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Mario told you NOT to kneel... Lake Mary vs Vero Beach State Final

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What tf did I just see...so they got the INT at midfield..after 3 kneels they're on the 20? Why tf are they losing 10 yards every time? Is the QB incapable of taking a snap under center? Is there not a single player on the team that cant punt the ball? Take 3 kneels under center, punt from your 45 yard line..even if it's a terrible punt they're starting at their 35-40 yard line at best with 20-30 seconds left. What the **** was going on?
 
I am a proud Vero Beach High School alum. In the mid-1990’s we made it to the state-semis 2 years in a row but lost both times to Southridge (who had Troy and Darren Davis, stud running backs brothers – some of the old heads will remember them well).

This year, after waiting 44 years for another state championship (our only one came in 1981), and after beating Palmetto in the state-semis in double-overtime I thought this was it.

I cannot begin to explain the multiple layers of coaching malpractice that took place in the final few minutes alone. Taking a knee (when you can’t kill the entire clock) instead of running the ball (which takes more time off the clock and still forces the defense to use timeouts) and doesn’t surrender 30 yards before punting. Taking an intentional safety when you are only up by 8 points. You never give away free points when you are up by 8 points. Worst thing that can happen (either a blocked punt or a punt return for a TD+2 would be a tie score and go into overtime).

You have to trust your long snapper and punter to get the punt off in the rain. It’s Florida, kids grow up playing in the rain. Worst part is that the snap ended up being fine and the punter caught it with no problem only to run around and burn a few extra seconds (and give up 2 points). Perhaps tell the punter if the snap is clean and you can get it off then do so, if it’s a bad snap or the rush gets through then run around and try to rugby punt it out of bounds or just fall down (and still be up by 8 points).

Then the squib kick that went 25 yards or so and allowed for a return. Kick it out of bounds and avoid any sort of return yards to set up a possible Hail Mary from further away.

I can go on. I’m sick to my stomach. Those kids deserved better.
 
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Canes716 said:
I am a proud Vero Beach High School alum. In the mid-1990’s we made it to the state-semis 2 years in a row but lost both times to Southridge (who had Troy and Darren Davis, stud running backs brothers – some of the old heads will remember them well).

This year, after waiting 44 years for another state championship (our only one came in 1981), and after beating Palmetto in the state-semis in double-overtime I thought this was it.

I cannot begin to explain the multiple layers of coaching malpractice that took place in the final few minutes alone. Taking knees (when you can’t kill the entire clock) instead of running the ball (which takes more time off the clock and still forces the defense to use timeouts) and doesn’t surrender 30 yards before punting. Taking an intentional safety when you are only up by 8 points. You never give away free points when you are up by 8 points. Worst thing that can happen (either a blocked punt or a punt return for a TD+2 would be a tie score and go into overtime).

You have to trust your long snapper and punter to get the punt off in the rain. It’s Florida, kids grow up playing in the rain. Worst part is that the snap ended up being fine and the punter caught it with no problem only to run around and burn a few extra seconds (and give up 2 points). Perhaps tell the punter if the snap is clean and you can get it off then do so, if it’s a bad snap or the rush gets through then run around and try to rugby punt it out of bounds or just fall down (and still be up by 8 points).

Then the squib kick that went 25 yards or so and allowed for a return. Kick it out of bounds and avoid any sort of return yards to set up a possible Hail Mary from further away.

I can go on. I’m sick to my stomach. Those kids deserved better.
Click to expand...

I recall Vero Beach having a coach from Alabama back in the 1980s by the name of Billy Livings (I think). Everytime they were prepping for a game vs a Dade county team he would talk about how small, slow and unathletic they were in comparison to the Miami HS team and, worse, his team was led by some bumpkin from Alabama. Then they would show up and do nothing but hit hard, block and tackled folks like their lives depended on it. I recall them beating a very good Killian team led by Reggie Sutton and the following year giving a very good Columbus squad all they could handle (Columbus squad having Highsmith, Shula, Buonaconti, to name a few). The Vero-Columbus game was shown on local team and the guy who provided analysis was some coach from Southridge name Don Soldinger. He was impressed by both squads and was laughing at Livings' "poor boy" routine.
Anyways, apologies for the digression.
 
MedleyCane said:
I recall Vero Beach having a coach from Alabama back in the 1980s by the name of Billy Livings (I think). Everytime they were prepping for a game vs a Dade county team he would talk about how small, slow and unathletic they were in comparison to the Miami HS team and, worse, his team was led by some bumpkin from Alabama. Then they would show up and do nothing but hit hard, block and tackled folks like their lives depended on it. I recall them beating a very good Killian team led by Reggie Sutton and the following year giving a very good Columbus squad all they could handle (Columbus squad having Highsmith, Shula, Buonaconti, to name a few). The Vero-Columbus game was shown on local team and the guy who provided analysis was some coach from Southridge name Don Soldinger. He was impressed by both squads and was laughing at Livings' "poor boy" routine.
Anyways, apologies for the digression.
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Yes, Billy was the coach for the 1981 title team (his second year as HC). He ended up coaching until 2006 or so. They named the field at the Citrus Bowl (VBHS Stadium) after him. He's somewhat of a local legend. He wasn't wrong in saying his players were small, slow, and unathletic compared to Miami boys. They still are for the most part. But they are (usually) well coached and play extremely hard. That's why losing in the way that they did was so surprising and upsetting. Really no excuse. They had to make every bad decision possible and Lake Mary still needed for everything to go right. The stars aligned themselves. Just too bad it was in the state title game.
 
Canes716 said:
I am a proud Vero Beach High School alum. In the mid-1990’s we made it to the state-semis 2 years in a row but lost both times to Southridge (who had Troy and Darren Davis, stud running backs brothers – some of the old heads will remember them well).

This year, after waiting 44 years for another state championship (our only one came in 1981), and after beating Palmetto in the state-semis in double-overtime I thought this was it.

I cannot begin to explain the multiple layers of coaching malpractice that took place in the final few minutes alone. Taking knees (when you can’t kill the entire clock) instead of running the ball (which takes more time off the clock and still forces the defense to use timeouts) and doesn’t surrender 30 yards before punting. Taking an intentional safety when you are only up by 8 points. You never give away free points when you are up by 8 points. Worst thing that can happen (either a blocked punt or a punt return for a TD+2 would be a tie score and go into overtime).

You have to trust your long snapper and punter to get the punt off in the rain. It’s Florida, kids grow up playing in the rain. Worst part is that the snap ended up being fine and the punter caught it with no problem only to run around and burn a few extra seconds (and give up 2 points). Perhaps tell the punter if the snap is clean and you can get it off then do so, if it’s a bad snap or the rush gets through then run around and try to rugby punt it out of bounds or just fall down (and still be up by 8 points).

Then the squib kick that went 25 yards or so and allowed for a return. Kick it out of bounds and avoid any sort of return yards to set up a possible Hail Mary from further away.

I can go on. I’m sick to my stomach. Those kids deserved better.
Click to expand...
it was the dumbest decision to take a safety and give up points only to have to KICK OFF after a safety. Cause for whatever reason he was afraid to punt.

then why are u kneeling like u stated when you can simply just run the **** ball.

Like dude did everything wrong and doesnt even have an answer and is talking bout some life lessons lol...Vero Beach is probably not gonna get a chance to win states like this for another decade plus. Cause they got by the crack of their *** against every dade or broward team they played.

He was trying to be the smartest man int he room for no reason cause lake mary appeared done. You run the ball three times an punt. Lake ary qb couldnt even throw the hail mary 50 yards...so the decisions he made cost the whole situation.
 
gogeta4 said:
it was the dumbest decision to take a safety and give up points only to have to KICK OFF after a safety. Cause for whatever reason he was afraid to punt.

then why are u kneeling like u stated when you can simply just run the **** ball.

Like dude did everything wrong and doesnt even have an answer and is talking bout some life lessons lol...Vero Beach is probably not gonna get a chance to win states like this for another decade plus. Cause they got by the crack of their *** against every dade or broward team they played.

He was trying to be the smartest man int he room for no reason cause lake mary appeared done. You run the ball three times an punt. Lake ary qb couldnt even throw the hail mary 50 yards...so the decisions he made cost the whole situation.
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Probably more like another 44 years. I cheer for my SoFla teams against everyone except VBHS. Unfortunately, 95% of the time they don't have the dogs to compete. Have to capitalize on the opportunity when it presents itself.
 
Canes716 said:
I am a proud Vero Beach High School alum. In the mid-1990’s we made it to the state-semis 2 years in a row but lost both times to Southridge (who had Troy and Darren Davis, stud running backs brothers – some of the old heads will remember them well).

This year, after waiting 44 years for another state championship (our only one came in 1981), and after beating Palmetto in the state-semis in double-overtime I thought this was it.

I cannot begin to explain the multiple layers of coaching malpractice that took place in the final few minutes alone. Taking a knee (when you can’t kill the entire clock) instead of running the ball (which takes more time off the clock and still forces the defense to use timeouts) and doesn’t surrender 30 yards before punting. Taking an intentional safety when you are only up by 8 points. You never give away free points when you are up by 8 points. Worst thing that can happen (either a blocked punt or a punt return for a TD+2 would be a tie score and go into overtime).

You have to trust your long snapper and punter to get the punt off in the rain. It’s Florida, kids grow up playing in the rain. Worst part is that the snap ended up being fine and the punter caught it with no problem only to run around and burn a few extra seconds (and give up 2 points). Perhaps tell the punter if the snap is clean and you can get it off then do so, if it’s a bad snap or the rush gets through then run around and try to rugby punt it out of bounds or just fall down (and still be up by 8 points).

Then the squib kick that went 25 yards or so and allowed for a return. Kick it out of bounds and avoid any sort of return yards to set up a possible Hail Mary from further away.

I can go on. I’m sick to my stomach. Those kids deserved better.
Click to expand...
This is playing the result at its finest.

If he ran the ball and the kid fumbled a la Mario/GT what would you be saying?

There is nothing wrong with the three kneel downs and safety rather than running and possibly fumbling and then punting in a downpour.

**** happens sometimes.
 
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ssvir said:
This is playing the result at its finest.

If he ran the ball and the kid fumbled a la Mario/GT what would you be saying?

There is nothing wrong with the three kneel downs and safety rather than running and possibly fumbling and then punting in a downpour.

**** happens sometimes.
Click to expand...
No, because even if they fumble they are still up by 8 points and can't lose in regulation (baring something really crazy). You never under any circumstances give away 2 points to go up less than 8 points.

You also trust your running back to protect the ball and not fight for unnecessary yards. You trust your long snapper and punter to snap the ball and get the punt off.

You don't play to lose.
 
Canes716 said:
No, because even if they fumble they are still up by 8 points and can't lose in regulation (baring something really crazy). You never under any circumstances give away 2 points to go up less than 8 points.

You also trust your running back to protect the ball and not fight for unnecessary yards. You trust your long snapper and punter to snap the ball and get the punt off.

You don't play to lose.
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Agree except I’d maybe go for it on 4th if I were concerned about punting in the rain. Four runs and emphasize ball security.
 
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ssvir said:
This is playing the result at its finest.

If he ran the ball and the kid fumbled a la Mario/GT what would you be saying?

There is nothing wrong with the three kneel downs and safety rather than running and possibly fumbling and then punting in a downpour.

**** happens sometimes.
Click to expand...
there is everything wrong....

you run and try to get the first down. they had timeouts (lake mary). You dont give up 2 pts automatically when you are up 8. because even if u punted or fumbled and they scored they would have to get a 2 pt conversion to......TIE.

Please never apply to be the dude that currently helps mario with analytics.

He played to lose and lost. you couldhear his pu$$y excuse when the reporter asked the big question of why tf did u take a safety. dude was just hoping the clock would run out...lost the game for those kids and for the city of vero
 
ssvir said:
This is playing the result at its finest.

If he ran the ball and the kid fumbled a la Mario/GT what would you be saying?

There is nothing wrong with the three kneel downs and safety rather than running and possibly fumbling and then punting in a downpour.

**** happens sometimes.
Click to expand...

Don't have to give up 10 yards for every kneel.. ridiculous. .. and then the safety!!
 
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