SLC, Lakeland (FL), and Oaks Christian (CA) - Different Roads To The Promise Land

[DR Raider]

The report today that a new SLC coach has been named made one think again of the incredible accomplishments of Coach Dodge over the past five years.

Along this line, and perhaps it has been mentioned before, but, just noticed that USA Today's #3 ranked team in 2006 and #1 in 2005, Lakeland Senior High School in Lakeland, FL, has SEVEN PLAYERS off this year's team committed to perennial National Championship contenders Florida and LSU (6 to Florida and 1 to LSU). Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, CA (USA Today's #6 ranked team in 2006) has three - two to USC and one to ND. And SLC? None, yet SLC was USA Today's #1 team this past year and #2 in 2005

Just another illustration of, and what a testament to, Coach Dodge's astounding ability to take good but not great individual players, establish a unity of purpose, demand commitment, and then mold them into a team that settles for nothing less than championships.

In this memory, SLC has had only three players since 2001 that signed with historical NC contenders - Ulatoski at Texas, Hartley at OWho?, and McElroy at Alabama. And, over the same period, the record stands at 79-1. Amazing.

The whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.

[drgnbkr]

The report today that a new SLC coach has been named made one think again of the incredible accomplishments of Coach Dodge over the past five years.

Along this line, and perhaps it has been mentioned before, but, just noticed that USA Today's #3 ranked team in 2006 and #1 in 2005, Lakeland Senior High School in Lakeland, FL, has SEVEN PLAYERS off this year's team committed to perennial National Championship contenders Florida and LSU (6 to Florida and 1 to LSU). Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, CA (USA Today's #6 ranked team in 2006) has three - two to USC and one to ND. And SLC? None, yet SLC was USA Today's #1 team this past year and #2 in 2005

Just another illustration of, and what a testament to, Coach Dodge's astounding ability to take good but not great individual players, establish a unity of purpose, demand commitment, and then mold them into a team that settles for nothing less than championships.

In this memory, SLC has had only three players since 2001 that signed with historical NC contenders - Ulatoski at Texas, Hartley at OWho?, and McElroy at Alabama. And, over the same period, the record stands at 79-1. Amazing.

The whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.

Nice post..I have seen Lakeland play and watched Oaks on TV and while loaded with athletes, neither would hold up well vs. the good Texas teams.

[Pearland 06]

nice reply but yes I do truly believe that many Texas teams could beat the top teams from Florida or California.

[Texasfrog]

Texas teams are far better coached and the "PROGRAMS" from Junior High through High School condition all the football players for future Friday Nights.

Texas HS football isnt about all the D-1A blue-chips that make the Texas HS teams the best. What makes Texas HS teams the best (For a State) is the so called "average players" that arent D-1A or even D-1AA caliber players. Texas is "LOADED" with those level of players and the best HS coaching in the country is what makes the competition level in Texas HS football the best in America.

This isnt even remotely debatable.

I would put some of those Katy & SLC teams that only had a few D-1A caliber players on there teams up against anyone in the country and feel pretty confident the Texas teams would win.

[mojotrain]

The report today that a new SLC coach has been named made one think again of the incredible accomplishments of Coach Dodge over the past five years.

Along this line, and perhaps it has been mentioned before, but, just noticed that USA Today's #3 ranked team in 2006 and #1 in 2005, Lakeland Senior High School in Lakeland, FL, has SEVEN PLAYERS off this year's team committed to perennial National Championship contenders Florida and LSU (6 to Florida and 1 to LSU). Oaks Christian in Westlake Village, CA (USA Today's #6 ranked team in 2006) has three - two to USC and one to ND. And SLC? None, yet SLC was USA Today's #1 team this past year and #2 in 2005

Just another illustration of, and what a testament to, Coach Dodge's astounding ability to take good but not great individual players, establish a unity of purpose, demand commitment, and then mold them into a team that settles for nothing less than championships.

In this memory, SLC has had only three players since 2001 that signed with historical NC contenders - Ulatoski at Texas, Hartley at OWho?, and McElroy at Alabama. And, over the same period, the record stands at 79-1. Amazing.

The whole really is greater than the sum of its parts.

Good thought DR, coachs would take 22 very good team members over 4 to 5 super individuals of D-1 caliber. That is for high school. Its proven out that way in most years.

[SLCDad]

Let's not forget that SLC had players that were recruited by national champion contenders but the players chose to go other places. Chase Daniel and McKay Jacobson come to mind and there were others.