Brevard

[ObserveAndReport]

Now as far as the current topic, I spoke with Dan Essenburg last friday in Rosman, and he is NOT of the same opinion as many that losing Ecusta and Dupont is the reason for the dramatic competitive dropoff in Brevard, and said it made him mad to read such garbage on Preps because it's nothing but an excuse for failure....He said the biggest problem is that the mindset of the kids and the parents is different now than it was, and that Brevard can turn things around, but the kids have got to be willing, and dedicated to work in the offseason to get stronger and more aggressive for that to happen....As most know, Dan coached the last great Brevard team in 2007 that narrowly missed playing for a state title that year, losing to Lincolnton on the road in the final 2 minutes on a C.J.Wilson 50+yd TD run when Brevard had him pended to the sideline....As Dan mentioned, Brevard's tradition of football is much like Rosman in that they need to be able to run the ball, and defend the run, and that comes with a lot of work in the offseason in the weightroom...

It's hard to deny that Brevard's numbers are down but as Coach Essenburg pointed out to me....Those plants were already shut down for nearly 10 years before that 2007 team hit the field, so he's naturally NOT convinced that is the problem now....He also mentioned that his last team in 2007 didn't have any stars, but did have a lot of kids who liked each other, worked their tails off, and played for each other, and felt that was the reason that the 2007 team was so successful...

I agree with a lot of that. Look at it this way...Andrews also got hit with a the closing of a factory that the town's economy leaned on heavily (the old Lee Jeans plant) around the same time Ecusta closed. (Not to mention the hospital and another plant just outside of the town closing around the same time). But they still beat Brevard this year, despite having less than half as many students. That tells me the problems are deeper than "Ecusta is gone and we have small numbers now." No matter whether the kids you have are from blue-collar families or not, you have to get them to buy in and be dedicated to football. Carrboro made it to the 2A finals a few years ago...I don't know of any greater proof than that that you don't necessarily need kids of blue-collar lunch-pail workers to win football games. If Carrboro could get the children of hippies, yuppies, and professors to buy in, it seems possible that Brevard can get real estate agents, camp directors, and brewers' kids to dedicate themselves.

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

It followed the town, I'm telling you. When Brevard lost it's blue collar mentality, so did the school and thus the football program. Brevard used to be a helluva football program. Very tough. Heck, they have one of the largest capacity stadiums in the state, and they're only 2A. That town lived and died for Blue Devil football.

Brevard sounds beautiful. Just missing football

 

[HeelzThrillz]

Brevard sounds beautiful. Just missing football

It is, and it's still a great place to watch a game.

 

[brevard'04grad]

Congrats to the Blue Devils for win #2 last night over Enka!

 

[Tigertown_a_Rick]

Congrats to the Blue Devils for win #2 last night over Enka!

Seems the Big Blue is on a different streak now...

Congrats to the Bluedevils on their 2nd consecutive road win of the season!

Roar Tigers Roar!

 

[Steelers71]

Are they still running the Wing T? Just takes time and it will work, like Novocaine.

 

[Doppleganger#]

Have any of you poster or viewers have ever watch the 1982 Brevard Blue Devils football season on youtube? The year Brevard went undefeated and won it all that year. Their is video of every Brevard game played that year with big play-off wins vs Statesville, Mount Airy, and the State Championship game vs Bertie. It may a longtime for Brevard to have a season like that ever again. I agree its sad how Brevard football has now become.

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

It is, and it's still a great place to watch a game.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Football field surrounded by hilltops. Such beautiful sight, well maintained field and huge home side seats(do they all get filled up now days?)

 

[brevards1]

It is usually half to 3/4 full now I think the last packed game was in the same season Rick mentioned which was actually 05. Fullest I ever saw was the Shelby game that year with fans 3-4 rows deep all the way around the fence and the stands completely packed.

But it is a great setting

 

[ObserveAndReport]

It was also packed for the first game Brevard College played there after reviving the program in 06,but that's probably the only time it has been close to full (or 1/2 full) for a BC game.

 

[ObserveAndReport]

It was also packed for the first game Brevard College played there after reviving the program in 06,but that's probably the only time it has been close to full (or 1/2 full) for a BC game.

 

[LonnieFarmJimmy]

It is usually half to 3/4 full now I think the last packed game was in the same season Rick mentioned which was actually 05. Fullest I ever saw was the Shelby game that year with fans 3-4 rows deep all the way around the fence and the stands completely packed.

But it is a great setting

Yet another great view(painting) but awesome. Looking at the art works makes me ponder about a heavy storm rushing through there. I bet God lets it rock

With such a welcomed place, all Brevard need now is a collection of great team players.

 

[ThePolkNation]

great pic Brevard 1..... I love the Brevard area

 

[HeelzThrillz]

Can't believe this thread is now 3 years old and my how things have changed. Welcome back Brevard.

 

[PBBear51]

I think the argument is that the demographics of the town have changed due to a shift in the focus in the economy. Kids of mill workers tend to play more football than kids of real estate agents and glassblowers.

Exactly, spot on!