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TRUTHS AND MYTHS ABOUT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS: How exciting it is when your son comes home in the spring of 10th grade with a letter from Penn State? Mom is excited, Dad is bouncing off the walls, and the young man is on cloud nine. The next day in school the rumors are flying around that Johnny Drama just got a scholarship from PSU. This scenario repeats itself time and time again across the country.
It may be in 11th grade or early his senior year, but thousands of high school football players receive letters that basically promote the college and tell of their interest in the young man. The more high profile the high school program, the more players on that team receive letters. What are these?? What do they mean? Should I fill out the questionnaire? Are they a scholarship offer?
The truth of the matter is they are just form letters…that’s all they are. The colleges send thousands of these letters out to players. The colleges get the names of athletes from high school head coach’s recommendations, opposing coach’s recommendations, scouting services or press accolades. It is a way of introduction for many colleges and should be taken as just that. It’s a start….not an offer. In the spring of each season, high school coaches receive letters from colleges and scouting services that ask them to rate their players. The high school coach fills out these forms and actually puts down the level of college he thinks you will play. It could be D1, D1AA, D2, D3, JUCO or prep school. None of this takes into account the young man’s SENIOR YEAR…and a lot can happen with development that last year to change perception.
SOME FACTS: There are 117 D1 teams that give out 85 full scholarship or rides for that team (break it down…approximately 21 rides a year). D1AA has 124 teams with 63 scholarships per team. D2 has 150 teams with 36 full scholarships on each team. With scholarships being renewed each year, this is a total of 23,157 over a four-year period. Sounds like a lot, but when you factor in the total amount of kids playing at the high school level across the country, GUESS WHAT? It’s fewer than 5 % of the kids that get scholarships of some kind. Also, in D2, almost all these schools break them down into ¼ or ½ scholarships so they can stretch them and bring in many players. Obviously, this doesn’t make it impossible to reach your goal and receive a full scholarship, but there are many questions.
WHAT SHOULD I DO??? The first question everyone asks is, “Should I fill out the questionnaire that comes with the letter?” At CB West, we would tell our kids to forget about the questionnaires. They were time consuming, and the colleges get all the info they need from calling your head coach. Coach Pettine or I would speak to these schools and relay info back to the kids.
As a parent, I experienced another angle that leads me to believe that it doesn’t hurt to fill out the questionnaire. My youngest daughter Jesse, a senior in high school who committed to a major D1 Big East school this past summer for basketball, had another major college come into the picture the last month before she committed. When I asked why they hadn’t been recruiting Jesse earlier, they stated “because we never received her questionnaire back and didn’t think she was interested.”
Football and basketball are certainly different in their recruiting styles, but I don’t think it would hurt to fill out the questionnaires of the schools that interest your son. Just don’t get overwhelmed.
NEXT, PROMOTE YOURSELF!! The most obvious thing that hasn’t been stated is that you have to be a top level player with the physical status to be recruited by the scholarship schools. If you are… go to your coach. Tell him you want to play college football and ask him what his opinion is. Then, after your very good junior year, make a highlight film ( 7 minutes in length – no more !) in March, and have your coach or father mail them to the schools in April (schools that your coach agrees you could play for).
Continue to get bigger and faster going into the summer of your senior year. Ask your coach about going to a combine (athletes come together to run, jump, skills etc.) in your area or attend the football camp of your favorite college. All of these could put you on the radar of a scholarship school.
HIGHLIGHT FILM: As stated above make this no more than 7 minutes with a cover that gives 1) name and address w/ phone number, 2) positions and jersey number, 3) high school name, 4) head coach’s name and phone number, 5) 40-yd time.
In the highlight film, group your plays in sections of offense, defense and then special teams (if any). Show as many facets of your game as possible. If you’re a skill guy…. show running with the ball, tough runs, speed runs, runs with great moves, different types of catches--possession catch, over the shoulder catch, catching in traffic, etc. Lineman….drive blocks, blocks on linebackers, blocking on the move (i.e. pulls, traps, screens), pass blocks. Defensively: beating blocks, all types of tackles, running to the ball, defending the pass, etc. I think you get the picture. Show yourself in as many athletic movements and plays as possible. Know that the college coach needs to see something that will catch his eye because he is looking at many high school prospects.
IN CLOSING: Be realistic in your ability and potential. As a high school player, be aware that the level of play at college is very high! It’s the best of the best. It is time consuming – a fulltime job for players with skill work, lifting sessions, speed drills, conditioning, practice, film study, traveling, games, schoolwork, etc. With that being said, there is no time in your life more special than your college experience. Your father and yourself should talk to your high school coach and make a plan. THERE IS A LEVEL AND A SCHOOL FOR ALL WHO WANT TO PLAY IN COLLEGE. Set your dreams high, work to achieve them and then make a sound decision on where to attend college.
MID SEASON GAMES ---the HUNT for PLAYOFFS has arrived! CB EAST 45 – PENNRIDGE 35. Working with the WNPV crew, we broadcast the CB East vs. Pennridge game Friday night at Poppy Yoder Field. It was a beautiful night for football, and boy did we see a great offensive show by both teams. This was a must-win for both Randy Cuthbert of Pennridge and Tim Michael of East. I talked to coach Cuthbert before the game, and he told me he had some real nice young players both on the “O” and the defensive sides of the ball. He was right! Pennridge started the game with senior QB Brad Herrmann in the shotgun and junior RB Jesse Knepp motioning from the wing. Pennridge gave him the ball on sweeps to the slot side for tons of yardage vs. the 4-3 Monster “D” of CB East. East countered with outside and inside blitzes from their linebackers, but Cuthbert called a great game, and Pennridge went into halftime up 21-13. Pennridge came out the second half with athletic Brad Herrmann running QB draws, junior FB Ian Walbridge getting tough inside yards and Knepp continuing to burst around the edges, and it looked like Pennridge would put this game into the win column. With their two scores in the second half, Pennridge went ahead by nine points. CB East just would not be denied. Their QB, Kyle Bernard, had a great game (14-for-24, 257 yards and 2 TDs) and a huge second half. He is poised, has a tremendous arm and very nice accuracy. His main target, Chris Harmon, who at 6’3” with great leaping ability, had a career night with four catches for 65 yds and a TD. Then there’s the straw that stirs the drink for East, Devon Passman. What a show this senior running back put together vs. the Rams. With 24 totes for 155 yards and three TDs, it’s easy to call him the MVP for this night. The turning point of the game for Pennridge came with 3:30 left and the Rams leading 35-32. The Rams had the ball at their own 45 but could not get that first down they needed to seal the game in the win column. They had to punt and give the ball back to East (which started at its own 23-yard line). You just had the feeling that whoever had the ball last was going to win, since neither team played a lick of defense ALL NIGHT (more on this). With some nice throws by Bernard, great blocking by the “O” line and “Bull” Passman getting 7–10 yards at a clip….it was all East. The East staff was patient and milked the clock all the way down to 18 seconds when Passman went off left tackle for the score.
What a win for coach Michael and the East staff. They had their kids playing with passion and that’s a start to many WINS. East’s offense is formidable with a lot of options. Bernard is one of the top QBs in the Continental Conference, and Passman and Harmon are players that every coach would die to have on their team. As for continuing to win, Coach Michael has to make adjustments to his defense. There are glaring issues that have to be addressed, and I’m sure they will be this week. Correct these and blitz with a purpose (not just blitz all the time) and East could be a playoff team. Hats off to East for a great win!
As for Pennridge, I feel coach Cuthbert has his team playing better than any time I’ve seen them in the last four years. They have bought into the system, especially offensively, and have many young guys manning the skill positions. Cuthbert called a great offensive game (and scored plenty to win!) but what has been their Achilles heel in the past again raised its ugly head. The Pennridge defense has to “improve” if it wants to beat the upper echelon teams in the Continental division. Do this and Pennridge could make a lot of noise this year and next!
BECA vs. BETHLEHEM LIBERTY: Traveled up 309 on Saturday night to watch this great rivalry played at BASD stadium. It was a great crowd of around 10,000 screaming fans who love their team and hate their rival. I decided to sit on the BECA side (was I crazy!!!). Immediately, I was surrounded by BECA fans wanting to know, “Was I coaching? Was I scouting for someone? What was I now doing??” I was relieved that they didn’t want my scalp. The first half was a tight contest with BECA surprising Liberty with its intensity and ability to move the ball. BECA at times just lined up in wishbone and ran lead post off tackle (TE blocks down on invert LB and OT doubled with OG on Liberty DT). Liberty was explosive but inconsistent. A 35-yard TD pass to Devin Street from Anthony Gonzales put Liberty up 14–7, but BECA countered with Eric Fiore scoring from one yard out to send it to halftime 14–14. The second half started, and Liberty came out fired up! (Obviously head coach Moncman had some choice words at halftime). Liberty junior QB Gonzales, who is the real deal, went to work with his running and throwing. BECA went to eight guys in the box with man coverage on the receivers, and Gonzales lit them up with great passes and tough runs for yardage. With Liberty leading 21-14, Gonzales hit Street (running a fly pattern) with a perfect over-the-shoulder pass for a 56-yard TD. The rout was on! Liberty sealed it with much better defense and more physical play in the second half.
Going to the game, I was interested to see if Liberty had gotten better since it lost to North Penn in the opening week. I had mixed feelings afterwards. Their Offense is improving and QB Gonzales is one of the top QBs in Eastern Pennsylvania. They have very good speed at the receiver’s position led by Pitt recruit Devin Street, but they don’t seem to be overly physical in the “O” line, and you have to run the ball well to win in the playoffs. Another area of concern is Liberty’s defense which has a lot of athletes but has to start jelling and playing more physical and intense if they want to win District 11. They would then meet the District 12 champ for the right to play in the Eastern final (vs. NORTH PENN??). Time will tell…..Liberty could very well be District 11’s best team, but it needs to keep getting better in all phases of the game.
Shockers…….HATBORO-HORSHAM is for real!!! With its 32–0 win over SOUDERTON, Hatboro-Horsham has turned its season totally around, and the Hatters now stand at 3-3. HH ran for over 250 yards on the ground with their wing T offense. This shows me two things….1) HH is really hitting on all cylinders and could win the rest of their games 2) Souderton is really suffering from the injuries that have depleted their team. As I stated before, I saw their “D” stuffing Parkland (one of D 11 top teams) in their scrimmage, and I thought, “This team will compete with NORTH PENN for the league title!” These are tough times for Souderton, but coach Gallagher (who I think is one of the area’s top coaches) will right the ship……and then watch out league!
QUAKERTOWN 29 – CB SOUTH 27….I was amazed and shocked when I heard the final score. This is a huge win for Q-town and Coach Donnelly. Everyone has been saying that Q-town hasn’t played anyone …….well the BIG BOYS (CB South) came to town and left with their tails dragging. I had two former coaches of mine (at CBW) see the game, and both said it was no fluke. They said Q-town outhit the Titans of CB South and moved the ball offensively on the ground (Latronica 18 for 136 yds, 2 TD). South countered with career games by both QB Tom Johns (18-34, 374 yards, 4 TDs) and receiver Mike Doty, the GA transfer who caught 11 balls for 229 yards and three scores. In the end, South had a chance to win it but missed a field goal, and QUAKERTOWN goes to 5-1 in the record column. What a great job Coach Donnelly and his staff are doing. Q-town will have to step up a whole another level to compete with NORTH PENN this week. That’s the beauty of high school football…….you just never know.
ABINGTON 42 – CR SOUTH 21….The words I’m hearing coming out of the NATIONAL division is “watch out for Abington!” I must admit that I picked CR SOUTH to beat ABINGTON in the Suburban One Sports web site poll. Wow, was I wrong!! I haven’t seen them play yet and look forward to it soon. I hear they have size, speed and great skill positions. The difference maker this year is their defense. Coach Colin (the “D” coordinator) has them playing their gaps, and, of course, they can run and hit. They’ve been playing people tough and scoring a lot of points on “O.” The next step is to beat Pennsbury, get into the playoffs and make noise. Coach Sorber and the Ghosts of Abington (now at 5-1) could be the surprise team of the playoffs.
ANOTHER CB WEST PLAYER IN THE COACHING RANKS: Paul Picciotti, great linebacker and tight end who played on the ‘95 and ‘96 teams with Travis Blomgren, Dennis Cliggett and Jim O’Neil. Paul went to Rhode Island where he broke the record for career tackles from his MLB spot. He has been coaching the linebackers at Altoona High School for the last three years after a one-year stint at Neshaminy under Mark Schmidt. Best of luck to you, Paul!
EXCITING PLAYERS I’VE SEEN. This week’s HONOR ROLL:
Devon Passman (CB East), running back who is just tough and gutsy. Great balance and leg strength, he willed his team to come from behind and beat Pennridge with 18 seconds left when he scored off left tackle. Love watching football…..Go see this guy play. He’s SPECIAL!
Kyle Bernard (CB East), honestly one of the best QBs I’ve seen this whole year. Strong arm, level head and his accuracy is something to behold. Play after play he put the ball in the catching zone (usually right on the hands), whether it was a slant route, crossing pattern or long fly pattern. Will only get better as the season goes on.
Chris Harmon (CB East), 6’ 3” receiver who goes after the ball! Great athlete who can run and jump with soft hands. Developing game after game. In the Pennridge game skied high to catch ball at the goal line for a TD. Is a major matchup problem for opposing defenses.
Brad Herrmann (Pennridge), very athletic QB who runs the show for the Rams. Combo runner and passer who has great desire to win. Flat out tough. Father played football for CB West in the ‘70s. Ran for 129 yards and a TD and passed for 42 yards and a TD. Pennridge will go as far as Herrmann takes them the rest of the season!
Anthony Gonzales (Bethlehem Liberty), outstanding junior QB who is a major D1 prospect in the future. 6’ 2”, 195 lbs with outstanding speed and a GUN for an arm. Gonzales who throws left handed is the team’s best runner and probably their best DB on defense (he really comes up and hits you!). He’s so good he could literally carry Liberty a long way in the playoffs.
Devon Street (Bethlehem Liberty), WR who has committed to Pitt (only had five catches last year but went to Pitt’s summer football camp). 6’ 2” who runs a 4.4 40. Comes off the line with a burst and closes the cushion fast on the DB. Nice hands, who - when he makes the catch - knows how to take the rock to the end zone. Street is a difference maker! There’s only one guy who can cover him in Eastern Pa…. and he plays for NORTH PENN.
THE REAL TOP TEN (forget the points…these are the best teams NOW)
1) NORTH PENN
2) MALVERN PREP
3) CARDINAL O’HARA
4) ST JOE’S PREP
5) RIDLEY
6) LASALLE
7) WEST CATHOLIC
8) GARNET VALLEY
9) NESHAMINY
10 )PENNSBURY
That’s it! I promise I’ll answer some of your questions soon. Keep them coming. The coach Pettine interview will also be coming, so send me any questions you have for him. Only the tough ones!!! Until later…..keep the hits coming! There’s no game in America like high school football.
COACH CAREY
COACH CAREY