I am sorry for the inactivity as of late. Senior year has been super busy for me. I will get everything going again by the end of midterms, at the latest.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Monday, October 19, 2015
Regular Season Wrap-up and Field Hockey Playoffs
Hey guys!!!
How's it goin!?!? So I meant to do this sooner, but I had some family issues come up, so my apologies to everyone for that. But my oh my, what a end to the regular season this has been shaping up to be. Shaping up to be??? I meant already has been!
Field Hockey- My word, the last week of the regular season saw the standings pinballing like crazy. And it played out that Freeport ended up in the 9th spot, having to travel to G/NG last Saturday for their preliminary game, after it appeared that Freeport would get to host the game just one night before. (I will break the game down in a separate post.) The end to this regular season is one you only get in the heal point system.
Boys Soccer- Well, it was bumpy at first, but Boys soccer seems to be set up for a playoff berth. So where will they land. At this point Freeport is in 10th. By the end of everything though, Freeport could be anywhere from 7th-10th. So at this point, tomorrow is the difference between hosting a game, or going on a trip to play a game in the preliminary round on Saturday. My biggest concern with this squad, is just the inconsistency that has been there all year. You have seen times where this team looked like it was good enough to compete with the powerhouses of the league, and you have seen moments where it looked like playoffs would be highly unlikely. If a deep run in the playoffs is to happen, Freeport will need to be its absolute best, especially with senior Jack Davenport, who found a way to make an impact all over the field, now out for the year.
Girls Soccer- This has been a disappointing year for this team. Now out of the playoff hunt unless something happens that I don't see right now, the girls hold the 14th spot, two spots out of the playoffs, and a little over 21 points behind. Injuries have been the story of the year for this team. From their starting goalie to their defense to, well, everything. Nothing on this team was safe, and the soccer gods seemed to decide that Freeport was just not going to get into the playoffs, no matter what happened. It is unfortunate for the 9 seniors on this team, who don't have another chance to make a playoff run in high school soccer, but they have the Senior Game on Tuesday, to try and win their final High School Soccer game, before Freeport turns and looks to next year, and the young talent that they have waiting to step up.
Football- Going to be perfectly honest, things have been rough for this young program. I don't know a lot about it, don't get to see it play very often, and only know a few players, but they just have not had a real chance to compete with larger teams yet. The program needs to mature and get more support behind it, and more players involved. Until then, the team could put everything they possibly could into it, but still struggle.
How's it goin!?!? So I meant to do this sooner, but I had some family issues come up, so my apologies to everyone for that. But my oh my, what a end to the regular season this has been shaping up to be. Shaping up to be??? I meant already has been!
Field Hockey- My word, the last week of the regular season saw the standings pinballing like crazy. And it played out that Freeport ended up in the 9th spot, having to travel to G/NG last Saturday for their preliminary game, after it appeared that Freeport would get to host the game just one night before. (I will break the game down in a separate post.) The end to this regular season is one you only get in the heal point system.
Boys Soccer- Well, it was bumpy at first, but Boys soccer seems to be set up for a playoff berth. So where will they land. At this point Freeport is in 10th. By the end of everything though, Freeport could be anywhere from 7th-10th. So at this point, tomorrow is the difference between hosting a game, or going on a trip to play a game in the preliminary round on Saturday. My biggest concern with this squad, is just the inconsistency that has been there all year. You have seen times where this team looked like it was good enough to compete with the powerhouses of the league, and you have seen moments where it looked like playoffs would be highly unlikely. If a deep run in the playoffs is to happen, Freeport will need to be its absolute best, especially with senior Jack Davenport, who found a way to make an impact all over the field, now out for the year.
Girls Soccer- This has been a disappointing year for this team. Now out of the playoff hunt unless something happens that I don't see right now, the girls hold the 14th spot, two spots out of the playoffs, and a little over 21 points behind. Injuries have been the story of the year for this team. From their starting goalie to their defense to, well, everything. Nothing on this team was safe, and the soccer gods seemed to decide that Freeport was just not going to get into the playoffs, no matter what happened. It is unfortunate for the 9 seniors on this team, who don't have another chance to make a playoff run in high school soccer, but they have the Senior Game on Tuesday, to try and win their final High School Soccer game, before Freeport turns and looks to next year, and the young talent that they have waiting to step up.
Football- Going to be perfectly honest, things have been rough for this young program. I don't know a lot about it, don't get to see it play very often, and only know a few players, but they just have not had a real chance to compete with larger teams yet. The program needs to mature and get more support behind it, and more players involved. Until then, the team could put everything they possibly could into it, but still struggle.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Field Hockey Midseason review
Seniors: Morgan Karnes (GK), Bailey Karnes (M), Lexi Peacock (M), Kendra Harrison (D)
This team, which is trying to carry the momentum from last year, when the Field Hockey team made it into the Regional Quarterfinals, can’t get much younger. With only four seniors, and three juniors, the lack of experience is a concern as they push into the heart of the season. After being ranked in multiple polls at the beginning of the year, the girls got off to a great start, dominating Cape Elizabeth 6-0. But the momentum from the home opener vanished quickly, as the team dropped a couple in a row. Now, the girls sit in a tie for the last playoff spot (as long as my calculations are correct, with a 2-4-0 record. Even with the extremely young and inexperienced core, senior and captain Morgan Karnes (goalie) feels it can only get better as the season goes on.
“I think these struggles we've seen could be partly blamed on inexperience, however they are how we learn and we will definitely grow after going through this,” Morgan says. “I think that despite our team lacking experience, we have the skill to compete with any team. We have seen the importance of putting in 110% effort all the time and the consequences of not doing that.”
The youth of this team is extremely suspect. But the team is confident and confidence is huge. Even with some big pieces graduating after last year, the players feel that they can make a splash this year. And they may have the depth to do it, even if they don’t look like much on their starting roster.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Girls soccer mid-season review
Seniors: Izzy Qualls (GK), Jemayla Nelsonwood (M), Brittany Mann (D), Madi McCallum (D), Samantha Jordan (F), Courtney Broderick (D), Lindsay Cartmell (M), Maddie Squibb (M), Brooklyn Washburn (D)
Nothing has come easy for this Girls soccer program. Last year, they missed playoffs by a few points. And this year, which started with so much excitement and hope, has started off as rough as it could possibly get. At one point they had as many as five starters out with injury. Entering tomorrow's game at Gray/New Gloucester, the girls find themselves at an underwhelming 1-3-0 record, in the last postseason spot. Oh, and did I mention that the only varsity goalie that the girls have, Senior Izzy Qualls, is still out with a concussion? Senior Lindsay Cartmell, marked on the roster as a midfielder, is filling in as the goalie until Izzy comes back. Even with all this hardship, Lindsey stays confident that the team can make a splash.
“I think we have a lot of potential which was shown the other day against Yarmouth.” Lindsay says. The Yarmouth game she mentioned was a 3-0 loss on Tuesday Night, where two teams dueled it out and were scoreless through most of the first half. Freeport showed great discipline and fought for the entire game, making the game a lot closer than the score may appear, against arguably one of the best programs in the state. She also points to the hard work the players have been putting in to get a better understanding of the sport, and the determination that the players have been playing with. It is clear that even with the rough start, these players have one thing on their mind. To get better, and to put together a season to remember.
Nothing has come easy for this Girls soccer program. Last year, they missed playoffs by a few points. And this year, which started with so much excitement and hope, has started off as rough as it could possibly get. At one point they had as many as five starters out with injury. Entering tomorrow's game at Gray/New Gloucester, the girls find themselves at an underwhelming 1-3-0 record, in the last postseason spot. Oh, and did I mention that the only varsity goalie that the girls have, Senior Izzy Qualls, is still out with a concussion? Senior Lindsay Cartmell, marked on the roster as a midfielder, is filling in as the goalie until Izzy comes back. Even with all this hardship, Lindsey stays confident that the team can make a splash.
“I think we have a lot of potential which was shown the other day against Yarmouth.” Lindsay says. The Yarmouth game she mentioned was a 3-0 loss on Tuesday Night, where two teams dueled it out and were scoreless through most of the first half. Freeport showed great discipline and fought for the entire game, making the game a lot closer than the score may appear, against arguably one of the best programs in the state. She also points to the hard work the players have been putting in to get a better understanding of the sport, and the determination that the players have been playing with. It is clear that even with the rough start, these players have one thing on their mind. To get better, and to put together a season to remember.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
DOGSO shout in Yarmouth
Ok, those of you who know me, and saw the game where Freeport's Girls Varsity Soccer went to Yarmouth Tuesday night, might have been able to see this coming, and for those who don't know me, I am a total rules geek. So some of you may have seen this coming if you were at the game, and saw the handball and PK call in the first half that, when converted, gave Yarmouth the 1-0 lead. But was it a handball? And if it was, should DOGSO-H be in play, and the red card given?
(Just a note, DOGSO is an unofficial abbreviation for Denial of an obvious Goal Scoring opportunity. DOGSO-F is Denial by foul. DOGSO-H is Denial by Handling the ball. I will post a couple of example links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODmuRSPTipI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8F1lwJEKFE
Still want more examples? Remember in the 47th minute of the Colombia vs. USA Womens World Cup game? No? Take a look at the timeline on this link.
http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25221504/live-blog-usa-battles-colombia-in-round-of-16-matchup
See the video of Colombian netminder Catalina Perez tripping Alex Morgan and getting a red? Prime example of DOGSO-F.
Ok, so now that you hopefully have a basic understanding of DOGSO (or at least understand what I mean when I say it), lets look at the play from last nights game.
The play was on the goal-line. The shot was taken and blocked away, but the ref called a handball on the block, and awarded Yarmouth the PK.
I am going to work backwards here for a moment. The NFHS rules state that a player is to be dismissed if
"13. a player (other than a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area) deliberately handles the ball, attempting to prevent a goal, and the goal is scored."
(FIFA DOGSO-H Rules: denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area))
The NFHS rules define a handball as
"A player shall be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking or propelling the ball with a hand or arm."
So tell me this. If according to these rules, you can't have a handball without a deliberate act at any point, and it is a red card if you deliberately handle the ball to attempt to prevent a goal, but you are standing on the goal line, doesn't it stand to reason that it should be a red card for deliberately handling the ball to prevent a goal? DOGSO-H? Somebody please call me out if I am wrong, but doesn't it make sense that if you are called for a handball and you are on the goal-line, that it is a red card automatically? So from my point of view, if this should be a handball, it should be a red card.
So now the question is, was it truly a handball?
Let us compare the NFHS rules to the FIFA rules for a second.
"A player shall be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking or propelling the ball with a hand or arm."
"handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)"
So no matter which rules you look at, there needs to be some form of intent. It can't just hit an arm and be a handball. So did this play have intent? That is the question. I heard from one player who said it looked like her arms were tight to her body at the time of contact. Now I didn't have the best angle, but even so. Other aspects matter.
This is a list of the aspects of a handball, that you are taught before you become a ref.
-Time to react to ball
-Position of arm/hand
-Advantage gained
-Whether the ball was expected or not
Ok, so lets say the arm was tucked in, because that is what I saw, and others said. So the position of the arm/hand was good. The shot was taken from inside the box, but not directly in front of her. Unless she couldn't see the ball (in which case why wouldn't she be stepping up to mark someone) she should have expected the shot, and had time to avoid contact with the arm/hand. Was there an advantage gained...is that really a question? She was standing on the goal line! The ball was going straight to a meeting with the back netting. Is there a way to gain any more of an advantage?
So what it comes down to is, was the contact intentional. If it was, PK was the right call, and a red card should of been given. If it wasn't, then it shouldn't be a foul at all. And that is a judgement call. But from my view, I have no issue with the foul being called.
(Just a note, DOGSO is an unofficial abbreviation for Denial of an obvious Goal Scoring opportunity. DOGSO-F is Denial by foul. DOGSO-H is Denial by Handling the ball. I will post a couple of example links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODmuRSPTipI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8F1lwJEKFE
Still want more examples? Remember in the 47th minute of the Colombia vs. USA Womens World Cup game? No? Take a look at the timeline on this link.
http://www.cbssports.com/general/eye-on-sports/25221504/live-blog-usa-battles-colombia-in-round-of-16-matchup
See the video of Colombian netminder Catalina Perez tripping Alex Morgan and getting a red? Prime example of DOGSO-F.
Ok, so now that you hopefully have a basic understanding of DOGSO (or at least understand what I mean when I say it), lets look at the play from last nights game.
The play was on the goal-line. The shot was taken and blocked away, but the ref called a handball on the block, and awarded Yarmouth the PK.
I am going to work backwards here for a moment. The NFHS rules state that a player is to be dismissed if
"13. a player (other than a goalkeeper within his/her own penalty area) deliberately handles the ball, attempting to prevent a goal, and the goal is scored."
(FIFA DOGSO-H Rules: denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area))
The NFHS rules define a handball as
"A player shall be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking or propelling the ball with a hand or arm."
So tell me this. If according to these rules, you can't have a handball without a deliberate act at any point, and it is a red card if you deliberately handle the ball to attempt to prevent a goal, but you are standing on the goal line, doesn't it stand to reason that it should be a red card for deliberately handling the ball to prevent a goal? DOGSO-H? Somebody please call me out if I am wrong, but doesn't it make sense that if you are called for a handball and you are on the goal-line, that it is a red card automatically? So from my point of view, if this should be a handball, it should be a red card.
So now the question is, was it truly a handball?
Let us compare the NFHS rules to the FIFA rules for a second.
"A player shall be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking or propelling the ball with a hand or arm."
"handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)"
So no matter which rules you look at, there needs to be some form of intent. It can't just hit an arm and be a handball. So did this play have intent? That is the question. I heard from one player who said it looked like her arms were tight to her body at the time of contact. Now I didn't have the best angle, but even so. Other aspects matter.
This is a list of the aspects of a handball, that you are taught before you become a ref.
-Time to react to ball
-Position of arm/hand
-Advantage gained
-Whether the ball was expected or not
Ok, so lets say the arm was tucked in, because that is what I saw, and others said. So the position of the arm/hand was good. The shot was taken from inside the box, but not directly in front of her. Unless she couldn't see the ball (in which case why wouldn't she be stepping up to mark someone) she should have expected the shot, and had time to avoid contact with the arm/hand. Was there an advantage gained...is that really a question? She was standing on the goal line! The ball was going straight to a meeting with the back netting. Is there a way to gain any more of an advantage?
So what it comes down to is, was the contact intentional. If it was, PK was the right call, and a red card should of been given. If it wasn't, then it shouldn't be a foul at all. And that is a judgement call. But from my view, I have no issue with the foul being called.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Into Homecoming
A less than desirable start for EVERYBODY. (Except running, probably...maybe someone can tell me how golf and running did?) Seriously! Girls soccer has five hurt starters and were beat twice, out scored in those two games by a combined score of 13-1 (8-1 loss to CE, 5-0 loss to Sacopee Valley). Boys soccer, although mostly healthy, has yet to find the back of the net in 160 minutes of games for an 0-2-0 start while getting out scored 9-0 in the losses (5-0 loss @CE, 4-0 loss to G/NG). I have been with that team at halftime. The team is frusturated. The coaches are frustrated. Field Hockey started off with a 6-0 win in their home opener against CE, but has dropped the last two games @G/NG and home Vs. Kennebunk. The heat in the G/NG game certainly didn't help as multiple players had issues from what I am told. Football lost their season opener @Poland by 37 points, falling 49-12.
Going into this weekend, I feel pretty confident in saying that every team that plays on the field, from football, to soccer to field hockey, all have one thing on their mind. To shake off the last games and start the season now. All the teams have the fight. All the teams have the determination. Now they need the results. And what better time to start than homecoming weekend. Other than maybe the senior games, you don't get a more energetic crowd. Everyone love it. The atmosphere is great. The athletes thrive on that. And they all have the same goal. To right the path, and send a message to the conference. A message that they can play with the best, and they deserve to make playoffs.
Talk to you later and I hope to see you tonight/tomorrow.
Just a quick note: The schedule for the Athletics this weekend is as follows
Friday: JV Soccer (Girls at 3:30, Boys at 5), Cross country meet 4:30/5:00
Saturday: Varsity Field Hockey and Varsity Girls Soccer play at 11:00 AM, JV Field Hockey plays at 12:30, Varsity Boys Soccer play at 12:45, Football plays at 2:30
Going into this weekend, I feel pretty confident in saying that every team that plays on the field, from football, to soccer to field hockey, all have one thing on their mind. To shake off the last games and start the season now. All the teams have the fight. All the teams have the determination. Now they need the results. And what better time to start than homecoming weekend. Other than maybe the senior games, you don't get a more energetic crowd. Everyone love it. The atmosphere is great. The athletes thrive on that. And they all have the same goal. To right the path, and send a message to the conference. A message that they can play with the best, and they deserve to make playoffs.
Talk to you later and I hope to see you tonight/tomorrow.
Just a quick note: The schedule for the Athletics this weekend is as follows
Friday: JV Soccer (Girls at 3:30, Boys at 5), Cross country meet 4:30/5:00
Saturday: Varsity Field Hockey and Varsity Girls Soccer play at 11:00 AM, JV Field Hockey plays at 12:30, Varsity Boys Soccer play at 12:45, Football plays at 2:30
Monday, August 31, 2015
Fall season
Hey guys,
So school officially starts tomorrow, and for those of you who are like me, you are thinking forget school, IT'S REGULAR SEASON TIME! And yes, classes are starting, homework will start popping up, and grades will start getting entered. And that little thing called "Deflate-gate" might be entering it's next phase soon. Hopefully it is the forget about this madness phase. Sadly that is a bit of a long shot. But I will tell you one thing that isn't deflated. (Yes, I really just did that.) The excitement, determination, and passion of the athletes as they step foot onto the high school field for their season-opener, and for some, their last high school season opener. That desire to be the strongest team. That desire to stand on top of the high school sports mountain. That is the driving force for these athletes, who have spent the past 2 weeks working as hard as they could in the heat, humidity, and rain and getting bumps and bruises trying to prepare for when it all counts. And that all starts this weekend.
After a disappointing last season for multiple teams here at Freeport, they go into the new season, regeared, refocused, and ready to show the state that they can stand and play with the best. Whether they can or not, is to be seen. But the confidence is contagious. And whether you are the senior, stepping onto the field for the last time, or a freshman, trying to keep up with the new pace of the game, and all the new things going on in one day, you are ready and anxiously waiting one thing. That first whistle to start it all.
That's all for now. Be loud, Proud, and represent Freeport!
So school officially starts tomorrow, and for those of you who are like me, you are thinking forget school, IT'S REGULAR SEASON TIME! And yes, classes are starting, homework will start popping up, and grades will start getting entered. And that little thing called "Deflate-gate" might be entering it's next phase soon. Hopefully it is the forget about this madness phase. Sadly that is a bit of a long shot. But I will tell you one thing that isn't deflated. (Yes, I really just did that.) The excitement, determination, and passion of the athletes as they step foot onto the high school field for their season-opener, and for some, their last high school season opener. That desire to be the strongest team. That desire to stand on top of the high school sports mountain. That is the driving force for these athletes, who have spent the past 2 weeks working as hard as they could in the heat, humidity, and rain and getting bumps and bruises trying to prepare for when it all counts. And that all starts this weekend.
After a disappointing last season for multiple teams here at Freeport, they go into the new season, regeared, refocused, and ready to show the state that they can stand and play with the best. Whether they can or not, is to be seen. But the confidence is contagious. And whether you are the senior, stepping onto the field for the last time, or a freshman, trying to keep up with the new pace of the game, and all the new things going on in one day, you are ready and anxiously waiting one thing. That first whistle to start it all.
That's all for now. Be loud, Proud, and represent Freeport!
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