[KurtBryan]

Dear Officials: Thanks to WiseRef for clearing up the meaning of "officials", yes solid representatives of NFHS and CIF, thanks.

It has been a whirlwind since the season began and even more busy since our season ended, and respectfully to all of the nice folks who have supported this new offense, we pulled this quote from a frequent visitor at a huge football coaches message board:

Regarding Basic Concepts of the A-11 Offense:

" Just my two cents on the board...and the A-11

In the immortal movie line from the great military philosopher gunnery sargeant Thomas Highway, "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome." Before we slam this as a fad, I would just like to enjoy for a moment the creative, non self-pity approach to competing. I meet coaches all over this country(literally) who tell me they can't throw the ball, or can't win for very similar reasons as Coach Bryan describes. The difference here is that while the injustice of the enrollment and competition is well-documented, they are not feeling sorry for themselves and going 0-9. They got together as a staff and said, you know what, we gotta compete!!! Every game we watch, we are all looking for that Boise State "balls out" creativity that inspires us to do what we do better - does that mean the A-11 is going to become the new Tony Franklin system, probably not, but the reason I come to this board and contribute is because guys like this staff have the moxie to share their creativity. The A-11 represents surprise and resolve to do what was necessary at this point in their program. That flexibility is impressive. Now, I don't believe any offensive scheme should be immortalized, or every put above it's role in serving the best interests of a program. I just love the unique step it represents. It is a beach head assault of another kind. It may be a dead system in a few years, but the willingness of a coaching staff to scheme effectively around his strengths is always fun - and kudos to Piedmont.

The reason Coach Huey started this board was because in other places you would share creative ideas, a few would criticize that creativity into oblivion. The war of ideas will always be appropriate, but, at least for now, you can still share something on this board and get a reasonable response.

I don't know, nor do I care, if this is "flag football", "tiddly winks", or "rugby on steroids", if this forum for sharing successes is lost to the pharisaical philosophies of everything should be done this or that way, the gift that this board is will be lost.

I am not defending the A-11, only what it represents, the power of creative men solving a real problem in their program. I won't run it, but it makes me take another look at everything I am doing to make sure I am doing all I can to be competitive, and putting my kids in a position to win. The Double Wing offense practically sent the forward pass into the stone age, whereas Tony Franklin's system has turned the RB into a 6th lineman, are those not extreme expressions of creative thinking about what we do best.

coach5085 is right on when he describes the "flag football" design, but it is nothing like that in preparation. He isn't saying that, only in his getting a context for what he is reading. The "loophole" comment was probably ill-advised - one man's loophole, is another man's creativity, but guys lets keep this board what it was designed to be, and don't draw so many negative conclusions about the intent of what people mean.

I don't get into stuff like this, and I certainly don't need a problem with anyone, but this board didn't get where it is by coaches staying passive when it's original intent is threatened.

No harm done either way, but let's keep it football as best we can.

I am sure the Defensive coaches on this board will have the A-11 diagrammed to destruction before the last turkey sandwich is consumed.

I love this board!! I love this country - Happy Thanksgiving and good luck Coach Bryan in the playoffs."