Amid controvery (heat) Georgia High Schools begin practice today

[Ben E Lou]

First, the controversy, then my comments on Tucker...

Early practice date has coaches steamed

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/14/04

The area's high school football coaches rarely agree on any subject. However, they are nearly unanimous when the topic is the pushed-up date for this year's preseason practice: They do not like it.
Practice for teams in DeKalb and Rockdale counties begins Monday, which is the state's earliest starting date for the sport.


"I'm not very pleased with it," said Alan Chadwick, who led Marist to the Class AAAA state championship last year and is considered one of the deans of coaching in Georgia.

"Two years ago, everyone was concerned about the heat — the kids in uniform and practicing in the heat of the day. Now they moved up everything even further; now it's going to be around 10 weeks before it even starts to cool off. That's a health concern.

"I don't really understand why everything has been moved up two weeks. It was never on my radar screen. I never got an advance warning this was coming down. No one asked my opinion, and if they did, I would've told them that it is not a good thing for many reasons, beginning with the heat."

One of the main reasons the Georgia High School Association moved up the start of football season was so it could finish earlier. Coaches of winter sports such as basketball and wrestling have complained for years that their season is too far under way before football players are able to join the team.

"I think the starting date is totally ridiculous," Lakeside coach Bill Harris said. "It's not like we are in Alaska where the temperature is 60 and 70 degrees in July.

"We're starting before the NFL teams, and I just don't understand it. Next year, we'll probably go out on July Fourth. The state is so concerned about health-related accidents, so why move everything up? It doesn't make sense at all."

Decatur coach Steve Davenport said he usually gives his team a few days off from lifting weights and running before the start of preseason practice, but not this year. It was not an option because of the new date.

"Your biggest concern is getting the kids acclimated to the heat and you can't take any time off at this point because you risk letting someone get out of shape," Davenport said. "This is extremely early in the summer to ask the kids to get out there and practice. I hope and pray that no one gets hurt. I think this whole thing is a little risky."

The new date has caused Davenport to revise his team's preseason preparations. With a scrimmage against Redan looming on Aug. 7, Decatur will be forced to rush through the installation process of the offense and defense.

At Salem, the pushed-up practice time and the new year-round school schedule have caused the team to cancel football camp for the first time in as long as anyone can remember. It's a strange feeling for Salem coach Frank Caputo, who has taken various teams away to camp for the past 26 years.

"Camp is when you get the young men away from home and to build team camaraderie. It seems every year during the season, I am always referring back to something that we worked on or accomplished during camp. I won't be able to give that speech this year."

Caputo's opinion is similar to the other area coaches': Yes, the players are always excited to get started with the preseason, but the heat is a major concern.

"I liked it better the way that it was, but there is nothing we can do to move it back at this point," he said. "It is still mighty hot outside. We've known it was going to be really hot when we started up, so we've really tried to condition the kids as well as we could all summer."

From my dynasty thread...

YAYYYY!!! First day of practice today. It is conditioning only this week. A few comments...

• Junior RB/WR/DB Asher Allen ran a 4.43 for the day's fastest time. Asher is benching over 300 pounds, too, and has gotten quite a bit bigger over the summer. B.Y. has already committed to a D-1 school, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't end up getting *serious* competition for starting tailback from Asher. This team just keeps reloading with big-time skill position players.
• FB/NT Hamilton Sims is benching 340 now, and is looking like one big 5'5", 185 pound mass of muscle. He ran a sub-4.6 twice.
• Once again, Tucker is going to have to patch an offensive line together, but this time without Coach V. He's been missed much already as a person, but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being missed for what he brought to the the table as a coach as well.
• It must be something in the water in Tucker. 12 scholarship players from a 1200ish-student school, and we'll STILL have a potential D-1 kid at virtually every skill position.
• This should be an interesting season. I think I mentioned it earlier, but I was talking with several fathers about it again today: Tucker, Marist and Thomas County Central all lost very good senior classes, Statesboro lost their head coach, and Shaw dropped down to AAA. Some mixture of those teams could be your basic AAAA top 5 year in and year out. Last year at this time, it felt like one of Tucker, Marist, Shaw and TCC would win it all, and at the end of the year they were probably the four best teams. At this point this year, it feels like a much more wide-open field.

Having the Dome games on Thanksgiving weekend should be quite interesting. On the one hand, no one will have to miss any school because of them (not that that has *ever* really been an issue. ), but on the other, those of us with Yankee in-laws* who don't understand the importance of Georgia High School football may have some interesting family issues when we inform them that we're leaving immediately after eating on Thanksgiving Day.






*--Yes, my in-laws are from a Charleston blue-blood family, but I grew up in Columbus, GA, thank you very much. I'm not sure I trust anyone who grew up north of Newnan.

[Buccaneer]

One of the main reasons the Georgia High School Association moved up the start of football season was so it could finish earlier. Coaches of winter sports such as basketball and wrestling have complained for years that their season is too far under way before football players are able to join the team.

Don't they realize the importance of Georgia High School football ???

[digamma]

This makes me happy and sad.

[Noop]

Change is bad. Unless it is 6 cent which when coupled with a dollar can buy a double cheeseburger.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by digamma

This makes me happy and sad.

I hear ya loud and clear. If Roman doesn't come through with the post-game phone calls, you let me know. As of right now it looks like I won't be missing more than one game.

[SirFozzie]

Well, up here in MA, we play the Thanksgiving Day games (Usually your main rival), at 11 AM, so you go to the game, then come home and eat Turkey

[JonInMiddleGA]

The early practice, as far as I can tell, results in part from the increasingly ridiculous early start to the school year (ours go back on 8/1).

I'm firmly in the anti-early camp, for both football & the start of the school year.

[NoMyths]

Is this accurate?: "FB/NT Hamilton Sims is benching 340 now, and is looking like one big 5'5", 185 pound mass of muscle. He ran a sub-4.6 twice."

More like a ball of bowling than a mass of muscle.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by NoMyths

Is this accurate?: "FB/NT Hamilton Sims is benching 340 now, and is looking like one big 5'5", 185 pound mass of muscle. He ran a sub-4.6 twice."

More like a ball of bowling than a mass of muscle.

I have seen him. He is a wrecking ball.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I have seen him. He is a wrecking ball.

But is he seriously 5 feet, 5 inches? 6'5" sound more like it?

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Well, up here in MA, we play the Thanksgiving Day games (Usually your main rival), at 11 AM, so you go to the game, then come home and eat Turkey

Exactly. It must be a whole different world down there.

I remember freezing my balls off during those Thanksgiving day games. I was always home by halftime of the first NFL game though - so that was nice.

[GoldenEagle]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

But is he seriously 5 feet, 5 inches? 6'5" sound more like it?

He probably has really short arms which allow him to bench far more than a normal person.

[cthomer5000]

I guess with the weight he has to be that short. That would be by far the smallest football player I've ever seen at the H.S. level.

[GoldenEagle]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I guess with the weight he has to be that short. That would be by far the smallest football player I've ever seen at the H.S. level.

I am guessing he is a hell of a high school player though. He just has to get low and use his strength to plug a hole or two up the middle. He does not have much of a futue in football past high school though I would guess.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

I am guessing he is a hell of a high school player though. He just has to get low and use his strength to plug a hole or two up the middle. He does not have much of a futue in football past high school though I would guess.

He is that short, and you would be surprised about his future. Not Div. 1, but at the lower divisions he could be a player.

[Ben E Lou]

Ham is no taller than 5'5". What's wild is that this little freak of nature can reverse dunk a basketball, and has high jumped as much as 6'2". (He finished tied for 7th in the state meet with a 6'0" jump.) You really would have to see him to believe him. Yes, he wreaked some SERIOUS havoc at nose tackle. With his quickness and strength, he was virtually unblockable for the majority of high school centers. He was pretty much an automatic double-team, and still ended up second on the team in both tackles and sacks, and first in tackles for losses. With everyone keying on Thomas early in the year, and B.Y. later on, Ham also carried the ball 32 times for 185 yards and 3 TD's as the #2 fullback. All this, AND the boy plays some MEAN Gospel music on the piano.

[Ben E Lou]

Here's a little perspective on how short Ham is:



That's him in the grey shirt with yellow lettering barely visible. Brandyn Young is two players to his right in the black jacket, white shirt, with hands on the podium. B.Y. is listed at around 5'11", which I think is about right.



Another shot. Mike Compton, who is about 5'8 or 9, is leaning back, making Ham appear taller than he is, but the difference between Ham and B.Y. (both leaning about the same amount) is obviously significant.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

Ham is no taller than 5'5". What's wild is that this little freak of nature can reverse dunk a basketball, and has high jumped as much as 6'2". (He finished tied for 7th in the state meet with a 6'0" jump.) You really would have to see him to believe him. Yes, he wreaked some SERIOUS havoc at nose tackle. With his quickness and strength, he was virtually unblockable for the majority of high school centers. He was pretty much an automatic double-team, and still ended up second on the team in both tackles and sacks, and first in tackles for losses. With everyone keying on Thomas early in the year, and B.Y. later on, Ham also carried the ball 32 times for 185 yards and 3 TD's as the #2 fullback. All this, AND the boy plays some MEAN Gospel music on the piano.

Is he a serious player in any other sport? I'm guessing basketball given the dunk reference. I'm just curious as to whether he's got a shot at playing b-ball anywhere in college and perhaps trying to make the football team.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Is he a serious player in any other sport? I'm guessing basketball given the dunk reference. I'm just curious as to whether he's got a shot at playing b-ball anywhere in college and perhaps trying to make the football team.

He's a decent b-ball player, but not good enough to play in college, imho. If he has a future in college athletics, it is in football. It seems to me that a kid with his drive, determination, strength, and football skills will be given a shot to play somewhere. Heck, he's probably fast enough to play tailback at a smaller school. Among the dads and other community members who frequent practice, Hamilton is--by far--everyone's favorite player. He plays hard every play, is strong as an ox, and is a *great* kid off the field as well.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

The early practice, as far as I can tell, results in part from the increasingly ridiculous early start to the school year (ours go back on 8/1).

I'm firmly in the anti-early camp, for both football & the start of the school year.

8/1!?!? As in like August 1st? Good lord.

I remember when starting before Labor Day was a criminal offense.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

8/1!?!? As in like August 1st? Good lord.

I remember when starting before Labor Day was a criminal offense.

I'm guessing that he actually means August 2nd. August 1st is a Sunday.

Most of the metro Atlanta schools are starting on August 9th this year, so August 2nd isn't beyond belief at all.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

I'm guessing that he actually means August 2nd. August 1st is a Sunday.

Most of the metro Atlanta schools are starting on August 9th this year, so August 2nd isn't beyond belief at all.

August anything is just bloody insane. Give the kids a freakin' break.

I'll have to have a look and see when the schools around here are starting, and see if this shit extends to MiddleOfNowhere, IL.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

August anything is just bloody insane. Give the kids a freakin' break.

I'll have to have a look and see when the schools around here are starting, and see if this shit extends to MiddleOfNowhere, IL.

Unlikely. When we were heading up to Minnesota last summer, we ran into some kids at breakfast just outside of Chicago who were dressed in their baseball uniforms. They had a regular season game that day, another week or two (can't remember which) of school left, and we were heading to summer camp.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

I'm guessing that he actually means August 2nd. August 1st is a Sunday.

Most of the metro Atlanta schools are starting on August 9th this year, so August 2nd isn't beyond belief at all.

You got it. 8/1 is actually the (mandantory) "Open House" day, which I guess is why that seems to be stuck in my mind as the date.

[cthomer5000]

so when does the school year end?

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

so when does the school year end?

It ended on May 21st this year, and the '04-'05 year ends on May 20th.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

It ended on May 21st this year, and the '04-'05 year ends on May 20th.

alright, there's some tradeoff there then. Our schools here (NJ) start the 1st week in September, and wrap up ~June 20th each year.

[Ben E Lou]

Just checked Jon's school district. They start on August 2nd, 2004 and end on May 27th, 2005. They have a week-long fall break and a week-long winter break in addition to the traditional spring break and Christmas Holidays. (Yes, down in Butts County, GA, they still call 'em Christmas Holidays. )

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

alright, there's some tradeoff there then. Our schools here (NJ) start the 1st week in September, and wrap up ~June 20th each year.

I think something in the neighborhood of 180 days of classroom instruction is pretty standard across the country.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

so when does the school year end?

SkyDoggieDogg already covered that part, but the school calendar (which we finally received via email yesterday) is a hoot. Holidays, breaks, etc are bolded.

July 28, 29, 30 …………………………………………………….………………….. Pre-Planning
August 1 ………………………………………………
OPEN HOUSE & PARENTS DAY AT SCHOOL
August 2 ………………………………………………………………………………..
SCHOOL OPENS
August 31 ……………………………………………………………………………….
Mid Quarter
September 6 ……………………………………………………………….
Labor Day (School Holiday)
October 1..………………………………………………………………………
End of 1st Quarter
October 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 .……………………………………………………………… Fall Break
October TBA …………………………………………………………………
PSAT (10th & 11th Grades)
October 15 …………………………………………………………………
Report Cards (Grades 6-12)
November 10 ……………………………………………………………………………….. Mid-Quarter
November 24, 25, 26 …………………………………………………….
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
December 15, 16, 17 ……………………………………………….
Semester Exams (Grades 6-12)
December 18 ………………………………………………………………….
Christmas Holidays Begin
January 3 ………. …….……………………………………………
School Re-opens for Students
January 10 …………………………………………………………………
Report Cards (Grades 6-12)
January 17 …………….…………………………………
M. L. King, Jr. Birthday (Student Holiday)
February 1 …..………………………………………
ANNUAL PARENTS MEETING (8:00 P.M.)
February 2 …………………………………………………………………………………... Mid-Quarter
February 21 ………………………………………………………………….
President’s Day (Holiday)
March 4 …………………………………………………………………………..
End of 3rd Quarter
March 7, 8, ………………………………………………………………..… Quarter Break
March 14 ………………………………………………………………….
Report Cards (Grades 6-12)
March 25 ……………………………………………………………
GOOD FRIDAY (School Holiday)
March 28, 29, 30, 31, Apr. 1 ……………………………………………..
Achievement Test Week
April 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ………………………………………………………………………..
Spring Break
April 15 ………………..………………………………………………………………………. Mid-Quarter
May 10 ……………….………………………………………………………………………. Honors Day
May 11, 12, 13 ……….……………………………………………………………………..
Senior Exams
May 17 ……………………………………………………………………….
Kindergarten Graduation
May 22 ………………………………………………………………………………….. GRADUATION
May 20, 23, 24 …….……………………………………………
2nd Semester Exams (Grades 6-11)
May 24 ………………………………………………………………………………
End of 2nd Semester
May 25, 26, 27 ……………………………………………………….
Post Planning (Teachers)
June 6 …………………………………….…………………………...
Report Cards & Final Grades Ready

Our 2004-2005 school calendar contains 183 days. This allows for three (3) extra days in case Piedmont Academy is closed due to inclement weather. Any extra days missed will naturally extend our school year. We must attend school 180 days.

[Buzzbee]

What seems to be happening (I don't have any proof, just a gut feeling) is that the start of the school year is slowly creeping back while the end of the school year isn't quite keeping pace. We still have 180 days of instruction, but it is being spread out more. I don't know if it is a conscious effort by the school systems, but it seems like they are slowly trying stretch things out to the point where a jump to year round school is minimal. When I was growing up (many, many years ago) summer break was 3 months or longer. Now, they pad the schedules with "teacher workdays" or with other various days off so that the "summer" is condensed to about 2 1/2 months.

(By the way, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. The idea of year round school with a few weeks between quarters is one that I like)

[SirFozzie]

Wow, less then 2 months of Summer? Yuck.

[SirFozzie]

dola: oops I see class ends May 24 and Starts Aug 2nd (Still way too early, it used to be my birthday (Aug 18), used to be a week or two before school started)

[GrantDawg]

My daughter goes back July 31. Not only is it in July, but it is a Friday!