BigJim331
02-21-2006, 04:22 PM
What makes SLC so good.
I think I can speak with at least some credibility since we moved into the area from a very successful program in another state a couple of years ago. I don't want to give too many details since that would give away who I am...and by default identify my own converted dragon. But let me assure you that my family trophy case already housed two state championship rings from that state's largest division (...and thanks to last year now we added one more). Here are some differences between one successful program and another. However, keep in mind that these are only my opinons; but I think they are spot-on.
Dodge is very, very good at identifying talent...AND HE PLAYS IT! I don't see where a less talented player is in front of someone because he is a jr./sr. or who is Daddy is or who his Uncle is.... Dodge plays to win. If that means a sophomore starts...well then a sophomore starts. That's it. And that goes a long way with the kids. He gains instant credibility and the kids know if they work hard and develop themselves to their potential, they will get a fair shot.
Dodge is remarkable at identifying holes in a defense and exploiting them. This is probably saying the obvious, but I can't even begin to count how many times in the last two seasons I've seen Carroll convert 4th and +20. It is just sick. And many times, they went for TD's. Give credit where it is due. Yes, the kids make the plays...but Dodge is calling them.
Mendoza is an underrated D-Coordinator. He is very good and demands perfection from his players. He will go over it until it is perfect. Being "right" or "close" isn't enough. It must be perfect. My hat goes off to him.
Esprit-de-corp. Nobody is more important than the team. Individuals will only succeed when the team succeeds. This is necessary and can be seen in any successful program so Carroll doesn't have a lock on it. But I've never seen it so strong as it is in Carroll. From the "Team over Me" T-shirts to "Protect the Tradition" it all goes to this ideal.
Community. There is a true sense of pride that comes from the community. Ok, so some may come across as being elitist jerks, but listen; when another poster baits a Caroll fan with nonsense like "St. Dodge" comments and then feins offense because "...they meant it in a good way" and got barbequed..well that ain't right. Period. SLC is the best in the country...we know it and so do you. No excuses. That is the way it is until someone knocks us off the mountain top. And the view is pretty good from up here too.
Competition. Carroll is the best in the country. No doubt about it. But if we played panty-waste teams then we wouldn't have anything to crow about. I can assure you that the teams that Carroll is winning against would be state champions in almost any other state. I'm not the only one who thinks that either. Take a look at the D1 scholarships that came out of the Metro area. People have their eye on us because we are ALL the best.
These are just a few of the observations I've made in the two short years I've been here. I feel blessed that my son can be part of the program. I don't know what will happen this year. I hope for a fun season with no injuries. But I am equally confident that come 2007-08 year...they will be l-l-l-l-l-loaded. Go Dragons!!
I think I can speak with at least some credibility since we moved into the area from a very successful program in another state a couple of years ago. I don't want to give too many details since that would give away who I am...and by default identify my own converted dragon. But let me assure you that my family trophy case already housed two state championship rings from that state's largest division (...and thanks to last year now we added one more). Here are some differences between one successful program and another. However, keep in mind that these are only my opinons; but I think they are spot-on.
Dodge is very, very good at identifying talent...AND HE PLAYS IT! I don't see where a less talented player is in front of someone because he is a jr./sr. or who is Daddy is or who his Uncle is.... Dodge plays to win. If that means a sophomore starts...well then a sophomore starts. That's it. And that goes a long way with the kids. He gains instant credibility and the kids know if they work hard and develop themselves to their potential, they will get a fair shot.
Dodge is remarkable at identifying holes in a defense and exploiting them. This is probably saying the obvious, but I can't even begin to count how many times in the last two seasons I've seen Carroll convert 4th and +20. It is just sick. And many times, they went for TD's. Give credit where it is due. Yes, the kids make the plays...but Dodge is calling them.
Mendoza is an underrated D-Coordinator. He is very good and demands perfection from his players. He will go over it until it is perfect. Being "right" or "close" isn't enough. It must be perfect. My hat goes off to him.
Esprit-de-corp. Nobody is more important than the team. Individuals will only succeed when the team succeeds. This is necessary and can be seen in any successful program so Carroll doesn't have a lock on it. But I've never seen it so strong as it is in Carroll. From the "Team over Me" T-shirts to "Protect the Tradition" it all goes to this ideal.
Community. There is a true sense of pride that comes from the community. Ok, so some may come across as being elitist jerks, but listen; when another poster baits a Caroll fan with nonsense like "St. Dodge" comments and then feins offense because "...they meant it in a good way" and got barbequed..well that ain't right. Period. SLC is the best in the country...we know it and so do you. No excuses. That is the way it is until someone knocks us off the mountain top. And the view is pretty good from up here too.
Competition. Carroll is the best in the country. No doubt about it. But if we played panty-waste teams then we wouldn't have anything to crow about. I can assure you that the teams that Carroll is winning against would be state champions in almost any other state. I'm not the only one who thinks that either. Take a look at the D1 scholarships that came out of the Metro area. People have their eye on us because we are ALL the best.
These are just a few of the observations I've made in the two short years I've been here. I feel blessed that my son can be part of the program. I don't know what will happen this year. I hope for a fun season with no injuries. But I am equally confident that come 2007-08 year...they will be l-l-l-l-l-loaded. Go Dragons!!