Questions that beg for answers:

1. Could these kind of games become more common place, Jr High all-star games?

2. Could this become more of the norm, younger football players traveling and playing against national competition?

3. Is this kind of competition good for Kentucky football, national competition?

4. Could this competition prove that Kentucky football is not behind most other states?

5. Will these kind of games strengthen Kentucky football, as a whole?

 

IMHO:

 

1 and 2. Not likely that this format will rapidly spread. These were exhibition games and not championships like AAU basketball or Little League. This event was organized by Football University and tied in with the US Army All-American game. So there was a lot of synergy with an already existing event. Also FBU has a specific interest in this type of event - promote their camps as they expand them from the high school to the middle school level. The US Army also provided support for this event. So this was not just some promoter doing a completely stand alone event. The tie-in the the correct sponsers would be needed.

3. This type of event may best help non-traditional football states such as Kentucky. It give spot like to youth football and encouranges other kids to play. This can bring in talent that may have not been interested in football.

4. Absolutely. Kentucky kids were factors in all 3 games and the state as a whole earned respect.

5. In all likelyhood - yes. But not just due to playing in a game. At this event there were other activities that benefited the players and possibily their peers back home. An example was a skill exhibition using the same gear as combines. This was possible since the High School combines were there last week. This allowed young kinds to get a feel for what is involved with a combine and 'going to the next level'. It was helpful to kids there but also these kids can bring this experience back and 'spread the word' what is involved. Also, the community pride factor is big factor. Hopefully, this type of event will create a buzz about football and get more kids interested in playing.

Thanks for your opinion, good information.

 

IMHO:

 

1 and 2. Not likely that this format will rapidly spread. These were exhibition games and not championships like AAU basketball or Little League. This event was organized by Football University and tied in with the US Army All-American game. So there was a lot of synergy with an already existing event. Also FBU has a specific interest in this type of event - promote their camps as they expand them from the high school to the middle school level. The US Army also provided support for this event. So this was not just some promoter doing a completely stand alone event. The tie-in the the correct sponsers would be needed. [/Quote]

 

My thought was: There are three, I think, national high school all-star games, could they soon incorporate a jr high all-star game into their event, for the reasons that you stated? Promotion of their facilities, promote camps, and generate additional revenue.

Also, could events such as the Kentucky East/West Game and the Border Bowl soon incorporate a jr high event into their existing festivities?

3. This type of event may best help non-traditional football states such as Kentucky. It give spot like to youth football and encourages other kids to play. This can bring in talent that may have not been interested in football.

Exactly. I think it also lets Kentucky players play against good competition.

4. Absolutely. Kentucky kids were factors in all 3 games and the state as a whole earned respect.

That is my point, this kind of event helps see Kentucky as a possible football power. Or, at least a competitor.

5. In all likelyhood - yes. But not just due to playing in a game. At this event there were other activities that benefited the players and possibily their peers back home. An example was a skill exhibition using the same gear as combines. This was possible since the High School combines were there last week. This allowed young kinds to get a feel for what is involved with a combine and 'going to the next level'. It was helpful to kids there but also these kids can bring this experience back and 'spread the word' what is involved. Also, the community pride factor is big factor. Hopefully, this type of event will create a buzz about football and get more kids interested in playing.

All good for Kentucky as I see it. It promotes Kentucky football, exposes future Kentucky football players to football on a national level. It most definitely can help promotion of football in the state. The community pride can not be down played, that is what every good football program has. If you look at any good program, they have a very good community support system.

My thought was: There are three, I think, national high school all-star games, could they soon incorporate a jr high all-star game into their event, for the reasons that you stated? Promotion of their facilities, promote camps, and generate additional revenue.

Also, could events such as the Kentucky East/West Game and the Border Bowl soon incorporate a jr high event into their existing festivities?

 

At the national level the other 'competitor' to the US Army All-American Bowl is the Under Armour Senior Bowl. They could expand that event but it would take some vision and funding to do so. An interesting statement in one of the articles - "Even with players paying for their travel and lodging, the event is expected to lose $30,000.". I think FBU is looking for NBC to pick up these games on actual TV in the future. The live webcasting was a 'trial run'.

 

However including MS/Jr High in regional competitions seems reasonable. But there is no 'governing body' for the sport statewide at the MS/Jr. High level. Kentucky was well represented at this event due to the newly formed KYMSFA and the fact that a list of elite players was readily available. But the differences in how MS football is organized are substancial in the state and certainly across states. That will make organization of any 'All-State' teams a challenge. But if possible, it would be good.

 

Probably the best way to increase the visibility of MS/Jr. High football would be to get more tie in with High School games for regular games. Last year LexCath hosted 3 MS games the same day as the Bluegrass Bowl. So there was full day of football that featured 3 levels of plays. Getting multiple levels playing at the same 'event' seems to be a natural way of generating interest.

Here is some additional information, that was supplied by a member:

If you are interested photos from the games are being posted at:

 

photobucket.com/KYMSFA

 

I can say that the fact that Kentucky had 12 players there raised some doubting comments before the games. But with Tyler Jopes taking MVP in the 7th, Kyle Bolin leading the only score by the 8th unlimited and the hard nosed outstanding play by all the other players in the trenches the doubters were silenced.

 

Also, the KYMSFA was a very big reason for the number of players there. Since KYMSFA hosted a 'championship' and had already selected an all star team there was already a vetted set of players. Due due the organizational function of KYMSFA and the quality of players submitted the organizers came back to Kentucky when they needed more slots in linemen, etc. It was still up to each coach to create a highlight dvd or tape and formally send it in and the final decision were all done by FBU. Also non-KYMSFA associated kids could also send in nonminations. Karl Roesler was a non-KYMSFA player from the Louisville CCSA.

 

So this is just some more detail that might or might not be approporiate for the public forum.

Ridiculous I think, to have players this young being selected for national honors and playing all-star games. Next thing you know rivals.com will have rankings for 6 year olds. How many college coaches were there scouting?

 

Jimmy, age 6, playing QB for Pick Your Elementary School has Alabama, Florida and Michigan on his short list. He's also a projected 2 round draft pick. Not sure where he'll go to high school yet though as offers from T and X are too close to call.

Height - 4'5"

Weight - 57#

Bench press - 12#

40 speed - 8.3, on his bike

Verticle Jump - 8"

Favorite food - Chicken McNuggets

Favorite activity - pulling his sister's hair

Favorite TV Star - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Ridiculous I think, to have players this young being selected for national honors and playing all-star games. Next thing you know rivals.com will have rankings for 6 year olds. How many college coaches were there scouting?

 

Jimmy, age 6, playing QB for Pick Your Elementary School has Alabama, Florida and Michigan on his short list. He's also a projected 2 round draft pick. Not sure where he'll go to high school yet though as offers from T and X are too close to call.

Height - 4'5"

Weight - 57#

Bench press - 12#

40 speed - 8.3, on his bike

Verticle Jump - 8"

Favorite food - Chicken McNuggets

Favorite activity - pulling his sister's hair

Favorite TV Star - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

:laugh:

Ridiculous I think, to have players this young being selected for national honors and playing all-star games. Next thing you know rivals.com will have rankings for 6 year olds. How many college coaches were there scouting?

 

Jimmy, age 6, playing QB for Pick Your Elementary School has Alabama, Florida and Michigan on his short list. He's also a projected 2 round draft pick. Not sure where he'll go to high school yet though as offers from T and X are too close to call.

Height - 4'5"

Weight - 57#

Bench press - 12#

40 speed - 8.3, on his bike

Verticle Jump - 8"

Favorite food - Chicken McNuggets

Favorite activity - pulling his sister's hair

Favorite TV Star - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

I suppose you are against Baseball All-Star teams, Traveling Baseball teams, and AAU select teams as well?

 

No body is saying these players are future All-Americans or anything, just a nice honor, and a nice experience for these players.

 

People always want to say that Kentucky is not a football state, but when Kentucky starts doing things that the "Football" states do, people then say it is stupid. Which way do you want it?

I suppose you are against Baseball All-Star teams, Traveling Baseball teams, and AAU select teams as well?

 

No body is saying these players are future All-Americans or anything, just a nice honor, and a nice experience for these players.

 

People always want to say that Kentucky is not a football state, but when Kentucky starts doing things that the "Football" states do, people then say it is stupid. Which way do you want it?

 

Not exactly. What I am against is the notion you could ever pick a national all-star team of 6,7 and 8 graders. Even the USAToday Prep polls can't possibly be that accurate since very few teams ever play one another, or even have common opponents.

 

Last year the NFHS said there were over 1 million high school football players nationwide. That means there are many more junior leaguers, Jr. high, and elementary football players. And we argue over who is supposed to be on the all-state or all-region teams.

 

PLaying against teams or individuals from other states is okay if you shoose to do so. Just don't think you could ever determine which 7th grade RG from Oklahoma is better than any RG from New Jersey, or anywhere else.

I think it is more up to each state to pick the best players they can, then send them to the committee. A game tape and highlight tape has to be sent for nominees, the way I understand it. It's not like a committee has to pick the best players in the country.

Don't you think that trying to rank individual players in youth team sports is just a little over the top? I coached youth baseball for many years. From one year to the next I would see a player be at the top, and the next season at the bottom of the talent pool. And this just comparing him to 10-15 players on a single roster. There is no way you can tell me which 7th grade offensive lineman is the best at his position in the country, much less the best QB or RB. This is a ridiculous effort on any scale, national, state or otherwise.

 

My wife coached youth girls basketball for several years. Once, her U-11 team played in a tournament. They played a game against a team from a neighboring state with a pretty good player who we were told was the 11th ranked 10 year old girl in the nation. I was speechless. I cannot even imagine how that ranking came to be or who ranked her, or why it is important to rank players that young.

 

A survey I saw several years ago said that 60% of youths playing sports quit all or all but one sport by age 13.

 

If someone had seen Corey Blount play point guard in junior high they would not have been very impressed, as he was an average player. He was not recruited to any college out of high school. In one year after high school he grew from 6-1 to 6-10, went the JUCO route before ending up at Cincinnati. He played in a final four and then played 11 years in the NBA.

 

The body of a young athlete changes so rapidly, and skill levels develop slowly or quickly at different ages. Rankings are intended to be a prediction of what is to come, but with young athletes it is impossible to predict. Even for prep athletes it is mostly guess work.

I did not see any thing that said the players were ranked nor that they were the best at their position. Is it the All American title that is causing an issue? If it was just the National All Star game would that be a better title? It is a program that is going to give young players the chance to play against good athletes. At no time has anyone involved try to rank the players as the top whatever/who ever in the nation.

You say that Ref, but here we are day after day predicting what high school players are going to be great, what players are going to be Mr, Football, All-State, All-Conference, All-Area, and what colleges they are going, or what level of college they are going to.

 

Basketball, all around the county, has been ranking 8 year olds, 10 year olds, and 12 year olds for years. Is it all science? No. But, none the less, they are still doing it.

 

Am I saying that these players that played in this game are going to be the best to ever step on the field? No. But, they were chosen to represent the state on a National level and should be congratulated for that. That all, nothing more, nothing less.

Ram, the fact that some players were chosen to be in the All-American game means that some ranking had to take place. It implies these players are, at least, among the very best. I strongly disagree that selecting all-american football players aged 11-13 is possible. I think it is pointless.

I have a problem with this All-American game, AAU basketball, little league World Series, and 8th Grade graduation! I don't understand why we have to elavate any young child's ego or more importantly, any parent's.

1st, 8th grade graduation. What is so special about graduating 8th grade? Our society believes we have to praise people for performing ordinary things. I only compliment those who graduate high school or college.

 

2nd AAU. This is the one that makes me want to puke! Someone gets sponsorship, then charges money to cover entry fees, hotels, outfits, etc. Then they have tryouts. Meanwhile the coach has already recruited the starting 5. They then keep enough that can practice and help offset other costs. THEN, the coach acts like he is the next JOHN WOODEN when they win state and do well in the Nationals. He or She smoozes with the college coaches at the big tourney's and comes back home like they are big shots. I bet there are high school coaches that wish they could recruit players like they do in AAU.

 

3rd Little League World Series. If a player doesn't make the All-Star Team, he/she is done playing baseball by July! All-stars travel everywhere and play up into August. They are put on a pedistal. I know that it is tough to make the World Series, but we are talking about 10-11-12 year olds.

 

4th American Game for middle schoolers. Now football is joining the fiasco.

 

Here are my problems with these things. A child is not mature enough to handle the adulation bestowed on him/her at that age. Alot of parents can't handle it either. Some childern stop physicaly growing and can't live up to the expectations in high school.

 

How many times have you heard these statements?

1. My son was the best QB in middle school but Coach so & so won't give him a chance.

2. He doesn't like my son. My son was the best hitter on the little league all-star team. He should be starting as a freshmen instead of that senior!

3rd. My AAU coach says I should concentrate on AAU ball and not play (fill in the sport) for the school. He says I might get hurt.

Whatever happened to letting a kid be a kid? I personally get tired of seeing children being treated like heroes.

You make good points, Bear. However, this is only a mirror of our greater society as a whole. You can't like professional or even college sports and disregard the younger levels of play. At some point a fire had to be lit in an athlete to drive them to out-work the millions of other kids that started out playing that sport. Sports have become a very important aspect of life in America; along with rewards. It doesn't always make sense. Look at the CATS accountability system. We rewarded schools in prosperous districts with more money and funding and punished those in impoverished districts for factors beyond their control. It's America...the rich get richer! I mean it is totally messed up when we pay athletes millions; while a teacher in a single parent household can qualify for food stamps. But that's the way it is. Whether one likes these games or not. It is an honor and a great experience for those who get to participate. No, it doesn't mean they'll be the next Lebron James or Adrian Peterson or Derek Jeter. It does mean at that point in life they are good at what they are doing, that's all.