Can Westerville North turn it around?

[Eric Frantz]

Since finishing 5-5 in 2005, Westerville North has gone 6-44 and has dropped 25 straight games.

[wilson ball]

Ouch! Big question! What a " Powerhouse" Westerville North was at one time. It would be nice to see for the kids .. get the program in the right direction again.

[Squirmydog]

Ouch! Big question! What a " Powerhouse" Westerville North was at one time. It would be nice to see for the kids .. get the program in the right direction again.Good point. WNHS was strong at basically every sport in the '80s when I was at South. What happened?

[Webko]

The football program fell apart. Poor coaching. Lack of committment from the kids. Lack of support from the community.

It takes a crew of good coaches to steer the committment from the players. The community only supports winners. Not an easy process. But I think it would be a great program for a young coach to cut his teeth into. I feel there is so much untapped talent in Westerville. I wish 'em luck!

[Eric Frantz]

I remember covering Lancaster a decade ago and Westerville North was solid. Surprising. But guess everything is cyclical.

[te88]

What happened, a 3rd High School and open enrollment in the westerville district.

[TheGriff]

And an AD who has NO CLUE.

[tcsoup]

WN if all the kids stick together has a pretty solid class of frosh coming in next year. WS and now WC Are going to remain strong in Westerville for the next 3-4 years.
It all comes down to Commitment and Coaching. Every kid in Westerville and their parents know that at South Rocky and his staff are very solid and produce winners. And more important are committ to the progam long term.
The Coach at Central beginning this year will be Coaching his kids not any left over from Fresch and he has installed his system and disipline which the kids are buying into. Bottom line he has changed the culture and they are starting to believe they can win.
WN needs the same committ from its Adminstration and Coaching staff. For Football.
They have above avg. Teams in Cross Country and Track.

[Walking Boss]

I'd like to see the AD put a few definite 'W's on the non-OCC schedule. They really need to end "the streak", IMHO. That thing just feeds on itself, and I am not sure they have anyone they can beat on their schedule this year, either. The Cardinal is on an uptick, overall, IMO. Olentangy, Marysville, and Scioto are looking to be stronger this year. Jerome maybe North's best shot at a victory this year, but I think the Wilson Bro's will be enough for the Celts to notch a victory.

Both Wisconsin and Kansas State turned around long suffering programs by scheduling very soft non-conference games for many years. They turned 1-10 seasons into 4-7 seasons then built on that. I think if North were to end the streak and then start picking up 3 or 4 wins a year, they'd get more kids out of the hallways and on to the playing field. Just my two cents, but I think ending the streak is huge.

[cthelites]

Is Owens the HC still?
I think he is a good coach.
Surprised he hasnt gotten a win there yet.
I think Bradley was interested in him.
He did a great job at Darby as the OC.
I actually thought he would have been the most logical choice for Darbys HC when Jenne stepped down, but Santagata has done a more than solid job dealing with our decimated #s from the split w Bradley.

[BuckBlitz]

Can they turn it around?..................no freaken way !

[31card]

This year will be very interesting...a couple of new faces on the staff..more kids out..make it happen!! Go Warriors!

[Walking Boss]

This year will be very interesting...a couple of new faces on the staff..more kids out..make it happen!! Go Warriors!

I think Kilbourne and Jerome will be their best shots at a victory this year. Hopefully they can end the streak. Work hard boys!

[covercorner]

Will they turn it around anytime soon? No.

[Moose73]

Seems like ever since Ron Balconi left, they haven't been the same. And that was well before Central opened.

[50Shade]

I heard WN hired Mario Jackson from Hilliard Bradley. If this is true? They will be better at WN. He knows offense and they will score points. Bradley's defense was the problem. Good luck WN!

[31card]

yes..Mario is on board!! That is great news for the warriors. Good luck!

[Walking Boss]

yes..Mario is on board!! That is great news for the warriors. Good luck!

Hired as an Assistant or HC?

[nsc126]

I saw North play last year at both Varsity and JV Level. Did not appear to be much talent out there, but maybe they develop. They absolutely could not throw the ball at either level.

[57chevy]

How have they done is passing scrimmages? Do they have linemen coming back or up thru the system?

[Walking Boss]

I saw North play last year at both Varsity and JV Level. Did not appear to be much talent out there, but maybe they develop. They absolutely could not throw the ball at either level.


They were competitive moved the ball well early last year the first two weeks against Kilbourne and Groveport, two middle-of-the-road central Ohio teams. That was with kalen King at QB running the option. He broke his hand in the GM game, I believe, and couldn't play Offense the rest of the reason. The wheels really came off after that.

It is going to be a long, slow road back for these guys. I hope they have patience.

[silverknight4li]

Mike Owens has put together a great coaching staff and I look for them to turn things around this season in Westerville.

[Walking Boss]

Mike Owens has put together a great coaching staff and I look for them to turn things around this season in Westerville.

A good coaching staff is a great start, but the cupboard is extremely bare there, IMHO. As bad as the Varsity was, I think the JV and Frosh were actually worse. While I am hopeful that they can indeed turn things around there, I just can't share your optimism for any meaningful short-term turnaround. I hope I'm wrong though.

[citybuck]

Freshman numbers are up from the past few years, that should be good for the future.

[Kill0331]

Freshman numbers are up from the past few years, that should be good for the future.

Just because the numbers are up doesn't mean things will turn around. The question is, do they have any talent?

[Kill0331]

2011 Schedule....2010 Results

Worthington Kilbourne: 19-34
Groveport-Madison: 22-29
Olentangy Orange: 0-35
Dublin Jerome: 0-42
Westerville Central: 7-33
Dublin Scioto: 14-26
Olentangy Liberty: 0-34
Westerville South: 0-56
Marysville: 9-28
Olentangy: 12-44

[Walking Boss]

Kill: I see Kilbourne and Jerome as North's only shots at victories this year.

Heading in to '12, week 1 has to be a different team because WKHS is moving to the Cardinal and will be an OCC game for North (not sure about GM and OO, but I hope the AD gets them off the schedule as well). I hope to God that the North AD takes the opportunity to put a cream puff on the schedule week 1.

I think ending the winless streak is huge. While it may ultimately feel better if they ended the streak the old fashioned way, I for one would have no problem if they took the easier way out and did it by scheduling a cream puff. It is going to take a few years for them to turn it around.

[citybuck]

Just because the numbers are up doesn't mean things will turn around. The question is, do they have any talent?

I never said because that numbers are up they will win...I just said the Freshman class is much bigger than the past few season's.

I know last year WN was very low in numbers from 9-12, much lower than most OCC schools.

[Kill0331]

I never said because that numbers are up they will win...I just said the Freshman class is much bigger than the past few season's.

I know last year WN was very low in numbers from 9-12, much lower than most OCC schools.

Actually you said good for future. It might not good for the future at all.

[citybuck]

Actually you said good for future. It might not good for the future at all.

Wow, get a life bud !

[Walking Boss]

Kill: Kill, buddy, while I'll agree that numbers aren't 'everything', they certainly aren't 'nothing' (meaningless) either. For a program like Westerville North, seeing increasing participation numbers (in the face of a 25 game losing streak) is a pretty big deal. Increase numbers, bring in some new, enthusiastic coaches. Win a few frosh games. Start building upon that.

Numbers do matter, otherwise they wouldn't bother measuring enrollment.

[Kill0331]

Wow, get a life bud !

Relax man. I was just pointing that out. Just because they have 70 kids might not mean they are going to improve. Now if they have some talent in there than yes they will improve. But having numbers won't just bring wins.

[Kill0331]

Kill: Kill, buddy, while I'll agree that numbers aren't 'everything', they certainly aren't 'nothing' (meaningless) either. For a program like Westerville North, seeing increasing participation numbers (in the face of a 25 game losing streak) is a pretty big deal. Increase numbers, bring in some new, enthusiastic coaches. Win a few frosh games. Start building upon that.

Numbers do matter, otherwise they wouldn't bother measuring enrollment.

Groveport Madison had alot of players back in the day when they lost something like 24 in a row. They just didn't have much talent or dedication. The thing that changed is Tim Brown and he started weeding out some of the poison and they have turned things around.

[Walking Boss]

Groveport Madison had alot of players back in the day when they lost something like 24 in a row. They just didn't have much talent or dedication. The thing that changed is Tim Brown and he started weeding out some of the poison and they have turned things around.

Groveport Madison was one of the highest enrollment schools in Central Ohio back then, and the only high school in the district. It stands to reason that they would have high numbers.

Westerville North is a very different situation. They are a much smaller school. They are one of 3 high schools in the district and the district has de facto open enrollment. GM vs. WN is an apples to oranges situation. The only thing they had in common was a long losing streak. Groveport was a much easier turnaround job than North will be, in my opinion.

"Increasing numbers", in such a situation, in the face of a 25 game losing streak, is a big deal, no matter how you slice it. Do increasing numbers automatically = more victories? No. But no one has said that. All people have said is that it is a good sign. If you are going to continue to try to argue that improved numbers are meaningless, you seem intent on arguing for the sake of argument, so I'll just move on. I've got better things to do.

[Kill0331]

Groveport Madison was one of the highest enrollment schools in Central Ohio back then, and the only high school in the district. It stands to reason that they would have high numbers.

Westerville North is a very different situation. They are a much smaller school. They are one of 3 high schools in the district and the district has de facto open enrollment. GM vs. WN is an apples to oranges situation. The only thing they had in common was a long losing streak. Groveport was a much easier turnaround job than North will be, in my opinion.

"Increasing numbers", in such a situation, in the face of a 25 game losing streak, is a big deal, no matter how you slice it. Do increasing numbers automatically = more victories? No. But no one has said that. All people have said is that it is a good sign. If you are going to continue to try to argue that improved numbers are meaningless, you seem intent on arguing for the sake of argument, so I'll just move on. I've got better things to do.

I'm not saying that getting more kids out is bad thing it is a good thing. But like I said just because they have more kids out doesn't meant they are going to turn this around. Do I hope they do? Yes I do for the sake of the kids. I might have read something wrong but it seemed like people were thinking just because they have more kids they are going to start winning ball games. All I was saying is there has to be some talent in that group for them to start to turn things around. Sorry Boss for any confusion.

[31Trap]

For those of you that question the coaching staff, trust me, that its not the problem. They have a great staff with plenty of success and playoff appearances at the other schools they've coached at, the difference is depth and talent. WN was decimated by injuries last season and a lack of depth. Anyone that knows the history and caliber of the coaches on this staff knows it is not an issue of coaching. You have to have a mix of talent and coaching to compete.

[yourmove]

For those of you that question the coaching staff, trust me, that its not the problem. They have a great staff with plenty of success and playoff appearances at the other schools they've coached at, the difference is depth and talent. WN was decimated by injuries last season and a lack of depth. Anyone that knows the history and caliber of the coaches on this staff knows it is not an issue of coaching. You have to have a mix of talent and coaching to compete.

Or maybe those coaches success at the other schools had to do with the talent they had and not their coaching. I'm not saying North doesn't have good coaches but just because they have been on successful teams in the past doesn't make them good coaches.

After seeing W. North's defense and offense last year I would say there was a mix of the lack of talent along with bad scheme and execution.

[31Trap]

Actually what you said is the point I was trying to make. Of course they had more talent at the other places they coached when they had success, no question about that. And thats what i am saying is that a definite lack of talent is the issue at north in my honest opinion. I know more about the offensive coaches at WN and they know what they are doing. Mix good coaching with talent and you have success.

[Walking Boss]

Actually what you said is the point I was trying to make. Of course they had more talent at the other places they coached when they had success, no question about that. And thats what i am saying is that a definite lack of talent is the issue at north in my honest opinion. I know more about the offensive coaches at WN and they know what they are doing. Mix good coaching with talent and you have success.

Trapper: Save the oxygen. I've learned in a pretty short period of time that 'yourmove' isn't worth the time or energy. Tons of opinions, little substance. No-value-added type Huddler. Best to ignore. As someone once said, don't feed it...maybe it will do away.

It is idiotic to suggest that the "scheme" had anything to do with North's troubles last year. They could have had Urbam Meyer and Bill Walsh making the playbook and they would have been 0-10 last year. I personally think they were very smart installing the offense they did last year. If I remember correctly, they tried to install a spread in '09 (I think they threw 6 ints vs. Scioto). Last year was more veer/option, which was pretty effective when they have Kalen King running the show. IMO, you can make up for a talent shortage by installing an assignment-football type system like the veer/midline. That is how Navy and Airforce have remained competitive.

[coach1974]

The freshman team started two a days with 34 players and ended it with 42. They scrimmaged johnstown saturday and it ended 1-1. the previous two years ended in a combined 9 tds to 0 Johnstown. Both of those freshman teams ended the season with 16 players. I know its freshman football but its a start.

[Squirmydog]

The freshman team started two a days with 34 players and ended it with 42. They scrimmaged johnstown saturday and it ended 1-1. the previous two years ended in a combined 9 tds to 0 Johnstown. Both of those freshman teams ended the season with 16 players. I know its freshman football but its a start.That's a good nugget to buid on. I am a Westerville South grad, but I would like see all Westerville schools do well. This pains me to say, Go Warriors!

[Walking Boss]

The freshman team started two a days with 34 players and ended it with 42. They scrimmaged johnstown saturday and it ended 1-1. the previous two years ended in a combined 9 tds to 0 Johnstown. Both of those freshman teams ended the season with 16 players. I know its freshman football but its a start.

Coach: Good to hear. Both for the kids in the North program and North's opponents. Multiple years of 0-10 isn't good for anyone. Its nice to hear they're on the right track.

[yourmove]

Trapper: Save the oxygen. I've learned in a pretty short period of time that 'yourmove' isn't worth the time or energy. Tons of opinions, little substance. No-value-added type Huddler. Best to ignore. As someone once said, don't feed it...maybe it will do away.

It is idiotic to suggest that the "scheme" had anything to do with North's troubles last year. They could have had Urbam Meyer and Bill Walsh making the playbook and they would have been 0-10 last year. I personally think they were very smart installing the offense they did last year. If I remember correctly, they tried to install a spread in '09 (I think they threw 6 ints vs. Scioto). Last year was more veer/option, which was pretty effective when they have Kalen King running the show. IMO, you can make up for a talent shortage by installing an assignment-football type system like the veer/midline. That is how Navy and Airforce have remained competitive.

Idiotic huh? No other scheme on both sides of the ball would have made them just a tad more competitive? But Boss, you then suggest in your opinion the Navy and Airforce systems make less talented teams more competitive? I don't believe W. North ran those systems. So are you saying its "idiotic" to think some other system would have made them a little more competitive or are you saying a system they did not run would have made them more competitive? Which is it?

I forgot I'm not worth discussing football with because I don't use IMHO or IMO to intro my arguments.

[coach1974]

Thank you Boss and Dog. Good looking out Dog, coach Pentello does a fantastic job over there. Go Westerville!!!!

[57chevy]

Not that it really matters but I thought Johnstown scored on the last play to make it 2 to 1 Johnnies?

[coach1974]

57 your right but against Norths 3s. 1s and 2s against 1s and 2s ended 1-1. By the way 57 if you are from Johnstown no better man than coach Carter. We were hired on the same day in 1987 at Westerville North and good luck Johnstown!!!

[Walking Boss]

Idiotic huh? No other scheme on both sides of the ball would have made them just a tad more competitive? But Boss, you then suggest in your opinion the Navy and Airforce systems make less talented teams more competitive? I don't believe W. North ran those systems. So are you saying its "idiotic" to think some other system would have made them a little more competitive or are you saying a system they did not run would have made them more competitive? Which is it?

Can you read? Both Navy and AF run systems built on the option/veer. That is what North ran, at least when Kalen King was healthy. If his replacement was not capable of running it in its pure form, this would again be a sympton of a green/thin team. There was nothing inconsistent in my post. It did require some degree of reading comprehension, perhaps that is where it lost you.

I forgot I'm not worth discussing football with because I don't use IMHO or IMO to intro my arguments.

Correction, you are not worth arguing with because you are a simpleton and spew forth nothing of value, irrespective of your use of "IMHO" or "IMO" or lack there of.

[yourmove]

Boss,

Air Force and Navy have traditionally ran the triple option offense and W. North definitely did not run the triple option this past season. If they did then it was only weeks 1 and 2.

Question, what offensive system is not "assignment-football type" ? I didn't know that the "veer/midline" is the only "assignment football type" offensive system out there?

Now maybe you meant that the veer/midline offensive system causes defenses to play more "assignment type" football than other offensive systems, and if defenses have more talent but lack the discipline to play assignment football a lesser talented offense can be more competitive running veer/midline.

I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that is what you meant. But I'm sure you will respond with some rant about how I don't know how to read and I offer nothing of value.

One last question, what type of offensive system is the Wing-T ?