Sir!

How did these play out?

There are six fall sports/activities that get the exception: boys soccer; girls soccer; boys cross country; girls cross country; volleyball; and competitive cheer. Note also that the exception is conditioned on BGSG be willing to accept every HS team that wants to enter.

I saw most of the NCC game but didn't catch the score... maybe 4 or 5 for NCC to none for Dixie? NCC has a nice core and look like they enjoy playing together. How well NCC does this fall I think will largely depend on Logan Muck blending goal scorer and facilitator roles. Early on it looks like more of the former and not enough of the latter. Dixie has a couple nice/technical players in Joel Lian (Jr) and Chu (Fr/So?) but they'll need a little more physical presence up top to have success. The second game ended 8-1. Score at half was 6-1. Second half Boone County organized better defensively and Highlands worked on possession, so both teams probably got more benefit from the second half. Boone County's goal came off a very nice shot from #1 (Liam Gillespie?) who can play some. Hard to tell this early if Boone County is any better/worse than last year. They have nice kids and I'm sure Chris Norris will get the most out of them he can. Wish I could see some more of the Soccerrama scrimmages, but I'm out of town for the weekend. Hopefully someone posts some updates.

First night of soccerrama NCC has a relatively easy time with Dixie and Highlands handles Boone County. Play of the day in the NCC game: Logan Muck throw in off the back of the Dixie defender, retrieves ball and dribbles past rhe defender, drives inro area and curls his shot past the GK and into the side netting at the far post.

The current published KHSAA Bylaws (2015/2016) indicate it is OK (I cut and pasted the text below). KHSAA seems to differentiate against contests and scrimmages. As far as "high horses" go, I'm not the one riding in and calling out a local program as doing something "illegal," that was you Hoss. Case BL-22-4 - May a KHSAA member school play in a scrimmage in a sport against a nonmember school in Kentucky, an out of state or foreign school team that does not join that state association, or an outside team such as an alumni group? Yes. Only contests that count against the limitations of Bylaw 23 are restricted to member schools.

It is the most current set posted by KHSAA (2015/2016) - I don't know of a more current set available. What version were you looking at? As far as what other districts allow or what you personally think the rules ought to be, that's another matter. I feel bad that I mentioned the St Henry alumni scrimmage and an interloping intermeddler made allegations of wrongdoing. For my part I apologize to the Cru faithful.

Case BL 22-4 specifically allows it (it is the case right above the one you posted). Geesh... if you are going to take the time to put your nose in other programs' business and get all righteous you could at least take care to be "right." Any other scrimmages planned before regular season?

Maybe it's just alumni. I have no idea. I do know it is not uncommon for schools (high school as well as college) to play Alumni games with current team versus recent grads and they figure out/handle insurance etc. Kind of cool, if you ask me, but probably requires a program with some tradition and a coach who is connected over a longer period.

Highlands at South Oldham (8/2) Cooper at Clark Montessori (8/4) South Oldham at CovCath (8/9 @7pm) St. Henry v St. Henry Alumni (8/13) Others (besides Soccerrama)?

I understand Luke Treadway transferred from UK and will be at Wright State this fall. Hopefully he gets his feet under him and does well.

Sound travels at about 1,200 feet per second and shotgun pellets around same range. As long as you're about the same distance from the drone operator and the drone, he'll twitch about the same time his drone is getting splattered.

I think it was Ryle... maybe St. Henry. Yes Nico is very composed on the ball, if it's true it's a loss for Cooper and an immediate gain for whoever picked him up. His oder brother Zane was a very talented player with lots of potential too.

Nice! Congrats to Zack.

I heard Nico Ross moved and will be at Ryle rather than Cooper this fall. Nice pick up for Ryle and Cooper loses a key attacking player who would have helped Snow with options and some combination play.

Lots of parity at the top in NKY this fall. St Henry, CovCath, Highlands, Cooper and Ryle all look to have good sides. Not sure about the next 5.

The short(er) guys seem to be faring OK in soccer. The average height of these players (excluding Mexitucky's guy and Barry Sanders) is 5'8". Average height of the FIFA World XI (best 11 players by position in the world) over the past 10 years has dropped from 6'0" to 5'10". Jeff Hughes (6'1) current height playing for San Diego Sockers Sam Stockton (5'7" / 150 lbs) in college at IU Andrew Carleton (5'5" / 128 lbs) at age 16 Kyle Schickel (5'4 / 140 lbs) when in college in Northwestern Luke Treadway (5'8" / 155 lbs) when senior at Scott Jacob Scearce (5'11" / 160) in college at UK Joey Sabato (5'8" / 175 lbs) when senior at Elder Of course, these are all attacking players. Maybe if defenders were thrown in the mix the average height would rise a bit.

Kyle Schickel was a nice little player. I got to see him play when St X beat Highlands in the 2008 state finals.

For HS soccer it would have to be Sam Stockton (Trinity) to date. Lots of other great choices, including at least one still playing HS, but Sam immediately comes to mind. Great talent and he obviously thoroughly enjoyed playing and combining with teammates.

Not a big fan of BGSG for HS soccer because the risk of injury outweighs any value you can get out of the games (IMO)... 1) Masterson fields can be hard in July if it hasn't rained and a mess if it does rain; 2) Some coaches let their teams play like it's a playoff game and not a preseason scrimmage; 3) it can be stinking hot, often two games in a day, and just a week after practices start when some players are not exactly matchfit. Now the BGSG kickball competition... that's entirely another matter.

I'd love to see Snow at Xavier. Coach Fleming recruits and plays a style that would match well with Adam, IMO. Plus if Luke Spencer stays tied in with both X and FCC that could make a nice connection. If not X, then UC or NKU would work for me, just as long as he stays local where I can see him play (I hope I'm not asking too much). Seriously, though, I hope Adam finds the right match of soccer, campus and academics that makes playing in college a special experience for him.

June 30, 2016... 15 of first 25 came from ECNL July 8, 2016... 10 of next 28 came from ECNL One more round...? So thus far ECNL has dropped from 79 to 54 Clubs while the DA sits currently at 53 with one more round to go. And it looks like the 25 to go thus far include a lot of the top end of the ECNL (based on final standings and champions League play). Must of been how CUSL felt when teams started leaving to play in Buckeye and MRL 10 years ago.

I think 10 of the 28 were ECNL (ECNL had something like 79 Clubs). Will ECNL look to replace those 10 Clubs? The insiders' rumor mill around which ECNL teams were jumping must have been intense. On the boys side at U15/16 & U17/18 the DA program has 74 Clubs. What do you think the target number of DA Clubs is on the girls side?

Below is the POSITION STATEMENT from Ohio Elite regarding the DA... interesting read... Since 2002 Ohio Elite Soccer Academy has strived to put players in the most competitive training and competition environment possible. We have done so more aggressively and on the leading edge than any club in our community. We have also been the risk takers while others sat idle. This effort has resulted in hundreds of players moving on to the college ranks. This philosophy has also resulted in 25 players being called into US National Teams from U14 to the Full Women’s National Team. Additionally, multiple players are currently or have played in the professional ranks. We have been aware of the launching of the US Soccer Girls Development Academy for some time. After careful consideration, Ohio Elite Soccer Academy made the decision not to seek entrance into this new platform. In short we did not apply. There are many reasons for this decision but the driving force behind it was that we do not feel this is the best for our players or female players in the current landscape of soccer in this country. 1) Professional Soccer There is no avenue to make a living in women’s soccer in the United States unless you are a star on the full women’s national team. Unlike the men’s game, there is very rarely a financial gain or a career that women can pursue. It is our view that the greater majority of girl’s players want to go to college and play college soccer. While we do feel the Girl’s DA will provide these opportunities, we also feel that this can and has been achieved without requiring players to give up ALL outside activities and train four days per week for 10 months per year. 2) High School Soccer/Sports Prohibition Asking players that will likely never play professionally or make the US National Team to give up not only high school soccer but all other sports does not line up with our philosophy as it relates to soccer and personal development. It is our view that players should have a choice. Each path of development is complex and different. We have always given players who want it the option to train year round or to seek their own path. 3) Elite Clubs National League The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) has changed the face of youth soccer. We have been fortunate to compete in the league since its inception. It has meant everything to our players. The experience they have been provided can’t be quantified. In this platform, there is always something to play for and every game matters. The tiered competition structure keeps all players and all teams motivated throughout the year. In addition, teams are formed in every age group meaning players are not cycled out of the platform during the odd years. It is our belief that the ECNL will continue to provide a tremendous environment while also giving them a choice on their development path. This platform has not only placed players that make up 90% of the current US Youth National Teams, but it has also supplied the top college players currently playing in this country. It is our view that the ECNL will continue to provide this to players. College coaches from around the country have continued to express their support and intention to heavily recruit the ECNL events. 4) Restrictive Rules The Girls DA will feature rules that restrict player choices. Those rules include prohibiting the participation in all outside activities including high school soccer or other high school sports, required 4 days per week of training in a 10-month schedule, and a no re-entry substitution rule. In addition, we do not believe that mandated playing styles, player development models, or other mandates and prohibitions of any kind should be the driving force behind development. Rather a freedom to see the game in different ways and encourage players and teams to express themselves we feel creates better players. 5) End Game With the vast experience our staff has coaching youth soccer at the highest level we were forced to ask ourselves; what are we doing this for? It is important to us that our players have a strong desire to be the very best they can be. It is also important to us that our players are without mandate and free to make choices. Soccer and sports are a very important part of all of our lives. They require great commitment and sacrifice. It is also a tremendous teacher. Whatever the end game is for a player, history shows we can help you get there. Ohio Elite Soccer Academy has and will continue to support US Soccer Federation. We will never hold a player back from chasing their dreams. We will support them in every way possible. We will continue to give every player that chooses Ohio Elite Soccer Academy the best opportunities. In the end, players should have a choice. In soccer, Tim Lesiak Executive Director of Coaching Doug Bracken Director of Coaching - Girls

It will pull out a few additional TOP tier girls each year - 4 or 5, maybe 6 in NKY? Overall quality of girls HS soccer in NKY will still be on an upswing, IMO, as the technical ability, speed of play, and understanding of the game by the AVERAGE girls player has increased A LOT over the past 5-10 years. A bigger issue, I think, is that the Development Academies don't address one of the biggest structural impediments to improving our national teams (men's side in particular), which is... college soccer. Even if the DAs identify and develop the best players through age 17 or 18, the best US players are still choosing college soccer and waiting to give pro a shot until after college. For 4 years of what should be some of the most intense training a soccer player gets, DI players are limited in the off-season to 8 hours per week total training with countable coaches of which only 2 hours are allowed to be skills based training (i.e., with a ball) and even then only in groups of 4 or less. In most other countries top players are either playing year-round on a top Club's U-20 squad or playing on a lower tier Club team (e.g., 3rd division) against men. As good as our college programs may be, they are structured for student-athletes and purposefully limit player development to facilitate academic development. Playing soccer in college is a lot of work on top of the academics, but it is not the all-in commitment/effort of a pro player. As long as US youth soccer primarily serves the demographic who can pay-to-play then we'll continue to see college soccer be the primary goal of players/parents. And this demographic will (understandably) hedge their bets by playing at the next level in a context that gets them a college degree and (maybe) an outside shot at getting paid-to-play. There are fixes that would better coordinate college soccer with professional clubs and national teams. There are financial models on player development that might incentivize youth Clubs to develop players outside of the pay-to-play model (like youth Clubs getting a share of player transfer fees -- see Yedlin and Bradley-related lawsuits). In the mean time the DAs are just another talent-aggregation device that feeds our best players into the college ranks. That may be good enough for most, but I'm not satisfied until the US (MNT specifically) is a playing soccer at a higher level.

Caleb Wilson is quick like a waterbug with the ball on his feet. Sure he'd score less if F-S played tougher competition. He's still a very nice little player. Dervisevic is a big talent. If he can avoid letting people get under his skin this fall he'll score even more. Does Bowling Green have another Bargblor coming up?