Sports - South Plantation High School

Section Editor: Brianna Horland
Page 14
U.S. women’s soccer team inspires young players
the team we had previously lost the Cup to,
Japan. This generation of young girls has an
increased chance of either joining the sport
This past June, over 25 million people
for
the
first time or improving their level of play,
Number
watched the U.S. Women’s Soccer
team
win the of sign-ups in PAL for girls soccer ages 10-11
based
upon the role models of the U.S. Women’s
FIFA World Cup, which they had not
done since
team,
which many players now hope to emulate.
1999. A new generation of girls were
energized
The
players at South Plantation were not immune
with excitement and national pride as
they watched
to
the excitement generated by the World Cup
the U.S. women score goal after goal
victory and team tryouts in early October
against Japan in the final.When the
were an good indication that there was a reclock finally stopped, it felt as though
newed interest in the sport. New varsity
millions of hearts collectively stopped,
girls’ soccer Head Coach, Chris Jarvis, was
as the realization set in that they had
very excited to see the amount of girls trying
won. A moment that many on the team
out.
“I appreciate the amount of dedication those
had been waiting for all of their lives.
women put into their training.” Jarvis said.
The fans in the stands celebrated, our
121
Coming off of last year’s somewhat
nation celebrated, but no one was hapchallenging
season, this season is a time for
pier than the women on the field.
players
to
prove
their abilities to their new
80
Now that the women’s national
coach
and
hopefully
improve their skills
team has once again set such high
enough
to
take
the
team
to the next level. The
standards and became profound role
girls
who
showed
up
for
tryouts worked hard
models, will more girls want to be
and
Coach
Jarvis
felt
there
was a much more
like them? Will young girls look up
positive
outcome
when
it
came
to skill level.
to those women and see that their
Currently
rostering
20,
the
team
is a little
long-held dreams really can come
more
than
half-way
through
their
season with
true? What better role-models could
a
record
of
7-7,
boasting
a
higher
percentwe expect than those that have now
age
of
goals
scored
than
goals
given
up, and
become household names like Carli
are
optimistic
of
finishing
the
season
strong.
2014
2015
Lloyd and Abby Wambach, a graduate
With
just
six
seniors
on
the
team,
the
team
of our very own University
is
young
and
the
majority
of the
of Florida? After many
players
will
be
vying
for
coveted
big sporting events like
positions next season. Freshthe Olympics or the World
man Brianna Anderson looks to
Cup, enrollment in featured
the U.S. Women’s team for her
sports tend to go up. When
inspiration, stating,”Hope Solo
the United States won the
gives me a reason to try so hard
team gold medal in gymat being a goalie on this team.
nastics in 2012, the number
Another freshman, defender and
of young girls wanting to
mid-fielder Jackie Seager, adds
try the sport grew by leaps
“ The women’s World Cup
and bounds, with gymnasshows me how I can make a
tic centers seeing a huge
difference on this soccer team.”
increase in enrollment.
Role models certainly do make
Today many
a difference, especially when
young American girls often
they are based upon hard work,
look to pop culture for their
dedication and skill. It will be
role models, yet with the
exciting to see what happens to
excitement generated by
women’s soccer in the United
the World Cup coverage,
States before the next World Cup
many tuned in to watch as
in 2019, perhaps the next Wamour elite women athletes
bach, Lloyd or Solo is already
defeated equally talented
The girls soccer team huddle ups and prepares for the upcoming game. Photo taken by Karla Alvarez
out there lacing up her cleats,
soccer teams, from the numawaiting her moment to inspire
ber one team, Germany to
Shealyn Roche Centerfold Editor
Jared Elliot Staff Writer
The biggest attraction for most students
in high school are its sports. When compared to
other school events, sports often gets the largest
attendance, especially the varsity football games.
Everyone from students, teachers, parents, and
administrators all come by to watch these games
take place. Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and Broward County Public School
rules state that the athletes on any particular team
must attend the school they play for and in most
cases, one would expect them to be zoned for that
school, but but often they are not. Some schools, like South Plantation, are
magnet schools which can let anyone in Broward County attend the school if they get into the
program. But schools now strive to have top teams
and are willing to go out of their way to recruit
players to go to their school.
One of the main reasons schools recruit
players is to give their school a name in a particular sport and gain a larger chance of going to
state competition with a team full of elite athletes.
While some public schools find a way around
the recruiting rules, it is typically the private
schools that heavily recruit their players, giving
them scholarships to attend their schools either
at a highly reduced tuition rate or even for free
(thought they will deny this, it it an “open secret”).
Many public school student-athletes think
it is unfair to be playing schools with recruited
“D1” players on their team and find it to be a large
disadvantage when going up against them. By putting public schools up against the private schools
that recruit, the public schools often face an uphill
battle at winning.
Other student athletes see it to be “fair
game” and have the mindset that they are can
choose to be defeated or take the opportunity to
improve their skills by competing against higher
caliber players. This isn’t to say that there aren’t
terrific athletes in the public schools - there are
plenty - but they often have to work harder without
the advantages that private schools afford their
athletes.
Former South Plantation star running
back Alex Collins, now in his third year at Arkansas, is a good example. During his years at South
Plantation, Collins helped lead the football team
to many victories, with the team making it to the
playoffs his senior year.
Many teams were chomping at the bit
to try to get him to play for them once he started
gaining attention, but he stayed loyal to his school,
team and his coach. While South Plantation got
lucky Collins- and several other very talented
athletes - private schools can still recruit and get
a whole team of equally talented football players. When one adds in the nicer facilities,
turf fields, specialized trainers, and paid coaching staffs, it starts to feel more than unfair. The
FHSAA either needs to make the recruiting rules
stricter or ensure that the private and public
schools don’t compete against each other, because
it certainly is not a level playing field
Former Paladins shine after high school
Brianna Horland Sports Editor
The talent pool was deep at FSU and not many
had a chance against standout James Winston, yet Franklin dug in and proved his worth to Coach Jimbo Fisher,
earning a valuable spot as the scout
team quarterback. Scout team
QB’s are often the unsung
heroes of a team, working
just as hard as the starting
quarterback the scout
QB readies the team
for the opposition by taking on the
role of the
opposing
quarterback
during
practice.
Not
only
was
It is not always easy to keep up with former
Paladins once they leave the grass of Sandra Darr Field
behind. Two recent alums, however, have been making
sure that nobody forgets their names. Class of 2013
graduates Alex Collins and John Franklin III are
former South Plantation football (and track) superstars who are continuing to tear up the gridiron as
college athletes.
Collins is currently a junior at the University of Arkansas and is considered by most to
be their star running-back. Drafted out of high
school by head football coach Brett Bielema,
Collins has not disappointed Hog fans,
starting off his first year at Arkansas as the
first true freshman in SEC (Southeastern
Conference) history to rush for 300 yards
in his first three games. Collins finished that
year with 1,026 rushing yards on 190 carries
with four touchdowns.
His admirable feat brought him the
honor of being named SEC Freshman of the
Year. During his sophomore football season, Collins ran for 1,100 yards and scored
12 touchdowns on 204 carries. He also
Franklin
helped lead Arkansas to the Texas Bowl,
instrumental
where the Razorbacks trounced Texas 31behind the
7. This year the team may once again be in
scenes in
bowl contention, currently sitting at 2nd
driving the
place in the SEC West with two games left
Seminoles
to
the
National
Championin the regular season. Alex Collins is having his best colship
in
2014,
but
he
took
what
he
learned
under
the leglegiate season yet, having already scored 14 touchdowns,
endary
Jimbo
Fisher
and
made
what
many
contend
was a
five of those in just one game against Alabama.
smart
decision
to
transfer
In a recent
this semester to East
game against LSU,
Mississippi Community
scouts from several
College, a JUCO which
NFL teams - includis earning a reputation
ing the New York
as somewhat of an NFL
Giants, San Franfarm system.
cisco 49ers and the
As the Lions QB,
New Orleans Saints
Franklin threw 7 touch- were in attendance
downs this season and
to watch LSU Heisshowed his impressive
man Trophy hopeful,
speed by rushing for 172
Leonard Fournette.
yards against Mississippi
Yet it was Collins
Delta, whom EMCC
whom everyone was
defeated 48-0. East Mistalking about, as he
sissippi finished this seaout-performed Fourson with a record of 8-1
nette by rushing for
and Franklin got himself
141 yards and two
noticed, with Auburn
TD’s, cementing the
University offering him
Razorback win.
a spot on their roster for
On Nothe 2016 season.
vember 7th, 2015,
The Tigers are eager
Collins became only
to improve their run
the third player in
game at QB and former
SEC history to rush
track star Franklin - a
for 1000 plus yards
member of FSU’s 2014
in three seasons. He
championship All-ACC
is now finds himself
track and field team - is
in the record books
sure to prove his worth as
along football greats
a dual-threat QB.
Herschel Walker and
Collins was recently
Darren McFadden,
named as a semi-finalist
with the very real
Franklin gets ready to throw a pass during a game. Photos for the prestigious Doak
potential of taking his
provided by John Franklin and Alex Collins
Walker Award which is
Paladin Pride all the
given to the top college
way to the NFL once
football
running
back
in
the
country
each year. Finalists
his college career is over.
will
be
named
in
late
November.
Franklin was the quarterback who drove South
The 2016 college football season is sure to be an
to the playoffs in 2013 and with the help of his good
exciting
one
as we watch these former Paladin teammates
friend, Alex Collins, led the team to an impressive finish
and
friends
take
to the field and run full speed at their
of 9-2 for the season. Franklin was recruited by many
dreams,
knocking
down any obstacles in their way.
colleges, but committed to Florida State University to
play quarterback.
Stop by
room 242
November l Page 15
Questions?
Comments?
sportsl the sword and shield l 2015
Recruitment impacts schools
Athlete Privilege
Brianna Horland Sports Editor
It seems like every year a new domestic
assault case comes to light for yet another athlete.
Most recently, it has been Greg Hardy of the Dallas
Cowboys making news as photos surfaced of inju-ries
he caused to his former girlfriend. Hardy was initially
convicted of domestic violence charg-es in 2014, but
the case was later dismissed after his ex-girlfriend
stopped cooperating with au-thorities. As Hardy
remains defiant, many on social media have called him
out for being an abus-er and the NFL, once again, issues nothing more than a slap on the wrist, seeming to
endorsing the behavior.
In 2012, 21 of 32 NFL teams had at least one
player charged with domestic violence. But what-ever
happens to these players? When video surfaced of
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hitting his
fiancée, knocking her out cold and then dragging her
out of an elevator, the Ravens organization initially
tried to sweep the incident under the rug. Only after
a media firestorm en-sued did the league take action,
suspending Rice for two games, then later releasing
him from the team. I am not sure that Rice indefinitely
losing his job is the answer, as it goes to a larger issue
of “athlete privilege” and it doesn’t just start when
athletes become famous.
Why does society tend to look the other way, often forgiving “unforgivable” behavior, when ath-letes behave
badly? Many believe the sense of entitlement begins
early, as high-achieving athletes are often elevated
above others beginning in high school, and sometimes
earlier.
Take the the Steubenville (Ohio) High School
rape case which made national news back in 2011. A
high school girl, incapacitated by alcohol, was repeatedly sexually assaulted at a party, while the acts were
documented with cell phones and spread via social
media. The perpetrators were all Steubenville High
football players and public reaction was decidedly
mixed. Many in the com-munity wanted the boys to
go unpunished and several adults including coaches,
the school prin-cipal and even the superintendent of
schools were brought up on charges ranging from
failure to report the rape to obstructing justice. If, as
many contend, the players were not “bad kids”, one
has wonder if the sense of entitlement that surrounded
them - clearly demonstrated by the adults in the case
- led them to cross lines because they sensed societal
rules did not apply to them.
People need to be held accountable for their
actions and it begins with simple things like turning
the other way when a high school athlete skips class,
or changing grades so kids remain eligible to play. In
many colleges, it is an open secret that some athletes
don’t regularly attend class. My cousin, formerly a
professor at Notre Dame, was instructed to give passing grades to the football players who were placed in
her class of Comparative Spanish Literature - taught in
Spanish! - And to not question the practice. So it was
not a surprise to me when I read that the University
of North Carolina had been caught for allowing their
athletes to enroll in fake courses for easy credit. The
practice seems to be widespread and pretty much accepted.
What kind of message are we sending to athletes - or students in general - who do the right thing
and don’t look for special treatment? How are they being prepared for a life after sports? People should certainly be celebrated for their abilities, whether it be on
the sports field or in the class-room, but no one should
be given a “free pass”. We need rules and laws in order
to sustain a civi-lized society and we do no one any
favors by applying different standards to athletes than
we would to others.
Domestic violence, cheating, crimes against
humans and animals (remember Michael Vick?) are
not relegated solely to athletes, they are societal problems, and must be met with equal justice for all. Sadly,
this is not a new problem and for change to happen it
must take place at every level - high school, college
and in professional sports organizations. There must be
an expectation on behavior and when those expectations are not met, there must be consequences, whether
you are the star running back or just the average Joe.
Even Ray Rice, who has not been picked up by any
NFL teams, seems to understand that we need education to change the culture, recently stating “If I don’t
have a second chance on the field with the NFL, I
would love to work with them to help make a difference, speak to rookies or anybody else they wanted
me to. I know I can make a difference.” I hope other
athletes can learn from his experience.
November l Page 16
making a good pass or defending a girl or scoring
a goal is unmatchable. It’s really a thrill to just
play a sport.”
She may be short in stature, but this athlete still
This year a new coach has joined the
manages to stand out on every field she walks on. Junior,
team,
along
with many new players. Coach ChrisEmily Eachus possesses a naturally quiet, controlled
topher
Jarvis
is a teacher from Seminole Middle
demeanor, which belies her competitive nature, making
School and along with coaching the South Plantaher a force to be reckoned with on the field. Eachus has
played several sports during her three years at South. She tion varsity girls’ soccer team, he also coaches the
ran cross country for two years and this upcoming season Seminole boys’ middle school team. When asked
about the new coach and how he has affected team
will mark her third playing varsity lacrosse. Currently,
dynamics, Eachus was quick to respond, “Coach
she is one of the driving forces behind the girls’ soccer
Jarvis really turned this team around. His passion
team and one of the team captains. Having played soccer
pushes the
team to try
our absolute
hardest every
game. He motivates us to
try new things
and play as a
team. Coach
Jarvis has
implemented
so many new
techniques
and drills
that the team
looks brand
new this year.
He has really
advanced this
team to new
levels.” In
today’s interconnected
world of
celebrity and
social media,
many people
get inspiration
from famous
athletes or
for 11 years
entertain- including
ers. After
on several
watching the
travel teamsUnited States
Eachus
women’s
now plays
soccer team’s
exclusively
spectacular
for South.
victory at the
Although
FIFA Womshe has the
en’s World
ability to
Cup this past
play any
summer,
position,
many young
Eachus
female soccurrently
cer players
plays center
in America
midfield, a
found at least
key position
one player
which helps
on the team
to control
they could
the ball and
identify with,
get it to the
for Emily
forwards for
Eachus that
scoring opplayer was
portunity.
Carli Lloyd,
the indomitaGood midble midfielder
fielders must
who was
have quickkey to the
ness and
U.S. victory,
speed, while
becoming the
also possessfirst woman
ing an innate
to score a hatability to
trick (3 goals)
know when
in a World
Eachus defending the ball against Hollywood hills. Photo provided by
to hold the
Emily Eachus and taken by Jordana Khandakji
Cup final.
ball and when
As the Palato pass. Eachus
dins
begin
to
wrap
up
their
soccer
season,
Eachus
has all of these traits and her years of playing have given
states
that
she
is
“very
thankful
for
all
of
her
teamher the soccer IQ needed to control the field as needed.
When Eachus was asked what she most enjoyed mates on the soccer team and her love for the sport
is something that will last a lifetime.”
about soccer, she said, “I like being able to be part of a
team, first of all. Also, the adrenaline that comes with
Megan Leiter Staff Writer
Bri’s Babble
sportsl the sword and shield l 2015
Player Profile: Emily Eachus