Buying into the team concept
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- November
- 19
Initially, I titled this post “The Faceless Backfield.” Then I realized it might come off as harsh towards the New Rochelle players when the story I wrote today was meant to be totally complimentary.
If you read today’s Journal News article on the Huguenots, you learned one of the most startling facts about any championship football team you’ll ever hear: In 10 games this season, New Rochelle hasn’t had one back rush for 100 yards or more.
Click here to read the article, which is full of interesting facts about the backfield.
Part of it is due to circumstance — New Rochelle has won many of its games by a healthy enough margin that the starters are on the bench by halftime. But it’s also a credit to the unselfishness of the Huguenots running backs, all of which could be 1,000-yard rushers on any other team.
Check out the game by game numbers for the 2009 Huguenots:
DateOpponentLeaderYards
Sept. 12vs. Mount Vernon:Xavier Walker68
Sept. 18vs. Gorton:Jovon Ceneus54
Sept. 26vs. Lincoln:Lewis Edney45
Oct. 3vs. Scarsdale:Lewis Edney64
Oct. 9vs. White Plains:Xavier Walker87
Oct. 17vs. John Jay-EF:Jordan Lucas74
Oct. 24vs. Mount Vernon:Xavier Walker38
Oct. 31vs. White Plains:Sir-Tay Jackson79
Nov. 8vs. North Rockland:Capri Corn78
Nov. 14vs. Monroe-Woodbury:Xavier Walker44
Season rushing leaders
PlayerAttYdsAvg.TD
Xavier Walker663645.53
Lewis Edney543526.56
Sir-Tay Jackson543085.71
Jordan Lucas372797.44
Julian Griffin392245.72
Capri Corn1313110.14
What do you think? Is this the way New Rochelle should be doing things, or would you have the security of a go-to back like Nanuet has in Gabe Ostrow and Bronxville has with Brian Murray? Those teams obviously have plenty of depth, too. But Ostrow and Murray are getting the ball in a big spot.
At New Rochelle, nobody knows who would get that carry. And, after talking to them this week, they just might prefer it that way.
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on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 6:27 pm by Kevin Devaney Jr..
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Josh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of 2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has since covered various high school and pro sports. Away from sportswriting, Josh lives in Westchester and spends his free time either with his wife, Sarah, or expertly managing his various championship-winning fantasy sports teams. He's visited 21 major-league baseball stadiums and insists that Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are the best by far. Josh graduated from Carmel High School in 1998, then went to Boston University, where, in 2002, he received a degree in communications with a minor in history.
Reading Coach D’s comments about putting the right back in the right situation seems to work for New Ro. Also having a group of guys who feel that the team is more importent then the individual makes everything work as well as it does.
That kind of team work is what makes Champions out of ordinary teams.
It all starts at the top and filters to the Asst and players.
GO NEW RO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin Devaney Jr.
Great article – very accurate. Having so many weapons in the backfield has been the winning formula.
Good luck New Rochelle.
Having been apart of several teams who had players feel like they should be getting the ball more, I think its very fair to say that the NEw Ro formula is working. I wish more kids would understand that its not about them!!!! its about a team, a goal, and an attitude of being 1 solid group and not 11 players. A TEAM attitude will keep kids moving in the right direction!
GREAT JOB NEW RO!
BRING HOME THE CHROME FROM DOME
You need big time players to win in high school football, it just so happens that New Rochelle’s big time players are on defense.
im not a new ro fam, but you cant help respect them. They are a TEAM first and many other teams can learn from them. Coaching against them you see that they are not selfish and support whoever is doing good as long as they win.
10960,
work your magic and copy paste some links about Saratoga. Want to see what New Ro is up against. You pulled out the stops vs. MW. Need some Saratoga write up now. Let’s go!
Talking about teammates, I am a little shocked that Kev did not hit on that some, if not most of these kids probably have been teammates since YTL. Maybe he had it in his article in the paper.
It is a great feeling taking the field with guys you have been doing it with for 8 to 9 years.
Greab job New Ro , keep it going!
Has anyone heard that he AA BEDS numbers may change to 1001 and higher? I wonder how the rest of the leagues would change?
IONA College drops football, Pace goes 1 9 and the head coach is gone. What’s going on?
WCC had a team years ago.
Where is the love for College football in the NYC area ???
Playing all these backs also allows you to have a brighter future in that your giving alot of underclassmen some big game experience
WOW KEVIN, THAT IS A HUGE COMPLIMENT , I THINK THAT IT IS A PLUS TO HAVE SO MANY STARS AND NOT DEPENDING ON JUST ONE THAT IS WHY THEY ARE SO SUCCESSFUL AND HAVE MY ADMIRATION …PLEASE GOD NEWRO ALL THE WAY …AS I WISH BRONXVILLE AND NANUET
SARATOGA (9-1) VS. NEW ROCHELLE (10-0)
Saturday at Dietz Stadium, 8
Notable: Saratoga is competing at the state level for the first time since 2004. Section II has dropped its last six Class AA playoff games — including twice in the semifinals after receiving quarterfinal byes (Shenendehowa lost to New Rochelle 14-7 in 2003 and CBA fell to Monroe-Woodbury 21-0 in 2006). Tony DeLoatch (926 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Tyler Bates (674 yards, eight touchdowns) are the top rushing weapons for the Blue Streaks. Emerging junior quarterback Luke Fauler will be asked for even more production against the state’s No. 1 squad.
About New Rochelle: The Huguenots watched Monroe-Woodbury end their state title dreams in 2008 (10-8), 2007 (22-16) and 2006 (14-7). Last Saturday, New Rochelle got the better of M-W this time, posting a 21-14 win. New Rochelle’s offense features six running backs — none of which have rushed for 400 yards —- sharing the workload in a Wing-T formation. The defense registered five sacks against Monroe-Woodbury and the starting unit has allowed only seven touchdowns all season (and have scored eight touchdowns).
How Saratoga can win: The Blue Streaks are playing against a team in New Rochelle that just beat nationally-ranked Monroe-Woodbury 21-14. Saratoga needs to win the turnover battle, control field position through kicker Nick Daley and punter Ford Plowman, throw the ball on first down and hope the Huguenots are still in celebration-mode from last week’s win.
Up next: The winner faces the North Towawanda-Baldwinsville winner Sunday, Nov. 29, at 8.
I undestand the idea of sharing the playing time and when you’re winning big by halftime to give the second string some valuable experience, but, is a disservice being done to the player(s) that are being scoutted by various colleges? If that exceptional player(s) is not touching/handling the ball is his chance at a scholarship or opportunity to play at the next level lessened? I understand it’s a selfish tough, but how many high school athletes move on to the next level.
Continue..
What if it was your child that because he did not gain 1,000 yards this season (which he could have easily done if they didn’t share the playing time) he was overlooked by a perspective college. Isn’t a coaches job to also help advance a player’s career and get those players to the next level. As a parent I’m torn between the concept of a team and wanting my child to excel individually and given the scholarship to a top rated school. I don’t remember Ray Rice being platooned as much.
Seeing NR play and reading the article makes me state that it’s the O – LINE. They dominated MWB. They Pounded N. Rock. This Offense is about the O Line. Not the backs. No disrespect to any N.R. RB.
Is everyone aware that New Rochelle is here because of their defense?
Just wondering.
A different perspective,
You obviously never followed NewRo…and as a modern day parent, you are whats bad about HS football…do you know Ray Rice never played past the midpoint of 3rd quarter of a league game as a senior?His and Courtney Greenes and Geoff McDermotts stats were miniscule vs what they couldve been, because Coach took them out in most cases in the 2nd to early 3 rd quarter in most games..and no..its not the coaches job to get little Johnny a scholarship..its to provide an opportunity for all on many fronts.involved in that “extracurricular activity” the opportunity to grow in athletics and personally?That may be the most assinine post Ive ever read…no…it actually is..if your perspective was accurate..Johnny McGee would be QB as well…what a joke!!If youre torn between the concept of “team” vs individual needs..you either never played the game, are a piss poor, selfish parent or both..I cant beleive what I just read???How about congratulating the coaches and kids for exmplifying, teamwork and selflessness?
I WATCHED THE NEWRO NORTH ROCK GAME , AND ALL THE STARTERS WERE IN UNTILL THE 4 MIN MARK AND THE GAME WAS WAY OUT OF REACH EARLY , I DID NOT SEE ANY ROTATION????
well said, dutchessfbfan….........
GO NEW RO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111
GO NEW RO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
GO NEW RO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO NEW RO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE WILL BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dutchesfbfan
i think that you slightly wrong and a diff perspective was slighty right
1) you can not compare ray or courtney because the are n.f.l. player. they are special indivuals. you can’t compare them to that regular player that might not be a n.f.l. player but a good college player. who parent is not finicially set. getting a scholarship is a way out. this is new ro! not rye or hackley where lil carmine or sid parents can afford to send him anywhere there hearts desire. so yes it is the coaches job to some point in getting these kids into college and help them get a scholarship if they can.
if you do not think so! so what is the coaches prupose there? so he can rack up 200 victory and get a football field named after him.
so dutch maybe you need to look at it from a different perspective!!!!!!
Prince,
Since you have come on here( 4 OR 5 DAYS), I have agreed with most of what you have had to say. This is your first post where you are WAY OFF! If you win the STATES and you rush for 700+ yards and three other guys do the same, if you are good enough the colleges will come and give you what you need.
If any of these RB’s where HEAD AND SHOULDERS above any of the other rb’s, Coach D and his staff would start that specific kid. Obviously these RB’s are pretty close in abilities, though you might think your friend is better.
I don’t disagree with the fact the BEST kid should start, but in this case New Ro has 3 to 4 VERY GOOD backs. None that much better than the other. But please feel free to enlighten us as to who you think should be getting the BULK of the carries.
10960,
New Ro D definitely UNBELIEVABLE. But if you watched the MW game, then you know their O-Line dominated the line of scrimmage. They are very big and agile across the board on the o-line. 4 of 5 Seniors.
GIVE THEM THEIR PROPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW, thanks for the info about Saratoga. I thought I read somewhere that Saratoga runs the I formation. If they can mix in some pass with that, they will have a chance against New Ro D. New Ro’s D is fast so the best way to fight that is to go straight at them. But if you can’t mix in the pass, they will bring pressure and load the BOX!!!!!!!!!!
Considering Ray Rice was offered only 1 D1-A scholarship coming out of high school, I don’t think it’s safe to say that he and Courtney Greene were different cases because they’re NFL players. They were barely recruited.
It had nothing to do with their talent or their stats. It had to do with their exposure and the fact that New York is not recruited heavily unless you play in the CHSFL or Long Island.
Exposure Exposure Exposure. That was the point of Section1Recruiting. Nobody around here bought into it though. The kids lose out.
CHSFL,
Small point, but i think both Rice and Greene had offers from at least Syracuse and Rutgers. I agree they both should’ve had a lot more too.
Prince,
Coach DiRienzo and his staff have done a good job for years of getting kids to the 1AA, DII and DIII levels. I think Just a Fact is right that of these five backs they’re probably all VERY GOOD and could be a suitable starter, but none have differentiated themselves as a dominant force. Playing all five of them makes sense if they’re all close in talent. I think Lucas, Corn and Coneus are juniors and will have a chance to show more next year. Not sure about Griffin. I’m sure all of these kids will at least be getting looks from DII or DIII schools which is probably where they’d go even with more carries. I don’t see any Ray Rice’s among them. All very good players though.
And just to add before we see some disparaging comments about D-2 and D-3 schools(even the D-1AA that are only there because of their basketball programs), if you can use football as a vehicle to get into a college institution and get a college degree, that should be every kids MAIN goal. I am not saying kids should not have big dreams, but they need to be encouraged to have PLAN B’S, PLAN C’S ECT…..... Just in case they do not get to their ULTIMATE dream.
A misconception is that D-2 and D-3 schools do not give out scholarships. They might not, but they do have special assistance/financial aid programs, that will pay for most if not all of the player’s college tuition and expenses.
I hope all these kids get to experience their ULTIMATE dream, but on the way hopefully they achieve what should be their MAIN goal, a college education!
This public service announcement is courtesy Kevin Devaney Blog!
just a fact
my post was about what (dutchessfb fan)said about the coaches responsibilty to the players. i think to some degree it is the coaches responsibilty to the kids. i helping them get into college as cheap possible.
i do not have a favorite, but from (free money) stand point new york runner with 500yds. on a state team is not getting free money!! new york 500yds to college coaches is 250yds accross the nation. remember they look down on new york football.
p.s. though your son might be the WORST! of the 4 runner you do have to take it personal. i’am not rooting for any1, just football.
Prince,
It would be literally impossible for Xavier to my kid (you know race thing and all), but that is FUNNY!
If he was my kid, nice comments, REAL MATURE!!!!!!!!
You are clearly rooting for someone, but it really does not matter.
BTW, nothing with New Ro from a fellow New Ro fan is personal to me, but I disagreeed with your comments. That simple.
But let’s say your right and these coaches are not doing everything possible to help their players get to college. Please explain to us all what do you think should happen. What can the coaches do different that will help these kids.
As for kid’s getting “free money”, where are we talking? Div 1, 1AA, 2, 3?????? If these kids are good enough they will get their respective offers. All seem viable D-3 players at the minimum.
If you are good enough colleges will come. If you are talking D-1 then your comments below might resonate some:
“i do not have a favorite, but from (free money) stand point new york runner with 500yds. on a state team is not getting free money!! new york 500yds to college coaches is 250yds accross the nation. remember they look down on new york football”
But if there was a D-1 RB on New Ro, he would have distinguished himself by now. The Junior rb’s have next year. What senior on this team do you think is D-1? Again, please feel free to enlighten us.
JUST A FACT
YOU STARTED WITH THE PERSONAL ATTACK! READ YOUR FIRST COMMENT THAT YOU POSTED TO ME. “REAL MATURE OF YOU.”
I PERSONALLY DO NOT SEE A DIV 1A R.B. ON THE TEAM.
YOUR MISSING MY POINT. STOP THINKING OF WHOEVER YOUR JOCKING FOR AND LISTEN. MY COMMENT IS COMING FROM DUTCHESSFB FAN SAYING THAT THE COACHES DO NOT HAVE A RESPOSIBILTY TO HELPING THE PLAYER GET IN COLLEGE AND I AM SAYING THAT I THINK THAT IS NOT A FAIR STATEMENT TO MAKE. IT’S NOT ABOUT JUST THE COACHES GET A VICTORIES AND GETTING A FOOTBALL FIELD IN HIS NAME.
P.S. NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT XAVIER… SENSE YOU ARE DEFENDING HIM I GUESS THAT IS THE MAN YOUR FIGHTING FOR. AND YOU CAN BE HIS DAD, THERE IS A SUCH THING OF BYRACIAL KIDS BEING THAT YOU NEEDED TO STATE THE RACE ISSUSE.
there may not be a d1 running back among them, but there may be a d1 at some other position among them!!!
Prince,
“Way Off” is not a personal attack, it is a personal OPINION of mine that your comments were “WAY OFF”. If I said “WAY OFF, you jack a$$”, then you would be right. Not my style. I only go that far after being attacked.
Instead of playing games with words and going back and forth, just answer this simple question. Do you believe New Ro coaches are doing their players a disservice? Simple question, which should get a simple answer. If so, explain why and what you would do different. That simple.
I agree that GENERALLY speaking(though this blog was about New Ro), coaches DO have a responsibility to help get their players to college. I also believe that New Ro coaches have done, are doing, and will continue to do what they can to help each and every player that comes through their door get to college.
If you agree with what I just said, then we agree, if you disagree with what I just said, we disagree. THAT SIMPLE.
Have the last word.
JUST A FACT
NO NEED FOR THE NAME CALLING, BECAUSE YOU FEEL ASHAME.
FROM A FOOTBALL PLAYER STAND POINT NO. THE HEAVY ROTATION IS NOT HELPING THEM GET INTO COLLEGE, FROM A TEAM STAND POINT HE HAS ALOT OF GOOD RUNNER. THE PROBLEM FOR XAVIER, JULIAN, SIRTAY, IN COLLEGE THEY ONLY CAN PLAY R.B. BECAUSE FROM A PHYSICAL STAND POINT THEY ARE BUILT LIKE R.B. THEY ARE TO SHORT TO PLAY D.B. AND BECAUSE THEY ARE SHARING THE WEALTH IT WILL HURT THEM TO SOME DEGREE. AS FAR AS JORDAN HE IS THE TALLEST AND HE LOOKS BETTER IN THE SECONDARY HE ACTUALLY IS BUILT MORE LIKE A D.B.,CAPRI HAS ANOTHER YEAR SO HE HAS ANOTHER YEAR TO HELP HIS CHANCES.
TELL ME WHAT POSITION DO THINK THESE GUYS CAN PLAY IN COLLEGE?
P.S. YOU DID START THE ATTACK…. NOV. 21ST 12:O8
YOU SAID “THOUGH YOU MAKE THINK YOUR FRIEND IS BETTER”
I’M TALKING FOOTBALL I HAVE NO PERSONALS COACHES OR PLAYERS
LOOKING IN
I AGREE THAT THERE ARE SOME KIDS THAT CAN POSSIBLY BE DIV1 OR 1AA PLAYERS.
WHO DO YOU THINK CAN BE ONE?
LOOKING IN
I AGREE THAT THERE ARE SOME DIV1 OR 1AA PLAYERS ON THE TEAM.
WHO DO YOU THINK CAN BE A DIV1/1AA PLAYER?
JUST FACTS
YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THESE KIDS ARE COMPETEING AGAINST EVERY KID IN THE COUNRTY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP. NOT JUST THE LOCAL KIDS AND THE KIDS ON THERE TEAM. SO SHARING THE WEALTH WILL HURT SOMEONE IF NOT ALL.
PLEASE REPLY!!
Prince,
I do not know these guys well enough to know whether these kids can play on the defensive side of the ball. Maybe someone closer to the team will respond.
Offensively speaking, my thoughts the three players you mentioned above(Julian, Xavier, SirTay) are probably D-3 players (RB’s) based on the last three games I have seen. If they are lucky, D-2 or D1-AA. I do not want to sell these kids short and wish they were all D-1 players. Just basing my thoughts on what I see.
If we really care about ALL three kids, I think what the coaches have done has benefited ALL three by having a rotation. And if you agree with the above comments from Kevin(which I do), then you also agree it has benefited the team. Due to thier unselfishness, now all three kids will have the ability to show case their talents come this Sunday. What better stage then playing for a State title. The fact ALL three are an important part to the offense will benefit them when it comes time for recruiting.
Each year the New Ro name gets stronger and stronger thanks to Coach D, his staff, and MORE IMPORTANTLY former players who go on to play college ball and have success. Ray Rice’s success does not hurt either.
Some of the teams I believe would be interested: Pace, Marist, Albany that are close by. Not to sure how Fordham is doing. It is a real shame Iona College does not have football anymore. Could have been perfect for at least one of them. Hofstra might be a far reach. You also have some teams up North that are SUNY’s like a Brock Port and Cortlandt. I do not see Buffalo as an option, but you never know. There are also some private schools like Ithaca and Union College. These are just off the top of my head. I think there are a lot of possibilities out there for these kids. And my belief is the New Ro coaches will do ALL possible to make this happen. Maybe it is blind faith, but that is my belief.
The kids can not just rely on their coaches. They need any and all possible help. Again, I equate it to job hunting, where you have your resume, but any extra help from family, friends, friends of a friend, you name it, goes a long way.
Hopefully, no one wants these kids sitting in the stands next year watching the games and not attending any college. Good luck to all THREE!
Here is another public service announcement.
For any players interested in playing football in college, or parents, friends, ect… find the school you like, but also look into the colleges that play within the conference and apply there as well. Here are three football conferences I just found on line and the teams that you would/should look into:
NE 10 FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
PACE
MERRIMACK
SOUTH ERN CONNECTICUT
ASSUMPTION
NEW HAVEN
STONE HILL
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
SAINT ANSELM
NEC FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
ALBANY
WAGNER
ROBERT MORIS
BRYANT
MONMOUTH
DUQUESNE
SACRED HEART
ST FRANCIS (PA)
PIONEER FOOOTBALL CONFERENCE
MARIST
DAYTON
DRAKE
JACKSONVILLE
DAVIDSON
SAN DIEGO
CAMPBELL
MORE HEAD STATE
VALPRAISO
NJAC FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
SUNY CORTLANDT
SUNY BROCK PORT
MONTCLAIRE STATE
KEAN
ROWAN
WILLIAM PATTERSON
THE COLLEGE OF NJ
BUFFALO STATE
WESTERN CONNECTICUT
MORRISVILLE
I am sure out of these colleges, plenty of section 1 players can find OPPORTUNITIES.
Good Luck and hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two more:
LIBERTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
UNION
SUSQUEHANA
HOBART
ROCHESTER
RENSELLAER
MERCHANT MARINE
WPI
ST LAWRENCE
EMPIRE 8
ITHACA
ALFRED
ST JOHN FISCHER
HARTWICK
UTICA
SPRINGFIELD
i dont think any of these guys can play rb in college, i think they all can play a db position, lucas probably has the best speed and potential of them all based on size. i dont believe in spreading the ball around like this though, put the starters in, 3 rb’s i guess and call plays.
from what i know about
div3 they normally have the most stringest requirement requesting that most student have atleast 3.0 g.p.a. where as d1/1aa/d2 if they like you. a 2.0g.p.a. and 890 on the s.a.t. and you have a chance of getting accepted.
lookin in
i do not want say that they can’t. but i will say from watchin them them don’t have the hips to play corner nor do they really have the experence. they have talent but they are not athletic. but you never know.
Financial aid programs like EOP are at SUNY schools that will accept kids will low gpa’s like a 2.0 as long as they qualify( for low income families). This is just one program I know of. I believe there are a few others.
There is a lot of OPPORTUNITIES, they need to be looked into.