I don't think there is any doubt that an extra year of maturity would help any player. But Pike is 17 and he is receiving these offers. If he were not held back, he would still be 17 and the same athletically so I think he would still be receiving offers. If he had received no interest and then as an 18 year old senior who was held back started receiving offers, then your comment could be applied to Pike. My point is, as it stands now, those comments about age have little relevance to 17 year old Pike.

 

Relevance to his potential and abilities individually in front of scouts. However his ability to change a game due to his maturity at the age of 19 will be talked about a lot on here 2 yrs from now. Count on that.

He is a talented kid with great genes but dont tell me that being a year or two older than the competition doesnt give you an advantage. I dont care who holds who back but dont tell me that its the same. Pluck a couple kids off Georgetown's football team who are 19 yr old sophs and let them suit up for your HS team and lets see how they standout.

 

Last time I checked, he was held back 1 year and is classified as a sophomore. He's the age of your standard junior, which means he's still a year younger than your standard senior. He played QB on the JV level with kids his age (juniors) and kids 1 year younger (sophomores). Therefore, this constant complaining and argument of age is a moot point. He's not any older than the competition at the high school level, except during his freshman year when he was playing QB for the first time. In 2 years, yes, he'll probably be the oldest player on his team, but he won't always be the oldest on the field. Kids being held back a year happens everywhere. Pike's situation seems to be the most scrutinized one of all.

He is a talented kid with great genes but dont tell me that being a year or two older than the competition doesnt give you an advantage. I dont care who holds who back but dont tell me that its the same. Pluck a couple kids off Georgetown's football team who are 19 yr old sophs and let them suit up for your HS team and lets see how they standout.

 

:deadhorse: I can't disagree but others have the same option. Anytime a boy is talented the justification becomes that he is old for his age in his grade group. My boy is old for his grade group, we held him back in Kindergarten because we knew he would be such a great athlete :ohbrother:. It has been mentioned not only to us but to him and he is still in grade school (folks get over it). In the end of the day it is a parents decision and I am sure all posting would agree that you do what is in the best interest of your child. If it pays dividends than you made the right decision; but to bust chops because he is 17 shame on you. Yes, I am very much aware of the decision in this boys case and the boone versus kenton debate on the topic (no I am not going to discuss). It seems to have been the right decision for Pike and as a bird fan, I still only wish child the best except against us:D

:deadhorse: I can't disagree but others have the same option. Anytime a boy is talented the justification becomes that he is old for his age in his grade group. My boy is old for his grade group, we held him back in Kindergarten because we knew he would be such a great athlete :ohbrother:. It has been mentioned not only to us but to him and he is still in grade school (folks get over it). In the end of the day it is a parents decision and I am sure all posting would agree that you do what is in the best interest of your child. If it pays dividends than you made the right decision; but to bust chops because he is 17 shame on you. Yes, I am very much aware of the decision in this boys case and the boone versus kenton debate on the topic (no I am not going to discuss). It seems to have been the right decision for Pike and as a bird fan, I still only wish child the best except against us:D

 

I am not saying I have a problem with holding kids back or that it was not the right decision for the kid. I am saying what everyone on here doesnt want to admit is that he has an advantage over other kids who are not only less talented but 2 yrs younger. In some cases 4 yrs younger if he is 19 as a SR and rolls right to throw and tucks it under only to be heading for a 15 yr old sophomore CB.

 

:deadhorse:

He is a talented kid with great genes but dont tell me that being a year or two older than the competition doesnt give you an advantage. I dont care who holds who back but dont tell me that its the same. Pluck a couple kids off Georgetown's football team who are 19 yr old sophs and let them suit up for your HS team and lets see how they standout.

 

I don't disagree, however it is with in the rules. I believe a similar situation occurred with the Alford kid from Highlands. I didn't see the huge uproar there.

Last time I checked, he was held back 1 year and is classified as a sophomore. He's the age of your standard junior, which means he's still a year younger than your standard senior. He played QB on the JV level with kids his age (juniors) and kids 1 year younger (sophomores). Therefore, this constant complaining and argument of age is a moot point. He's not any older than the competition at the high school level, except during his freshman year when he was playing QB for the first time. In 2 years, yes, he'll probably be the oldest player on his team, but he won't always be the oldest on the field. Kids being held back a year happens everywhere. Pike's situation seems to be the most scrutinized one of all.

 

Frankly, I couldn't care less that he was held back a year. More power to him and obviously a smart decision by his father. But hard to disagree that an extra year of physical maturity won't benefit him, especially come his senior season. BTW, not sure how it works at your school, but our JV team (and most that I'm aware of) consists almost exclusively of freshman and sophomores, not juniors. So he was indeed playing against kids younger than him while QB'ing for the JV team. That being said, I got to watch him play against Ryle's JV and he is certainly a talented kid.

Frankly, I couldn't care less that he was held back a year. More power to him and obviously a smart decision by his father. But hard to disagree that an extra year of physical maturity won't benefit him, especially come his senior season. BTW, not sure how it works at your school, but our JV team (and most that I'm aware of) consists almost exclusively of freshman and sophomores, not juniors. So he was indeed playing against kids younger than him while QB'ing for the JV team. That being said, I got to watch him play against Ryle's JV and he is certainly a talented kid.

 

I was talking about JV a while back and everybody pretty much said JV dont mean anything?

This thread :deadhorse:

I was talking about JV a while back and everybody pretty much said JV dont mean anything?

 

JV doesn't mean anything in the big scheme of things exccept for the parent, coaches and kids playing, but the varsity is where thing matter.

I heard Pike just landed an SEC offer, so there must be more there than just a name. He will be more advanced/mature as Junior, because I think he is actually a 17 year old soph. Pike will surprise a lot of people this year if Dixie allows him to. IMO his athletic ability is similar to Towles, but I believe Pike is more physically built.

 

Pike's a big kid, but based on what I've seen on the field, he sometimes let's his passion cloud his judgment. If he can control his temper and passion, he has the potential to succeed. I have a question though ; is Dixie's coaching staff able to adequately coach someone of Pike's supposed talent? :confused:

You're missing my point. You must have sideline passes and have witnessed his skill because I have not. When I do witness it, I will confirm or disconfirm your belief as the best QB in the state. My feeling is, it will be the latter...

 

If you are giving out Dixie sideline passes, make sure to save one for the Cov. Cath. game. We have a long-footed videographer who will need a place to work.

Frankly, I couldn't care less that he was held back a year. More power to him and obviously a smart decision by his father. But hard to disagree that an extra year of physical maturity won't benefit him, especially come his senior season. BTW, not sure how it works at your school, but our JV team (and most that I'm aware of) consists almost exclusively of freshman and sophomores, not juniors. So he was indeed playing against kids younger than him while QB'ing for the JV team. That being said, I got to watch him play against Ryle's JV and he is certainly a talented kid.

 

I am going to disagree with you on this one coop. I think it would be the rare JV team that doesn't include a decent number of juniors. I would expect Ryle to have more than a few juniors on their football JV and maybe one or two freshmen if they are exceptional.

JV doesn't mean anything in the big scheme of things exccept for the parent, coaches and kids playing, but the varsity is where thing matter.

 

I beg to differ! If you aren't using JV to develope yourself, then you shouldn't be out there. When a college recruit ask for film, they don't care if it's varsity or jv, they just want to see you in action. These kids should start presenting themselves to colleges during their jv years just as well.

Pike's a big kid, but based on what I've seen on the field, he sometimes let's his passion cloud his judgment. If he can control his temper and passion, he has the potential to succeed. I have a question though ; is Dixie's coaching staff able to adequately coach someone of Pike's supposed talent? :confused:

 

90% of high school football players have occasions where they let their passion cloud their judgement. The key is the fact that they have the passion and the control will come as Pike continues to mature. Zeke has always had a fiery temper no matter what the sport and he has made it this far, so I think he'll be fine.

 

What do you mean by

"is Dixie's coaching staff able to adequately coach someone of Pike's supposed talent?"

If you are giving out Dixie sideline passes, make sure to save one for the Cov. Cath. game. We have a long-footed videographer who will need a place to work.

 

That was pretty good Flotsam. :thumb: