Is the SEOAL a dead horse?

[NYBuckeye96]

Athens made the right choice in joining the TVC. They already played most of the Ohio schools in every sport prior to the switch. The gates have improved tremendously. Athens did what Jackson and Warren wanted to do for the exact same reasons. Closer travel, more money, and lastly, easier overall competition. The only question I would like to hear the answer to would be, why did Athens vote for an SEOAL expansion and then use travel as a factor in leaving? That's the only thing I don't get..

Maybe Athens wanted to make sure the SEOAL survived long-term. If Athens knew they were leaving, teams needed to replace them. Athens could have voted yes to ensure the stability of the SEOAL. Keep in mind that Jackson voted NO on expansion and one more NO vote would have prevented it from happening.

My other possible scenerio would be that at the time of expansion, Athens had no talks with the TVC yet about possible admission to the TVC. It might not have even been on the table at that point in time. Or perhaps talks were ongoing, but there was no guarantee of the outcome at that point in time. I do know that as far back as when I was in high school in the 90s, it was always talked about how great it would be to have all 5 Athens County schools in the same league. That talk has been around since at least the 1990s. I just don't know how serious the talk was prior to Athens being voted into the TVC.

[Paladin]

I think Athens knew what was coming ( the expansion), had anticipated it ( most schools plan years in advance of leaving/joining leagues) and started looking at schedule options. They knew they were going to leave the SEOAL ( couldn't get out quick enough) and voted for the expansion to please the desire of most long time members of the SEOAL. Afterall, they had no skin in the game and weren't planning to stay.. While a favor for the league ( voting for the expansion), it was gutless not to get earlier notice of their leaving to the league. But with some many new teams coming to the SEOAL, it was easy for teams to replace Athens on the schedule . Athens cancelling the non-league contract with Logan was another classless move. The league got much tougher with Athens leaving and adding bigger & tougher schools.

[wheelersburg fan 89]

Paladin, where have u been these past few months or so? aint seen ur username in quite some time, but then again i rarely leave the football forums

[Paladin]

here, there, and everywhere. On too many sites. And SEO football is down again this year, so not much to talk about

[wheelersburg fan 89]

for someone who hates the "oh so dreaded southern ohio football", you post alot on here. i believe youve made it clear to everyone that sees that purple helmet on the right of their screen that you hate all southern ohio football programs because obviously we are so inferior. im sure in "here there, and everywhere" there are plenty of northern ohio football thread sites right?

[Paladin]

actually , college ball.... YSU & OSU. I'm on quite a few But I also hit some H.S. sites under a differnt name.

Hate ? Strong word. Actually this season I kicked back and will watch as Southern football implodes again. The track record speaks for itself and doesn't need my help. But I must admit I end up rolling on the floor laughing hysterically when I read all the tough talk down there about how "bad" you all are. :122245

Great entertainment !

[fighting_falcon]

Which is why I expect both back, noreply. Marietta is beyond laughable. Especially with both Ironton and Chilli leaving ( long trips) and Portsmouth looking for an option. Travel for them will be cut drastically. But competition wise, they jumped from the frying pan into the fire. They can't play with anyone there, not even D-VI Rosecrans. And its not just football. The whole slate of sports is getting killed and will continue to be. But the biggest laugh is Athens, who chucked 70 years of history to beat some smaller schools. I see where 93bulldog is attempting to cloud the issue with the numbers game. Portsmouth knew full well ahead of time the student enrollments they would compete with. Athens also knew the numbers in the TVC and jumped to become the big dog. But then, they didn't have much hope left , they were so uncompetitive in the SEOAL. I've looked at the league titles, boys &girls and Athens clearly is dominating. I expected they would . That why I wanted to keep them on Logan's schedule ( computer points ) but Athens CANCELLED a contract with Logan for non-league games. That would have been close and a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ game too, but ........................... well, everyone gets the picture. As for me being upset, there s the door. I simply expect Athens will be very unwelcome shortly as a big dog lunching on the small fry and people will look for a solution to the problem. Up here, when that problem arises, the affected schools meet ( excluding Athens) and form a new league without them. Presto -- done. Or there will be a break away with members slowly leaving over time. Either way I don't see the rest of the TVC living with the situation, no matter the contrived reason -- travel or $$$$$$$$. The competition is unbalanced and boards, administrators and coaches will seek to rectify the problem. Athens days of slumming it are numbered.

So the SEOAL continues with Logan, Jackson, Gallia, Warren, maybe Portsmouth but probably not for much longer with Marietta realizing their mistake seeking to return and the Athens debacle being settled ( maybe against their will, lol).

Maybe you should check your facts before you start bashing Marietta and the ECOL.
They are doing just fine in many sports. Several league champs in the two years they have been in the
League. Never was a factor in football in SEOAL anyway. Better travel,
Better competition and still competes in most sports. Don't miss the SEOAL at all.
Athens made good move and so did Marietta.

[93Bulldog]

Paladin researches nothing fighting falcon .. he just spits out his opinion.

[Paladin]

Actually, Paladin reads the Times Recorder ( Zanesville). Marietta hasn't been doing well at all. And won't. But, hey, we'll let the track record over the years speak for itself. 8)

[fighting_falcon]

Marietta has around 7 league champs so far in their early membership with the ECOL. I guess that would be struggling in the purple eyes of a Logan supporter.

[Paladin]

yes, the girls shou;ld be happy 8)