Category Archives: Football

Football, Sports

Highlanders face off against Pioneers tonight

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By Eric Ordonez and Luke Geraghty

As the football team prepares for its second game of the season tonight against local rival Providence Pioneers, the buzz around nearly every hallway seems to be about how excited fans and staff members are to be a part of it.

After last Friday’s 28-21 victory over Male in the season opener, the team is riding high with plenty of confidence and energy. Providence, who is looking for revenge after last year’s 25-13 loss to FC, looks to steal a road victory tonight at Ron Weigleb Stadium. Head coach Brian Glesing said this is a statement game and is ready for the grind tonight.

“I hope it’s exciting. This is Friday night high school football, it doesn’t get any better than this,” said Glesing.

What concerned Glesing in the opener was the special team’s play and the lack of quality tackling.

“Too many defensive breakdowns, that we’re going to have to fix right away,” said Glesing.

However, Glesing acknowledged how well the offensive line played and their ability to move the ball late in the game.

The Pioneers come into the game with some changes of their own.

“They [Providence] have a new coaching staff that we’ve prepared for. We’ve prepared to cover their outside sweep game, and also know they’re going to try to run it inside on us,” said Glesing.

The kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the theme is a green-out for FC fans.

Football, Sports

Glesing discusses upcoming season

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By Ty Elliot

Coach Brian Glesing

Bagpiper: What will you do at the quarterback position with Garrett Shanks back as a senior and Bryce Smith getting some experience as a sophomore last season?

Brian Glesing: “We have a QB battle with Garrett and Bryce.  Both have been great.  Both of them will play in the scrimmage.  Also, Garrett is starting at linebacker so that will play into the decision.”

BP: What does the depth chart look like after Kyle Bramble?

BG: “Terrence Kennedy, who is a junior, is a good backup.  Also, we have Jason Van Buren, who did a good job last year filling in for Kyle.”

BP: What do you all need to do better so you all can be where you want to be at the end of the season?

BG: “We need to get better defensively.  We gave up way too many yards last year.”

BP: Out of your returning players, who do you think will step up this year?
 
BG: “We have a lot guys who will step up.  We expect big plays out of Austin Wirth and Joey Quinkert.”

BP: What group or position has improved the most so far?

BG: The linebackers have really improved.  They have been reading their key better.”

BP: What does this senior class bring to your team?

BG: “It’s a great senior class, over 20 seniors.  They have great leadership and a lot of experience.”

Columns, Football, Forum, Sports

Debating college football’s post season bowl games

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By Ty Elliot

Co sports editor

“Playoffs?!”

The month of December is arguably the best month of the year. There is Christmas break, Christmas day, and college football bowl games. Yes, there is nothing better then watching bowl games. Well, except for the NFL playoffs, and the NBA playoffs and the college basketball tournament. There are better sports’ post seasons better than the college football bowl system. But, if the NCAA were to adopt a college football playoff it would be much more intriguing.

College football’s post season is much different than other sports. In 2010, 35 bowl games will be played represented by 70 teams, the most important game being the Bowl Championship Series National Championship. The championship game features the number one and number two ranked teams in the nation. Despite the simplicity of the BCS system, every season seems to bring drama as to which two teams deserve to play in the title game where there are usually more than two teams that are worthy of those two positions. There is also criticism of how the teams are chosen due to the “BCS formula.” All of the six BCS conferences (Big East, SEC, ACC, Big Ten, PAC 10, and the Big 12) are allowed to have one team represent them in the BCS bowl games, which is awarded to the conference champions. The formula is made of three components, 1/3 is the Harris Poll which is compiled by Harris Interactive, which is a market research company in which specializes in internet research; 1/3 is the Coaches Poll which is voted on by the coaches; and the other 1/3 is the computer rankings. The computer rankings have brought the most criticism. Allowing computers to choose a team to play in a game is ridiculous. A computer for one can not physically watch or see a team play football. A computer has no knowledge of football.

This formula has brought many unfair situations to teams that are not in those BCS conferences. In past years, teams like Utah, Boise State, and TCU have been given harsh criticism from the BCS formula. All of those teams are not in the “BCS qualifyingconferences.” They are looked down upon because they do not play a tougher schedule of games as those in the BCS conferences. But, in fact, in recent years those teams have proven they can hold their own while playing tough teams.

In 2004, an undefeated (11-0) Utah team played Pittsburgh (8-3) in the Fiesta Bowl. Utah was lead by the eventual number one pick in the NFL draft in 2005: Alex Smith. Utah showed to be the better team as they won in dominating fashion 35-7. Utah also played in the Sugar Bowl in 2008 against Alabama. Utah defeated Alabama 31-17 which opened the door for question. Should Utah have played in the title game?

In 2006, undefeated Boise State (12-0) played Oklahoma (11-2) in the Fiesta Bowl. In one of the most exciting games of all time, Boise State won in overtime 43-42, but earned little respect from the rest of the nation.

 What is a better solution for the NCAA? The NCAA should adopt a 16 team single elimination playoff. There are a total of 11 college football conferences. All 11 conference champions should receive an automatic berth into the playoff. Then, the top five ranked teams who did not win their conference will receive a wild card berth. The NCAA can seed the teams based on their BCS rankings with the number one team playing the number sixteen team. With this playoff system, the teams that are in small conferences can have a chance at winning the prestigious national title. Teams like Boise State and Utah will get that chance that they have never gotten in the past, which is to win the title.

 Come on NCAA, change this system to a playoff before the guys on capitol hill do. Do you really want Barack Obama to determine the fate of the college football post season?