High School Boys Playoff Thread +Bracket

I was at the game and did not notice whether he was or was not coaching during the lights out.  It was pretty dark so not sure how any video could have been taken to show anything.  I can say when the lights came back on the players were around the bench in the team area and the coach was not with the team.  Also during the second overtime and the pk's he was not with the team.

I have not been able to find where GHSA rules state that a coach receiving a red card is suspended for the next game but I've heard it discussed here and in the girls thread where a coach also received a red card.  From what people are saying is that the coach has to sit out a game. 

It absolutely is personal to me, but it should be personal to everyone. A coach directly breaking the rules is terrible for the game, for sport, and for coaching as a whole. He was on the field as the lights were off, that's why there is an investigation ongoing. The referee reported him there with his team. Yes, he left once the lights came on, but he was sent off nearly 30 minutes earlier and kept interacting with the team and match as a whole. It was an awesome game, correct, and changing the result is cruel to LHS kids, but what about CH kids who witnessed an adult cheat?

Don’t disagree. Curious how he can interact with team for 30 min and it not be known. Also, the second OT period (after lights went out) was really controlled by CH so “coaching” didn’t translate. Ha. In any case, if all true than a suspension for state final game seems appropriate no? Let’s see what they find out. It was crowded so probably not hard to determine. Listen, it’s not like the coach doesn’t have a reputation that presides him and folks would gladly try to turn him in. .

Anyone have any experience with end of season high school All Star games? Are there different ones per area? Do colleges scout there? Is it worth going if invited?

Congrats to the following state champs:
A Div 1--Paideia
A Div 2--Christian Heritage
2A--Tattnall County
3A--Coahulla Creek

If anyone wants to play, I'm sure it would be fun and fun is something these kids should have. As far as "All-Star" goes, that's where DiVarsity gets a little odd. Some schools' coaches obviously participate. Just look at the rosters and see where the coaches come from and then the list of players. Additionally, look to see which schools aren't there at all (including players that you know are top-notch). If your player wants to play, just nominate them. All it takes is a player, or parent nomination (or coach, sure) - and you're in. Pay 100 bucks and you are an All-Star. Again - no knock on the kids doing it. There are some quality names included and $100 is the cost of a couple of private sessions, so it could be worth it just to go have fun against some other players. But just know that going in and manage expectations of it being some kind of real merit-based honor. And no college coaches will be there.

Lambert wins in pk’s 5-4 after 2nd OT ends 3-3. Heck of a game going back and forth.

Quick recap of 7A Championship Game between Lambert and Walton.

The game was a back and forth affair. The first 10 minutes both teams were feeling each other out, but over the next 15 Walton was in control with some decent chances. That bore fruit in the 25th minute when J Ramos (former ATL U player) fired a shot from about 30 yards out that the keeper had no chance to touch. Beautiful score. Both team had chances over the next 15 minutes when with 3 minutes in the half lambert's M Keith won a challenge about 30 yards out, dribbled into the box and fired a shot over the Walton GK to tie things up. The half ended 1-1.

Lambert came out on the front foot in the second half and after a give and go Lambert's C Nelson scored from the left to give Lambert a 2-1 advantage 3 minutes into the half. Lambert held on for the next 17 minutes but Ramos pounced on a bad pass to get into a one-on-one with the Lambert GK and calmly tied the game with a shot to the near side. 3 Minutes later J Ramos once again scored, for his hat trick, after creating some space about 18 yards out. Walton up 3-2.

The next 16 minutes went by with Lambert barely able to string a possession together but with 1:30 left they pushed forward and S Barrionuevo calmly one-timed a cross on the left side of the goal that looped over over the GK's head to tie the game 3-3 with 1:18 on the clock. The final seconds ticked off with neither team threatening.

Both overtime periods produced not many chances and the game went to PK's. Both teams made their first two shots. In the third frame the Walton shooter pushed the ball over the goal. Lambert hit their shot to go up 3-2. Both scored in the fourth frame. Walton made their's in the fifth frame and Lambert's S Barrionuevo scored as well to end the contest.

Both teams fought hard and if you played the game 10 times you probably wind up with each team winning 5 and losing 5. J Ramos was a beast and clearly was the best offensive player on the field. While Lambert continued what they have done all season spreading the scoring around.

I’ll preface this by saying I missed the first half but caught the entire second half and OT periods of the Lassiter-River Ridge final. It was a great match and showed what quality is possible in HS play. River Ridge took a 2-1 lead with about 15 left in regulation but Lassiter drew even 6-8 minutes later and the remaining few minutes were cagey for both teams.

In OT I thought Lassiter was clearly stronger and more threatening but misplaced several passes that might’ve demonstrated their control more. Eventually Lassiter took the final lead off a PK that I definitely felt was pretty soft (I’ve not gone back and watched a replay or anything so don’t wreck me if you disagree) - but again, I thought Lassiter looked better in general throughout OT so it was also a matter of making one’s own luck. I’ll also point out that while I thought the PK call in OT was soft, the ref crew did a very quality job throughout and the CR in particular.

Lots to be proud of for River Ridge in a tough defeat. Very much a deserving finalist from what I observed.

Congratulations, well done, and way to “Fight On” through adversity to the Trojans!

I think almost all of the River Ridge team is back next year. They should be really good and definitely are at the cusp of a run of state championships but PT has to figure out how to get over the hump next year because after that he graduates some really good players.  

The Lassiter team this year was just stacked, the amount of talent was nuts. Most of their bench players would be starters at high schools. Most players that start at other schools wouldn't start at Lassiter. They will be really good again next year. 

Blessed Trinity will bring back most of their offense again next year and be really solid as they keep a really good striker and midfield. Overall cohesive good set of boys, and what I think is cool is they over index for SCCL players and have no problem hanging with other teams. 

Johns creek I am not sure of their status of players but they did really well this past season. 

For those not in the semi finals -

Riverwood I think graduates most of their team so this year should have been their year, very solid group of players. They had a really tough bracket.
Sprayberry had a really good team this year and just drew a really tough bracket with river ridge and Riverwood for state. I believe this was the last year for their coach but not positive. 

Lastly big call out to Dalton for winning again and Lassiter. Both of those schools seem to have developed something special. There were a lot of good teams this year, anyone winning state back to back to back like Dalton is special (I know they lost to Lassiter last year but won what six before that). Lassiter getting twice in a row is special. 

What’s classless is people who degrade youth soccer players on a public forum.

I have a question for the group. What is the reason for targeting children? I don't care if he's "technically" an adult, this is disgusting. When did this become acceptable behavior?

Perhaps this Ramos kid had a bad game. Maybe his mother was diagnosed with cancer the day before or he broke up with his girlfriend. Maybe he stubbed his toe seconds before stepping onto the pitch, or maybe he's just a 17 or 18-year-old kid in a high-pressure situation. Of course, my assumptions about the situation he may or may not have been in are contingent upon your statement being accurate.

As I write this, I am keeping another tab open, refreshing, hoping that you have come to your senses and deleted your post. But you have kept it up.

If you have an issue with a player's behavior, speak to their coach. Speak to their parents. Do anything other than come onto an anonymous forum and berate, as you said, a kid. I don't know what your target demographic was with that post. Perhaps you were just blowing off steam, but to me, you come across as someone who feels slighted by their child's soccer coach. You also seem to have much more disdain toward this player than what would be provoked after witnessing one game. This almost seems as if it's directed toward someone on your player's team. Or perhaps it's jealousy regarding his successes. None of my business, but it's probably time to be introspective. 

Anyway, I will refrain from writing a three-page analysis on why you might have thought this was a good idea.

I totally understand the frustrations of youth soccer and the perceived injustices, but please remember that at the end of the day, it's a game.

Ultimately, I know that this post will not change you in some profound way, but at the very least, I hope it makes you slightly uncomfortable so that next time you think before you act.

P.S. Sometimes children don't make teams because of their parents' behavior, just some food for thought...

I will start by saying I do not know this kid personally, but my nephew does. So with that out of the way...

Per your own words, you’ve been moonlighting or in lurk mode on this forum, for over 2 years. In that time, I can confidently say, regardless of our personal grudges, we try hard to NOT go after kids personally, unless it is to praise them. IMHO you either have an axe to grind with his parents or you feel he may have taken a spot somehow ordained for your kid or a kid you know. I’m sorry to say, that’s not how life works. I am honestly curious as to what this kid did to you & yours?  Why the visceral haterade for him going to Michigan and him freezing his azz off? Maybe you’re a Buckeye fan, last I checked it’s just as cold in Columbus. You eloquently used the words “mercenaries & ringer” however, it seems yet again you come short in realizing what those words mean. The only question to ask, is was he legitimately registered to play for his high school based on the same criteria yours and other kids are – YES! You call “the kid” an absolute disgrace, maybe you should look in a mirror. Your kids should be ashamed of you going after another kid. You’d probably create 4 new accounts on here to come after anyone who said a smidgen of what you said about this kid. All in all, I see this as an attempt to mask your bellyaching and a childish attempt to get folks on your side. No one likes a coward who comes after kids. If that is the entirety of what you have to offer on this forum, please do us all a favor and return to lurk mode...