SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Boys Varsity Soccer Fort Mill vs. Dutch Fork

Hey

Your pal Vinnie Jones here.

Just a thought to you folks about the game last night on the pitch at Fort Mill

Those boys were all over the shop... Neither team looked to 'ave it!
Not sure bout the #1 ranked Dutch Fork team. Their skill was as rare as hen's teeth. Some work to do there boys to be the true article.
An I passed on a good beano last night for this watch?
I was pretty cheesed off thinking I was going to veiw a good game last night, very dischuffed at the time.
You certainly made a complete bollocks of this game.
I had a better time taking care of my bills online Friday night versus watching this show.
Thank you Bank of America.

I did get to see a couple of my boys and a Mick last night. Now those boys know how to coach! They may have a couple muppets over there but their sound as a pound.
That Northwestern teams a stone bonker...
Not sure about the jellies the coaches were wearing though...

Good luck NW

wow.. nice commentary

"that northwestern teams a stone bonker" ..good stuff.

Didn't think game that bad for first scrimmage of season and FM having 3 frosh and 2 soph on field during portions of game. Wait until they jell! Are you jellin?

FM fielded a young team and they held their own very well against DF. DF had a goal called back for offsides off a restart that was questionable.

As Dr. Jones reports above, NW players and staff were in attendance and didn't look too worried.

DF is strong. All their players are good. Because of what they did last year they deserve to be ranked # 1.

They do not have "superstars" as Irmo and Northwestern. But they have enough talent to go all the way. Believe me, they have everything a Coach need!

They may not be in the best shape, they may lose a couple of games. But they're def the top contender. When DF comes out with their best formation and their best players... they'll beat anybody, and I mean anybody.

As an DF Alumni I do expect to see them in the State Championship. Of course, Irmo will be tough, Irmo is always tough! We'll see.

Feno,

The folks at Northwestern appreciate your last post.

Thanks. ;>)

Feno,

Ah chap.. nice post...

Guess we'll see at the Lake Murray tourney on the pitch.

It will be unfortunant that DF won't be playing for the final on that day mate...

13-0 kiss on those Clover muppets tonite with the starters playing half the game for NW.
I think my boys are ready to roll.

I wouldn't be too worry about the LMC. When it comes to the real deal, the number 1 ranked would show their stuff. Smart Coaches save their best for last, the State is what really matters. Remember, DF is not a dinasty like Irmo. So there is not much pressure in the Foxes side.

I think DF is capable and the boys know it too. Their schedule is strong, they have a trip to Italy and they have Dany (Dany can ball). I would be surprise if they dont win the state this year. If anybody gets if their way, that would be the boys from the other side of the town, Irmo.

I mean Irmo is still the big dog.

I would have to see NW playing to understand better where your ideas comes from.

LMC could be a good test, although DF should be more worry about the big one. Its about time the Foxes get what our respected program its been looking for the past 3 years, bc we've been good since 2003!

We'll see dude, Irmo-DF would be a battle, thats the kind of HS ball you don't want to miss. We'll see if NW brings some good stuff to the game.

ONE BIG LOVE, ONE BIG PASSION, ITS CALLED FUTBOL!

Feno,

Take off your Cola-area colored glasses and get a glimpse of reality.

Northwestern is loaded.

They play the find of futbol you love...with creative goalscorers like Arroyo and Enzo up top.

They play the kind of futbol you hate.....with waves of talented athletes coming at you high-pressure, and choking the life out of you before the match reaches the half.

Clover had the cobra around it's neck last night and it wasn't pretty. Don't let the "soft" schedule fool you. The Trojans are the real deal.

Man, "I say what I see."

Irmo is almost always in the Championship. They got the best HS Coach in the nation. They have 3 of the top SC ballers. My boy Acree would show you some good stuff. Acree is a true baller!

Looking at DF last year with 1 Senior starting, making it to lower state... you want to talk about being loaded? I am not the only one who knows that.

The two schools from our area are taking soccer to the next level. "Back to Back" "We/Me"

NW could be the deal, but I'll go for my boys in town. For the most "talented" team in the State, and for most prestigious soccer program in SC. I wouldn't count neither (DF or Irmo) out untill the real competition begins.

If NW is bringing some game to the circle, we'll see it in the State championship, not in a Pre-season Tournament or in the rankings...

Again, "I say what I see," everybody knows that DF is the "powerhouse" this year, and I don't think the Foxes are going to let that one go. DF its been working for that one for a long time. I have a feeling that this year the Foxes bring the big one home. I just think its that time of the year.

All this chest thumping is quite humorous.


Dutch Fork will no doubt be good, but given the depth of the lowerstate teams, I wouldn't go and buy my tickets to see DF play in the championship game just yet. Pre-season hype is just that - Hype. We'll see if they have what it takes to get to the championship.

As for NW, even though I think that they have the best chance of all teams to get to the championship, I wouldn't count them in either. Their coach is new and unproven, (yes, I know the line that he was an assistant of Finotti). I wouldn't start praising Enzo (or any other Freshman for that matter) until he can show that he can consistantly play with the big dogs. No disrespect Hurst, but throttling Clover says absolutely nothing.

Like most pre-season championship predictions, I doubt that both teams will make the finals.

CFlag,

You said "both", not "either". Glad you are still on board.

Early and time will tell, but NW is for real!

I hear Enzo was not playing with the Northwestern team???? Any truth to that?

I heard he was guest playing for a team in fayetteville

Ah mate... Enzo scored a terrific goal against Clover the other night..

Not for Fayetteville...

So Vinnie let me get this straight.

NW was bound to be successful because of talent, so Finotti must have only been a figure head.
I am reading from your comments that they failed to win state because of direction? did they lack direction or was it not pointed the right way?

Please enlighten me as to how the staff is as good as last years with Finotti leaving?

Coach Finotti is fondly remembered by players, staff, parents and administration at Northwestern High School. What he did for the program will never be forgotten. Much of this I witnessed first hand.

Northwestern players have been asked to refrain from posting on this message board. I believe this to be in the best interests of the Trojan soccer program.

Yours in sport

Dominic Wren
Northwestern High School Boys Head Soccer Coach

The emphasis here is being taken away from the Northwestern team and being put on the coaches. Should not be that way. Let's have some class.

Shame on a @@@@@@@ that trys to run game on a @@@@@!

Wouldn't y say Nino and Loc?

Swingin swords comin at ya!!!

Man plese does my name say pretty ricky??? No This ain't no Nel;ly video, this is the WU . Kickman you might want to stay in Hampton w/ toby kieth or sumptin.

Man go back to the Burbs. Here BOY I am Western Unioning you a Clue. WU TANG CLAN AIN"T NUTTIN TO **** wit!

WU - Winthrop University?

RZA,
Ricky is a one hit wonder- like Rockwell and Biz Markie. He ain't got nothing else to say.

RIP ODB.Pour some out.

No entiendo.... ("comprendo" to you yanks)

The Dutch Fork-Northwestern argument will continue to go one forever unless 1 of 3 things occur: 1. The teams meet head to head in a tourney; 2. The season is over; 3. One team completely implodes. The reason the debate will not end until one of these happens is because both teams are some seemingly similar on paper. Both teams only lost one major contributor from teams that both lost in the state semifinals. The major differences being Northwestern has an unproven coach.
It is true that the Northwestern coach is in his first year, but did Finotti (a great coach I might add) have any high school head coaching experience when he took the job at Northwestern? Give the coaching edge for now to Dutch Fork because of experience. Both teams are loaded with talent, but Northwestern returns the state player of the year in Arroyo (granted a very controversial award. I personally believe Geathers should have won). Give the returning talent edge to Northwestern. Finally, the debate about strength of schedule arises. Dutch Fork seemingly has a tough schedule because their region contains perennial powerhouses Irmo, Spring Valley, and Ridgeview, but even though Northwestern’s region schedule is weak props should be given to the coaching staff/AD for atleast scheduling a tough non-conference schedule (playing in 2 best state tourneys plus @ Eastside, Dorman). The schedule edge goes to Dutch Fork, but this early in the season it is tough to determine if this will be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the character of the team and whether they can ever get out of Irmo’s shadow. A team with good character gets better by playing tough competition while a team with poor character loses confidence and suffers by it. Which team if either will finish on top? Only time will tell.

Let me give my opinion on this Northwestern thing. If you look at the last 15-20 of Northwestern soccer they have always been successful no matter who the coach was. Not their fault, but they play in a very weak are of the state and have always gotten all or most of the talent from the surrounding clubs. So in spight of what Dom Wren or any other soccer coach does at Northwestern they will be successful. You could take someone with little experience and Northwestern would win because of their location, competition level and talent.

Like always chaps, someone always takes the argument out of context.

As my point to the statement there "LOC" !? was to point out the performance of the NW team will have no down fall, limitations, failures, etc. this season because coach Finotti left!!!!!!

AND, we are talking about highschool soccer not Premier league ball or college.

When you have a team that was 25-2 last year with one senior starter leaving, 3 juniors leading the state in scoring and the player of the year on the team - now having 15+ senior laden team I feel the coach leaving will have little effect.

There was never a statement that Finotti wasn't a great coach at the school, I just think based on the overwhelming talent available at the school, the thought that losing your head coach will kill a team is over-rated.

And the new coaching staff is chomping at the bit to prove themselves at the same time...
So don't get so carried away with your out of context thoughts, or read too far into something that just isn't there...

If you want me to give you a call I will!

Taking nothing away from the DF coach, but WRen has coached the game at a high level. His club team won the Premier league East- you have no idea the competition of this league- has gone to regionals, he played at a D1 school, has licenses, so I think they will be OK. I have a problem with calling out and running coaches down.

Danny, Vinnie,or whoever you are, your coach said that Northwestern players were not to get on the board. What gives?

Danny Meehan, apparently a coach has nothing to do with the game, does it? The experience for NW does look promising but since Coach Finotti has been there... NW has been doiminant, before that, just average with a good team here and there. So can you explain why when they've had this leadership in the past they weren't going to state championships? I think the coach does matter.

Gentlemen, Gentlemen..

So what is your point? Or better yet, from what my post stated, how did you get to the conclusion that I was a player, or at any point said the coach does not matter...!?

Again, your missing my point... It only was against the statement that because Finotti left that the team would be suspect versus if he stayed. I wanted to put that to bed...

1986 09-05-01
1987 10-04-02
1988 08-07-00
1989 08-03-06 2AAAA
1990 14-04-01 2AAAA
1991 17-03-01 2AAAA
1992 12-05-00 2AAAA
1993 09-07-00
1994 08-11-00
1995 15-06-00 2AAAA
1996 14-05-00 2AAAA
1997 17-03-00 2AAAA
1998 19-03-00 2AAAA
1999 19-06-00
2000 15-09-00
2001 09-14-00
2002 18-03-01
2003 23-02-00 3AAAA
2004 24-04-00 3AAAA
2005 25-02-00 3AAAA

And I don't know but they sure look better in the past than just average with a good team here or there.

Well since Coach Finotti has arrived, NW has been pretty stellar. Before then... I will once again say average, maybe a little better then average but not much. Other than '97, '98 the team has not been too great before Coach Finotti, unless you go back to the '80s. Losses of 9, 6, 5, 6, 11, 7, 5 are definately average years. But I guess if you settle for mediocrity, then those years are good.

Yea, you make a good point p u s s y cat!

I don't think that 19-6, 19-3, 17-3, 14-5, 15-6, 17-3, 14-4 are mediocure at best...

That's a total of 115-30 and 8 2AAAA championships on top of the 3 3AAAA one's.

Hmmm, yea well, your right mate... I don't mind being mediocure right now...

I guess you are right, playing in a powerhouse of a region like you do, those losses are good. Why don't you come play year in and year out in the regions around Columbia with the teams like Ridgeview, Spring Valley, Irmo, Dutch Fork. I am sure that y'all are playing high caliber teams like those every year.

Danny Meehan, and for the record, i didn't se a 19-6 record anywhere in your listings... is that made up? And if you noticed, i didn't list any of the 3 loss seasons or the 4 loss seasons in my mediocre years. On the other hand, it just proves my last point that you can have 5 and 6 losses and still win region championships. But I guess I should let this one rest because it is obvious that before Coach Finotti, NW settled for mediocre years.

Dude,

Give it up...

A couple things come to mind about your responses...
Your from the lower state (sorry for this). Your an Alumn from a team NW rolls over every year or when they play you (sorry again). You have alot of pent up aggression about NW...
I really don't see your point because other that Irmo, there are very few teams that have had the overall success through their seasons.

Yea, maybe they have not won the overall glory of a title, but the year in year out success for wins vs. losses is pretty good.
You know there is always down years because of talent but there are only a couple years that you see this swing on their records.
If you diss the schedules in the past years, then you diss all the teams that had to play them also.

AND for your knowledge!!! NOBODY wanted to play them this year. That is why you might say there is a weaker than norm schedule. AND I will agree with this but if you can't get the other schools to play, you really have no choice in the matter...

"Yea, maybe they have not won the overall glory of a title" ----- thats unfortunate

Danny

are you on staff? how do you know that no one wanted to play them?

I'm sure he's not on the staff.


The argument that nobody wants to play them is absurd unless you are talking about lower level soccer schools, and I really don't think that NW is trying to pad up their schedule with too many of those teams. Good coaching staffs like NW like to play quality teams. More likely it has more to do with the overall weakness of region play and the promximity of good opponents.

It's kind of funny how someone can make a statement like that when teams like Irmo, who actually have won the championship many times, have no trouble in scheduling quality opponents.

CF

Thats what I was getting at. There are probably some reasons why the schedule is weak, but its not because teams did not want to play them. and yes, their region is awful. FM is weaker this year than last.

Finally, an understanding of why the 5 and 6 loss seasons are mediocre. It is because of the schedule that NW plays. And for the record, I don't think that ANYONE is scared to play good opponents. Most teams in the state would love to play teams that are at the top of the board. I can garuntee you that any top level team is far from scared to play NW, in any year.

how can you say that NW's schedule is weak when they play:

Dreher #8 3A
Irmo #3 4A(most likey in 2nd game lake murry)
Eastside#3 3A
Dorman #8 4A
Ft.Mill#10 4A(twice)
Summerville #11 4A
Socastee #4 3A
Daniel #9 3A
Cardinal Newman #3 SCISA
Plus the other teams TBA at tournaments

thank you kickman, some people on here just lose sight of what the original comment that was made is. I think that the schedule rating says what it needs to. You would think that a top teir team would be playing schedule rating in the top 5 every year if they wanted to call themselves the greatest. And don't anyone come on here and say they don't have control because they have all the control of out of region games. And most years they don't schedule tough games.

You think it's easy for Northwestern and Fort Mill to schedule non-league games with Wando, West Ashley, Summerville, James Island, Hilton Head and South Aiken? Bus travel is expensive. JV games start at 5:30....school gets out at 3:30. What time do you want them to depart....and whose paying for it?

As for "dodging" Ridgeview, Spring Valley, Spartanburg and Dorman....it wasn't that long ago that Northwestern was in the same region as these teams.

Varsity and Junior Varsity are different teams and therefore are able to play different schedules. Since they are not one team, there is an ability for the Varsity to travel and the Junior Varsity to play at home against a local different opponent. Once again you speak about bus travel and again, most schools are funded for a specified amount of trips and therefore the school would pay for those trips as long as the amount of the trips were not exceeded from the previous specified amount. So Northwestern does have the ability to travel to these teams. They also have the ability to set up a home-away game just like many college teams do with their out of conference games. So as for "dodging" they may not be directly dodging but they definately have a chance to increase their opponent strength.

Hey,

I don't have to be on the staff fella's...

Believe me, It was very tough this year to schedule games and it's been noted that NW volunteered to even travel.

But, seriously though... I would love to watch NW play South Akien each year. Not sure how they get away with playing us in the post season but GA teams in the regular season....

And tigerboy, unless your funding these trip, Hurst is correct. It is not as easy as you state.