Friday Night Lights For South High JV Vs. Doherty High JV Turns Out To Be A Classic!

I think I mentioned the word magic this season a few times to different people. Just some of the spots I have found myself in this with this team, it's starting to make sense. To follow an organization fully, you have to know the future. St. Johns, St. Paul, all these funded teams in the state have Freshman teams, and just a huge depth chart to compete. This is the beginning for this city. Ground Level. The more kids who want to play for our teams, and come to our city schools, and have the same opportunity as these suburbia teams and so forth, this is what it is all about. This game that happened last night, I couldn't be more proud that I was in attendance for this.

So from minute one I have been telling people to check out this team, but more so, check out the direction Worcester High School Sports are going. Our backbone is finally starting to shine through. Earlier this year I'm sure many of you saw T and G's Rich Garven put the article about very minor altercation that happened after the Doherty Vs South High Varsity game. It actually had nothing to do with either school but per usual, they want to spread the negative public school narrative and who better to do it with than South High. The old T and G faithful non sense. If the robotic media in this area code would take a minute and study the coaching that's happening here, the foundation of which is being built. Pride and Respect are being restored to our city. This game last night? Makes me want to start a "Where is Garven?" chant.

Well Rich. Grab your notepad and take some notes. Here's what you missed yesterday. So even before we get the nitty gritty here let's start with a shout to #4, D'Andre McLeod who battled back from an ACL injury to play in this game. A Junior Varsity end of the year, seemingly meaningless to most, but this kid wanted nothing more than to play in this game after he was medically cleared. There was some chatter about him playing in this game, possibly an unnecessary risk, but he was medically cleared, and wanted to be on that field. Performed quite nicely I might add, and looking forward to watching him join his teammates on this journey. Well done D'Andre!

Now we all know that Junior Varsity Football is basically instructional to get these kids ready to play the big games when their times come. The idea to let these kids play under the Friday Night lights of Foley Stadium is phenomenal. Neither team squandered this opportunity and it was magic. One of the most competitive games I have ever witnessed in person at any level. From minute one, it was not sloppy educational football. This was two city rivals that wanted to win this game from the top of the coaching ladder to the last kid on the bench. There was just a different feel to it. Both teams executed well. Both teams played with heart. I believe the Varsity teams from both sides were there, and running waters out to the JV kids. I watched the Colonels Varsity squad screaming and cheering their squad and it hit home. This is what it used to be like. These kids have each others backs like something I haven't seen since the old South High days. They were all having a blast but here's the underlying. You can tell how much these kid's love this game. This is football. I watched a kid that is about to break records that Massachusetts has never seen before, running the sidelines with his teammates cheering on their junior predecessors. Across the field, Doherty was acting the same. It got heated. No one scored and that was not by any means a boring happening. Both defenses played max. Offenses had their chances. Just a no non sense grit and balls kind of game.

Now my Shamrock Sports 508 Player of The Game goes to #8 CJ Shivers. Somehow this kid came out last night playing like Deion Sanders. From beginning to end this dude was making monstrous plays. He had a one handed interception to stoop a deep Doherty Red Zone attempt. South's future Secondary is a huge bright spot, as is the rest of the team, but if there was one thing that could be improved for next season, this is that answer. The return of D'Andre McLeod along with the strong play of Quentin Reynolds, it looks bright. My runner up player's of this game, would have to go to D'Andre and multi-tooled QB #9 Logan Shattuck. I don't know where Logan will end up in this offense but as of right now it seems the kid is willing to play anywhere and do anything his coaches ask for. Scrambling most of the night he got out of some trouble with his feet, took a few tough hits, but did not quit, complain and performed very well with the weather conditions. Heart man. This Junior varsity team is buying into the program Coach Larose is leading.

Ok so let's get to what baffled me and I'll leave you poor people alone. You have a loud Foley Stadium. I don't think many people could leave this game due to the intensity and what was going on. It became a very special atmosphere but I found the outcome a teaching moment. The game was 0-0 and the kids were jawing at each other, respectfully. We get to the end of this game and you could just tell that no one in Foley Stadium would have been satisfied with a tie game. So they agreed on College rules and played on. The officials agreed to overtime and they spent it. I was in the mix with the kids on the sidelines just monitoring the atmosphere, obviously intense, but majorly respectful and a 2nd overtime was on the table. I didn't really understand what had happened but the Zebras walked out on this. They fucking walked. They witnessed the heart on display, were the only officials on hand and they walked. They should never officiate another game that they deem meaningless and failed. I won't drop names, but have to wonder, why you guys are even in the sport. A paycheck? That's insane. But that was your choice and I do believe you should re-evaluate your love for this sport and why you are even there to officiate this game. They should have recognized the magic that was happening and what kind of teaching moment they could have been a part of had they just stayed. I'll end that thought there. And any of the three referees that were at that game and would like to explain themselves are more than welcome. My final say on the matter is that was Busch Fucking League and you guys should re-evaluate.

Now, Mr. Garven. This is a direct message to you. Stop using the city schools as a scapegoat. Stop naming South High or any public school program as an article of interest because it's an easy sell. Come away from the safe zone and actually pay attention to what these Coaches here are doing and the struggles they are overcoming that the suburbs don't encounter. When those officials walked out on a gem of a game like this, it just gave us all a feeling like they could care less about this city, and being role models for these kids. It's sad and your articles are very misleading, almost an injustice to guys like Coach LaRose, and Doherty Coach Mulcahy who stepped up, grabbed whistles to finish this game out. That's what you teach kids. Those are role models. Worcester's Youth Coaches. Shame on yourself and the Telegram for not taking the time to see what's going on here. Football in Worcester, and Central Ma will prevail. #ColonelPride but overall it's about this city. The negative headlines sell but I say that's bullshit. That's the easy way out. Next up North High, Wednesday at 12pm, Foley Stadium. South Fucking High Forever! #508Forever. The respect shown on that field last night that the local media would have you believing was danger, here's how it ended.

Nothing but respect. Much respect to Doherty High, their Coaches, Staff and Players, You guys have a classy program going and always have. Much respect to the parents in attendance, the South High Coaches Staff and Players. There was nothing but honor and respect for the game of Football on display Friday Night at Foley Stadium that would never make the T and G headlines. And I'll close with this...The refs, the refs, the refs were out to lunch.....You know the rest!