The Wizard wrote:Zanesville's AD is the boys bball coach. He was always against Zanesville being in the league, talked to him myself. He is only concerned about bball and being able to schedule who he wants. If SEOAL teams are willing to help him by playing them in football then shame on them. If they want out get out.
The Wizard,
Put very well! Don't let the door hit them on the way out, I say. I assume the three charter members felt that same way, when the all of a sudden the announcement came with Athens exiting for the TVC right after the SEOAL expansion was preparing to begin during the 2006 season. One only has to look at Logans newspaper during that time, and read Mr. Dunns comments about Athens leaving. Many on here said they never really trusted Zanesville to stay in the SEOAL. Why let them in then? So what, if they were trying to be in a league! Especially, if they are not truly committed to it, what's the use to let a team in that is going to dart right back out a few years later without establishing ties to the league.
What I think really went on, was, that both Zanesville and Ironton thought they were going to join the SEOAL and run over everybody. Something they both found out that wasn't going to take place, real quick. Many on here, I believe, think the CAVS had the same attitude when they joined the SEOAL, but,
it's just the total opposite. Chillicothe already knew the competition within the SEOAL League. The CAVS were already playing the likes of Portsmouth an expansion member with SEOAL Charter members, Logan and Gallipolis too. They knew just what the stakes were and that it wasn't going to be easy, but much more an even competitive field for our kids to play against, than staying in confines of the OCC, where our kids were out matched, outplayed, and beat down on a yearly basis by much larger schools in Columbus. Who knows, now that both teams that are leaving will be independent, i.e., Zanesville in 2009 and Ironton in 2010, maybe they can schedule each other in football. You think? Then lets hear the gate draw and travel complaint from both schools. I think Ironton will find out real soon that all those Kentucky Teams they used to play will not be so adventurious to replay Ironton again. So Ironton for Football, will have to drive North or into West Virginia. I believe they are making a big mistake in the long run for leaving the SEOAL. But that is my opinion.
A close friend of mine who is heavily involved with SEOAL Sports stated, that when Ironton said yes in 2004 to re-join the SEOAL in 2006 for a third time, that they stated to him and a few others, they would try it out for 2 years. To these certain folks who had that knowledge within the league conections and did not ask questions just amazes me. I wonder what they felt like after being told Ironton might leave again, if they don't like it, like trying it out and depart quickly if they don't? My friend was told that from several Ironton folks within their football program 4 years ago? Two years? Well at least they made it three, I'll give the Fighting Tigers that. My friend was almost correct, especially when Ironton announced last year they were leaving, prematurely. As soon as Ironton stated that vote from last year, he said, I told you so to several of us behind the scenes. Once it became offical this year, he said, the same thing that many stated about Zanesville and Ironton in 2004. They were joining the SEOAL in the thinking that both their schools was going to rule the league. When they found out the opposite, especially Ironton, with their ruling reign tradition of the 70's and 80's era of the SEOAL, they decided to boot, just as fast as they entered the SEOAL. I believe the same goes for Zanesville. Once they found out they would not rule this league in football, they decided to leave. My question is, why even join the SEOAL then?
In the long run, I believe
Chillicothe and Portsmouth was the only two SEOAL Teams that should have been invited. They have been very faithful to the SEOAL, making all the LEAGUE Meetings and making serious input towards the leagues surviability for the future. Back during the playoff threads, one of Zanesville's posters even had the gaul to come on here and state that the real reason was not travel or gate draw for football, but that the SEOAL wasn't competitive enough for the Blue Devils. What a pompus attitude to have. I guess that is why Logan was 3-0, Chillicothe was 2-1 and Ironton was 1-1 against the Zanesville Blue Devils in SEOAL play. I wish Chillicothe would have told them sorry for next year and tried to get someone else in week 4, instead of scheduling Zanesville after they announced they were leaving the SEOAL at the end of the 2008-2009 season. Once Chillicothe left the C.O.L. at the end of the 1976 football season and joining the OCC, they quit playing Zanesville. And...., they began playing Zanesville starting with the 1940 season. But they never looked back after 1976, until the two met up again in the SEOAL starting with the 2006 football season. Chillicothe had played Zanesville a few times in B-Ball after leaving the C.O.L. but hadn't in football until the SEOAL expansion. I think Chillicothe should had said no, even if we had to play a West Virginia Team that has an open date in week 4, like
Herbert Hoover HS that is a AAA High School, who needs 2 games for 2009 and 2010. Play dates open are Weeks 4, 8, and 11. Contact Steve Stoffel at 965-3394 ext. 113. Herbert Hoover is in Clendenin, WV a town in Kanawha County, West Virginia along the Elk River near Charleston, WV. Or, play a Kentucky AAA High School in week 4.
I think the SEOAL should have told Zanesvile (Sorry Charlie), the same goes for Ironton after next years season. Athens has kept Gallipolis on their schedule after their exit for the TVC-Ohio. But I see the Bulldogs doing the same thing Meigs did after they left the SEOAL for the TVC. After still getting defeated in non-league play against the Blue Devils for years after the Meigs Maurauders left the SEAOL at the conclusion of the 1982-1983 season and started to play in the TVC beginning with the 1983-1984 season;..... they kept playing Gallipolis in non-league play, until someone at Meigs finally recognized they could not defeat Gallipolis; and that it might be better to schedule an OVC team in there place. In which, Meigs did just that, and never looked back. And probably couldn't of been happier for doing so. I see Athens dropping Gallipolis just like Meigs did, a few years back and replacing them with a smaller team eventually too.
I know the excuses, many SEOAL teams will say, we had them on the schedule why drop them now, and scamble to try and get someone else. Those SEOAL Schools have known since last year to look for someone else to reschedule Zanesville with. I think Logan, Gallipolis and Jackson are playing them too. Not sure about Marietta or Warren? I think they took the easy route and caved in. I can see Logan continuing the series against the Blue Devils,.....they have a history of playing against Zanesville as of late, prior to Zanesville joining the SEOAL in 2006. I am waiting to see how many will keep Ironton on their schedule in 2010 too. I understand fully why Portsmouth is keeping the Fighting Tigers on their schedule. That is one of their main rival games with the teams on the Ohio River. But lets see how many other SEOAL Schools will continue to play Ironton after the Fighting Tigers complaint was, travel and gate draw for the reason they were departing the SEOAL for a third time. I can see Gallipolis keeping them on their schedule as well. And a slight maybe, doubtful though, for Jackson keeping them on for a series or two, once in a great while. But I bet Ironton will drop Chillicothe and Logan off their teams schedule in playing their former SEOAL League Teams in a heartbeat, especially, after they depart in 2010. Let's wait and see.
I like the inital response Wizard stated, GET OUT! I would say don't let the door hit them on the way out, especially with all their excuses. As it was for Athens, Zanesville and now Ironton.
Now many are waiting to see who will be the next to leave the SEOAL, speculating that it might be Marietta and Warren making the announcement that they will leaving too! Thus, leaving the SEOAL with
five teams left in it. If that takes place, and those 5 teams stay, I assume they will make a go of it and bond together to form an excellent SEOAL League. The $1000 dollar question is, if the SEOAL reduces to a 5 team league, i.e., Chillicothe, Portsmouth, Jackson, Gallipolis and Logan, will they all stay together and make it actually work?
Only time will tell.
