Tropic Thoughts: Random Observations by Brian Bosarge

I thought I would wait a few days to let the news settle in, before I blogged about it. On Monday morning Ronnie Cottrell was officially let go as Head Coach/Athletic Director at Alma Bryant High School. Principal Doug Estle, less than six months after taking over the principal job from Larry Mouton, decided to take the football program in another direction. You can read the Mobile Press Register article on the story here. Cottrell was 7-13 in his two seasons as Hurricane coach.

 In recent radio interviews, Coach Cottrell expressed his displeasure in being let go, and really who could blame him. I know every time I have been let go from my job, I have been upset. But let’s look at some of the reasons he was let go. In a recent interview with Lee Shirvanian on WNSP, Coach Cottrell said “I think the team progressed this season”, as a reason he shouldn’t have been let go. In some respects he is correct. However I offer the devil’s advocate response. I feel the team regressed. In 2008, the Hurricanes finished 4-6. In 2009, they finished 3-7. Going inside the numbers reveals that we actually played worse in beating Baker. (Last year a 49-6 win, this year a comeback 16-13 win) Last year against a much better Escambia(FL) team, featuring current SEC Freshman star Trent Richardson, the Canes won 27-14. This against a lesser Bullock County team, the Hurricanes struggled to win 13-0. The most glaring example of regression was the complete lack of discipline showed by the team all season. I can’t tell you how many times the team was running players on late, called for having too many men on the field, or actually running plays with not enough guys on the field. I think the main reason for this lack of discipline was the lack of the “s.o.b.” coach. Last year, with Ty Wise and Ivey Williams on the sidelines discipline was not an issue. However, in my opinion, and I could be wrong,  I think Coach Cottrell may have been too nice for his own good. 

Whomever is the next coach, that person will be the 7th head coach in 12 seasons. Rumors are swirling about who that next coach will be. I have heard the rumors, but will not report on them until anything is official. But I think the real question is what is wrong with the program? Or can the program be fixed? Here is a list of the previous six coaches and their records at Bryant:

1998- Rush Propst (12-1) *lost in State Quarterfinals

‘99-’00- Mark Lassiter (19-5)* lost in State Quarterfinal in ‘99, 1st Round in ‘00

‘01- David Faulkner (1-9)

‘02-’03- Joe Nettles (10-11) *lost in 1st Round of Playoffs in ‘03

‘04-’07- Eric Collier (10-30)

‘08-’09- Ronnie Cottrell (7-13)

I wish I had the answers as to why the Hurricanes have had six consecutive losing seasons. I wish I had the answers as to why the Hurricanes have not been to the playoffs since 2003. Some say the talent level has fallen off dramatically. If that is the reason, how do you fix that? Some say the coaching is the reason (actually a lot of you say that), if that is the reason who can we hire and actually keep here to fix it? Some people blame the behind the scenes structure of the program(i.e. Booster Club, Coaches Club, parents, etc.), if that is reason how do we fix that?

I am just a lowly website columnist/internet radio play-by-play man/fan who loves this program. I wish i had the answers, but I do not. All I have is opinions. However, my opinion doesn’t carry much weight. I do know however that I have worked my butt off for three years for this website and radio network, and I have seen nine wins. And the scary thing is, that pales in comparison to the work the players and coaches have put in for those same nine wins. I think that point gets lost in all the hoopla and drama and finger pointing that goes on.

I hope Principal Estle makes a good hire, one that can bring structure and discipline to a program that desperately needs it. Whomever is hired, I will support that coach and whatever direction he takes. I love Bryant High School, and want nothing more than to see it succeed.

 If I have offended anyone with this blog, I apologize. But these are my opinions, and I stand by them.

Email me: brian_bosarge@caneradio.com

The 2009 season came to a close on Friday night, with the Hurricanes falling to the Foley Lions 51-20. The 51 points scored by the Lions are the most points ever allowed by a Hurricane football team. It breaks the previous record of 47 points allowed given up to Mary G. Montgomery in 2001. Foley overcame three first half interceptions, including a 19-yard interception return for touchdown by senior defensive end George Wilkinson. Jeremy Ford broke two Hurricane records previously held by current South Alabama receiver Lim Windham. Ford’s eleven receptions broke a single game record. His 147 yards receiving gave him 760 yards total for the season, breaking the single season receiving yardage record. The Canes finish the year 3-7. It marks the sixth consecutive losing season for the Hurricane football team.

 RANDOM THOUGHTS:

•  Congratulations to Jeremy Ford. The young sophomore has been a playmaker all season long for the Hurricanes. A very bright future lies ahead for this young man.
• Their will be some debate in the next few weeks at caneradio.com about the year end awards. Some are obvious, some are not. We shall see.
• For those of you who listen to the archived broadcast of the post-game report from last nights game, you heard an emotional speech from myself. Due to the possibility of moving from the area after my marriage in February, this very well could have been my last broadcast of a football game on the Hurricane Radio Network. I have gotten to live a life-long dream of broadcasting football games. I hope if I am not able to do this anymore, Dewayne can find a successor to keep this going. I just want everyone to know, I love Bryant High School, I love broadcasting games for this school. If indeed this is the end of my run, I want to thank everyone who supports the hard work that me, Dewayne, Ben, JJ, and Rebecca do each week to make our broadcasts possible. Thanks again everyone, it has been great.

The Bryant Hurricanes lost their annual rivalry game to the Theodore Bobcats 27-6 on Friday night. The Canes out-gained the Bobcats offensively 279-228 yards, but costly turnovers ultimately did them in. THS running back Todd Neal rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns, including a back-breaking 55-yard TD in the second half. Ricky LaForce threw for 158 yards for the Hurricanes, however an errant pass in the fourth quarter was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Bobcat DB Dylan Busby. Bryant falls to 3-5 overall on the season, and finishes 2-5 in region play. The Canes will host the Foley Lions next Friday, concluding the 2009 football season.

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

• Another week, another double-digit tackle performance from Josh Flowers. That kid is playing unbelievable each and every week.
• Ashton Ward was tremendous off the edge. Ward showed great speed sacking THS QB Chris Nelson twice.
• Jeremy Ford, you sir are a play maker, enough said.
• Alden Bosarge did a great job of running hard all night. It’s just a shame that he is having to handle the bulk of the carries. Because of injuries, and other things, the Hurricanes have been forced to use their fullback as their main ball carrier.
• Friday night was the first time I have really got to see Bobcat LB C.J. Mosley play. This kid is the real deal. He will be starting on Saturdays very soon. Rumor has him going to Tuscaloosa to ply his trade, but wherever he ends up some college coach is going to be real happy.

The Hurricane defense held the Davidson Warriors to 172 yards of offense, but it was not enough on Friday night. The Warriors clinched the Region One Championship with a 10-8 victory over Bryant on Friday night. The loss eliminated the Canes from playoff contention for the sixth consecutive season. The Hurricanes fell to 3-5 on the year, 2-4 in region play. Davidson improves to 7-1, 6-0 in region play. Bryant hosts the arch-rival Theodore Bobcats next week.

 RANDOM THOUGHTS:

• Tremendous effort by the defense tonight, led once again by Josh Flowers. Flowers has now recorded double-digit tackles in consecutive weeks.
• Not a whole lot of balance on offense this week. 34 rushes to only 12 passes. After completing 64% of his passes in the last two weeks, Ricky LaForce regressed this week. The senior signal-caller completed only 30% of his passes. Silver lining to that dark cloud: he averaged 24 yards per completion.
• Disturbing stat of the night on offense: Two leading receivers coming into tonight Jeremy Ford and Tyler Kramer combined to catch one pass. The one catch a 26 yard TD pass to Ford, the Canes only touchdown. I do not think a ball was even thrown Kramer’s way.
• Not sure I agreed with the play call on 4th and 5 with 2:00 left. With the Davidson Warriors in their base defense, The Hurricanes threw a punt fake pass which gained maybe a yard on a completion to Bookie Wells. I don’t disagree with going for it. I don’t disagree with throwing the football. I however disagree with throwing the football with your punter/defensive end with the Warriors in their base defense. If you are going to throw the football, it just seems to make more sense to throw the ball, with your quarterback, and give him a chance to get the ball to one of your other offensive play makers.
• Big rivalry game next week. I know I speak for all of us at caneradio.com when I say we don’t like Theodore, and hope we ruin their playoff seeding like we did one year ago.

Jerico Williams rushed for 119 yards, caught four passes for 28 yards, and scored two touchdowns to lead the Hurricanes to a 16-13 win over the Baker Hornets. Williams second touchdown put the Canes ahead for good with four minutes to go in the game. The win gives Bryant three in a row. The Hurricanes are now 3-4 on the year and 2-3 in region play. The Canes play host to the Davidson Warriors (5-1,4-0) next Friday night.

 RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• Good News: The Canes had half as many penalties as last week. Bad News: They still had nine penalties. The Hurricanes still seem to be playing a wreckless, undisciplined brand of football that theoretically should not be happening seven games into a season.
• Josh Flowers played as good a game on defense as anyone I have seen this season. He was all over the field with 12 tackles, multiple pass break ups, and excellent pass coverage all night.
• Another good game by senior QB Ricky LaForce. LaForce completed 62% of his passes for 127 yards. While he did throw two interceptions, the first came on a tipped pass on a ball that could have been caught, and the second was a hail mary at the end of the first half.
• I am going to quit bragging on Tyler Kramer. I feel I may be jinxing him. It seems the week after I brag on him, he seemingly disappears from the offense.
• I hope this was the breakout game Jerico needs to carry him the rest of the year. With a schedule of Davidson, Theodore, and Foley to close the season, the Hurricanes cannot win games without their play makers making plays.
• John Seaman may have quietly had one the best nights for the Canes. 6 tackles on defense, and on offense he was opening up some great holes for Jerico and Alden Bosarge to run thru.
• Speaking of Alden, he had 29 yards rushing on the final scoring drive, including a huge 3 yard gain on a 4th and 2 from midfield. Alden also had seven tackles on defense.

Ricky LaForce set a school record on Friday night with 305 yards passing, leading the Hurricanes to a come from behind Homecoming victory over the Mary G. Montgomery Vikings, 26-14. Tyler Kramer caught seven passes for 108 yards and Alden Bosarge had three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). On defense, Bosarge had six tackles, forced three fumbles, recovering two. Josh Holmes sealed the game with two interceptions on the final two Viking drives. The Canes improved their record to 2-4 on the year, 1-3 in region play. Bryant will go on the road for the final time next week, visiting the Baker Hornets (1-5, 0-4).

 RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS:

• Ricky LaForce was on fire last night. I have never seen him so accurate in one game. His accuracy paid off with him breaking his older brother Brent’s school record set in 2007.
• While Ricky broke a school record he wanted to break, the team broke a record I am sure they didn’t. 18 penalties for 132 yards is a dubious record I am sure Coach Cottrell will not be celebrating this week in practice.
• Tyler Kramer is on his way to having the greatest season a tight end has ever had in Hurricane history. The senior was wide open all night long, and with teams now content to bracket-cover Jeremy Ford on the outside, the middle should be open the rest of the season.
• Last week with all the running and compared to last night virtual penalty free football, we left the stadium at 9:05. Thanks to the passing and 34 combined penalties the fourth quarter started at 9:05.
• Alden Bosarge, you sir are too valuable not to play both ways the rest of the year.

We at caneradio.com would like to send our thoughts out to Coach Bob Schneider and his family after the loss of his mother this weekend. May she rest in peace.

Behind a stellar defensive effort and an offense that accounted for 346 total yards, the Alma Bryant Hurricanes defeated the Bullock County Hornets 13-0. Jeremy Ford led the Canes offense with 98 yards receiving, including a 63 yard touchdown pass on the last play of the first half. Willie McCovery added 92 yards on the ground and one touchdown. The win is the first on the year for the Hurricanes. Bryant (1-4, 0-3) will play host to the Mary G. Montgomery Vikings (0-5,0-3) on Friday night. The Canes will be celebrating homecoming.

 RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• First things first, Congratulations to all the players and coaches for the first victory on the season.
• However it was not all champagne and roses on Friday.
• Although the Hurricanes won the game 13-0, and the game was really never in doubt, they left so many points out on the field. Silly mental mistakes, silly penalties, and other random silliness that should not be happening five games into the season continues to plague the Canes.
• The defense however pummeled Bullock County all night. They allowed only 107 total yards. The reserve defense forced three turnovers in three drives in the fourth quarter. Tyler Camery single-handily saved a touchdown by making the tackle on the Bullock County QB in the open field, stripping the football, and then recovering the fumble himself.

Using a perfect display of speed and execution, the Murphy Panthers defeated the Bryant Hurricanes 42-7. Senior quarterback Daniel Woodyard led Murphy with four touchdown passes in just under two quarters of work. The Canes fall to 0-4 on the season, 0-3 in region play. The #8 ranked Murphy improved to 4-0, and 3-0 in region play. The Hurricanes play host to the Bullock County Hornets on Friday night. The Hornets, from Union Springs, are 1-3 on the season.

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• Tough loss on Saturday, but not surprising. Murphy was definitely a more athletic team than we were.
• Mental mistakes continue to plague the Canes. In the fourth quarter the Hurricanes had to run an extra man onto the field. Now normally when this happens, it is the 11th man running onto the field. In this case however it was the 9th man running on the field. Luckily, Murphy was not rushing the punt.
• Where, oh where, has the running game gone?
• Bullock County defeated Catholic Montgomery on Friday for their first win of the season. The win gives them their 13th win…since 1998!!! 1998 being the first year of the Hurricane football program. If Las Vegas were setting odds on this game, I would think the Canes would be no less than a 14 point favorite to get their first win of the season.
• Quick shout out to former Hurricane and Alabama defensive end, Antwan Odom. The current Cincinnati Bengal, and receiver of much wrath from myself (a lifelong Bengals fan), recorded five sacks in one game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. It is his seventh sack on the season. The five sacks in one game tied a Bengals single game record, a record that has stood since 1980.

Blount receiver Calvin Davison had five receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Leopards over the Hurricanes 34-14 on Friday night. Davison’s touchdown receptions covered 80,50, and 30 yards. The Bryant offense turned the ball over three times, including a fumble by junior running back Willie McCovery inside their own five yard line. Josh Holmes returned a Blount interception 18 yards for the Canes first score. Ricky LaForce completed a 3 yard pass that sophomore receiver Jeremy Ford turned into a 72 yard touchdown, giving the Hurricanes a 14-13 halftime lead. Bryant falls to 0-3 on the season, and 0-2 in region play. The Canes hope to avoid a consecutive 0-4 start next week when they travel to Ladd-Peebles Stadium to play the undefeated Murphy Panthers. The game will be on Saturday night.

 RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS:

• The Hurricane quarterbacks were more accurate this week. However they are still holding onto the ball too long. A week after giving up seven sacks, the Leopards recorded five this week.
• After three games the Canes seem to still have a problem getting the right amount of personnel on the field. Multiple times again with either too many men on the field or not enough.
• Without Jericho Williams, the Hurricanes seemed to lack that true play maker in the backfield.
• Calvin Davison. 5 catches 173 yards. Solomon Patton this week. Committed to Florida. UH OH!!!
• All kidding aside, I have full confidence in coach Keven Jackson and the rest of the defensive coaches to come up with a game plan to at least slow down the future Gator this week, and make the Panthers beat us in other ways.
• Great run after catch by Jeremy Ford. The youngster showed great speed tight roping down the sideline.
• Tyler Kramer is fast becoming my favorite Hurricane to talk about this year. 5 catches for 58 yards against Blount, including three for first downs.
• We get to broadcast from Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday night. Ladd is without a doubt my favorite place to broadcast from. I saw my first Senior Bowl there when I was seven years old. Since I was twelve, I have wanted to be a football reporter. Every time I get to sit in the same press box as NFL and college football analysts like my idol Mel Kiper, Jr. I am truly living a dream. And for that I thank Alma Bryant High School.