Ahhh...finally some chatter in this 6th grade forum. I love it!

@Raider...you might be correct in saying I wimped out on my 3-way tie at number 2 but I stand by what I posted. One thing you have to understand is that I base my opinions on a variety of sources. I am not actually a coach in this league. For that reason and because I'm not spending my own money for film review, I can ONLY see film of the Edmond Bulldogs games that I already watch in person. In my role as a volunteer action photographer for EYFA, I see almost all of the games of the three 6th grade Edmond teams as well as many of the other grades. Unfortunately, because of the large distance separation between east and west as recently implemented by INFC scheduling, that doesn't help me make judgement calls on most of the east teams. I have to base those assessments on past years' experience with those teams and also from my impressions watching Bixby Red, Bixby Blue, TYAA Blue and Union Silver at the TYAA scrimmages early this year. As a former sports editor, I'm also a numbers cruncher and typically, the numbers don't lie. Another potential source of information is to do a lot of "listening" to what everyone says in the forums which hasn't provided nearly as much to go on this year.

I personally do NOT think there is as much disparity in individual talent and successful teams between the east and the west as some of the biased, east-side opinions on the forums would lead everyone to believe. I think the ratio of really good teams to really bad teams is about the same across the state with the main difference being that there are a hell of a lot more INFC teams in the east (for now). I think the good teams in the west are as good as the good teams in the east while the bad teams in the east are just as bad as the bad teams in the west. (say that sentence really fast ten times)

During the four years I've been involved with INFC, certain teams have traditionally been very good and that can be attributed to one common factor:  good coaching.  The teams that consistently win ALWAYS have excellent coaches. A few in the forums are always talking about how great this kid is on one team or what a stud that team has, but it still boils down to how well the entire team is coached! If all 11 boys on the field aren't working as a team, then one or two outstanding athletes can't carry the game against well coached competition. I've met and talked with a number of the coaches involved with the teams in my top ten and they are all awesome volunteers doing great work with these youth!