The Day After Overreactions: Week 4

The Day After: Overreactions

Week 4 gave us big scores, a few surprises, some defensive performances we would rather not discuss, and plenty to overreact to on this Saturday evening.

Once again, you made OVERTIME: The Fired Coaches Scoreboard Show the most-watched scoreboard show in the state of Georgia, and second in the country during our time slot only to Dave Campbell’s Texas High School Football show.

Not bad company to keep.

Thank you to everyone who watched, called in, sent scores, shared the show, or joined us throughout the night. We’ll keep making it better every week.

Now, let’s dive into a few Week 4 overreactions, followed by a personal note to our friends in Fulton County at the end.

Gainesville: Huge first win of the Santavious Bryant era against a very talented opponent. If only you’d had capable officials against East St. Louis, you might be sitting at 2-1 right now. Either way, big one. On to the next.

McEachern: Obviously, losing two in a row isn’t what you want. You’ve got to figure out how to get more out of the QB position, but there’s plenty of time to get it squared away before the playoffs. No reason to panic. Yet.

Jackson County: That’s a great program win, especially when you don’t play your best football for the majority of the game. No. 21 is a PROBLEM. The defensive line looked much better, too. Survive, advance, and on to the next one.

North Oconee: This is a direct reflection on David Pollack. Sad!

Monroe Area: After a slow start, the QB found his form in the second half. Cherokee Bluff and Oconee County will both be physical challenges, but at this point, anything less than a Region Championship would be surprising if this group stays healthy.

Hart County: Another game where the offense doesn’t come close to its season average. Once is an outlier. Twice? Now we’re legally obligated to ask the question: Did Hart County peak too early?!

Prince Avenue: Hand up. I’ll admit when I’m wrong. Not only is your school the more affordable option, but you also officially hold the title of “Baptist of the Year.” Congratulations. Maybe there really is something to keeping tuition down when it comes to attracting a few more talented kids... Either way, huge win.

Commerce: Maybe if Greene County hadn’t made its new head coach spend so much time producing videos during the interview process, they could’ve given you a better game. Either way, the train keeps rolling into next week against a Chestatee team currently walking around like Eeyore with a personal rain cloud following them everywhere.

Milton: You put belt to ass to our friends in Tennessee, and for that, the State of Georgia thanks you for your service.

Lee County: Jumped out early, forced turnovers, and looked absolutely massive up front on both sides of the ball. Really looking forward to seeing that group against TCC in a few weeks.

Colquitt County: Quite frankly, you can’t turn the ball over that many times and expect to beat mediocre teams, much less an outstanding team like Lee County. The game plan was there. The execution wasn’t (at sometimes). Somehow, I think life gets a little easier once region play starts.

Alpharetta: Imagine if you still had all the players who left for other schools. You would’ve won by so much more.

Duluth: See Alpharetta. Except you probably just win the game.

Houston County: When you give up 73 points, having some of your top defensive players leave the program before the season is naturally going to become part of the conversation. If you select a Defensive Player of the Game, the recipient should respectfully decline it. On principle alone.

Central-Carroll: Your defense did technically get a stop. So there’s that. You also gave up 66 points. But damn, you gave the people their money’s worth, and for that, we thank you. Same rule as Houston County: no Defensive Player of the Game this week. Just give out a second Offensive one.

Cook vs. West Laurens: The polar opposite of Houston County and Central-Carroll. If either team gives out an Offensive Player of the Game award, we will not recognize it due to insufficient supporting evidence.

Grayson: Don’t look now, but that’s two straight for the previously dead-and-buried Grayson Rams. Good for Coach Carswell. Turns out the obituary may have been submitted a little early.

Valdosta & Lowndes: Money well spent!

Chestatee: Thoughts and prayers. As always.

A Personal Note to Our Friends in Fulton County

Fulton County Schools: Leadership means understanding that nearly every decision you make will be criticized by someone. It also means being secure enough in your own leadership to handle questions, publicly, privately, or online, without becoming rattled by them.

Strong leaders encourage the people they lead to have a voice. They create an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up, even when what they say is inconvenient. That isn’t a threat to leadership. That is what thoughtful, confident leadership looks like.

There’s an old saying that lions do not concern themselves with the opinions of sheep. The problem comes when the lion also wants to dictate what every sheep says, who they speak to, what they interact with, and where they’re allowed to express an opinion.

At that point, the issue isn’t the sheep. It’s the need for control.

And yes, I read the mass email that went out. I could post it. But I won't because I am a nice guy.

My hope is simply that those in leadership become a little more comfortable in their own skin and a little less concerned with the opinions of the very stakeholders they’re supposed to serve. A handful of phone calls, emails, or critical comments should not shake confident leadership.

If it does, that probably deserves more reflection than the criticism itself.

That's all I got. /

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