So it was Friday night. After a long work week, I made my relaxing trip to Duxbury. Not a bad drive at dusk I was literally driving into a purple and pink horizon, on my way to watch the Colonels play their first playoff game in quite some time. This game was a measurement of where we are as a program and where we need to be. Coach Bob LaRose is probably the most realistic dude I know. He knew this game would be tough. He knew his team was outmatched. All they could do was their best, which didn't make the cut this time but the experience was worth it for all. I'm not sure what the temp was Friday night, but I could barely take pics and videos with gloves on. I got there a bit early to set up and mistakes were made lol I ended up in the end zone with Duxbury's entire JV and Freshman team, if there was a dog pound, this would have been it. The atmosphere had a Varsity Blues feel to it, I mean this entire town seemed to be there. I told Coach it was kind of cool to witness this and I hope South High builds that level of interest here in the city at some point. As we both agreed, this won't happen over night. I do have to say I kind of got a chuckle out of the Duxbury Police. They followed me from the exit on the highway, all the way to my seat. Easy fellas, yes I'm from Worcester, and a graduate of South lol I mean no harm. The closest I came to an altercation was their mascot. Every time this team scored, The Duxbury Dragon would come over in front of me and wave the giant Duxbury flag like he was leading 75k people at a college stadium. If I stayed there a minute longer you may have caught me on Channel 7 throwing down with this thing. To be honest, the game experience overall was college-like. Including the way Duxbury played. They are not a Division 4 team. Ranked number 4 in the state by MaxPreps, they should be Division 2 if not I, and they played like it. Team is filled with players that are moving on to Division I college football, names like Maryland, BC being thrown around. They were just flat out bigger, stronger and faster than the whittled down Colonels. I commend every single one of the players from South for competing in this game.
To be very honest, the path that South High is on couldn't have been anymore meaningful this year to end up playing the next up. Worcester Tech. We have stumbled across a meaningful game. Coach Robbins from Worcester Tech coached his team to a 7-1 record this year. Somehow they got left out of the playoffs. I haven't had time to figure out the numbers on strength of schedule or anything like that yet, but to have a season go 7-1 and not get invited is a travesty. MIAA or the city's Athletic Director Dave Shea are more than welcome to contact Shamrock Sports and shed some light on it. It's been heavily rumored that they cater to the Eastern or Western part of the state. Central Mass holds no clout....Yet. Now don't get me wrong, it's not the kids in these parts of the state that ask for this. These suburban towns definitely have more access to camps and training than the kids in our city. It's about money, general support, and we need people in power to give a shit about our programs. When the new South High Football Field is finished, we hope this can curb the direction these sports programs would like to go. Showcases. My man Rob Orell, Line Coach for the Massachusetts Pirates, has started a camp to showcase the talent around here because these kids literally get no coverage. Angelo LaRose has 30TD's, 2300Yds going into this game with Tech and it has barely been covered. He is about to pass Bismark Osei's yardage mark in this game against Tech. Biz will be on hand to congratulate Friday@ 4pm, if it does indeed happen. Now this, my friends, is basically the cities version of a Super Bowl. You have a 6-3 South High team going up against a 7-2 Worcester Tech team. Both teams are well coached and have had phenomenal years. Both Coaches want to see the support for these athletes that they should have. Both Coaches want their players to have the same opportunities for their players like the kids in Duxbury have. Foley Stadium, Friday @4pm, Colonel Pride!!!!! South High Vs. Worcester Tech.
Now these are the people I'm talking about right here. All of them have been there to support their kids. This picture was from the Duxbury game. These people travel well over an hour to support the Colonels. Huge shout out to Anna Leto! My first game filming I met Anna up on the tower in North Middlesex where she was more than helpful. She films and streams all the games for South on top of making sure these kids have what they need, whether it be snacks, drinks, on this night I believe her and her mother made the entire squad meatballs. The more and more I talk to these Youth Football Coaches, a lot of them have made a note that people are just dropping their kids off without any interest. To see what Anna does on a weekly basis should never go unnoticed and that's why she gets a monstrous shout from Shamrock Sports. Take notes parents with kids involved with any Youth sports program. Take an interest, and be there. I remember every single game my dad went to and always will. It will mean the world to your kids someday I promise. This season is still rolling, we still have work to do. Huuuuuuuuuuge shout to everyone in this crowd and see you Friday! Colonel Pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh and PS....We have Coach LaRose on the PodCast Thursday night chopping it up with Worcester Tech Coach Robbins @ 8pm. Should be a very interesting conversation to say the least!
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