Albemarle @ Thomas Jefferson Academy

[sway1532]

Might as well get it started.

I don't know a whole lot about TJA, so I went to YouTube and checked them out and also checked out their competition this season on max preps. On YouTube, the only game that was relevant was against Mountain Island Charter. MIC is not a strong team, and even though TJA beat them, they gave up 30+ points to them, so they probably put in the third stringers for cleanup duty is my guess. Their competition this season was weak, I didn't see an impressive win anywhere. One thing I was impressed with was their energy! Those guys seemed to be a well-nit unit and regardless of the competition, they play together.

Breakdown:

TJA QB #3 is big and physical from what I could tell, and throws the ball fairly decent. He seems to be the offense for the ground game. They have some good receivers with #14, #7 and #80. I couldn't tell how their defense was.

As far as Albemarle goes, we are still missing our identity. I hope after Friday, they know a little more about themselves. I don't see Emery coming back from turf toe, that is a nagging injury and will take time to heal, so we may possibly go into this game without him.

It looks like we're back with Caleb at QB, which may be a blessing in disguise. I said at the beginning of the season that #11 was more of an athlete, but it seems that Caleb is a better leader which is more important and what this team needs. I haven't seen our young group of guys so someone will have to shed light on that for me.

Our low numbers will hurt us in the 4th quarter, so if it's close, I look for TJA to pull out this W and Albemarle will be in Basketball shorts before you know it.

 

[Sleehrat84]

SS played them last year in the first round. They are well coached and pass it in a balanced attack. Their coach is a SC retiree with hundreds of wins under his belt. The facility and the people at the school were nice. We kept it respectable, but they were much better in person than the compared scores would have indicated last year. I think they went three rounds last year. This is a tough team to beat. I wish I could tell you otherwise. TA 43 AHS 12

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

Gryphons Head Coach Jerry Cash won his 300th game as a Head Football Coach about a couple weeks ago....He's done a tremendous job at Thomas Jefferson....The team generally runs their offense out of the pistol formation, unless that's changed this season?...They had a lot of seniors on last year's team, so he's done a great job this year in not only keeping the team competitive, but winning games that most thought his team wouldn't win when the season began....

Haven't seen this year's QB in person but if he's anything like the last couple that the Gryphons put on the field; Then, he'll be tougher than nails, and will be able to run and throw the football?....

The Stadium was built with the help of a lot of Volunteers and Donors, and they've done a great job....Folks were always nice and friendly whenever Rosman played the Gryphons down there...

Think Albemarle can make a game of it, unless they let the Gryphons get up on them early in which case it could be a long night and bus ride home afterwards?

 

[Buddy Rich]

Saw on maxpreps where they have 49 on their roster. We may have half that many. This doesn't sound good. Fresh bodies against tired bodies in the 4th quarter

 

[spiketomandjerry4]

I also you tubed searched this team and I think we have a chance. I am going 28-21 Bulldogs.

 

[sway1532]

There is always a chance, but l like I said, I'm not sure which team will show up.

I heard there was a good turnout from the community last night. Mike Barbee was in attendance listening to everyone's concern about Plan B. I'm telling you guys, if we put our differences aside and speak with one voice, that's a force to be reckoned with. We will prevail mark my words.

 

[KW2346]

Yall lost to union academy 40 to 13. U got no shot! just like my alleghany trojans have no shot vs rosman.

 

[sway1532]

U got no shot! just like my alleghany trojans have no shot vs rosman.

I'm o.k. with that.

Anyway, has anybody made it to the practices lately? how are they looking so far?

 

[Buddy Rich]

Sway, keep us updated on the goings on about plan b and the BOE.

 

[Warriorsfan109]

Hope the Bulldogs can pull this off...need to keep the pride ALIVE!!

 

[sway1532]

I most defiantly will. Plan A B C D E F and G will not pass without the communities o.k.

 

[TVILLEDAWG2370]

Good luck to the blue dogs this Friday!!!

 

[sway1532]

Are there no TJA posters on here ?

 

[Buddy Rich]

Do you know if Emery can go fri night?

 

[sway1532]

I'll find out. Turf toe is a nagging injury though. I wouldn't be surprised if he's not playing.

 

[Buddy Rich]

Odd feeling! For the first time in 20 odd years Albemarle is not a major player in the quest for a state championship. But as they say it is what it is. We have been on top for so long that you think it will always be that way but it's not. Anyway we have enjoyed being top dog for a long time and now it's time to see the other side of the coin. I think we might have found a little bit of "bulldog pride" last fri night so that is a good thing as we have been missing that for most of the year. Would be nice to get one playoff win but if not then at least go down swinging. Go Dogs!!!

 

[Abiggdogg11]

To instill pride one must first possess pride.....I'm not sure these coaches have that.

 

[Buddy Rich]

I think the players may have found some pride in their playing not the coaches, abiggdogg.

 

[Bull Durham1964]

Good luck Bulldogs, hope yall make a run with the uncertainties of the school in the future. Wouldn't seem like football without you.

 

[sway1532]

I only know two of the head coaches(Not really), and they came from North Stanly. They don't know what pride is...its a feeling that you can't explain.

Talking to my wife about our two schools, she went to SSH and I went to AHS. She told me that we were too cocky and arrogant; that we walked around like we were better than everyone else.....I said "hell! we were better than everyone else!", but believe it or not, we were humble. I told her that we worked very very hard to win like we did (Past tense) and it showed in each sport that we played. Everyone wasn't naturally gifted like T.A. so we had to work extra hard to play at that level. That's what these kids are missing, the will to want to get better and do better than everyone else.

@Abiggdogg11 Good athletes can make a suck coach look good, but that's not the case this year. Smith was who we thought he was, but there's no letting him off the hook. He should have kept the O intact, he would have had 3 more wins under his belt, but I'm glad he had the guts to kick those players off the team that was being detrimental to the team and giving the younger players a chance.

 

[sway1532]

But I will say good luck to Smith and the coaches and players tomorrow. I hope they surprise us and make a deep run.

 

[Buddy Rich]

But I will say good luck to Smith and the coaches and players tomorrow. I hope they surprise us and make a deep run.

Me too, sway.

 

[Buddy Rich]

Over 250 concerned citizens packed the BOE meeting last night. The people are being heard. The board voted to table both plan a and b and to do further studies and also have a public hearing. WAY TO GO PEOPLE!!!!!!

 

[btango]

If the school board does not look at redistricting it does not matter. As I have written, redistricting the high schools can save one high school, Albemarle, but not South. Growth outside the West Stanly district is the key to keeping four high schools.

 

[Buddy Rich]

Everybody keeps harping to redistrict btango, but the board refuses to do it. WHY?????

 

[sway1532]

Over 250 concerned citizens packed the BOE meeting last night. The people are being heard. The board voted to table both plan a and b and to do further studies and also have a public hearing. WAY TO GO PEOPLE!!!!!!

I didn't know that there was a meeting last night, but I just read on ACES FB that the BOE is planning another meeting to move forward with plan B right before Thanksgiving when they know full well that a lot of people will be out of town that week. Sneaky bastards! Is this even legal!!! we have to ask ourselves this.

But the "Wicked Queen of the West" will not prevail. I'm telling you, people are gaining ground here, there will be a major consequence if they move forward, I'm telling you.....

 

[Dogs9]

I read in today's SNAP that Dr. Griffin first introduced her plans at a retreat at UNCC in January. My first question is why the BOE are going on retreats at the tax payers expense when their business can be handled here at home. City Councilman Dexter Townsend made a very good point when he said "We've got to find out where the real school board meetings are happening because it's not the first Tuesday of the month". I've said all along the city council should also be fighting the closing of AHS because what business would want to locate here in a city without a high school?

 

[Dogs9]

If you think we've had it bad this season go to the 2A page and read about Goldsboro being left out of the playoffs.

 

[spiketomandjerry4]

I heard from an assistant coach that Emory is healthy. We have changed our offense again. Our starting guard and DL was suspended and will not play this week. I am not sure why he isnt playing but it seems as though our coaching staff has buckled down. I will not make the trip to TJA but I predict the score to be 28-14 AHS. #Bulldogpride

 

[bulldog nation2014]

I'm going with 21-17 AHS.

In regards to the school closing, from what I was told the belief is they are planning hearings so that on Dec 1 they can take an official vote. I would say everybody available from Albemarle as well as any business owner should be there and speak their mind. Here some facts for you. In communities where the HS is no longer in existence typically you see a 25% decrease in home values and a 10% decrease in retail sales. The long term economic impact alone should get the community fired up. Additionally in the school system we have comparable studies have been completed nationwide and it has shown extensively that costs actually go up for education through transportation, making space for additional students etc. additionally academically the schools are no better and it actually hurts the kids that need the most help.

I am all for change but this change is not good for ALL students and it's definitely not good for Albemarle. Academics in this county won't improve until we make fundamental changes. Additionally regardless of schools that are closed if they do not make these fundamental changes you will still see failing schools. These kids have a better chance with the HS remaining what they are. We have 2 schools with mobile units maybe just maybe if the BOE focused their efforts and resources on gee I don't know things that will actually improve our schools and getting kids out of mobile units instead of attacking AHS we would be in a better position right now.

I mean come on for almost a year now this is all I have heard. Do you not think we could have made a huge impact in our schools by now if that was their focus? Nope let's spend a year on worthless studies to close a HS in our county seat where 80% of the business lies so we can hurt that and lose more jobs/companies. I mean come on. Kids are going to have chrome books and iPads next year but good luck finding a phonics reading book in the young kids classroom. Kids are eating outside in the rain but let's close another school. I have 3 kids in this school system and I am deeply concerned.

 

[Buddy Rich]

To me this is an out effort to close Albemarle at all cost campaign spearhead by Dr Griffin "the wicked witch from the east". She has embraced some consulting firms recommdations from who knows where and sold the school board members on it. If this board closes AHS they will be long remembered for driving another nail in the coffin of an already dieing community. You board members better think long and hard before you make this decision.

 

[Sleehrat84]

Property values are affected when a school is shuttered in a community. I also wager that the NAACP will get a call when they finally make this decision. Years ago, Goldsboro HS was going to be shuttered. A close look at resources in the system showed some areas of inconsistency in a minority populated campus. Twenty years later, GHS is still operating. I think when the BOE gets a threatened law suit, they will be forced to revisit the redistricting that has been avoided essentially for the last twenty five years.

 

[sway1532]

@Sleehrat84 aren't you on the BOE?

 

[Buddy Rich]

I wish he were sway.

 

[sway1532]

Man....I thought he was.

ACES is fighting hard for AHS and surrounding schools, people are getting involved, people are pissed, and anarchy is around the corner! Go Dogs!

 

[Sleehrat84]

No ...I am running a write in campaign for Treasurer of the No Class Club. The account has $4.17 cents left in it. I figure if the school is closed, no one will notice me closing out the account at First Citizens. Buddy and I are going to take that money and invest in a set of sticks for a good drummer. (You do know Buddy was the drummer in the Beatles "Love Me Do" studio session...right?)

 

[WARRIOR_PRIDE2005]

Travel safe my Albemarle friends and good luck to you guys......

 

[Buddy Rich]

Simmons has TJA by 28. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[Sleehrat84]

That is about right, unfortunately. I think they will pass the first half away, then trap the clock out during the second half.

 

[Abiggdogg11]

If the game is that close, I think we should be allowed to advance to Round 2.