Observer's Lame Prep Section

[FHHS81]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I think the High School Football Preview section in today's Observer's is pretty lame. They used to do a MUCH better job of it with a write-up and predictions for each conference, a little blurb about each team in the Sweet 16, etc. It was a separate section that was severa pages long. Nowadays it's just the bare facts on a whopping 4 pages!

I think everyone should write Langston Wertz at the Observer and tell him they should put more effort into this section. His e.mail is LWertz@charlotteobserver.com.

[smashmouth5]

It was very weak. At one time it was a seperate section, but now it's just a few pages thrown together. Another fine job of the Observer sports staff.

[Crest/UNC/Panthers]

Has the Shelby Star preview came out yet Smashmouth5

[smashmouth5]

Just a guess I would say that it would be this week before the Jambo. Would be a good time for the Star to kick off football season, but we all know how the Star is.

[Langston Wertz Jr.]

It's funny, but every year about this time, we get the same comments. We do more high school coverage than any other paper in our area. Our preview today was only a beginning.

We'll have a 1A preview Monday, followed by 2A Tuesday, 3A Wednesday and 4A Thursday. Friday we'll debut our reworked Gameday with other new features to kick off the first week of high school football.

We would love to do a separate section with 10-12 pages, but we cannot find a regional advertiser(s) to support it. We'd love to do a weekly prep page but we have to have a regional advertiser to support that as well.

It's one of the problems we face dealing with such a large regional audience as we do. We have 106 high schools to cover and no matter how hard we push, it'll never be enough for some people.

But bottom line? There's more coverage coming. I'll check in on this board from time to time, since you guys abandoned our old board (smile).

Holla at me with some good story ideas.

Later, Langston

[75gitane]

here's URLs for winston-salem journal and raleigh news and observer

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FPage%2FWSJ_StandardIndex&c=Page&cid=1041611505676

http://newsobserver.com/sports/preps/

[CFBall]

langston, I for one welcome you to TBR forum............ and we understand the situations you are faced with! Keep us posted!:cool:

[Langston Wertz Jr.]

Thanks, but I am interested in comments on the coverage. The 1A stuff ran today to be followed by other classes. Was this any better?

[dawgpound02]

langston, you should do an article on the history of Cleveland County Football. Burns, Crest, Shelby, and Kings Mountian!

[Chief]

Originally posted by Langston Wertz Jr.
Thanks, but I am interested in comments on the coverage. The 1A stuff ran today to be followed by other classes. Was this any better?

:xyzthumbs...looking forward to the 4A coverage. Question- I know the kid is under enormous pressure, but how good is Joe Cox, the QB at Indy?

[Langston Wertz Jr.]

Thanks, but I am interested in comments on the coverage. The 1A stuff ran today to be followed by other classes. Was this any better?

[CFBall]

Originally posted by Langston Wertz Jr.
Thanks, but I am interested in comments on the coverage. The 1A stuff ran today to be followed by other classes. Was this any better?

Todays 1A/Private review was great and extremely informative! Some outstanding talent in those classifications and looking forward to the rest this week. :cool:

[FHHS81]

Langston,

Thanks for the clarification of how the Prep Preview section works in the Observer. Keep fighting with your editors for more space for preps in the paper!

[Langston Wertz Jr.]

We'll keep fighting. We really need some regional company to say yes instead of maybe, if you want to know the truth.

Cox is pretty good. He's had two years to look at Leak and learn. He's under big pressure, I'm sure, and he'll have to learn how to handle it. I don't know how he did Saturday at N'Western, but that is a good preseason test as will Saturday's big scrimmage at The Stadium.

[Langston Wertz Jr.]

oh dawgpound, don't think we'll do that type of story. I did one last year on rivalry between crest-shelby. it would be kind of repetitive.

[THE TRUTH DETECTOR]

Langston I to welcome you.How about giving me some of those free games? Tell me one thing Wertz....The write up on Richmond.So Richmond has to prove this year they are still an elite team because of a fluke win by Providence??? I cannot wait till we play Providence.Alvin Pearman runs a 4.2 40....PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE.I saw Mike Waddell play who has 4.2 speed and Alvin Pearman is nowhere near as fast as Waddell.Chris Leak is faster.:D :D Welcome again Wertz and beware of those Crest fans who bash your fine work.The nerve of these 3rd grade educated snuff dippin toothless lowlife Richmond wannabee Anson County losing lowlifes to attack such an esteemed writer like you.

[CFBall]

TDeflector.............you stated Waddell's speed...........boy he has stunk it up at Carolina with no brains and speed isnt their either! Your jealousy about anson, providence and crest is soo apparent that most will not take your comments or opinions too serious. Maybe RC will get back to the heydays it once had!;)

[Chief]

Originally posted by THE TRUTH DETECTOR
The nerve of these 3rd grade educated snuff dippin toothless lowlife Richmond wannabee Anson County losing lowlifes to attack such an esteemed writer like you.

Hahahahah...TD is back...Smashmouth I hope you have that muzzle ready:D

[reddtroll]

Fluke win???? That was an old fashoned BUTT whippen!!!;)

[THE TRUTH DETECTOR]

Richmond has not lost to Anson in about 10 years..Never to Crest and they are going to pimp slap Providence.It is amazing Providence a team with 2 playoff wins is such a powerhouse all of sudden. :D

[THE TRUTH DETECTOR]

Originally posted by CFBall
TDeflector.............you stated Waddell's speed...........boy he has stunk it up at Carolina with no brains and speed isnt their either! Your jealousy about anson, providence and crest is soo apparent that most will not take your comments or opinions too serious. Maybe RC will get back to the heydays it once had!;)

MAYBE CREST WILL NUT UP AND PLAY US???

[Randy Capps]

Somebody asked about when The Star's football preview was coming out.

We are working on it now, and it is scheduled to come out on Friday, Aug. 22.

[CFBall]

Originally posted by Randy Capps
Somebody asked about when The Star's football preview was coming out.

We are working on it now, and it is scheduled to come out on Friday, Aug. 22.

Welcome aboard Randy..........glad to see you made it over to the best little sports board on the east coast! Alot of great feedback is available and we are sure you will find it quick and accurate in more than just football!

You have a few locals in here from the cleveland/rutherford/gaston/lincoln county region..............so guys and gals tell the journalist what he needs to be Printing to the OTHERS!

[CFBall]

Thanks for the 8-22-03 section on local football........its normally a nice write up and very informative!