Here is the story on the Alco vs. CCA cancellation. I type super fast so read it or don't if it's too long.
Two years ago Alco signed a two year contract with CCA. The first year (2015) was to be played at their field, the next year (2016) at Greenway. Well CCA didn't have a field locked down in 2015 so Alco made a deal and agreed to pay for their bus and meal to come here in 2015. They did and Alco won the game. CCA was set to come here again in 2016 per the contract. Alco even agreed to pay for their bus and meal again even though the contract did not call for it.
But this past winter, CCA went ahead and scheduled Sidwell Friends for that same 2016 weekend while saying they don't remember signing a contract with Alco. CCA becomes Sidwell Friends Homecoming opponent. When CCA was notified immediately back in Februrary that they did sign a contract their coach decided to just play Alco here on Friday night, then play Sidwell Friends the next day at 2:30 on Saturday. I myself called the CCA head coach and told him you cannot do that to your kids. His exact words were "We have done it in the past and we will be fine." OK, it's his call obviously. Alco was made aware back then what CCA had done. They both agreed to just play the games.
Then in early August, when I call to check in to see where the CCA schedule is and where the program numbers are (you have to do this with these schools because many times they won't have the numbers to field a team) they tell me their numbers are the best they have been but the head coach doesn't want to play Alco. He says it jeopardizes the safety of his kids. To which I replied, "No kidding, we had this same argument back in February." Then I reminded him again that his kids probably would not get back from Cumberland Friday night until midnight and then they would have to get up and play another game at 2:30, which is ridiculous. The CCA coach Lewis says he doesn't remember that February conversation with me. But then when I spoke with the lady helping them put the schedule together, she confirms the conversation as she was a part of it as well. I mean, Geez Coach, really? He was basically not telling the truth. And the lady putting their schedule together (who also has her son on the team) had to call the head coach out about that conversation. She too told him back in February over and over you cannot play two games on the same weekend. She lost that argument at the time.
So Alco decides to bump the CCA game up to Thursday at 5:00 to allow CCA another day to get ready for their Saturday game with Sidwell Friends. CCA agrees and says thank you, we will see you in October.
Then on Monday of this week at the last minute, CCA contacts Alco to say they have decided not to play Alco due to the safety of their kids. They will play their game on Saturday though versus Sidwell Friends. CCA says they will just forfeit the game. Which doesn't affect CCA at all because they don't have a playoff set up.
This marks the THIRD TIME we have had this same exact conversation with CCA about playing 2 games on the same weekend...back in February, back in early August, and now. I have told their coach each time that it is a horrible way to treat others when you tell them at the last minute. This game should have been dropped back in the winter. But since Alco has a difficult time finding games I suspect they held on to it based on CCA giving their word and a signed contract.
In other bad news, now the MPSSAA is probably going to rule the CCA game a "no-contest" meaning the game won't count. It won't be a forfeit and Alco point totals will use 9 games instead of 10. That makes no sense. I spoke with the CCA headmaster and when told this was to be senior night for Alco, he felt bad. But not enough to change his mind.
What bothers me as I have been through this many times, is that MPSSAA contracts are worthless. Even when it's between two MPSSAA schools. I really have had nothing nice to say about the MPSSAA for the last 10 years I have dealt with them. As individuals they are nice people, but as a governing body group they are like many educational agendas...politically driven and detrimental more than helpful.
CCA is no different than MATHS (Maryland Academy That Helmick Scheduled). These teams are not really a football program but more of a "let's see how this goes" thrown together project with few people helping out. So that means extreme last minute disorganization. You don't know if they will have enough kids, if they will show up and show up on time, if they can get a bus scheduled, if they will bring their pads and helmets, if they have the correct color jerseys, etc. because they really don't have anyone in charge of these things. If they do have a coach or administrator in charge of these things (usually it's a volunteer parent), they only last for less than a year so the next admin coming in has no clue they have a contract signed with Alco or anyone. But we all know this going in. MATHS and CCA have now burned Alco twice with a no game at the last minute. Although in MATHS case, they just folded the program in August. It sucks, but you have to know this going in. If you can find someone to replace CCA I would recommend it. But neither Alco nor FH can find a 1A replacement for them and so this is what you get. At the same time, Silver Oak is legit. Yes, they have some issues where not enough people are around to help out Coach Mcleod - who also doubles as an AD, teacher, among many things. But Silver Oak is not going to operate like CCA or MATHS. If they can't play or don't have the numbers, you will get it straight from Coach Mcleod. I have much respect for him. And they aren't that bad of a team usually, especially considering their situation. Or let me put it another way. SILVER OAK WOULD BEAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE 1A WEST TEAMS.
On a similar but separate note...Alco needs 3 varsity games for next year. And that is with Northern , Southern and Chestnut Ridge still on the schedule. Ridiculous. It's either find another CCA or go play bigger powers.
