Is Bishop Carroll dropping football?

… or leaving the Laurel Highlands? 

The first part of this story is that I must say that I no longer follow area high school sports like I did a few years ago.

Consequently, I cannot verify the stories that are circulating that Bishop Carroll is considering dropping football. Or the other rumor that the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference will drop Carroll if the school does drop the sport.

Reality

I can only deal with reality. Here is that truth.

Over the past three football seasons, the Huskies' record is 1-28 according to information on MaxPreps.com. They have had only one winning season in the past six years, a 7-5 mark under Coach Greg Snyder in 2013.

If you take that one year out of the equation, B.C. has won just three out of 49 (3-46) games in those other five years.

When programs fall into such a state, schools must evaluate why that occurs.

Early 2000s

To understand what a significant change has occurred, the Huskies had been a power in both District 6 and in the LHAC, along with being a state power, prior to that time. In 2010, just six years ago, Coach Craig Sponsky's team advanced to the PIAA State single-A semifinals, one game from the state championship, a time when the future seemed so bright.

Sponsky had one trip to the title game, in 2003, though his team lost in that battle. In his 13-year tenure at BC, he had compiled a record of 105-52 until stepping down after the 2011 season. He won six District 6 football championships during that time.

Some indications in late 2000s

However, despite his success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Huskies struggled somewhat prior to the superb 2010 season.

Sponsky's 2010 team took an 11-2 record into the state semifinal game against Taylor Riverside at Central Mountain High School. They battled hard, but fell, 34-20. That was the end of BC's great run in the 2000s.

What is interesting about that is that the previous four years were not as successful. The Huskies did not have a winning season from 2006-09 and put together a 13-26 (.333) record.

In fact, in the 2009 season, BC was just 2-6, according to records on MaxPreps.com.

So, perhaps the precipitous fall from power in the 20-teens started on a smaller scale during those years.

State championship game

The Huskies advanced to the PIAA State Championship in 2003, moving into the game with a 14-0 record. They fell to a veritable Eastern Pa. powerhouse, Southern Columbia, 49-20, according to information on Rodfrisco.com.

The previous three years, they had advanced to the Western Final only to lose to WPIAL powerhouse Rochester.

In short, these were the glory years for B.C.

Reason for change?

The simple fact is that teams generally win and lose games in any sport due to the quality of their talent. Coaching certainly matters, but without talent, neither Vince Lombardi nor Chuck Noll could not come back from the grave and make certain teams winners.

Right now, the Huskies do not have the talent, or perhaps just do not have enough talent, to win. When you have just 20 or so players, winning is tough. Depth is almost essential in high school football.

When I played high school football at a very small single-A school, we had just 24 players on our team, four of whom were freshmen. At that time, we had players who lived in the community attending and competing for Bishop Carroll, so that was a factor.

We finished 3-4-2, but had chances to win a number of games that could have given us a winning season. The problem was that when injuries occurred, we did not have enough depth to fill them.

Other problems

Carroll could be struggling because of the effect of tuition increases. That may have resulted in fewer athletes being able to afford to attend B.C. Financial aid is available, but that must be spread over many students, not just athletes.

However, Bishop Guilfoyle, which had never experienced the success like BC did on a statewide level in the early 2000s, has suddenly become one of the greatest powers in the state in single-A. The Marauders have won two consecutive state titles under Coach Justin Wheeler and are currently undefeated as they pursue a third.

Why are they not having problems right now?

Bishop McCort is also back in the mix for districts after being out for a while.

If that is the case, should Carroll be patient and just hope to attract players again like B.G. is doing?

LHAC

From what I have been told, Carroll is evaluating the future of its football program, but they have not made a decision to drop it. I could be wrong on that, but time will tell.

If the Huskies do drop football, that would leave the LHAC in a difficult situation since it is an all-sports conference. The conference should certainly be concerned as finding another team to transfer in may not be easy. [Chestnut Ridge, a former competitor, is a possibility. They now playing an independent schedule.]

For now, the ball is in BC's court, and they must make their decision. Panic should not ensue until that happens.

BC Records

2016 0-9 Chris Kozak

2015 0-10 Joe Ridgeley

2014 1-9 Joe Ridgeley

2013 7-5 Greg Snyder

2012 1-9 Greg Snyder

2011 1-9 Craig Sponsky

2010 11-3 Craig Sponsky

2009 2-8 Craig Sponsky

2008 5-5 Craig Sponsky

2007 4-6 Craig Sponsky

2006 2-7 Craig Sponsky

2005 12-1 Craig Sponsky

2004 9-3 Craig Sponsky

2003 14-1 Craig Sponsky

Links

Rodfrisco.com

http://www.rodfrisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PIAA-FB-GAME-RESULTS.pdf

Bishop Carroll-Southern Columbia PIAA State Championship A 2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxDbjmVIDDM