Elder has had approximately ten players suspended for the rest of the season.

My Elder contact says 13.

Heard the same story last night. Still have to show up and play game. Every kid on the Elder squad believe they will win. A team like Elder is always ready for the next kid to step up and take on the challenge, just like every kid at Highlands would. Should be exciting game on Friday.

My Elder contact says 13.

 

Bad deal. I have "confirmed" it as well through my Elder friends. I respect Elder's head coach for taking the stand that he has.

This is one of those situations that places like Elder rise up and play that "one big game." Highlands is one that I would think they are looking at as the "easier" portion of their schedule. I still think Birds win but I will not be suprised if the Panthers pull one out.

Sounds like some kids got caught at a "get together" of some sorts for it to be that many kids. Hopefully its a lesson learned.

When Clyde breaks news like this, go ahead and assume it's true. He doesn't seem like the type to be easily duped or buy into hyperbole.

CF verifying it makes the information even more solid.

 

Not sure what this does to an already fragile Elder team psyche.

 

We assumed the same thing with Guru in that little soap opera over at Dixie too....................

 

I will believe it when I see it for myself and not go off of what some are posting on here or even what "a friend or source" close to the situation is reporting, just sayn........

Edited October 19, 201114 yr by Birdsfan

 

We assumed the same thing with Guru in that little soap opera over at Dixie too....................

 

I will believe it when I see it for myself and not go off of what some are posting on here or even what "a friend or source" close to the situation is reporting, just sayn........

 

Never a bad strategy. It's legit. They're not playing.

My purple people sources tell me that it won't matter. The QB, running back, and others replacing the "starters" are far better but are underclassman. At a school like Elder, underclassman wait their turn, reason they were not playing before. This just might be a good thing for Elder. This is these kids time to shine. Still like the Birds in this one, but it will be a battle!

 

Wonder how this would have been handle if Elder was undefeated or needed this game to make playoffs.

My purple people sources tell me that it won't matter. The QB, running back, and others replacing the "starters" are far better but are underclassman. At a school like Elder, underclassman wait their turn, reason they were not playing before. This just might be a good thing for Elder. This is these kids time to shine. Still like the Birds in this one, but it will be a battle!

 

Wonder how this would have been handle if Elder was undefeated or needed this game to make playoffs.

First of all, it's a shame this happened, if indeed it did happen, especially since I've heard it is Senior Night and/or Homecoming for Elder. Hopefully nobody was hurt in whatever happened that caused the suspensions and it will just end up being one big "learning experience" for those involved.

 

Having said that, I find it hard to believe that Elder is now in a better position to win this game, having just lost numerous starters. For one, I assume the back-ups have no/little starting experience. Also, given how difficult Elder's schedule has been this year, I doubt the Elder back-ups got a lot of playing time this year. From what I've heard, the suspensions just happened very recently, thus providing Elder with only a few days to adjust to the unanticipated personnel changes.

 

Finally, if it is true that the underclassmen who will now be starting are better players than the suspended starters and Elder has a better shot of winning the HHS game with these back-ups, then it is quite an indictment of the Elder football program and coaching staff that the best players (i.e., the players who would give Elder the best chance of winning games) are riding the bench instead of being out on the field playing every week. Given how respected the Elder football tradition is, I just can't believe their back-ups are better. I guess we'll all see once and for all Friday night.

 

I hope the Highlands players and coaching staff are having a great week of practice and preparation... keep at it guys! Go 'Birds!

My purple people sources tell me that it won't matter. The QB, running back, and others replacing the "starters" are far better but are underclassman. At a school like Elder, underclassman wait their turn, reason they were not playing before. This just might be a good thing for Elder. This is these kids time to shine. Still like the Birds in this one, but it will be a battle!

 

Wonder how this would have been handle if Elder was undefeated or needed this game to make playoffs.

 

Great question. You would hope the exact same way.

Great question. You would hope the exact same way.

Well, tdyballgame is saying that some of the Elder faithful believe the underclassmen are better players than the starters... so I guess if Elder's playoff hopes were riding on this game (which they're not, as Elder has already been eliminated) then the suspensions would be a good thing for Elder, since it would allow the better players to start. That seems odd (and hard to believe) to me, though...

Smoke screens.......Elder will run at will against that Bird defense that showed up at CCH. Highlands will gas out simply because they haven't played but two full games all season. The two platoon system obviously has done them no good simply b/c of the competition. I will be there and hope they win, but I think many bluebird fans will be surprised at the final score, win or lose. This game will show just how good this Highlands team really is.....

Great question. You would hope the exact same way.

 

Sorry to hear the news from Elder. I don't believe the back ups are better than the starters or they would have been playing. With that said , I don't think the talent level would drop that much with the back ups playing due to the size of the talent pool to choose from. They also might not lack experience because they have been practicing against the ones all season long. It still should be a great game in a great atmosphere ! Go Birds !!!!!

My Elder contact says 13.

 

Reports out of the "Panther Pavilion" also says the number is 13. Wowsa!!!

This is a sad situation. Sad for these boys who made a mistake with life long implications. High School memories are precious. I'm a HHS fan but I feel for the Elder boys. THe HHS boys better be ready though...Westsiders/Panthers are always ready to play. They are tough 'dudes' back ups or not.