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Diehard Jock: Random sports thoughts from the jock

By Scott Ford
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 10:08 AM PST

Hats off to new champs. So far this fall, three area team state titles and two individual titles have been earned.

In the team sports, the Payette boys soccer team, the Fruitland girls soccer team and the Parma volleyball team have all hoisted that coveted championship trophy.

What an accomplishment for these three schools.

On the cross country course, Weiser’s Ryan Jaggi and Nyssa’s Brian Nelson both finished on top of their game with individual state titles.

Congratulations to all these athletes.


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The hard work, dedication and determination have paid off for you and your schools.

Each and every one of these athletes has forever more etched their name into the history of their respective schools and states. Good job athletes, coaches and teams.

More titles coming?

With football and volleyball still in playoff mode, can any other area schools bring home championship hardware?

I thing so. It would be insane to think the Fruitland Grizzlies won’t win it all, and I hope they do considering, in the 2008 football tab, I deemed them as a team that would not have enough in the tank to get the job done.

Go Griz: Show me the truth.

The Parma Panthers are another team looking real good right now. They are hitting on all cylinders and look to be a tough out.

I believe they have the talent and ability to win it all.

The Council Lumberjacks are another team looking real tough, but my only worry is their depth.

They have lost a few key players to injury this season, but, if they can stay healthy through the playoffs, I believe they will contend for a title.

As for the rest of the teams still competing in playoff action, the road will be tough, but anything can happen.

What happened to home town support?

First off, let me say I think the Payette Pirate football team did an outstanding job this season.

The coaches and players both bought in, and the results showed on the field.

That said, I was extremely disappointed last Friday night in the game against Buhl.

Not with the team but with the team’s fans.

I have never in my life heard so much negative jargon coming for the home team stands in all the years I have been covering sports, and I have been to literally hundreds of games.

Shame on the Payette fans who chose to speak before they thought.

You know it’s bad when one of the assistant coaches turns to the crowd and yells “That’s enough.”

All the negative slurs that were uttered that night, in my mind, had to have some effect on the mental state of the team and its coaches.

Maybe a more positive role by the fans would have been the difference in this game.

It certainly would have not hurt.

Scott Ford is the Sports Editor at the Argus Observer. He can be reached at scottf@argusobserver.com

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Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

Fruitland Res. wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:40 PM:

" Actually, we have a hard time finding coaches for our younger kids' teams, too. It's that old thing about "giving back to the community." Without that commitment from young parents and others, "I'm too busy" becomes an often-used lame excuse and the children are the ones who are cheated. "

Payette Resident wrote on Nov 17, 2008 6:50 AM:

" Well if you look at how the entire town of Fruitland supports their kid's sports compaired to every where else there is a HUGE difference. It is pretty sad when the Rec. Department has problems finding coach for the little guys and gals of Payette in every sport and the people of Payette expect the kids to do good and compete when they get older. This year one coach had to coach two girl's softball team because no one would step up and do it in Payette. Do you think this would have happened in Fruitland. Yeah right, thats why they dominate in High School sports. Now get off you lazy A$$ and quit complaining and do something about it. "

Payette Resident wrote on Nov 17, 2008 6:40 AM:

" If only the people of Payette would support the kids and their sports programs the way that Fruitland does. It is pretty sad when the Rec. Department can not find coaches to coach the younger programs in Payette, but yet the people of Payette expect to do good in the sports programs and want to take away from Fruitland because they are doing so well in ALL SPORTS. Come on people stop complaining and do something about it. "

Another Payette Booster wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:02 PM:

" I'm not sure what you are refering to when you say the Payette Boosters run the town?? At least those of us who join the booster club are doing everything we can to support the kids in every sport. The Football team and coaches did a fantastic job this year! I did hear some nevitivity from the stands and I agree that is what reallu kills the whole program! Come on people of payette, I challange you all to try to put a POSITIVE spin on all sports and we will see what a huge difference it makes in the heart and souls of the players and coaches! "

Payette Booster wrote on Nov 13, 2008 12:59 PM:

" Run the town? Sounds like you need to do some research. "

DBA wrote on Nov 12, 2008 8:15 PM:

" GO TEAM! "

Dear Mr. Ford wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:26 AM:

" Mr. Ford has forgotten that Payette Boosters get to say whatever they want, for they are Payette Boosters, they run the town. "

get real wrote on Nov 5, 2008 5:50 PM:

" I've been to alot of games in different towns around here and comments are heard from other fans as well. When things get competitive people get emotional some more than others. I dont agree with slandering,name calling or foul language but I dont know what was said in this case. I also dont agree on writing an article about it and stirring the pot. "

to scott the jock wrote on Nov 5, 2008 3:04 PM:

" when did you become a jock, isn't that like calling you athletic? come on "

anon wrote on Nov 5, 2008 2:30 PM:

" Negativity breeds negativity. I have always wondered why Payette never had a good run all these years. I know that the kids and coaches put the same amount of time into practices as the rest of the valley. I have also been to many games and listened to them bash the other teams and officials, so maybe it is just that. "

Grizz wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:31 PM:

" Yikes to the Payette Fans, "Act like you've been here before!" comes to mind. Great job to both the players and coaches this year Payette! "

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Diehard Jock: Random sports thoughts from the jock