Goliath vs David??

[ShivaBlast]

I absolutely believe that players have the right to choose and make the best decision for themselves, certainly. And the fact that these kids do just that makes great sense. I'm seventeen again; would I like to just take online classes and not have to worry about traditional school problems? Absolutely! How about being done by noon every day? Sweet! What about having 4.5 hours a day to meet, lift, watch film, and practice the sport I love? Sign me up! And most of my coaches don't have to teach all day, they just show up and coach? Cool. You mean my full day is over and I'm home by 4:30?

Nothing about this is fair to the traditional schools. The kids aren't to blame. Neither are the coaches. But the system is unfair, no matter how you dress it up. Take MVP or Oceanside, for example. They have anywhere between 20-30 seniors on their roster, with a small handful of juniors. Next year, and the year after that, they will have a roster with about 20-30 seniors on it. Rinse and repeat. I have coaching buddies that won't nominate their all-region junior players for post-season junior bowls and showcases because that's exactly where the charter school coaches will be, clipboard in hand.

It's shameful.

[HoodRoad]

I absolutely believe that players have the right to choose and make the best decision for themselves, certainly. And the fact that these kids do just that makes great sense. I'm seventeen again; would I like to just take online classes and not have to worry about traditional school problems? Absolutely! How about being done by noon every day? Sweet! What about having 4.5 hours a day to meet, lift, watch film, and practice the sport I love? Sign me up! And most of my coaches don't have to teach all day, they just show up and coach? Cool. You mean my full day is over and I'm home by 4:30?

Nothing about this is fair to the traditional schools. The kids aren't to blame. Neither are the coaches. But the system is unfair, no matter how you dress it up. Take MVP or Oceanside, for example. They have anywhere between 20-30 seniors on their roster, with a small handful of juniors. Next year, and the year after that, they will have a roster with about 20-30 seniors on it. Rinse and repeat. I have coaching buddies that won't nominate their all-region junior players for post-season junior bowls and showcases because that's exactly where the charter school coaches will be, clipboard in hand.

It's shameful.

All of this! Plus, people don't realize Charter schools are big business. Follow the money...you'll see some of the same characters involved in all of them. Nothing wrong with but let's not act like it's the same LOL! Alot of these kids would love the opportunity as long as they can get there. Oh, yeah, that's the other little thing...transportation. That's kind of a big deal for some of these kids and their families. You're being generous with the whole Junior nomination thing...aim lower, the Charters & Privates are hard at work looking for the best MS kids that project to be better as HS athletes. Get them on the hook at the MS level and they are "in the program" and that's where all the "buddies" are that want to play with each other.

[NKOTB]

I absolutely believe that players have the right to choose and make the best decision for themselves, certainly. And the fact that these kids do just that makes great sense. I'm seventeen again; would I like to just take online classes and not have to worry about traditional school problems? Absolutely! How about being done by noon every day? Sweet! What about having 4.5 hours a day to meet, lift, watch film, and practice the sport I love? Sign me up! And most of my coaches don't have to teach all day, they just show up and coach? Cool. You mean my full day is over and I'm home by 4:30?

Nothing about this is fair to the traditional schools. The kids aren't to blame. Neither are the coaches. But the system is unfair, no matter how you dress it up. Take MVP or Oceanside, for example. They have anywhere between 20-30 seniors on their roster, with a small handful of juniors. Next year, and the year after that, they will have a roster with about 20-30 seniors on it. Rinse and repeat. I have coaching buddies that won't nominate their all-region junior players for post-season junior bowls and showcases because that's exactly where the charter school coaches will be, clipboard in hand.

It's shameful.

All of this! Plus, people don't realize Charter schools are big business. Follow the money...you'll see some of the same characters involved in all of them. Nothing wrong with but let's not act like it's the same LOL! Alot of these kids would love the opportunity as long as they can get there. Oh, yeah, that's the other little thing...transportation. That's kind of a big deal for some of these kids and their families. You're being generous with the whole Junior nomination thing...aim lower, the Charters & Privates are hard at work looking for the best MS kids that project to be better as HS athletes. Get them on the hook at the MS level and they are "in the program" and that's where all the "buddies" are that want to play with each other.

MVP Middle school team has already beat Dutch Fork and Gray Collegiate and now they are joining up with other local middle school players to be a national team that will compete in Naples Florida and continue to play AAU football the entire winter and Spring. So more kids will join them.

[hateuscuztheyaintus]

Goliath vs. David? Not Quite.
MVP will need a perfect game to pull off an upset against BHP on Friday. While they’ve played exceptionally well this season, it’s hard to point to a single game where their offense, defense, and special teams have all been flawless. The closest example might be the Asheville game earlier in the season. I don't think anyone at MVP is underestimating the talented BHP.

The criticism aimed at MVP has been intense. Adults are upset with the school, the coaches, the parents, and even the players who chose to go there. And yes - chose. No one held a gun to anyone's head and forced them to transfer. So let’s be real and whether you like it or not: the school is operating entirely within the rules established by the SCHSL and the SC Department of Education. Both entities approved the school’s creation. Blaming MVP for simply existing is misplaced frustration.

It’s a new school—of course coaches, teachers, players and students had to come from somewhere. And if we’re being honest, how many people in June truly believed MVP would be in this position? There were far too many unknowns. Yes, three "big names"—a quarterback, running back, and wide receiver—left their previous programs as stars to take a chance on MVP. The rest of the roster? It’s a group of tough, hardworking athletes who weren’t getting the opportunities they wanted, so they also took a chance. To label this team as "All-Stars" isn’t an accurate representation and if anyone took the time to look at the roster and quit repeating just what they've been told, they would know that. What MVP has is a collection of young men who bought into a vision, put in the work, and earned every bit of their success.

The job Grey Ramsey and his staff have done this season is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting in June, they took a roster of over 80 players from different programs, each with their own way of doing things. Ramsey and his team built relationships, established a standard both on and off the field, and created cohesion among a diverse group of athletes. And they’ve done this while navigating egos, managing expectations from players and parents, and dealing with relentless negativity from outside communities. He has kept his team humble and focused. It’s worth noting that just assembling a team of transfers doesn’t guarantee success—ask Florida State fans about that. Ramsey and his staff deserve far more credit for what he’s accomplished.

Note - This is also the only year players could come from outside MVP’s zone without losing eligibility. Starting next year, student-athletes must live within Spartanburg County District Two’s footprint to attend. That fact somehow always gets lost or ignored in the misinformation.

What happens Friday - who knows? It will be the toughest test yet for MVP. BHP is extremely talented, big and well-coached. Unfortunately, based on how this season has gone in the public, MVP will be trashed if they win and trashed if they lose. So, here's hoping for a safe and clean game. It will be a good one. Let the best team win!

[Deputy]

It’s a free country and one can do what they want to do. But I often wonder if some of the kids that transfer regret their decision down the road? Something to be said for enjoying high school with the folks one grew up with. I guess one is convinced to transfer to elevate their status. I remember when the Skinner kid from Greer went off to IMG. He didn’t get any offers he didn’t have at Greer. The back that transferred to Mann from Greer this year. He already had opportunities. I don’t think being at Mann helped him. Ditto for the back from Broome who went to MVP. I think one day a lot of these kids will look back and wish they had enjoyed their high school experience where it started.

[HoodRoad]

It’s a free country and one can do what they want to do. But I often wonder if some of the kids that transfer regret their decision down the road? Something to be said for enjoying high school with the folks one grew up with. I guess one is convinced to transfer to elevate their status. I remember when the Skinner kid from Greer went off to IMG. He didn’t get any offers he didn’t have at Greer. The back that transferred to Mann from Greer this year. He already had opportunities. I don’t think being at Mann helped him. Ditto for the back from Broome who went to MVP. I think one day a lot of these kids will look back and wish they had enjoyed their high school experience where it started.

It all goes back to the new ME mentality. You hear it all the time from these kids..."I had to do what's best for ME and MY family." That's sad to me. It's not up to these kids to carry that burden. Go be a kid. Play with your homeboys, win or lose, create those memories. In some cases, yes, it's better to leave your home school but I'd say that's on the lesser end. I'm all about community. Give me a Friday night home game with the community at the stadium, or traveling to see my team with others from the community, or watching the rec programs in the community grow. I can't imagine playing Home games so far from the community at Newberry or PC. Who goes to the games, just family and a few students that carpool? Dang I'm old.

[salutethehill]

Looks like they’ve moved the game to Hillcrest Friday night.

[DFOLDMAN]

No one is going to "trash" them that bad... impressive season out of the blocks. Better out of the gate than Gray or Oceanside. I think ultimately, they will level off like Gray and Oceanside and be placed in a higher classification- that will "even up the playing field", so to speak. They have the same strengths and weaknesses as Oceanside and Gray in that they are in areas that have a lot of talent, but they also have strong high school programs that also attract a player- Oceanside has schools like Summerville and Fort D, Gray has Sumter, Irmo and DF, and MVP has to compete with the attraction of powerhouses like Gaffney, Spartanburg, Dorman and Byrnes... two other issues - have to hope the money stream is consistent and they stay out of trouble (bigger concern, ask Gray). Both are key concerns for a program like MVP. BHP, Loris or Oceanside (though an MVP vs Oceanside matchup would receive the same amount of "love" as the Gray vs Oceanside title game did...lol) are all a different level of talent than the majority of the MVP opposition this season. Woodruff was their toughest opponent, and they could have easily lost that game. Just have to wait and see what happens.

Fear The Fox...

[GoldRanger]

I'll take BHP for two reasons...

Hands down the most atrocious, down right ugly uniforms.. Teal is not a color. It's a hot girls last name from Cowpens or Goucher.

And I just don't care for the idea of making up a school, naming it after a fictional place or subdivision to create a "brand" should be a thing.

The Most Valuable Player All Stars...
I don't care how many games they win.
I'm not even sure you can view a mountain from there.

This was hilarious.

[salutethehill]

This thread is fantastic at pointing out one particular thing. There are schools - traditional, private and charter - that specialize in areas like STEM, art, I think there’s one on environment, sports, etc. My daughter came in 3rd in an art competition. 1st and 2nd were from art schools. Nobody cared.
Well we care now… cuz FOOTBALL IS KING!!!

That is all.