SoccerJones

Moving forward...I want to add that I offer my support to the Kilgore Bulldogs Tuesday night in Lindale. I will bring my vevuzela if you like, but leave my flag at home. :rolleyes:

Thank you for confirming Soccersing. I agree with all those comments. I originally said Kilgore was/is the better team and stand by that statement and at least the Kilgore players showed class...(by not sinking to JT's level of play). I did see pushes, elbows and shoves by the players in red also...they are not totally innocent when looked at from the eyes of an impartial observer. But they were not near as bad. Soccer is physical, and will deginerate into brutally physical if the referee does not control the match. This group of referees missed a lot, but called it as they saw it. My displeasure about the whole match was all about the immature comments made by grown men toward teenage boys. I was at an incredibly entertaining Lindale-Mt.Pleasant playoff a couple years ago in Pine Tree and one particular Lindale fan was acting in a very similar manner. The referee had let the play get really physical. Several people (Lindale fans) approached him and asked him to tone it down. I was sitting within ear shot. At first he didn't, acted offended that he was scolded, and got worse. It was embarrassing for the Lindale fans and players, and really annoying to everyone. Finally, 3-4 PLAYERS, obviously distracted, turned around and made comments to I assume their parents, and then 3 men went and had a chat with the unruly fan. This conversation I did not hear. He was quiet the rest of the match. Unfortunately, another man started where he left off...only not quite as demeaning and directing his ire at the officials, not the opponents. Point is...in my humble opinion, we are all obligated to show respect for the players, opponents, coaches, schools, towns we represent, and especially the game itself. Conduct and self discipline is at the very core of sports.

thanks for the info.

I think Kilgore is playing much better now than they were in the tournament, improving through the season, so yes it will be a great match to watch.

Kilgore is very solid in every position. They SHOULD win. Is this the same group who won the TOC a few years back in rec or is that the JV squad? How many of their players have club experience?

I was just left of the cameraman in the middle. There were three groups of fans ( all grown men) to the left of me that were quite obnoxious with their comments. I never said the Kilgore fans could not voice their encouragement and affection for their players, as the JT flagman was doing for his. They should. But to repeatedly call an opposing player(s) a punk and say they deserve to be injured is classless in anybodies book. And sorry, but you've heard the saying "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch!" And I didnt say the Kilgore goals were undeserved. They counted so no big deal. But sportsfan 183 is right. The officiating was not that good. JT lost to a better team....did I not say that sugarpepa? And for the record, I didnt care who won...I have no stake in either Kilgore OR JT. I am just a fan of soccer. But I will be in Lindale to watch the Red Oak game and I hope the Kilgore fan base can show more respect for their opponent (and the game) than they did last night.

How many are returning for next year?

Kilgore was the better team tonight...thought the pk was questionable. JT gave up a goal when all the defenders quit defending and raised their hands for offside and let Kilgore score. Other kilgore goal was a wicked direct kick...but i thought the ref blew the whistle early...JT keeper was still directing players and didnt see the ball until too late. Overall...Kilgore deserves this one. On a sour note...Kilgore people...c'mon. JT players go down and adults are yelling "get up punk", "you deserve worse" and "just another flop"! Show some class! Great examples ya'll are for the kids! At least the Kilgore players show some class.

By dirty i mean what goes on away from the ball. watch some of the match-ups when the ball is in the opposite end. Lots of unsporting elbows, shoves, etc. that don't get called. Hey...if they can get away with it...why not. But to me it is not in the spirit of the game. I saw them play chapel hill in whitehouse and it was really bad. The people in lindale said their game was also. I say let em play!

You mean there is bad officiating outside of East Texas? No way! :wacko: Where have all the good refs gone? Seen a few of the oldies, but a lot of new faces. Someone said the statewide pool is about half of what it used to be. Maybe one of you refs out there can tell us all whats happened and what can be done to correct the problem.

Mabank is on a roll, but Whitehouse plays more aggressive and dirty at times, making them a stronger playoff team. WH wins 3-1.

Think it is being broadcast on Univision. ;) JT has been playing good defense lately. JT wins in an upset (if you can call it that). 1-0

maybe not yours....but just ask lindale what happened to them. selfish play from a club player thinking he is better than all the others who came up through the rec system...overall bad attitude. like a cancer it spreads and tears a team down. instead of being a leader and helping others improve their skills, he plays for his own goals. imo...they are better w/o him. and I have known him for at least 10 years....so its not just an opinion.

Don't underestimate Marshall...I believe they are the "hungrier" of the two squads. But MP wins 2-1.

Hawkeye, You may have hit a raw nerve. I have asked that question about many 3a-4a schools that don't have either boys or girls soccer teams. Seems to me the coaches (or administrations) don't want to have kids taken away from 2 of the big 3...basketball and baseball/softball. I agree with you...and going one step further...the skills needed in soccer...foot agility, eye-foot coordination, great peripheral vision, and the ability to "feel" an opponent near would greatly enhance many a high school football back...defense or offense. There is still a stigma associated with soccer in many small towns. Only hurts the kids. Jones

All good things must end. JT beat Lindale in Lindale on Senior Night 1-0. It was the first district loss in 3 seasons (someone correct me if I am wrong). I must say Lindale looked really flat. They had chances to tie in the last 15 minutes, but missed some open shots and JT was the much faster to the ball and played the gaps on the pitch much better tonight. On another note...to the 12 graduating seniors at Lindale...it has been a pleasure to watch you guys. I was around when times were very lean in Lindale when most of ya'll were still playing rec soccer. Your 4 year record of 85-17-5 (I think that is right) is an awesome achievement to carry with you all the days of your lives. Never hold your head down. Hats off to you young men. Good luck with Marshall next Friday. Hope the injuries from tonight were minor.

Lindale has played 11 games and should have 33 points.

Then please enlighten me as to why the referee blew his whistle. I saw no take down. All I saw was the PT player moving to the side with his head down as if he has committed a foul. And a PT player did pick up the lose ball. I have spoken with others as well and they believe this to be fairly accurate in their eyes. I would still like to know exactly what the referee saw! I am certain there are multiple takes on just exactly what happened.

Actually, you are correct. The UIL is as unresponsive as any other red tape laden taxpayer funded organization.

Lindale was awarded a corner with a little over a minute left. The ball was played in and kicked around. #29 (I think) from Lindale took a shot and the PT goalie made a great diving save. When he landed, he must have shaken himself up and the balled rolled free. One of the PT players went and picked the ball up (he must have thought the ref stopped play) and the referee immediatly blew the whistle. The PT player went to the side of the net and knelt down, knowing what he had just done. Lindale player put the ball in the top right corner over the keeper for the goal. This game was headed for a shootout. I feel for the PT player. These teams were about as evenly matched as they could be. The center ref let a lot of calls go, and it was a pretty physical match, but none that benefited either team. Great season for Pine Tree. I know it doesn't mean much right now. Good luck to Lindale.

Lindale 2-1, Final. On fluke handball call for a pk.

Hit the nail on the head.

I am a referee. At this level, I, as well as everyone else, would expect better.

It should be taken in writing with tapes to back it up to the UIL offices. That is the only legit way to get anything done other than useless, unproductive discussion.

Your more than welcome.