Dear Mr. Fantasy
I'm going to do a brief weekend recap of things to keep in mind as fantasy football drafts approach. Always be checking the injury news, especially if you're doing an online draft. They give you 90 seconds and all you have to do is type the guys name in google news before you select him. It is worth it. Don't draft Plaxico Burress again ever. I think we saw some good things out of Jay Cutler this weekend as a middle round QB. Get yourself some part of the Giants backfield on your team. David Garrard could be a sneaky backup QB this fantasy year. Avoid all running back timeshares that involve three players i.e. Baltimore, Dallas, New England, NY Jets, etc. Don't be afraid to draft Darren Sproles or Jerious Norwood ahead of starters like Jamal Lewis. They're just better players. If a team can't decide on their starting QB by the 3rd week of the preseason, then for crying out loud don't draft anyone off that team. Glen Coffee looks like an absolute must handcuff if you're drafting Frank Gore. He's the leading candidate for Mr. August. Good luck to all those drafting in the next week while so many roster spots and position battles are yet to be decided. Tell your league managers to draft Labor Day weekend, it is the only way to go. Think about an in person draft as well. Nothing better than making fun of the guy that picks a receiver in round six who is slated to miss the first half of the year.
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Football isn't a big deal in Northern Michigan. We're a basketball and soccer area. In fact, they don't even have enough players to put together a freshman football team! Nonetheless, we're hoping the Ludington Orioles Varsity Football Team can pull off two wins this year!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, "Mr. Fantasy", any advice for a rotisserie baseball team looking to replace Johan Santana in the event that he is out for the season? Any young guns getting a Sept. callup you would recommend?
Good luck to the local team. I'm guessing good football leads to good radio. My deepest sympathy that you now live in a soccer town. I know how that is though as I am dangerously close to Geneva.
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly proposed a loaded question there with the rotisserie factor. I'd say if you're looking for strikeouts try to find Jonathan Sanchez or Brett Anderson, two young guns in the bay area. If you're poaching wins, give Derek Holland or John Smoltz a try. They have great run support. If you want a few strikeouts, but need to maintain a good ERA/WHIP, why not get a middle reliever or two like Matt Thornton, Hideki Okajima, Ronald Belisario, Matt Guerrier, or Brian Sanches. Good luck with the home stretch. I don't advise putting much stock into the september pitching callups.