Over Looked

[Football is Life]

I have been looking at the recruiting list and there is one name that hasnt appeared and that name is Mark Dixon from Woodside I think he is #72. Does anyone know where he is playing. I know that I go to all the games at Todd Stadium and I havent seen anyone hit as hard as he does all the time playing both ways and longsnapping(ive never seen him miss a long snap). He and #10 I dont know his name though. Why are they being over looked ?

[PD DAD]

It seems as if alot of kids were either overlooked, over rated or not academically qualified. I thought atleast one kid from Bethel would be a 1a recruit, Reid Evans from Phoebus appeared to be a 1a recruit the big all dist. lineman from Woodside, big wideout from Denbigh. Recruiting seems to be so specialized now in that teams want specific things in a player. I often wonder how much work does a high school coach put into getting their kids recruited or do they just wait for the college coaches to come by. You can best believe that if Coach Reamon from Glouc. or Coach Robinson from Heritage has a kid thats capable of playing college ball that they are going to get the best look possible.

[twiceasnice757]

(PD DAD QUOTE)I often wonder how much work does a high school coach put into getting their kids recruited or do they just wait for the college coaches to come by. You can best believe that if Coach Reamon from Glouc. or Coach Robinson from Heritage has a kid thats capable of playing college ball that they are going to get the best look possible.

PD Dad, you hit the nail right on the head. Most of the time it falls on the coach. Some coaches take tremendous pride in being able to get their ball players into school, and then there are some coaches that couldn't care less. In many cases they use these kids for 3-4 years of their high school careers and then they kick them to the curb when the season is complete, they don't do the things that are necessary to get the player a look. They will simply be reactive as opposed to proactive (they will wait for the phone to ring, but won't pick up the phone).

[PD DAD]

We are always talking about how the PD is the best Dist. in the state, but Oscar Smith had 4 signings 3 were 1a and ocean lakes had 3 1a signings. Our better teams "Hampton and Phoebus" don't seem to get those type of numbers when it comes to getting kids signed to play college ball. IS IT ALL ABOUT WINNING IN THE PD AND NOT ABOUT HELPING KIDS GET INTO COLLEGE?

[OSTiger'06]

We are always talking about how the PD is the best Dist. in the state, but Oscar Smith had 4 signings 3 were 1a and ocean lakes had 3 1a signings. Our better teams "Hampton and Phoebus" don't seem to get those type of numbers when it comes to getting kids signed to play college ball. IS IT ALL ABOUT WINNING IN THE PD AND NOT ABOUT HELPING KIDS GET INTO COLLEGE?
I can tell you this much, as an asst. and former player at Oscar Smith, we pride ourselves on putting over 30 players in various schools over the last 6 years, Coach Morgan even helps the kids who arent going to make a college football team get into school for academics as well... though it may not seem, im sure Phoebus is doin all it can to get their players looks...

[Tigerclaw06]

its not all about winning sometimes the kids have to face the facts that colleges not only want supperior athletes but they also want atheletes who can get into their school with no problem and not have to go to hargrave or fork union so get good grades and you will get the looks!!!

[patriot20]

there are some coaches out there that just simply dont care and thats exactly y mark isnt going to a 1a school **** of a player with a non responding coaching staff coach harrod from denbigh is doing a great job tryin to get players into college despite thier record

[sixerfan885]

We are always talking about how the PD is the best Dist. in the state, but Oscar Smith had 4 signings 3 were 1a and ocean lakes had 3 1a signings. Our better teams "Hampton and Phoebus" don't seem to get those type of numbers when it comes to getting kids signed to play college ball. IS IT ALL ABOUT WINNING IN THE PD AND NOT ABOUT HELPING KIDS GET INTO COLLEGE?


I beg to differ this. If it wasn't for Hampton or Phoebus football programs, you wouldn't see college scouts in the area (just like back in the day Hampton and Bethel). You have to look at the schools on a demographic basis. A coach can only do so much to get a kid to go to college. Alot of the parents leave it up to the coach to get their child in school. Remember the coach can't take the PSAT or the ACT. This is up to that student to do and pass.

And its not the point that Oscar Smith puts in this amount of kids, or Hampton puts in this amount as well.

No one talks about the attrition rate. Thats whats important. How many kids stay in school to complete their degrees once they get in? We want all of our kids to stay in school, but they don't. This is what needs to be worked on and it starts at the home and not with the football coach

[OSTiger'06]

i both agree and i disagree with u sir...u are right about attrition, and the assesments but the fact that colleges only come here because of pho. and hampton may go for your side of the water but its more a simple fact that if u can play and your coach sends your tape out, they'll come for u...i can tell u as "new money" (just became elite in the past 5 yrs) for u pd guys, our coach is why colleges come to our school, OS was the homecoming school 7 years ago that u wanted to schedule but as soon as he came, he always talked about the next level, grades and all that...also, this side of the water has been sending guys to the next level for a while as well...

[Oldschook]

its not all about winning sometimes the kids have to face the facts that colleges not only want supperior athletes but they also want atheletes who can get into their school with no problem and not have to go to hargrave or fork union so get good grades and you will get the looks!!!
WOW...... I'm suprise Phoebus D. or 757 is quite about this topic. They jump all over me when I talked education & grades.....

[sixerfan885]

i both agree and i disagree with u sir...u are right about attrition, and the assesments but the fact that colleges only come here because of pho. and hampton may go for your side of the water but its more a simple fact that if u can play and your coach sends your tape out, they'll come for u...i can tell u as "new money" (just became elite in the past 5 yrs) for u pd guys, our coach is why colleges come to our school, OS was the homecoming school 7 years ago that u wanted to schedule but as soon as he came, he always talked about the next level, grades and all that...also, this side of the water has been sending guys to the next level for a while as well...


so let me get this right, is this conversation more about why the scouts come to the Tidewater area or the importance of going and finishing a college career (education wise)? I have been out of the area for some 20 years, but I still keep up with the news (somewhat). When I see sports specials on tv that talk about the tidewater area, ususally they mention the PD. They don't say it by name in particular, but they would call out the city like Hampton. They would talk about schools in that area. Don't get me wrong, I think that what Oscar Smith is doing is great. You talk about how much that coach has done for the kids there. This is all good. But you have to understand that when you mention Oscar Smith in the PD, people will look and say who? When you mention Hampton or Phoebus across the I-64 bridge tunnel, they will know who you are talking about (football wise).

My biggest concern though, is not who is known on the map for recruiting but what kid has the discipline to stay in school. We all know school isn't for everyone and today's star athlete looks at the money first. Very rarely you see kids staying in for their entire 4 yrs. I mean think about it, they go to school to get an education so they can be successful in life. Well, making money without a college degree is what they are seeing. So its sort of a double edge sword. I would like to see the attrition rate of the Tidewater athletes that attended college for the past 10 yrs. I know the number is astronmical. When I came out, it was known for more kids to stay in school. But now, money has changed the world

Tell that coach at Oscar Smith to keep up that mentorship.

[aross757]

WOW...... I'm suprise Phoebus D. or 757 is quite about this topic. They jump all over me when I talked education & grades.....
Hey my bad, I'm just getting back from Paris, so I'm a little late on the news here. However, they are talking about some good topics. The main thing I would say is this, as the student, you can't put all of the responsibility on the coaches. You have to put YOURSELF in a position to be successful by first of all, having your grades together, and second,producing on the field. And worse come to worse pimp yourself out. If you don't feel like the coach is getting you the look you want, then do it yourself. Send your tapes to any and everybody that will look at them. Because some coaches only look out for the quote unquote superstars, so if a player wants it bad enough, then they've got to be willing to do the grinding themselves. Yeah, true, they may not get the free ride from a VT, Florida, or some school like that. But a free education is a free education anyway you look at it.

[OSTiger'06]

Hey my bad, I'm just getting back from Paris, so I'm a little late on the news here. However, they are talking about some good topics. The main thing I would say is this, as the student, you can't put all of the responsibility on the coaches. You have to put YOURSELF in a position to be successful by first of all, having your grades together, and second,producing on the field. And worse come to worse pimp yourself out. If you don't feel like the coach is getting you the look you want, then do it yourself. Send your tapes to any and everybody that will look at them. Because some coaches only look out for the quote unquote superstars, so if a player wants it bad enough, then they've got to be willing to do the grinding themselves. Yeah, true, they may not get the free ride from a VT, Florida, or some school like that. But a free education is a free education anyway you look at it.
great post!!! you are exactly right if u have the grades and can play, ur gonna get a look from someone

[Oldschook]

Hey my bad, I'm just getting back from Paris, so I'm a little late on the news here. However, they are talking about some good topics. The main thing I would say is this, as the student, you can't put all of the responsibility on the coaches. You have to put YOURSELF in a position to be successful by first of all, having your grades together, and second,producing on the field. And worse come to worse pimp yourself out. If you don't feel like the coach is getting you the look you want, then do it yourself. Send your tapes to any and everybody that will look at them. Because some coaches only look out for the quote unquote superstars, so if a player wants it bad enough, then they've got to be willing to do the grinding themselves. Yeah, true, they may not get the free ride from a VT, Florida, or some school like that. But a free education is a free education anyway you look at it.
Glad you are back!! WE-WE..... :lol: You put GRADES first? Man you are changing in front of me. I never think you would talk education. After all when I talked it you sent me to PBS...... You though I was knocking players when I said get your grades.

[Oldschook]

Superstars need to open their eyes and see who's who! And not jump on the first school.

[aross757]

Glad you are back!! WE-WE..... :lol: You put GRADES first? Man you are changing in front of me. I never think you would talk education. After all when I talked it you sent me to PBS...... You though I was knocking players when I said get your grades.
Nah, i never said that grades weren't important, at the moment in time grades weren't the subject that we were talking about. But I've seen so many and played with so many that had all of the talent in the world, but didn't have any grades, so even if they wanted to they couldn't play ball in college. I mean at that age most everybody feels like they are going to live that moment forever; until they graduate and the next sophomore sensation breaks all of their previous records and all they can do is live off of the past. But back to the point i was making before, even if the coaches don't put the type of effort into ALL of the kids, that doesn't mean that they can't work the system for themselves. Bottom line is if you have the grades, and you can play, send your own stuff out, do it yourself. Don't let the fact that coaches only focus on the superstars stop you from playing ball at the next level.

[aross757]

Glad you are back!! WE-WE..... :lol: You put GRADES first? Man you are changing in front of me. I never think you would talk education. After all when I talked it you sent me to PBS...... You though I was knocking players when I said get your grades.
Hey we can agree for now, or at least until them Phantoms get back to eating crab-meat again...LOL...Oh, and Paris was hot....:lol:

[cruz21]

lol oldschook and across757 are funny but i feel where both yall stand on the grades subject. Especially u 757, cuz i've seen so many talented athletes with bad grades not beng able to go where they deserve to go on the next level and then amount to nothing in life.

[TooMuchBlue&Gold]

We are always talking about how the PD is the best Dist. in the state, but Oscar Smith had 4 signings 3 were 1a and ocean lakes had 3 1a signings. Our better teams "Hampton and Phoebus" don't seem to get those type of numbers when it comes to getting kids signed to play college ball. IS IT ALL ABOUT WINNING IN THE PD AND NOT ABOUT HELPING KIDS GET INTO COLLEGE?

Phoebus just signed 3 kids to D1 schools so wat are u talkin about PD DAD get ur facts straight before u start trying to talk down upon a program but as a total they signed 6 kids thank you. So Bill Dee is sending kids to school as long as they are doin wat is asked of him and thats schoolwork

[Oldschook]

Nah, i never said that grades weren't important, at the moment in time grades weren't the subject that we were talking about. But I've seen so many and played with so many that had all of the talent in the world, but didn't have any grades, so even if they wanted to they couldn't play ball in college. I mean at that age most everybody feels like they are going to live that moment forever; until they graduate and the next sophomore sensation breaks all of their previous records and all they can do is live off of the past. But back to the point i was making before, even if the coaches don't put the type of effort into ALL of the kids, that doesn't mean that they can't work the system for themselves. Bottom line is if you have the grades, and you can play, send your own stuff out, do it yourself. Don't let the fact that coaches only focus on the superstars stop you from playing ball at the next level.
Lil Ross I know you came out behind me, and I can say I saw TALENT & PLAYERS(in the PD) that should have went to the next level. If you know Shell Rd was HOTT of TALENT. But school grades turned them away. I wish kids today would take after school classes on the off season to help them. Back then Phoebus has 1 or 2 players.

[Oldschook]

lol oldschook and across757 are funny but i feel where both yall stand on the grades subject. Especially u 757, cuz i've seen so many talented athletes with bad grades not beng able to go where they deserve to go on the next level and then amount to nothing in life.
You hit a good point; NOT GOING WHERE THEY DESERVE
The thing is taking advantage of where you go. You are not promise tommorrow! Not knocking any1. But I talked to a great player in high school and now he tells me if he had only listen. After his great season and record breaking Sr year, now he is wishing if he could go back in time, and do things different.
You look at the NFL & NBA and see how many guys have their degree. After 2 years of college they are gone and not thinking about going back.

[Merrill Eason]

Over the years I have seen 100's of players from our area over looked. BUT let's not put this ALL on the coaches shoulders. Coaches have classes to teach and family's to support. They sure can't set in the office and make calls all day.
The recruiting process take long hours and effort from the entire unit.
Some players don't want it bad enough, miss workouts, and don't respond when coached. If your son plays for a coach that is young and not well connected then you must get in touch with someone who can help. Ask questions as to how in our area can help you. One suggestion is college officials, or another HS coach from another school. Mike Smith, Billy Dee or Tommy Reamon would be glad to help any athlete. Also plan on attending college camps... Do the one day event and go to as many as possible. Good Luck Guys

[sixerfan885]

Lil Ross I know you came out behind me, and I can say I saw TALENT & PLAYERS(in the PD) that should have went to the next level. If you know Shell Rd was HOTT of TALENT. But school grades turned them away. I wish kids today would take after school classes on the off season to help them. Back then Phoebus has 1 or 2 players.

Oldschook

You sound as if you go way back with the PD talent. Especially when you talk about the talent that came ouf of Shell Rd and Victoria Blvd. What school did you graduate from and when?

[Oldschook]

Oldschook

You sound as if you go way back with the PD talent. Especially when you talk about the talent that came ouf of Shell Rd and Victoria Blvd. What school did you graduate from and when?
Hampton, I seen alot. Back when W.Wilson was TB and Rex was LB. I.(Mouse) Jennings..... Brown from Bethel I have seen them all.

I played on Ke-Tan jr championship team!!! If you remeber that you are good.....

[aross757]

Hampton, I seen alot. Back when W.Wilson was TB and Rex was LB. I.(Mouse) Jennings..... Brown from Bethel I have seen them all.

I played on Ke-Tan jr championship team!!! If you remeber that you are good.....
I actually remember Ke-Tan, but i was playing midgets then. They folded the year after my first year of playing rec ball...

[sixerfan885]

Hampton, I seen alot. Back when W.Wilson was TB and Rex was LB. I.(Mouse) Jennings..... Brown from Bethel I have seen them all.

I played on Ke-Tan jr championship team!!! If you remeber that you are good.....



Oldschook

Not only do i remember Woodrow Wilson, but I also remember his partner in the backfield Donnel Jones. Simon Gupton, Bobby Akinson, Dwight Stehenson just to name a few. I also remember how quick Jennings was back then. Sort of remind of Nate Reid (82 Crabbers and Lil Daddy of the 84' Crabbers)

Ke Tan jr championship team, which one? Remember Ke-tan (Armstrong) had alot of winning teams back then. I was across the way playing for Mallory later on.

Yeah, those Hampton squads from the mid 70's to early 80's were something special

Eric Brown was an excellent back for Bethel back then. Running out of that wishbone attack was no joke. I can remember good backs for Bethel like Walter Bailey, James "HotShot"Williams and Rodney Howard continue that success for the Briuns throughout those years.

Nothing like going to a Bethel vs Hampton football game on a Saturday afternoon. The whole city would shut down. Seeing one side of the stadium in Red and White and the other in Green and Yellow. Coach Koz and Coach Smith put on a good show each year

[Oldschook]

Oldschook

Not only do i remember Woodrow Wilson, but I also remember his partner in the backfield Donnel Jones. Simon Gupton, Bobby Akinson, Dwight Stehenson just to name a few. I also remember how quick Jennings was back then. Sort of remind of Nate Reid (82 Crabbers and Lil Daddy of the 84' Crabbers)

Ke Tan jr championship team, which one? Remember Ke-tan (Armstrong) had alot of winning teams back then. I was across the way playing for Mallory later on.

Yeah, those Hampton squads from the mid 70's to early 80's were something special

Eric Brown was an excellent back for Bethel back then. Running out of that wishbone attack was no joke. I can remember good backs for Bethel like Walter Bailey, James "HotShot"Williams and Rodney Howard continue that success for the Briuns throughout those years.

Nothing like going to a Bethel vs Hampton football game on a Saturday afternoon. The whole city would shut down. Seeing one side of the stadium in Red and White and the other in Green and Yellow. Coach Koz and Coach Smith put on a good show each year
Yes the wishbone, if I was a coach I would bring that back. Bailey was a hard runner. B. Akinson at QB & T.Mills(tank).
It was only 1 Ke-Tan jr. champions!

[PDfan]

If ANYONE thinks for a mnute that Coach Dee doesn't work hard to get kids in school thenthey're CRAZY!!! He has he hardest job getting kids in because of the enviorment that his players come from. They have SO much pulling at them from ALL over, yet he ALWAYS has at least 3 kids go D1 every year. Then the others that go DII or DII never get heard about. He's CONSTANTLY working on taking care of his kids. He pushes them during the season and then works for them in the off season. He'll even help kids from the secondary Hampton city school (you know what I'm talking about) But check this out...... Look at how many kids Coach Dee's put in schools over the last 4 years versus Smith........ Yeah you hear about the Tyrods and all, but what about the rest of the quality role players that have playerd there? Just think about it......

But like someone said befoe without Phoebus and hampton then there's not going to be man recruiters coming to the PD.....

[sixerfan885]

If ANYONE thinks for a mnute that Coach Dee doesn't work hard to get kids in school thenthey're CRAZY!!! He has he hardest job getting kids in because of the enviorment that his players come from. They have SO much pulling at them from ALL over, yet he ALWAYS has at least 3 kids go D1 every year. Then the others that go DII or DII never get heard about. He's CONSTANTLY working on taking care of his kids. He pushes them during the season and then works for them in the off season. He'll even help kids from the secondary Hampton city school (you know what I'm talking about) But check this out...... Look at how many kids Coach Dee's put in schools over the last 4 years versus Smith........ Yeah you hear about the Tyrods and all, but what about the rest of the quality role players that have playerd there? Just think about it......

But like someone said befoe without Phoebus and hampton then there's not going to be man recruiters coming to the PD.....


Totally unfair assumption on who puts what into D1 schools. Don't even attempt to compare how many Coach Dee has put in compared to Coach Smith for the last 4 years. Its not about the "rest of the quality players they have over there" that didn't make it to school either. I'm going back in my time and I will tell you that if it wasn't for Coach Smith, Coach Kozlowski and Coach Nuttycombe, no recruiter would know about the PD. I can only imagine the coach'es before them as well. You want to compare "last four years", why go four? Go 20 years and do the comparison if you really think that comparing what coach has put in the most athletes in school. What about how many have actually graduated from college?

Its about attrition rate and not about who enters school. Coach Smith, Coach Dee and any other coach'es in the PD go through alot trying to get kids into school. Have you ever thought about the fact that maybe, just maybe it was people like Coach Smith, Koz, Coach Nuttycombe(Menchville) that introduced alot of the recruiters to Coach Dee and the rest of these coaches? Some kids don't qualify to go to college. Regardless of what a coach does, if they don't qualify, they don't qualify. Parent's go through alot when trying to their child in school.
Its an accomplishment for a coach to help an athlete to enter college. Comparing coaches to each other on who put more in is ridiculous.

bottlom line is, don't compare (because its no comparison)just hope and pray that more kids can get into school and do something with their lives.

[crabbafrm86]

first of all a truly big d1 school has boosters, alumnai, and independent scouts , along with the scouts that are apart of the coaching staff. Players from both sides of the water get recruited by d1 schools, and they may not even play hampton or phoebus. players over in suffolk and smithfield are recruited d1, so it's not just hampton and phoebus bringing scouts into the area. it's talent.

[sixerfan885]

first of all a truly big d1 school has boosters, alumnai, and independent scouts , along with the scouts that are apart of the coaching staff. Players from both sides of the water get recruited by d1 schools, and they may not even play hampton or phoebus. players over in suffolk and smithfield are recruited d1, so it's not just hampton and phoebus bringing scouts into the area. it's talent.


just like any other post, no justice has been done for the original poster of this thread. This post has gotten off the subject real quick. The argument has gone from what coaches have actually gotten recruiters to this area to, what schools have done it as well.

everyone will have an opinion on this. Like i said before, lets just be glad the kids are in school and hope they finish it

[PDfan]

To respond to the post by "sixer" it really seems that you have taken this post to heart. Now if for some reason I offended you then an apology is due, BUT I was simply stating the FACTS that I personally know of. It was NOT to discredit other coaches and especially NOT the kids that are out there working. I was simply stating that I personlly know that Coach Dee has worked extremely HARD to get kids into school and has done a GREAT JOB! Point blank, period. It really wasn't an attack on anyone else at all. It was in response to the other poster that stated otherwise. Why go back 20 years and try to compare Coach Dee and Smith? That's crazy Coach Smith definitely gets all of the respect that he deserves with no DOUBT at all. I was simply stating that there is another coach in the area that works and wants to see his players progress as well. Also to show that there is somewhat of a "shift" in the PD that's taking place when the bulk of players recruited doesn't come from one potential school.

I myself am a fan of PD sports in particular. I support the PD programs and am happy whenever ANY kids gets the opportunity to progress for the athlete, their families, and their communities. So I ask you to calm yourself, but keep your passion for the kids in the area and seeing them do better in life.

[sixerfan885]

To respond to the post by "sixer" it really seems that you have taken this post to heart. Now if for some reason I offended you then an apology is due, BUT I was simply stating the FACTS that I personally know of. It was NOT to discredit other coaches and especially NOT the kids that are out there working. I was simply stating that I personlly know that Coach Dee has worked extremely HARD to get kids into school and has done a GREAT JOB! Point blank, period. It really wasn't an attack on anyone else at all. It was in response to the other poster that stated otherwise. Why go back 20 years and try to compare Coach Dee and Smith? That's crazy Coach Smith definitely gets all of the respect that he deserves with no DOUBT at all. I was simply stating that there is another coach in the area that works and wants to see his players progress as well. Also to show that there is somewhat of a "shift" in the PD that's taking place when the bulk of players recruited doesn't come from one potential school.

I myself am a fan of PD sports in particular. I support the PD programs and am happy whenever ANY kids gets the opportunity to progress for the athlete, their families, and their communities. So I ask you to calm yourself, but keep your passion for the kids in the area and seeing them do better in life.


You have to understand that this post wasn't taken to heart. Their are to many things going on in the world today that are greater concerns to me. I view this forum as recreation more than anything else. I have been away from the PD area for more than 20 years and I use this forum to keep me somewhat up to date. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect all. The only thing that I didn't get out of this particular thread was the fact that people talked about what has done what and how new schools are doing more than others. The way I see it, some schools are still maintaining the talent going to the next level and some schools are just getting on board in doing it. This is only good for the student athlete. My biggest concern (like I said before) are the kids that finish school. I have a son that plays ball in school and I can't begin to tell you how many kids that aren't there now from his freshman year. Thats the part that gets me. Whether its tuition issues, grades or just burnt out.

So PD fan, I like yourself have been a fan of the PD for years (probably since the late 70's). I must admit coming back to see a Hampton game last year really shocked me. Personally, I feel that the talent in the PD has fallen off a little. Its more parody now, compared to back when I was in school. Just an opinion.

Keep up the threads PD fan, its good reading.

[Damosthene]

ISn't Kurt Newsome recruiting this area for tech.If so i would think the PD as a whole would get a good look.

[sixerfan885]

ISn't Kurt Newsome recruiting this area for tech.If so i would think the PD as a whole would get a good look.


Yes he is. Tech has been recruiting in this area since the days of Pedro Phillips (78' Crabbers I believe). Phoebus has sent real good talent to Tech over the previous years

[Crabberboi84]

We are always talking about how the PD is the best Dist. in the state, but Oscar Smith had 4 signings 3 were 1a and ocean lakes had 3 1a signings. Our better teams "Hampton and Phoebus" don't seem to get those type of numbers when it comes to getting kids signed to play college ball. IS IT ALL ABOUT WINNING IN THE PD AND NOT ABOUT HELPING KIDS GET INTO COLLEGE?

Amen to that