High School Football At It's Best and Worst

Sports is a big part of our culture so you figure it's probably not that hard to get on TV being an athlete. Try being a high school athlete or even younger and making national news. Sometimes though it's not always a good thing.

Let's start with the good thing though. Everyone loves hearing a good story. Well if you haven't caught the middle school football play heard around the world click here. (You can thank me later for catching you up with the times) This middle school coach not only put himself on the map but did his team and "star" quarterback. This kid will never have a problem getting a date to the middle school dance or the movies.

This play is so far beyond what has really ever been done, it just blows peoples mind. No wonder it made national news. The timing, the practice, the guts to call it are genius. I couldn't imagine even being able to come up with such an amazing play. Hat's off middle school coach Art Rodriguez for not only getting your 15 minutes of fame, but for providing your quarterback Jason Garza the most memorable moment probably of his life.

Now usually you don't hear of the plays that don't work, unless they are pretty bad. Well here is one of those cases. Yes a coach put his team, his "star" player and himself on the map, but not exactly the same affect as the play of the year nomination above.

Alright take a minute and check this video out so you know what I am talking about.

This play was used during a 2 pt conversion try. Clearly it didn't really have much of a chance to work because you can see flags raining before the ball is even put in play. I'm not really sure at what point of the game this is attempted or what the score was at that point. Sorry. Anyways...

The creativity factor is there. It kind of reminded me of the play back in the day of the basketball player getting on his knee's and barking. Remember that? Don't worry if you didn't I have your back. Click here to see what I am talking about.

Now I know the barking play is different and more similar as the first play because it worked and was used at a little more crucial time, but it was attempted to distract the players and I'm pretty sure it does, maybe a little. The referee's though were not fooled.

The player doing all the flips was the place kicker, and probably the only male cheerleader on his high school cheer-leading team. He will surely enjoy his 15 minutes of fame and will probably get into some college as a cheer-leader and maybe even go down in the Guinness Book of Records for most hand flips in an actual football game, not a time-out or halftime show.

To me the most interesting part of this play is what came of it. They were flagged obviously as you can see, but the player was ejected from the game, and so was the coach. I'm not sure why they would get ejected. I think the referee was just jealous a place kicker was more athletic then he will ever be.

The place kicker Cam Haas was ejected for excessive celebration. Is it really celebrating if you are not celebrating anything? As for the coach. It is reported from GoBlueRidge.net that coach Tim Pruitt "was banned because of an additional unsportsmanlike penalty assessed for an inappropriate comment from a Watauga assistant coach." Well I guess that one kind of makes sense.

All in all you have to love the creativity and the purity that high school sports still is. When you hear several reports of college athletes getting paid, and cheating hopefully it stays out of the high school game. In high school and most college's it's nice to see a game played where it's purely on emotion and desire to be the best, not to be the best to get paid the best.

Thanks for checking in. Would love to hear your feedback and comments.

Week 9 Power Rankings

Well week 9 has come and gone and with that it means it's time for my power rankings. Little bit of a mix-up this week with my #1 team falling the Cleveland?!?!?! Yes I said no Moss no problem's but clearly something is a problem. Look for them to lose again this Sunday night to the Steeler's. Alright here we go my top 10.

#1 The NY Football Giants (prev. #3)- They look good. Not the first time they have started off hot and flopped. Let's see if they can keep it going vs a god awful Dallas team or get jinxed my the #1 spot.

#2 Pittsburgh Steelers (prev. #2)- Offensive line got beat up last night, but their D is that good. Plus Big Ben is getting better every week. Big game vs Pat's Sunday night.

#3 Atlanta Falcons (prev. #7)- Time to show the dirty bird's some love. They are 6-2 and beat a good TB team. Matt Ryan is not too shabby and Turner can be a beast. Still not sold they are a Super Bowl contender.

#4 Baltimore Ravens (prev. #5)- Beat a pretty good Miami team this week. They are a legit threat to win the AFC North and make a playoff run. Although they have not played a NFC team yet and take on a tough Atlanta team this week it will be a good test.

#5 NY Jets (prev. #6)- They were down and battled back for a gritty win. Even though it was against a Lions team it still showed they have what it takes to get it done. Lions are a better team than most people think in my opinion. Thanks to his week 1 reverse of TD it cost my fantasy team some good points on a ruling that took away an Arian Foster TD.

#6 New Orleans Saints (prev. #9)- Everyone always talks about their offense. It's good now without a RB, but what's winning them games is their D. It's nasty right now. Getting back some RB's after their bye week they are going to be a tough game week in and week out. It's easy to see why they are reigning champs.

#7 New England Patriots (prev #1)- Maybe it's a little harsh but they got dominated vs the Cleveland Browns and have to play a tougher AFC North team in week 10, the Steeler's. A win will boost them up I promise Pat's fans.

#8 Green Bay Packers (prev. #10)- Destroyed the Cowboys to put together a nice 3 game winning streak heading into their bye week. They are playing well thanks to Aaron Rodgers. Little rest will do them well.

#9 Indianapolis Colts (prev. #4)- Lost to Michael Vick and the Eagles in a close game to fall to 5-3. Tough division, tough schedule and a running game that does not exist. They have Peyton Manning so will always be top 10.

#10 Tennessee Titans (prev. Not Ranked)- Defense is tough, offense just got better. They had a bye week and got Randy Moss. If Vince is healthy a three headed monster of him, Chris Johnson, and Randy Moss not to mention Nate Washington makes them someone I wouldn't want to play.

Honorable mentions:
Philadelphia Eagles
Oakland Raiders (yes the Raiders)
Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers
Chicago Bears
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Teams that are not bad enough to be in 10 worst but not good enough to get honorable mentions.

Miami Dolphins
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Washington Redskins (can't believe that is still a football name)
Minnesota Vikings (not on the bandwagon don't worry)
Cleveland Browns



So with the good always comes the bad. Here they are, starting from best of the worst to the worst of the worst.

#10 Detriot Lions (prev #7)- Yes I know they lost again and only have two win's but they have been in almost every game with a different starting QB it seems every week. Not many people show them some love so I did this week.

#9 Denver Broncos (prev #4)- Bye week made it so they didn't lose and fall, but they are on the verge of getting worst. No running game doesn't help Orton any.

#8 Cincinnati Bengals (prev #9)- They didn't look good vs the Steeler's. I wasn't sure if it was because they played the Steeler's or because they just don't play well. Ochocinco is not happy and TO is. Things are weird and are going to get worst for the Bungles.

#7, #6, #5, #4 The NFC West- Little harsh? Maybe. But when Your best is 4-4 and worst is still in it at 2-6 you are not good. They will continue to beat up on each other and unfortunately someone from that division has to make playoffs. It's a shame I know, but rules are rules.

#3 Buffalo Bills (prev #2)- How can they lose and be 0-8 and move up? Well, because they could beat the other two team's. They have been in some close games vs some good team's the last couple of weeks. They will get at least 1 win.

#2 Carolina Panthers (prev #3)- They lost their "starter" Matt Moore for the year so things will rely on Jimmy Clausen. Things won't get much better. They can avoid being #1 if Cowboys continue to suck.

With that being said...

#1 Dallas Cowboys- Over paid, outplayed and probably on their way to some sort of reality show. This team is so screwed up it can't even remember to renew it's website. I should of tried to buy dallascowboys.com, damn. Who knows what will Jerry Jones will do next. He's in desperation/ plan for next year mode. Should be interesting.

Well thanks for checking out my power rankings. Let me know what you think.

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