BleacherCoaches.com

ham..

bedford to ebensburg: 50
bellwood to eburg: 32

bedford to sidman: 31
bellwood to sidman: 46

bedford to jtown: 40
bellwood to jtown: 54

bedford to somerset: 37
BELLWOOD TO SOMERSET: 75

as you can see, bellwood is obviously farther than bedford, granted its only a few miles on average and an extra 15 minutes or so, but would you want to drive rt 22/219 through ebensburg to play ALL of your away games? that is a horrible drive ontop that mountain, ESPECIALLY in the winter.

so yes, my argument does hold water.

I'm a huge Laurel Highlands fan, and I am very disappointed in Central's decision. I think their problem lies in the same problem as in Cambria Heights and Central Cambria, that the kids are better than the coach. I think Central's football players were much better than their record. Those kids ran hard and had talent. Hoenstine and company didn't lead them right and couldn't handle the talent. It's a shame when you put 4 or 5 guys (coaches) in control of a somewhat talented team like Central, and they don't have to smarts, dedication or carisma to do anything with them, (such as CC and CH).

But here's what really disgusts me when a school decides something like this. What message is the administration and coaches sending to the kids in their school when something like this happens:
"RUN!"
Run away. When something bad happens, or you are struggling with something, run away. Don't suck it up and work harder, just run away. Because that's what life is all about when the going gets tough, find another situation where the going is easy. That's a great message for our youth these days. Typical of people who have no desire to work, just like their coaches.

I wish that Central would stay in the LHAC and their coaches would leave. But it's not my school and it's not my call. I'm not sure if the kids are happier winning 2-3 games and playing great teams and athletes, or if they are happier winning 6-8 in a weaker conference and then getting no where in the playoffs.

I wish all the athletes good luck in the future and hope that they someday get "leaders" that will care enough about them to do their job for the kids instead of their own pride.

Just ask the Ridge folk. They enjoy beating up on lesser competition, then going no where come playoff time.

im curious....is this moved SOLELY because of football? or is it because of the entire athletic program? ive always understood central to have very good baseball and track teams. the only school i can think of that would make sense to leave the LHAC because of the performance in ALL sports is cambria heights, i cant think of one sport that the highlanders are good in.

Wow Speedkills, those were some pretty bold comments.

While I do agree with your argument that it sends the wrong message to run away from the competition, I don't think all of the blame should lie on the coaches here.

Central for instance put a competitive team on the field this year. They displayed a positive attitude toward football, which is a big step for any program who is trying to turn the corner. I know a lot of people don't like the Hoenstine name for whatever reason, but to say he is not dedicated? It was his first year as a head coach of the program. I personally feel that he has a chance to turn it around, because he is a hard working individual. The Hoenstines have built the Central baseball program into the best in the area, so why couldn't they maybe do it for football. Sure, they need to learn a few more x's and o's, but that takes some time. You aren't going to turn a program around in one year.

As for Central Cambria, most of the staff is still there that was present from years past. Did you see that team this past year? They didn't have a quarterback who could throw the ball 20 yards down field. You aren't going to win many games when you don't have a decent QB. However, Central Cambria was in every game this year. They just couldn't make the big plays they needed to get over the top.

As for Cambria Heights, whose going to win when you have 18 kids out. Even Heights played some teams tough this season.

Why didn't you tear apart Richland's Brandon Bailey for being a horrible coach too. I mean the Rams won what, 3 or 4 games this year? Oh, he's from Forest Hills, he can't be a horrible coach right? Brandon has more football knowledge in his big toe then most people who post on this board have in their whole body. The guy has done a lot for the football program at Richland. Just because they aren't winning conference championships doesn't make him a bad coach. Talk to anyone who cares about football from Richland, they'll tell you there is a lot of things outside of the football team holding that program back.

My point being in all of the above cases that there is a lot of other factors beside the head coach that play into a teams success. I know you mentioned administration and what not, but it seemed as if you were placing most of the blame solely on the coaches.

There is nothing more challenging in the coaching world as turning a loser into a winner.

And I agree, the answer is not changing conferences either.

And I agree, the answer is not changing conferences either.

...dont say it gunner, dont say it!!!! :lol: <cough> ridge! <cough>

What did you use gunner? Mapquest? Would it be closer for Bellwood or Indiana to travel to Bedford? Hmm, lets think that one out. Bellwood is closer than you think my friend.

Bellwood isn't too far away. Isn't it closer than Central? Plus, they have a very nice field and school. It's right off 220 too.

Central is between Bedford and Altoona.

I'll agree that Bellwood has an incredible place to play football. As nice as any in the area.

I wish we would stay in the LHAC cuz I think its a solid conference from top to bottom in all sports. I think the move to the MAC is to try to establish some old rivals again. Lets face it we had no natural rivals in the LHAC and I think thats the biggest reason why they made the move. Yeah we havent competed like we wanted to in football but I dont think we would have done any better in the MAC these past years either just cuz of the drop in students and the decline of the program. I think its getting better but it will take a while to get it back to where it was. As for the other sports I think weve been competitive in the LHAC. I dont think its a duck and run type thing. I know a lot of people here are excited to know that we will be playing bellwood, tyrone and huntingdon again. Im kind of a tweener cuz i think the LHAC is great for us but yet I want to see us playing our old rivals again. Just my opinion on this.................