Editorials As posted by Pop Warner Parent (after arriving home from Orlando and the 2001 PWLS Super Bowl) in the FORUM - 12/11/01 Having been in FL. this past weekend, I came away wondering what has happed to Pop Warner football. I met several officials from other regions and was introduced to coaches from the CA. regions, one in particular who is flown in twice a week to coach. Others that picked players from their A-B-C-or D teams to make up a "competetive" team. I saw NO teams other than the Texas teams that carried "6-8" play kids. I hate to say this, but it seems that in order for us to compete with these "Select" teams, we must recruit as they do? What is this going to teach our kids. Coaches talked about their upcoming "tryouts?". Even though our teams remained competitive, when it came time to play our 8 play kids, we ended giving up some yards and even touchdowns. I feel that we, in this region, need to have our "select" teams as well so that we may represent Texas on an even level. As posted by Earl Lee responding to POSTS about the talent found at the PWLS Super Bowl. (CTPW Coaches Coordinator) in the FORUM - 11/1/01 It is possible to have that kind of talent located in one area and assembled with an Open Registration. CTPW operates under this kind of thinking. CTPW is one of the largest Pop Warner leagues in the country. By utilizing the draft rule teams are formed to make games in CTPW more competitive for all 18 Associations. CTPW has experienced a great deal of growth because of this. This does however put us at a disadvantage when we go to the Regional Playoffs. If CTPW coaches could learn how to keep from running up scores perhaps we could eliminate the draft rule and show the rest of the Region what kind of talent we have in Central Texas. Take a look at the scores for the Oak Grove Midget team. They won all 8 games with the same score of 35-0. Think they have some talent? They start signing up kids for next season before this one is over. Sounds like a good way to get some returners. There are many Leagues out there and they all operate a little different. Call your presidents and give them your ideas so they can help CTPW move in the direction the majority wants to move in. CTPW is run by the presidents as they are the only people who can vote. They represent you and would like to hear your comments. Thanks, Earl Lee CTPW Coaches Coordinator As posted by Les Cary (RR JPW White Coach) in the FORUM - 10/25/01 This season, there were enough kids signed up to have 2 JPW teams in RR and we were lucky enough to be awarded the "White" team. I am probably more proud of the individuals on our team this season than I have been of any one group in all my years of coaching Pop Warner. We are a completely new team...no returning players, no "...played together since flag football" core of players, no "select team players from other sports". Out of 23 players: 3 played MM last year...the other 20 are first year players, and the majority of them have never touched a football (...or a baseball for that matter), let alone played the game before this season. The goal of our coaching staff is not to have a "playoff team" every season, but to teach these kids about the sport; about respect: not only for others, but for themselves too; the importance of school; to have fun as a team player, and to prepare them for the future...not only as athletes, but as young adults to able "take their game" to the "next level"...whether it be in sports, or in life itself. Pop Warner Football should basically be the "Boy Scouts/ Girl Scouts" of youth sports... the same principles apply (...except with pads on). We are all supposed to be here for the kids, not just to make the playoffs. Vince Lombardi said the best definition of team is "one heartbeat". To gain this requires total commitment, and demands selflessness from everyone involved. Where else...in what sport or activity, does a player line up directly in front of another who could be bigger, stronger, faster, or more talented...yet, he is expected to compete intensely for the length of a game. We ask them to give no quarter...and to take none. It`s been said that the most competitive people play the most competitive games... coaches and players know the smaller player can win... because nobody has a market on heart, desire, or the will to win. I believe football develops character...and there is no easy way to practice football ...as it helps prepare an athlete for the trials and struggles in life. If it was all easy, what would be the point to it? You learn more from mistakes and how difficult it was to reach a goal, than if it was perfect and simple every time. Our team may not be loaded with a wealth of talent, but we are blessed with a group of kids who have the desire, the heart, the will, and the motivation to go out and play their best ...regardless of the games outcome, they have fun doing so... and as long as they are able to do that, then i could really care less about the final score...our kids will emerge as winners. Les Clary Head Coach - RRJPW Colts (White) As posted by Dean Cartwright in the FORUM - 11/23/01 At July CTPW board meeting it was discussed in length about the breakdown of Div1/Div2. The discussion included the possible problems with playoff games. It was mandated by Regionals that CTPW split and was left up to CTPW how that would happen. All discussion concluded with present schedule. ALL PRESIDENTS present at that meeting except one(ME) voted for the schedule that we have had this season. The split should have resulted in each divison playing interdivision games. This would have elimated the present problems as the win/loss records would be a reflection of the best teams in each division. Taking the above into consideration, I still find it hard to believe that the leadership of the orginzation would be so self-serving as to make their descions in an obvious ploy to put their teams into post season play. If this has occurred, I feel that G`Town and LCP have a legimate concern and should be heard. All orginzations should remember and insure that this MESS does not occur in the future. Dean Cartwright. President Elgin Pop Warner As posted by the Editor on 10/14/01 I too have been reading the arguments about "stacked" teams. I've found other PWLS programs around the country are dealing with similar issues (I found the "Stop Team Stacking" road sign on another PWLS website). Like LEGEND, I am a veteran PW coach. I can tell you CTPW does as good a job or better than any organization in PWLS in promoting fair play. It is almost impossible to police each and every draft to insure there are no stacked teams. The opportunity is there to stack if one desires. League coaches don't need "tryouts" to identify talented players. One season as a coach in your league's baseball, football, basketball programs and the really talented players are obvious to everyone. Drafts can be pre-arranged, leagues can arrange registrations not completely "public" then shut down after one team has been formed. This is nothing new and not unique to CTPW. In fact, it is in accord with most programs that consistently find themselves in post season play. You are naiive if you think a team that wins the PWLS superbowl in Florida is a product of a completely "open" registration in a "limited recruitment " area. They are as much ALL STAR teams as the Little League world series teams. PWLS, though a GREAT GREAT program, is a bit hypocritical in touting it's strict rulebook then promoting nationally it's superbowl teams that break a rule on almost every page in that book. CTPW has chosen higher ground, and should be applauded. Those programs that honor the intent of Pop Warner should compete seperately than those that don't. The D1/D2 was a valiant attempt, and well meaning, but does not address the real issue. Adults will go to amazing places to win. An example: In 1997, CTPW had a team that won the JPW Championship and went on to represent us in post season play with a 12 year old as their leading rusher and tackler. Wow, Daniel Almonte move over ! Once found out, they forfeited all of their games. Fair punishment perhaps, but not for the many kids it affected. Bottom line, it's competitive, it's Texas, and you're going to have people involved that will test the boundaries. We can only do our best to promote fair play, and CTPW has without question always stood up for that. I am going to throw in my vote with LEGEND and say why not address the intent of each program at the beginning of the season (recreational Div. II, or competitive Div. I) and promote divisions based on that premise. Each league can then choose which division (competitive or recreational) they wish to participate in, or those leagues with multiple teams may have both. That would eliminate any question of "stacking". LEGEND is right on target with his comments about the age kid's "grow into their feet", it does vary greatly, and a rec. league would, without a doubt, benefit those lagging players by allowing them maximum playing time as their skills mature. I have been fortunate enough to coach two JPW teams ('98 & '99 LT JPW Red) in post CTPW play. Both years the kids made it to the SWR semi-finals (in '98 they beat a team from the then new Bulverde organization and in '99 they beat the Houston representative). As I was warned, when we got to Dallas (in '98 vs Pleasant Grove Trojans 0-32) and San Antonio (in '99 vs Holy Family Eagles 7-18) we were dominated by teams with select players that were recruited by those teams. Under our current structure (at least as we understand it at Lake Travis, where each team must be of equal talent, secured by a fair and equal draft) and where anyone who registers (in an OPEN, PUBLIC registration), plays). NO ONE from CENTEX will go to Florida. It is not a level playing field once you leave CTPW play. We should perhaps end our season with a CTPW Championship, or allow for a structure that will give those CTPW Champs a fighting chance in post season play. Understand I am espousing only my opinions and they may not be popular. I would welcome any alternate editorials at wtaylor@flash.net. I, without question, DO think PWLS and CTPW are great organizations as is, and my kid's have had sooo much fun competing through the years and that is what is most important. Everyone keep up the great work, and my appreciation goes out to all of those who have served CTPW with the greatest intentions. As posted in the Forum by LEGEND on 10/13/01 I`ve been reading the CTPW Forum for awhile and it seems that some of you are really into trashing each other, which is good for those of us who enjoy a good soap, I would like to express my views on one of the subjects that seem to come up more often. I`ve been coaching Pop Warner football for 15 yrs (6 in Austin and 9 in SA) and believe me, this "stacking of teams" is not a new thing. Every year somebody`s organization or a certain team get`s blasted about being stacked. I`m not saying this is right but it happens and will continue to. My resolution to this problem is to have two conferences, a recreational conference and a competetive conference.. this would be such a plus for everybody, for example... Kids at these ages dont develop their motor skills at the same rate, some are much more advanced and some take a little longer. The rec conference would be for those kids that need a little more time to develop.. They would get more playing time and probably enjoy it alot more.. It would be competetive in it`s own way...The could have their own Local Super Bowl, Doing this also rids the fear of playing football... Some of the more advance kids can scare a kid into not ever playing again. I had a kid on one of my teams that couldnt walk and chew gum much less play football, now I hear he is a big football star at his High School in SA. The competetive conference would give CENTEX a chance to go to Florida once in awhile like those SA and Dallas teams do. I had a so called "stacked" team here in Austin a few years back and we still didnt make it to Florida (pretty damn close though lost, 7-0 to a SA team of course) but my boys still talk about that year everytime I go to watch them at the HS level.. And remember this, after your game this Saturday take a look at the kids and win or lose they`ve done forgot about the game and want to know where the snacks are or where are we going to eat and can johnny come with us... then look at the parents and coaches .. their the ones that are either mad or happy.. The kids leave everything on the field, why cant the parents and coaches do the same!!! Coaches, I commend you on being out there and parents I commend you on supporting your son or daughter, but remember on your way home after the game dont criticize them about how they played or how they cheered .. ask them if they had fun and how proud you are.. Coaches, if you kids continue to play football at a higher level then you have done your job... Well I`ve written enough good luck to everybody .. I hope I`ve done some good with this any comments are welcome.......