I know this post could be misunderstood. I mean nothing against any of these programs. They've done outstanding jobs building their programs and I congratulate both of them. I'm just an advocate of variety.
A few years ago, there was a phenomenon called "SEC fatigue", where fans outside of the SEC were tiring of it always being SEC teams ranked number 1 or being the favorite for the national championship. I was one of them. Of course, you don't want to punish successful programs. So, you just hope other programs and conferences would step it up.
I haven't followed 4A and specifically 4AA as much the last couple of years because of "Mallard Creek/Wake Forest fatigue". I mean every year, one can make a prediction and be very accurate that Mallard Creek and Wake Forest will be the top two programs in 4A in the state.
We shouldn't punish success and I'd never advocate that, but would other programs, particularly in Wake County, please step it up? Wake Forest will be the top 4A program in the east as far as I can see, if for no other reason, unless they play a Richmond Senior, there is no other program in the east and particularly Wake county, who is close to challenging them. The programs just aren't there. With the emphasis on other sports in Wake county, maybe the other schools don't mind getting their brains beat out of them game after game, season after season. This year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Cougars. Yet, this season, they are still rolling.
I take nothing away from Coach Lucas' program. He has done one outstanding job at Wake Forest in building them up to one of the elite teams in 4A in the state. The last two years, they've been THE elite team in the state, working on two straight shut outs in state championship games. One can't argue against results like that. But they shouldn't be the only program. I said it earlier in a post somewhere, I see no one at all keeping Wake Forest from another state title game in 4AA. Therein lies the problem. No one is there, in the east, who can oppose Wake Forest and prevent them from another state title game.
They've won 36 straight and 63 of their last 65 games. Their only two losses during that time were to Page and Mallard Creek. They haven't lost to a Wake County team since 2013; that's 2013!!!! If they played only Wake County teams their streak could over 100. Who in Wake county or the east, unless, maybe Richmond and/or Page go east, could beat them? This year, it would have to be Richmond. After their game with East Forsyth, I don't think Page is in a position to really challenge this year. And Wake Forest has already handled Ricmond. Wake Forest fans, prepare for a state title game.
I know, I know, the old "anything can happen in the playoffs" and "on any given night" lines are well known. Well, it hasn't even been close.
Then we have Mallard Creek. It's not quite as bad in the west, where at least the Mavericks have competition in their conference and they attemp to schedule very tough out of conference opponents. During the same time, the Creek is 57-7. If it weren't for Butler, the Creek wouldn't have had much opposition in their way to titles. Now, they did have Lake Norman and East Forsyth in their way, during their last state title run. Their competition level has been higher but usually Mallard Creek makes the title game.
Since 2013 they've made the state title game four times and Wake Forest has made it four times.
So once again, in 4AA, we could be treated to yet another Mallard Creek/Wake Forest matchup, though the road is considerably tougher for Mallard Creek.
Again, I don't fault these two programs. Their coaches, staffs and players have done an outstanding job. I commend them for it. I just wish more programs would step up. I see that possibility more in the West than in the east.
I thought maybe Hough would this year. But, then they squeak by Mooresville 12-7. So it remains to be seen whether they will or not. Maybe Vance, but that doesn't look likely after they played the Mavericks. This season Butler isn't quite there. Myers Park after their start? They've got to figure out how to get past Butler first.
Again, to the Maverick and Cougar faithful, I'm not disparaging your programs. Why do I keep saying this? Because no matter how many times I say this, there's always that one person who thinks one is dispararing their program. I'm not.
I just wish 4AA had more variety, that's all. So, I guess I'll go down and camp out in 3A, until Charlotte Catholic/Havelock end up being the same thing.
A few years ago, there was a phenomenon called "SEC fatigue", where fans outside of the SEC were tiring of it always being SEC teams ranked number 1 or being the favorite for the national championship. I was one of them. Of course, you don't want to punish successful programs. So, you just hope other programs and conferences would step it up.
I haven't followed 4A and specifically 4AA as much the last couple of years because of "Mallard Creek/Wake Forest fatigue". I mean every year, one can make a prediction and be very accurate that Mallard Creek and Wake Forest will be the top two programs in 4A in the state.
We shouldn't punish success and I'd never advocate that, but would other programs, particularly in Wake County, please step it up? Wake Forest will be the top 4A program in the east as far as I can see, if for no other reason, unless they play a Richmond Senior, there is no other program in the east and particularly Wake county, who is close to challenging them. The programs just aren't there. With the emphasis on other sports in Wake county, maybe the other schools don't mind getting their brains beat out of them game after game, season after season. This year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Cougars. Yet, this season, they are still rolling.
I take nothing away from Coach Lucas' program. He has done one outstanding job at Wake Forest in building them up to one of the elite teams in 4A in the state. The last two years, they've been THE elite team in the state, working on two straight shut outs in state championship games. One can't argue against results like that. But they shouldn't be the only program. I said it earlier in a post somewhere, I see no one at all keeping Wake Forest from another state title game in 4AA. Therein lies the problem. No one is there, in the east, who can oppose Wake Forest and prevent them from another state title game.
They've won 36 straight and 63 of their last 65 games. Their only two losses during that time were to Page and Mallard Creek. They haven't lost to a Wake County team since 2013; that's 2013!!!! If they played only Wake County teams their streak could over 100. Who in Wake county or the east, unless, maybe Richmond and/or Page go east, could beat them? This year, it would have to be Richmond. After their game with East Forsyth, I don't think Page is in a position to really challenge this year. And Wake Forest has already handled Ricmond. Wake Forest fans, prepare for a state title game.
I know, I know, the old "anything can happen in the playoffs" and "on any given night" lines are well known. Well, it hasn't even been close.
Then we have Mallard Creek. It's not quite as bad in the west, where at least the Mavericks have competition in their conference and they attemp to schedule very tough out of conference opponents. During the same time, the Creek is 57-7. If it weren't for Butler, the Creek wouldn't have had much opposition in their way to titles. Now, they did have Lake Norman and East Forsyth in their way, during their last state title run. Their competition level has been higher but usually Mallard Creek makes the title game.
Since 2013 they've made the state title game four times and Wake Forest has made it four times.
So once again, in 4AA, we could be treated to yet another Mallard Creek/Wake Forest matchup, though the road is considerably tougher for Mallard Creek.
Again, I don't fault these two programs. Their coaches, staffs and players have done an outstanding job. I commend them for it. I just wish more programs would step up. I see that possibility more in the West than in the east.
I thought maybe Hough would this year. But, then they squeak by Mooresville 12-7. So it remains to be seen whether they will or not. Maybe Vance, but that doesn't look likely after they played the Mavericks. This season Butler isn't quite there. Myers Park after their start? They've got to figure out how to get past Butler first.
Again, to the Maverick and Cougar faithful, I'm not disparaging your programs. Why do I keep saying this? Because no matter how many times I say this, there's always that one person who thinks one is dispararing their program. I'm not.
I just wish 4AA had more variety, that's all. So, I guess I'll go down and camp out in 3A, until Charlotte Catholic/Havelock end up being the same thing.
