Rams and Back
- Thread starter BarefootBoyz
- Start date
Glad you recognize well the sweat and toil of the people of South Cumberland back then. Fort Hill had been built so well that the remodeling of the school in the early 80s required less effort that originally planned. Thanks for re-acquainting us with the WPA.
Yes, my grandfather worked for the WPA. I do recognize the sweat and blood that went into such government-produced projects.
I would rather read about Lag’s obsession with Appel and Boyz’s claim of journalistic integrity than see other posters debate and argue politics on this board. It’s happening more and more. Take this stuff over to another social media. I love a good political debate but this is a high school sports board. Come on, fans!
Years ago I joined Facebook to find out what old high school friends were doing after all these years. So, a few had died... sad... and half of the rest were into posting bullshit political memes... just as sad.
To think that such loving and caring classmates could have such hate - as to wishing death - for those who were not as loving and caring as they were was more than I could take. So, I dropped out.
So.... ugh... sometime back I defended FH against racial issues. But now... politics and race are thread stoppers.
I'm looking forward to a great year of pro/collegiate/prep football.
If you get a chance pick-up this month's Allegany Magazine, I wrote the cover story about a phenomenal singer who was born and raised in Cumberland. She became an international star and performed all over the world. She still lives in Cumberland in a local nursing home:
https://www.times-news.com/allegany...cle_b87c862a-ae30-11e9-a3ea-b7c90f5200d4.html
I would rather not have to read about people trying their best to tear down a program and a coach that has been extremely successfull and is responsible for helping students to go on to college and make a better life for them self’s but I know it’s not going to happen.
Losers hate winners. It’s just a fact
Losers hate winners. It’s just a fact
Anybody with personal dignity is not a loser - just like the workers who built Constitution Park who would not accept charity and worked hard to get what little they were paid; they went right back to the factories when they reopened. The folks in PA with small farms went right back to the mines: they got up before dawn and milked the cows - went to the mines - then came back and milked the cows again at dark. They had dignity. They weren't losers.
My parents weren't losers. I remember my mother scrubbing the sidewalk on Columbia Street. Back when the street was brick, she poured the scrub-water on the street and cleaned it too. She had dignity. Then again, I remember riding to the old family PA farm and seeing my 85 year old grandmother walking behind a single-bladed plow pulled by a mule. She didn't have to but insisted on putting in her own garden. She wasn't a loser. She had dignity.
I remember people down on their luck taking a bag of groceries from me when, as a child, I delivered it to them. They would not accept charity from the government or a church.... they simply couldn't make a child carry back a heavy turkey. Those people were not losers. They had dignity.
Admittedly, I have a different standard as to what a winner and loser is.
Last edited:
So.... ugh.... after you get him out of the forum are you going to publicly track him down in restaurants and such. This seems to be the way things are done now.
Tony, I'm definitely not a FH hater. In fact, I've been very impressed with what FH and Coach Appel have accomplished over the past decade or so. And as an Alco guy, there's nothing more I'd like to see than for us to get back to a competitive level with you guys. So don't mistake the following as anything anti-FH.
But it's very hard to give Todd credit for actively "helping" students to go on to college. I've posted it here a couple of times the past few months. Todd stood up at the new player parents' meeting a few years ago and said point blank "I will not promote your kid to colleges." That's a kick in the balls to any FH player and their parents, straight up. And we've already covered why. Any FH fan would probably agree with me that FH should get somewhere around 4 or 5 kids per year on to college rosters of all levels, give or take. The right head coach who's truly focused on helping the kids who've helped him would work to either actively promote his graduating players, or at least have someone on his staff help them out. And I'm not saying that we're great at it, either. Again, it's been an issue in Cumberland across the board for decades.
Todd is also the guy who recently told Mark Manges and Greg Hare to their faces that they and the stadium committee shouldn't be involved with anything related to the stadium, because the Board of Ed should be the only entity concerned about that. That's the same Mark Manges, Greg Hare and stadium committee that takes a lot of their own time to raise money for one of the best high school venues in the state, which, as we've also confirmed, is centered in the poorest county in Md.
Gotta give Todd credit... dude's got some balls. But he wins games, no doubt.
Constructive and well said. I’m not saying Appel he’s perfect but he has been one hell of a coach and the kids that play for him love him. He has also spent a unbelievable amount of time devoted to helping them.I spoken with many. Cumberland has so many problems that you would think people would be proud of what he’s done. I hope allegany can revive the program too. Instead of bashing fort hills success I wish these allegany fans would get involved with their programs, but it’s too easy to sit behind a keyboard and spread negativity.
I don't want to give Todd a total pass but much of what you're saying isn't accurate. I do agree with you that Todd can do more to promote his players. Like you said, I remember a couple of years ago a member of the FH coaching staff said on Facebook, "It's our job to win games, not to get the kids scholarships." so evidently that is their philosophy. But I have talked directly to several players and they did say Todd helped them with the recruitment process. There's only so much even the HC can do. There simply isn't enough talent. You say FH should get 4 or 5 kids in per year? Even talking D2 and FCS colleges that's totally unrealistic. You're being fooled by the MaxPreps rankings and 1A rings. Beating those 1A playoff teams doesn't mean you can play in college. The players you're running over from Havre De Grace and Surrattsville won't be playing college football, they will be playing intermural basketball in college.
No. It’s just facts. Like I keep saying the program and coaches are responsible for fort hills success. Fort hill kids aren’t born faster, stronger or better than boonesboro kids or allegany kids. stop trying to tear a coach down who is obviously phenomenal at what he does you’re embarrassing yourself .
As a guy that has grown up next to FH, watched 2 older brothers play at FH, played at FH myself, coached at FH, watched my son just finish up at FH, helped many kids with strength and conditioning at FH, helped a couple with their recruitment that ended up playing college football, and been a fan of FH, this is how I see Appel, who I grew up with and played with at FH. Todd is a genuinely good person. He bleeds, eats, craps Fort Hill
High School. It takes one to know one. I’m the only guy I know that loves Fort Hill as much as me. Appel loves that place and the community more than anyone else I know. He has put his heart and soul into that school and football program. He has said and done some things he shouldn’t have done over the years and I myself have been pissed at him for some of those things. Todd Appel’s agenda has nothing to do with pleasing people, it has everything to do with making that program the best program it can possibly be and he does love the kids he coaches. The critics will always be there but if people were being fair they would look at his 80 and be forgiving of his 20. He does so much more good than bad. That’s a fair assessment I believe.
High School. It takes one to know one. I’m the only guy I know that loves Fort Hill as much as me. Appel loves that place and the community more than anyone else I know. He has put his heart and soul into that school and football program. He has said and done some things he shouldn’t have done over the years and I myself have been pissed at him for some of those things. Todd Appel’s agenda has nothing to do with pleasing people, it has everything to do with making that program the best program it can possibly be and he does love the kids he coaches. The critics will always be there but if people were being fair they would look at his 80 and be forgiving of his 20. He does so much more good than bad. That’s a fair assessment I believe.
Is it that unrealistic? Maybe TDHelmick can help me with some numbers, but hasn't FH sent several players to college with some money each year over the last 6 years or so? Maybe a few years its been less, but it seems FH has been seeing multiple kids go on to get money towards college from almost every class? Am I way off?
I'm not saying that's testament to anything in particular that coaches are doing, per se, but more towards talent being recognized.
The critics most likely have never been to a FH event such as a rally, ring ceremony or other banquet to hear Appel speak about his players and the emotion he puts into the whole FH community. I’m not behind the scenes but have been close enough to the program to know that for the past decade he has acted as a father-type figure to some players.
I think it's unrealistic, but I would be happy to be proven wrong because I want to see more kids getting money/opportunities. Helmick said about a month ago a "ton" of kids from last year's class had college offers, lol. Who are they? I've never known FH to send many kids to college on scholarship so I was surprised that he made that statement. Mountain Ridge gets more scholarship money for their kids for some reason.
Luke Hamilton is at Towson State: https://towsontigers.com/roster.aspx?path=football
Frostburg State has players from Frankfort, MR and Keyser: https://frostburgsports.com/roster.aspx?path=football
WV Wesleyn has a Keyser player: https://wesleyanbobcats.com/roster.aspx?path=football
Iosefa Pauaauli (MR) Is at the Naval Preparatory School this year and will be in Annapolis next year.
FH always has anywhere from 3-9 kids get offers from D2 and D3 schools to play football. The problem is money at that level is based on GPA and SAT. Kids going that level to play football are actually going there to be a college student first and it's hard for the high school senior to grasp this concept that football is not the priority. The best college prospect at FH last year had teams begging him to play, he just didn't realize what it took to play at the D2 and D3 levels academically. College isn't for everyone. If you are struggling to maintain a 2.0 GPA in high school, forget about college.
This just off of the top of my head for the last few years. I don’t know if any of them are still there or not though.
Logan Johnson- Alderson broaddus, did hear he’s at Salisbury now.
Troy banks- Salisbury
Keegan Miller- believe went to a D2 school, can’t remember the name.
Luke Hamilton- Towson
Ty Johnson- maryland
Carter swan- heard he may be playing for FSU
Blake Beal- playing college baseball
Trey bishop- Utah
Be very clear, I'm not pointing the finger at you, Appel or FH, because this should be addressed before the kids even get to high school. We pretty much know what players are going to be good in youth league and definitely by middle school. The academic reinforcement should have started back then. I actually talked to a couple of people about starting a tutoring program in the Cumberland area specifically aimed at young athletes but of course open to all students. I think there are state and possibly local funds/grants available if someone wanted to do something like this.
Last edited:
I like the idea of a tutoring program in middle school. As Helmick said, if you struggle to get a 2.0 in high school, you probably aren’t going to make it in college as an athlete. At the D1 level your time is totally taken up by the demands of playing football. Workouts, practice, study halls, meetings and other team functions require you to be a good time manager. However, because you are an athlete, resources are afforded to you that other students do not get, but you have to be committed to use those resources.
I don't believe Banks is at Salisbury anymore and Swann is not playing at Frostburg
Logan Johnson: I checked both rosters didn't see his name.
Troy Banks: His parents told me he's no longer attending Salisbury. Really good kid, I think he is attending Frostburg but not playing football.
Keegan Miller: He is playing at Furman this year: https://furmanpaladins.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1798
Luke Hamilton: Already noted
Carter Swan: I checked the roster didn't see his name.
Trey Bishop: I checked the roster didn't see his name.
Bishop is on a missionary excursion the next two years before enrolling at Utah.
The critics most likely have never been to a FH event such as a rally, ring ceremony or other banquet
Why would all those who have heard Appel in public media be expected to understand the man as he displays himself in selective events. Besides, if Appel holds his players accountable publicly for grades and football why can't he be held to the same standard on media and events.
This goes a long way to understanding coach Appel's frustration with student's grades to the point where he would blurt something out in the media. It also explains why he wouldn't go out of his way regarding scholarships. One only has to look at the state test scores.
Personally, I think college is easy enough for the average student. My sons were average by my opinion. But, I got them a computer before computers were popular. I rode herd on them with both grades and sports. I told them over and over, "80 years is too long to be poor."
Yes, the schools suck. They have for some time. It sucks more for males today with the feminization of everything ... college is worse. But that is where one's home environment comes to play. Parents have to teach when the teachers can't. Parents have to motivate when it is not the coach's responsibility.
I am not making excuses for Appel. He is responsible for the totality of his shit. What I am suggesting is that an average young man should have enough of an education to take advantage of a scholarship. You can't expect the coach or the school to get it for them. It starts and ends at home.
Yeah parental involvement is very important, especially in situations like this in which getting scholarships is secondary to winning games. My son is a student-athlete about to start 9th grade and I've already emphasized that academics are going to be the key and not sports. And I agree the administration has to be held accountable at some point, if a kid is "struggling to maintain a 2.0" why are they even on the field? If FH has 5 out the last 6 state titles and they have the same number of kids playing on Saturday as MR and Keyser something seems amiss.
If FH was a big private or 4A or even a 3A school, and winning titles like that, I'd agree with you more. But as you've stated before many times, 1A/small public school titles aren't necessarily viewed as elite gauges of college talent. You would agree that 1A as a whole is pretty watered down outside of a few teams. And it's always been kind of a given that FH's success is a byproduct of the team first mentality. No one player is given the opportunity to shine (as often as other schools). MR built their entire offense around players like Pua'ali and Harper, so they are going to have crazy numbers and get more notice. And dont get me wrong, they are legit good players, worthy of what they get. But it's not too often that players like Ty Johnson come along and get signed at FH. In fact, Ty fought like crazy to even get looks. He made his own way. Basically what I'm saying is, inferring FH should have more players getting money to play on Saturdays is really not as relevant to winning titles as one might suggest. Not in 1A. Maybe if they were downstate and got more coverage? Idk.
Very well put. I don't think it's horrible to criticize somebody that you also think highly of or compliment. As long as there's a balance and people aren't just hating then I think all positions can be respected. There is a point when somebody goes over the line and they shouldn't be excused just because of all the good they do.
Schools will never be held accountable:
By Armstrong Williams Monday, 11 September 2017
https://www.newsmax.com/ArmstrongWi...dardized-tests-the-wire/2017/09/11/id/812897/
Last edited:
Trey Bishop was doing a church missionary this year. Thats what i have been told. I heard swan went to one conditioning at fsu and didn't come back.
He absolutely has been a hell of a coach and has run a very good program from top to bottom. Also, I think that Cumberland overall is very proud of what he's done. Anyone from Cumberland who who doesn't give him and the FH program's accomplishments their due credit, no matter who you pull for, is just an idiot. And we've proven that on this board, you can't help people who are just flat out dumb and/or angry.
Todd is 1000% dedicated too, so I don't want it to seem like he's not. You drive by FH, very good chance you see his truck parked there. I'd just like to see him be more open to helping the kids who've helped him. My personal opinion: Shakur Trimble should be playing D1 ball somewhere. I could be wrong, but the right high school head coach could sell him to a program and give him an opportunity at a bright future.
Believe me, the two points I made in my initial post about Todd not promoting kids to colleges and about what he said to Mark Manges, etc. are 100% true. The people involved told me right to my face, and they're absolutely credible. The last thing I'd do is come on here and post something that I wasn't at least very sure is accurate. If it's something I'm not sure is accurate and heard through the grapevine, then I'll state it that way.
Your point about what a FH assistant posted on Facebook a couple of years ago not only enforces my overall point, but it was also not smart for him to make something public like that. But it tells me that if you're not in the business to help the kids at least a little bit, leverage their football abilities into a free or reduced college education, then you're either self-serving, very short-sighted, or both.
Also, I've never even clicked on a link that goes to MaxPreps rankings, so that's not a factor here. Anyone with my experience can watch the FH teams of the last decade or so play, compare them with guys we played with in college, and at least make a decent projection of who seems to have college abilities and who doesn't. And FH has more than 1 or 2 kids in an average year that can play in college, no doubt.
I don't know there guy.... unless you've kissed Appel's ass once for every one of his 1A rings and dislocated your back bowing out of his presence I don't think you've earned making any suggestions.
I assume, coach Appel is like a George Patton. He is very good at what he does. What he is not good at is schmoozing up to college coaches or getting his players to accept a tutoring program. Besides, he already puts in a zillion hours. I don't think he is short-sighted or even self-serving. He is just what he is.
Very fair assessment. There does seem to be a little bit of a mad scientist vibe with how Todd runs the program, and I don't view that as a negative, even though it seems like I'm being really critical of the guy. I mean our head coach, who I'm friends with as well, has made his share of mistakes and still has egg on his face from that whole Southern/FH helmet-gate thing from last year. Pretty sure he'd take that one back if he could lol.
With a new principal coming in to FH.. any idea if the dynamic between head coach and boss will be any different than it's been in the past?
We have a new principal taking charge too, but she was in house already, so not really expecting any changes... unless we have another crap year.
