Actually was a close game the first half, with a 14 all score going to half time. Manual had several turn overs to keep the Raiders in the game. But Manual came out in the second half, dominated and wore down the Raiders who are low on numbers but much improved as a football team this year.

When I heard that 14-all score, I was like "D'OH!!"

 

But it all worked out in the end.

What were the numbers in the fourth quarter? that score jumped FAST from the updates I was getting.

To the people in Jefferson County:

 

Is the Iroquois program making steady progress to become a better team? It seems like they've been much more competitive this season. I know they are a solid basketball program usually stacked with athletes. It seems like with the right people in charge, that could translate to success on the gridiron as well.

To the people in Jefferson County:

 

Is the Iroquois program making steady progress to become a better team? It seems like they've been much more competitive this season. I know they are a solid basketball program usually stacked with athletes. It seems like with the right people in charge, that could translate to success on the gridiron as well.

 

I don't know how steady the progress has been. They had some better years when Manual had some worse years in the 90's, followed by a string of easy wins for Manual. This year they've been better, but this may just be an exception. I don't know what if any changes have been made to the program this year.

I don't know how steady the progress has been. They had some better years when Manual had some worse years in the 90's, followed by a string of easy wins for Manual. This year they've been better, but this may just be an exception. I don't know what if any changes have been made to the program this year.

 

Thanks! Here's hoping they will continue to build their program.

I think that the players have alot more drive and committment to the program then in years past and that is a tribute to the coaching staff there. I think that the main problem is numbers. If they had about 8 more decent to good players on that team that would last a whole season, especially so the line would not have to go both ways, I think that they could be a team that could hold their own with the likes of Fern Creek, Butler, Eastern, and Southern, and occationally make it to the playoffs. They have that kind of speed, but a lack of depth kills their chances against deep teams in the second half.

There is about 25 players on the team, how many actually play I'm not sure. I'd like to see them in AAA. Raiders not Manual. Its too early to make the Rams mad at me.

I have been on the road and in the air and just now got a chance to reply to this thread.....btw..I heard the first half of the game was actually pretty good to watch. I called My buddy's son to find out what happened but I couldnt get a hold of him (His dad told me he has been really sick all week and may not get to coach their last game against PRP)...anyway, based on what his father told me....

Manual jumped up 14-0 in the first quarter and Iroquois responded with a 70 yard TD pass and then after forcing a turnover on downs, drove the ball nearly 70 yards to score on QB sneak to tie the game and had momentum going into the 2nd half and then Manual went to a run-dominated offense the 2nd half (hey, I was right on my prediction!!!) and just overwhelmed the Raider defense.

 

As many people have hinted, the problem has been numbers and quality of talent (or lack thereof in the reserves). The varsity dresses about 30 kids but after the starting 11, there are only about 2 players that are good enough to compete on the varsity level. By the 3rd quarter, these kids are just worn out. My understanding is that Iroquois struggles with getting quality athletes for various reasons (Grades, interest, transfer rules, etc, etc). Im not sure what Iroquois' enrollment is but I hear its pretty high and as long as thats the case, if you are a school with a high enrollment number but low interest (or ability) to field 50 players its going to be tough no matter where you are. Unless you have phenomenal athletes in great shape to play 4 quarters on both sides of the ball, Iroquois is going to continue to struggle no matter who the coach is. I hear their head coach (thompson) has made an effort to get kids out but you cant get players out who are in the wrong grade or are failing half their classes. It has been a tough deal to work with for several years (which may explain the high turnover ratio in coaching there).

I thought this was the best team they have had in a long time but considering their best team consists of 7 players who could probably play somewhere else and then the back ups are kids who probably may not even be good enough to play in a freshman game (as juniors) is a huge drop off in talent.

 

The outlook for the future doesnt look all that good either....losing I think 12 or 13 seniors this will REALLY hurt this team next year. At either rate, for what its worth, this team has won more games in the past 2-3 years than they have total in the 3-4 years TOTAL prior to Thompson's arrival says a lot. A good effort but only so much you can do, I guess.

 

Good luck Iroquois vs. PRP. Nothing much to play for except for pride and a 500 season (which IMO is pretty good considering the level of competition). PRP is in a MUST-WIN situation in this game to stay alive in the playoff hunt.