August 31, 2017
HOUSTON
Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the folks in the greater Houston area.
JON GRUDEN JR?
The Bill Conides era at Denham Springs HS debuts tomorrow night, as the Denham Springs HS Yellow Jackets open up their 2017 season against Hammond HS. You can catch all the action on Family Radio, 91.9 FM, Baton Rouge and on the net at JonFineProductions.com. Air time is 6 pm with Sport N Center Jackets Warm-up. For more information, please see press release below.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION TONIGHT!!
The Denham Springs High School Athletic Hall of Fame and title sponsor Sport-N-Center are pleased to announce the Hall of Fame classes of 2016 and 2017 will be enshrined on TONIGHT, Thursday August 31, 7pm, at Forrest Grove Plantation in Denham Springs.
GET ARRESTED
ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides, our EBay store, sells media guides. programs and baseball cards. Please visit JonFineProductions.com and click on icon to get to the store. Check out a full array of New Orleans Saints media guides and LSU media guides and programs and publications from much of the entire sports world. Over 1,900 publications listed.
TORS ON AIR FRIDAY
Sulphur HS in action tomorrow night.. See info below.
ON AIR TONIGHT
SportsCentral is on the air, tonight (Thursday), 5pm on Central First Facebook Page
See more information just below.
BATON ROUGE AREA BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY: SPORTSCENTRAL: 5pm—6pm: Central First Facebook Page… … Les Bueche, Sid Edwards, Frank Fresina
FRIDAY: Denham Springs HS vs Hammond HS 6pm Family Radio, 91.9 FM, Internet: JonFineProductions.com Josh Ward Jon Fine
SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:
SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL at Carencro
Bruce Merchant, Clopa Boudreaux
KEZM Radio and on the net at KEZMOnLine.com
HOUSTON ASTROS BASEBALL
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
I had a beginning to this article typed and ready to go with frivolity, but the excitement for the start of football season has faded with the events of this week. Instead, I’ll get straight to previewing this year’s LSU football team.
Beginning on offense, we know LSU is in great shape at running back. Guice and Williams will be a great combination, and Edwards-Helaire is going to provide depth.
LSU does not have a fullback in the new offense, but the players who were fullbacks before are still on the team. Those players like Moore and Mouton will still fulfill the same role. They will block, and catch short passes. The difference is they won’t always be lined up 1-2 yards behind the quarterback giving a clear read to where the play is headed. They will be lined up all over the place and their movement at the snap will not give anything away.
LSU does not have any elite pass catching tight ends, but Moreau and Roddy should be a force blocking in the run game. Even though neither will be a threat deep down the middle in the passing game, they should provide a solid option in the short passing game. The biggest difference is this position will not be on the field as much as LSU is expected to incorporate more personnel packages that don’t involve the tight end.
The offensive line is a concern because of its lack of depth. Malone and Weathersby are not great tackles, but solid and very experienced. Clapp, when healthy could be a dominant center. LSU has been waiting patiently for Brumfield, Campbell, or Cushenberry to develop at guard. It appears as though Brumfield has arrived as he has locked down a starting spot.
LSU is going to rely on a freshman, Saahdiq Charles to start at right guard, and other freshmen to provide depth (Deculus, Ingram, Savage). Admittedly, this is not an ideal way to start the season. Though, as I wrote a few weeks ago, LSU is more fit to handle a situation like this with Canada as offensive coordinator.
The receivers have all the measurables. Chark, Dillon, Netherly, Stevens and Davis have the great speed. Sullivan and Anderson have great height and size. Gage has experience and does the dirty work. Is that enough? Can those measurables translate to on the field performance?
If they were at Alabama, considering their accolades coming into college, everyone would be expecting great things from these players. Given LSU’s recent history, people aren’t so sure. Since the strength of Matt Canada is supposed to be adjusting his offense to the strengths of his players, I expect LSU to be fine at receiver. The biggest concern would be depth if there is a rash of injuries. If that happens, I expect Donte Jackson to get some jet sweep handoffs and I would expect to see more power formations.
Finally, we all know it comes down to the quarterback. Can Etling make the simple throws consistently? If not, there is no reason to hold back Myles Brennan. I fully expect LSU to have a package for Nowell Narcisse. Urban Meyer has made a living by finding creative ways of getting production out of talented players as soon as possible. I am hopeful that LSU is now equipped to do the same.
Overall, where does that lead this offense? In retrospect, the LSU offense was outstanding once Coach Ensminger took over, minus the Florida and Alabama games. All Tiger fans should be honest with themselves and recognize that great defenses are still going to give LSU problems. LSU does not yet have an elite quarterback or offensive line. I know Pittsburgh scored a ton of points at Clemson last year, but the Panthers were better at those two positions.
I fully expect the offense to produce as well as it did the second half of the year. I expect LSU to be able to have limited production even against great defenses. If LSU takes care of the ball, the offense can be a reason LSU wins games.
Defensively, I know LSU lost some great players. But, the Tigers may have two things they have not had in awhile. I think LSU has quality depth on the defensive line and one potential All-American on the inside.
LSU had a pretty good run with players like Glenn Dorsey, Kyle Williams, and Michael Brockers. Despite signing some highly sought after players, nobody has matched the production of those three. Rashard Lawrence could be the guy. Meanwhile, Gilmore, LaCouture, Clark, and Herron are very experienced. Ed Alexander is very talented, and Justin Thomas’ name has come up as a freshman to watch.
The outside linebackers should be great pass rushers. Hopefully, Arden Key will be ready to plan soon, but there are a number of young guys who are very talented. Chaisson, Thornton, and Anthony could all turn out to be great pass rushers. They haven’t played before so the national media will not go on a limb and say they are going to be great. I will. Meanwhile, having a player like Corey Thompson in his 6th year should provides stability.
Coach Orgeron is not afraid to play freshman and I am not afraid to expect great things from freshmen. The inside linebackers will be great. I am convinced. We saw what White could do last year and Donnie Alexander will be fine at the other spot. I can’t say he will duplicate the senior performances of Duke Riley or Deion Jones, but he will be productive. Divinity can play inside or outside and is a very good player. Meanwhile, I fully expect the true freshman to start strong and get better as the year progresses.
The secondary should be a concern after losing White, Adams, and Thomas. But this is LSU. The Tigers have recruited great players, most have experience already, and the great pass rush LSU will have will make it easy on the defensive backs.
LSU is so deep at safety that Stevens was able to move to wide receiver. I think it is very important that John Battle has experience. Battle’s stability makes me much more confident that Delpit, Monroe, Paris, and freshman Todd Harris will do a great job as well.
I am also very confident in LSU’s corners. Jackson was a starter all last year. Toliver had his ups and downs, and those experiences should help him develop into a great corner this year. The other corners are young, but very talented. And let’s be real, starting corners don’t come out the game unless they get hurt. Kary Vincent was very highly touted and will start at nickel. Xavier Lewis has some playing experience and is expected to blossom this year. Greedy Williams, Kristian Fulton, and Jontre Kirlin should get the opportunity to continue to improve without being counted on to start this year.
Last year, LSU’s defense was a great scoring defense, but did not make as many big plays as you would expect from a truly great defense. Part of that was learning a new defense, and I think the other part was the youth and lack of depth on the defensive line. I don’t think LSU will miss a beat on defense this year.
The part of the game that does not get talked about when ESPN, CBS, and everyone else makes their season prediction is the special teams. When LSU was truly in the top 5 consistently a few years ago, LSU’s special teams were dominant. I think LSU will be just a notch below dominant this year.
The reason for my confidence is this freshman class. Great coverage and return teams are made by linebackers, defensive backs, and receivers. We all can remember Ron Brooks, Jarvis Landry, and others like making big plays. Devin White did it last year as a backup linebacker. There are many names that will be flying around covering and blocking on kicks. Phillips, Queen, Taylor, Kirklin, and Harris are true freshman to look for flying around on special teams.
The kickers should be solid. If Donte Jackson makes better decisions than Tre White last year, I will be happy. With Jackson’s athleticism, he should be just as productive without the negative plays we saw from White. I don’t think any of the potential kickoff returners are in the category of Trindon Holliday, but but they are slouches either.
In summary, I expect a team very similar to what you saw in the bowl game last year with better special teams. Of course, LSU won’t play that well in every game, but there is no reason to think LSU will not be better than last year. LSU is better on offense now than they were 365 days ago and that is a fact. The defense is better because it has a year under the belt with Aranda and the personnel up front are a better fit. The special teams is going to be better as well.
I still don’t think that will be good enough to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Another 17-10 loss is probable, but that is okay. LSU is better than everyone else on the schedule. That doesn’t mean LSU is a perfect team without weaknesses. But for any potential weakness LSU has, I can find many more from Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, and A&M. LSU is much better than BYU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Syracuse, and Arkansas.
Still, with 5 road SEC games, the schedule is brutal, and the lack of depth at a few positions could cost LSU a game here or there. Put it all together and 9-3 is the most likely scenario for LSU.
To heck with likely, though. BYU and Syracuse aren’t rent-a-wins, but they are average at best. Florida lost a ton on defense which has carried them the last two years. Tennessee is just average. Ole Miss is a dumpster fire, and Mississippi State is just average as well. Those are the four SEC road games other than Alabama. The toughest SEC games, other than Bama (Arkansas, Texas A&M, Auburn) are all at home. If Tiger fans show up and do their job, I am dreaming big and looking for 10-2. Geaux Tigers!
HEY REF
Before we start playing for keeps let me finish answering some questions I got after my not so secret deadline. I say secret simply because I don’t have one when the subject is answering anything coaches and/or parents may have. This past weekend on my trip to Wally World I happen to bump into an older (than me) coach and of course the subject quickly turned to football and a new season.
This is by far the best time to be an official simply because every team/school happens to be in first place in their respective districts, etc. Most of the calls that didn’t go their way have faded from coach’s memories and there seems to be a want or need to focus on the next ten games rather than any single call from last season which is fine by me. After we ceased with the pleasantries and how wives and families are doing some serious subjects opened up.
I’m glad my friend/coach took notice with my reporting of the minor details in how and why the LHSAA in their divine wisdom could literally screw over an entire region of the state when they hired a new football assignment secretary for the Baton Rouge area. He told me that he’d wondered how bad things had to get before the LHSAA took serious consideration to improving this area’s football officials. Let me quickly recap what went down when the powers that be on Old Hammond Highway decided that a window dressing instead of a complete overhaul was the best thing to do for all concerned. Getting “IT” done right way was not by any stretch of the imagination what they ultimately decided to do.
One thing I take pride in while tapping the keys for each week’s column is getting the facts out there for all to see and read. I’ll admit I do miss calls every game, week; season and so forth but I never miss the truth! So with that said and out of the way let’s turn to the recent hire the LHSAA made when naming a new assigner for the Baton Rouge area. It’s very important that coaches know and understand my opinion in this matter isn’t an opinion so the only thing left would and is the FACTS!
Just a few years back the Baton Rouge area was in dire need of someone that could turn things around and perhaps begin the long journey back to becoming and staying the best association in Louisiana when the talk is football officials. I was one of at least five people that filled out an application and had hopes of “getting my hands dirty” and trying to turn things around. I of course did not get the job as some felt hiring an SEC official to assign games would be the right path to take. And of course it was as if they’d bought tickets on the Titanic and then just hoped for something better to happen.
Even though a friend of mine did get the job I had my reservations simply because like me he’d been away from Baton Rouge long enough to not know 80% or better of the guys he’d be sending to call games. His duties with the SEC kept him away from observing his group of officials on Friday nights. His regular job also kept him away from observing the younger and transferred in officials on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He simply relied on other officials to tell him who was doing a good job and those who weren’t. It was a recipe for disaster and no matter how many ways you tossed the ingredients you still came up with crap.
He also relied on coach’s opinions to move officials up the ladder so to speak. After sitting out more than 10 years due to health issues I wanted to see for myself what our area coaches were constantly complaining about. Most of their concerns were right there in front for all to see. He’d told me many of his cohorts in the coaching industry were also fed up with the poor officiating and poor quality of individuals calling their games week after week. I also thought a good thing to incorporate and use as a tool was the use of “Referee Magazine”.
There are other things that went into the LHSAA’s decision to hire an SEC official but we just don’t have the space here to go any deeper than what I just did. Another of my ideas was to include and encourage coaches to sit in on weekly meetings as a way to open up and tear down this wall between officials and coaches. But that idea was not accepted or wanted by my fellow officials. It’s as if they feel they can do whatever they want and nothing that coaches might have to say or interject into the discussions will help.
So, once again I feel as though I’ve wasted too much time and space trying to get the two sides together in my hopes of improving the product on the field. As we laughed bringing up plays and calls it felt like we hit a wall at the same time. To add insult to injury that SEC official stayed on the job just two years. He was replaced by a past president of the association and from I know is still on the job.
But here’s where we run into another problem; the LHSAA and the local principal’s association is allowing the Baton Rouge assignment secretary to work on the field! This is in so many ways the wrong thing to do much less allow. Simply put the assigner is charged with one thing and one thing only; He’s paid to assign those officials from his association to work games in a specific region. Allowing him to be on the field, working games is once again a major problem and it’s a huge one.
I know most of us are knowledgeable enough to understand the term “Conflict of interest”. Now the grab for power is at it worse because guess who he’ll assign all those high profile games? You guessed it and in all my years of working games I’ve only known of one way, the assignment secretary studies his officials in real game action to determine the best officials and those officials working hard to improve. The way things are being done and have been getting done in Baton Rouge for the past few years breeds contempt.
I know it’s a fact in the Baton Rouge area because the officials have told me this. The younger guys tell me that after just two or three years they can read the writing on the wall; you either kiss butt or you never move up. One official told me he’s seen a choice few guys battle it out to see who can buy the most rounds at the local watering hole. And you can guess the number of “BIG” games a certain few guys work year in and year out simply by because they’ve got the biggest bar-tabs on Monday nights.
I’ll close by asking the coaches not to shoot the messenger. And those officials working hard to move up will “THANK” me for putting facts out there for all to see and maybe, just maybe this very poor way of assigning football games ends before more coaches find themselves either out of a job or see the same incompetent officials every week calling their games.
Till next week…
DENHAM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS BACK ON THE AIR!
The 2017 school year marks the 22nd season that Jon Fine (Sports) Productions will have the privilege of producing and calling play-by-play for Denham Springs HS Football radio broadcasts. In 2017, the broadcast slate will include all 10 regular season Denham games, and every playoff game. Broadcasts will air on Family Radio-91.9 FM-Baton Rouge, starting at 6:00 pm Friday nights. All broadcasts can also be heard on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com (click Listen Live on the Denham Springs Football PBP page). The first broadcast is Friday, September 1, as the Jackets play host to Hammond High School.
Denham Springs HS grad Josh Ward will be the play-by-play announcer of the Jackets. He will be joined by former DSHS play-by-play announcer Jon Fine, who this year will be the color commentator.
“Sport N Center Jackets Warm-Up” will include an interview with Jackets Athletic Director/ Football Coach Bill Conides. Randy Smith’s popular retrospective, “Yellow Jackets Memories”, will air on selective pre-game shows this year. Smith’s feature will be interspersed with interviews with Sponsors of The Week. A North Oaks Health Minute will give listeners tips to improve their health.—Hopefully, Fine will be paying attention and taking notes. Ward and Fine will also offer a preview of that night’s game and other pertinent information.
At half-time, the “Firehouse Subs 79 Cents Saturday Combo Special Half-Time Report
” will include an interview with a prominent Denham Springs community and/or sports figure. In addition, Ward and Fine will provide a recap of the first half and a look ahead at the second half of action.
During the “Jack Fridge—Express Waste Post-Game Report”, Fine will interview Coach Conides a couple of minutes after the final gun. Plus, there will be an extensive game recap, final stats and a look ahead.
When the Jackets score, you’ll get the particulars on the “Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill Jackets Scoring Drive”.
Sport-N-Center owner Stacy Phipps (Baseball), Jack Fridge (Basketball), Smith (Track) and Big Mike O’Neal (Football) were all athletes at Denham Springs HS. Ward was an assistant basketball coach with the Jackets.
Fine expressed that he is especially appreciative of the loyal commercial and name mention sponsors the broadcasts have had on Jon Fine Sports Productions’ Denham Springs HS play-by-play broadcasts throughout the years. Many have been with the broadcasts on a year-in, year-out basis. Fine expressed hope that listeners will have the opportunity to patronize these businesses and let them know they heard about them on DSHS Football radio broadcasts.
Josh Ward not only graduated from Denham Springs HS, but served as an assistant basketball coach under Coach Paul Smith. He has called Redemptorist HS and Central HS Football games for Jon Fine Productions in years’ past. He is presently the Traffic Manager at Guaranty Broadcasting. Ward is a native of Denham Springs and is single.
Josh has not commented on how many children he has.
Jon Fine co-hosted and produced daily 2 hour drive-time radio sports-talk programs in the Greater Baton Rouge area for close to 20 years. His programs (first SportsTalk, which changed its name to SportsGumbo), aired, at times, in New Orleans, Lake Charles, Monroe and Alexandria, in addition to the Baton Rouge market. His company, Jon Fine Productions, has produced numerous Denham Springs HS and area HS sports programming on television, radio and internet. In addition to his Denham Springs broadcasting chores, Fine has an EBay internet store, ArrestedDevelopmentMedia Guides, and is a marketing representative for a Lake Charles Sports-talk station and a Central radio show. Fine is a native of Valley Stream, New York and a graduate of Penn. Jon is single and does not believe he has any children.
For more information on Denham Springs HS Sports programming and Jon Fine Productions, please visit JonFineProductions.com.
DENHAM SPRINGS HS FOOTBALL RADIO BROADCASTS ARE A JON FINE PRODUCTION ON FAMILY RADIO, 91.9 FM, BATON ROUGE and JonFineProductions.com.
OUR EBAY STORE, ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides, SELLS SPORTS PUBLICATIONS. YOU CAN LINK TO IT BY VISITING JonFineProductions.com.
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES
AND WORKS AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSCENTRAL ON THE CENTRAL NOW FACEBOOK PAGE.