It was obvious to me watching the freshman scrimmage Spencer County that Montgomery County is on the upswing as far as football. I believe the main reason for this is much improved coaching at the middle school level. We went a few years with below average coaching and it show when these players got to high school. Coach Stockdale is doing a wonderful job at the middle school and has these kids learning to play hard every play, something I believe was missing with previous coaching staffs. Keep up the good work Coach Stockdale.

 

It's amazing to me they have a quality of a coach like Stockdale at their middle school. Coach Stockdale has the knowledge and experience to be a varsity HC anywhere. MC is lucky to have him...

It was obvious to me watching the freshman scrimmage Spencer County that Montgomery County is on the upswing as far as football. I believe the main reason for this is much improved coaching at the middle school level. We went a few years with below average coaching and it show when these players got to high school. Coach Stockdale is doing a wonderful job at the middle school and has these kids learning to play hard every play, something I believe was missing with previous coaching staffs. Keep up the good work Coach Stockdale.

I think it goes beyond the Middle School level. The Jr. Pro has improved tremendously the past 2 or 3 years and now teaches kids to fundamentals of how to play the game nad aren't just focusing on winning meaningless Jr. Pro games while sacrificing the teaching aspect. There were several years where the middle school coaches had to basically teach the kids fundamentals that they should have already learned in JP. They also lost several good kids that got discouraged at the JP level and gave football up. I wouldn't lay all the blame on the Middle School coaching staffs.

I think it goes beyond the Middle School level. The Jr. Pro has improved tremendously the past 2 or 3 years and now teaches kids to fundamentals of how to play the game nad aren't just focusing on winning meaningless Jr. Pro games while sacrificing the teaching aspect. There were several years where the middle school coaches had to basically teach the kids fundamentals that they should have already learned in JP. They also lost several good kids that got discouraged at the JP level and gave football up. I wouldn't lay all the blame on the Middle School coaching staffs.

 

 

I think it was the other way around, kids gave up football in McNabb because compared to the Jr Pro experience, they were going backward. Up until last year the McNabb coaches were inconsistent and inexperienced and the administration at McNabb didn't feel the need to support the program with qualified coaches. I am very glad to see them bridge the gap between Jr Pro and High school with an excellent coach like Stockdale.

I think it goes beyond the Middle School level. The Jr. Pro has improved tremendously the past 2 or 3 years and now teaches kids to fundamentals of how to play the game nad aren't just focusing on winning meaningless Jr. Pro games while sacrificing the teaching aspect. There were several years where the middle school coaches had to basically teach the kids fundamentals that they should have already learned in JP. They also lost several good kids that got discouraged at the JP level and gave football up. I wouldn't lay all the blame on the Middle School coaching staffs.

 

I agree that the Jr. Pro league in Montgomery County has greatly improved. I think that Coach Gooch has gotten involved with the league and has helped get it organized. I do think from watching Coach Stockdale run his practices that you can tell they finally have someone who knows something about football. I remember watching several practices 3 years ago, it looked nothing more than a PE class playing on the playground. That has nothing to do with the Jr. Pro program but has everything to do with the coaches they had.

I agree that the Jr. Pro league in Montgomery County has greatly improved. I think that Coach Gooch has gotten involved with the league and has helped get it organized. I do think from watching Coach Stockdale run his practices that you can tell they finally have someone who knows something about football. I remember watching several practices 3 years ago, it looked nothing more than a PE class playing on the playground. That has nothing to do with the Jr. Pro program but has everything to do with the coaches they had.

You're exactly right, the Jr. Pro coaches took the best 12-15 kids, worked with them and tried to win, and neglected the rest and let them run around basically like you said, "a p.e. program." Until Gooch came in the middle school also received no help, suggestions, equipment, nothing from the high school program. I know Coach C basically ignored the program. Not saying the middle school had Lombardis there, but I think Coach Gross and after him, Coach Allen worked hard with the middle school kids.

You're exactly right, the Jr. Pro coaches took the best 12-15 kids, worked with them and tried to win, and neglected the rest and let them run around basically like you said, "a p.e. program." Until Gooch came in the middle school also received no help, suggestions, equipment, nothing from the high school program. I know Coach C basically ignored the program. Not saying the middle school had Lombardis there, but I think Coach Gross and after him, Coach Allen worked hard with the middle school kids.

 

Not to argue my point but I was talking about the middle school being like a PE Class

I think it was the other way around, kids gave up football in McNabb because compared to the Jr Pro experience, they were going backward. Up until last year the McNabb coaches were inconsistent and inexperienced and the administration at McNabb didn't feel the need to support the program with qualified coaches. I am very glad to see them bridge the gap between Jr Pro and High school with an excellent coach like Stockdale.

 

You got it. Overall, we are very fortunate Jr. Pro has continued to thrive and the Mcnabb situation is excellant. Coach Stockdale is a quality coach at any level and certainly for our McNabb program.

 

The middle school was very poorly ran. However, I do not blame the coaches that were there. The administration just found staff members to coach. If they had a pulse and wanted to do it. They were coaches.

 

I know for a fact, 4 years ago the middle school got all new stuff, except cleats. I also know the 7th grade team had 40 members and had 15 in the 8th grade.

 

Anyone that really cares about the MC program is doing something about to improve the program not trying to justify themselves on a public forum. Some folks on this thread seem very concerned about MC, I would suggest you take the time to focus your attention on a program you can effect in a positive manner. MC is doing just these days.

You're exactly right, the Jr. Pro coaches took the best 12-15 kids, worked with them and tried to win, and neglected the rest and let them run around basically like you said, "a p.e. program." Until Gooch came in the middle school also received no help, suggestions, equipment, nothing from the high school program. I know Coach C basically ignored the program. Not saying the middle school had Lombardis there, but I think Coach Gross and after him, Coach Allen worked hard with the middle school kids.

 

I have to disagree with you on your opinion. The group that is now seniors only lost 1 game in 7th grade, and was coached by Shannon Gross. When they got to 8th grade they picked there best 10 practiced them, while the others sat on the sideline. They were coached by a players father who isn't even in the program now. When they started loosing the problems really began. The players would run everyday for around 45 minutes then would practice for 45 minutes to an hour. The running of the players didn't help improve the players at all. They also allowed players to fight during practice. Things were not good in the middle school program until Gooch got here. I don't know too much about Allen but I do think he did work hard from what I can tell

I have to disagree with you on your opinion. The group that is now seniors only lost 1 game in 7th grade, and was coached by Shannon Gross. When they got to 8th grade they picked there best 10 practiced them, while the others sat on the sideline. They were coached by a players father who isn't even in the program now. When they started loosing the problems really began. The players would run everyday for around 45 minutes then would practice for 45 minutes to an hour. The running of the players didn't help improve the players at all. They also allowed players to fight during practice. Things were not good in the middle school program until Gooch got here. I don't know too much about Allen but I do think he did work hard from what I can tell

You're right except the player's father you're talking about was Gross's Assistant with the 8th grade. Shannon was still the head coach, he coached 7th and 8th. Anyway, I'm not being negative, (If FB15G8 is referring to me) I was just trying to defend the guys a little bit from all the negativity being thrown at them. Was just saying the blame for MC's struggles in the past few years can be spread around. That's all ancient past anyway. Different High School Coach and different Middle School Coaches, and different JP coaches.