Football conference preview help

How many teams are in your coverage area ?

Having four teams in my area some of the things I do: I have three teams that are in a district (eligible for the playoffs) and one team in a conference (eligible for only bowl game).

1. Team previews of all four teams
2. Solo head shots of every player and coach
3. Team pics of cheerleaders, band, JV cheerleaders,
4. District preview of teams outside your coverage area that are in your teams district
Also there are great websites, where you can get the teams helmets, it looks real good when you can put this on the color pages. Check out FloridaHelmetProject and you will see what I mean..

Examples
District 2-1B
Arlington Country Day
Head Coach: James Sims
2008 Record: 3-7
Last time in playoffs: 2008
Key losses: Dietrick Payne (Sr., RB), Brandon Boyd (Sr., ATH), Denzel Hayden (So., ATH), Daniel Wheat (Sr., OL), Anthony Mosley (DB)
Key returners: O’shay Carter (Fr., QB), Darius Sims (Sr., TE/DE), Cecil Countryman (So., OL/LB), Rodney Wrighten (So, LB), Kyle Smoot (Fr., RB/DB), Markell Hannon (So., RB), Archie Melendez (Sr., RB), Ronald Gelzer (Sr., WR/DB), Demetric Pugh (So., WR), Devonta Whittaaker (Jr., WR), Tyrese Gamble (Jr., OL), Akeem Campbell (Jr., OL/DL), Kohl Cavanary (Fr., OL), Robert Mackey (Fr., OL)
News: For ACD to get back to the playoffs again, Sims will have to replace several starters including his go to guy tailback Payne (1,039 yards, 13 touchdowns) and cornerback Mosley (10 interceptions, 2 touchdowns). Sims returns eight starters on offense and just three on defense after seeing several players transfer including Payne (Parker), Boyd (Nease), Hayden (Nease) and Wheat (Parker). Replacing Payne may lie in the hands of Smoot, Tallahassee Lincoln transfer Hannon and Melendez. Mandarin transfer senior Ryan Walker will get the nod at quarterback but will be pushed by last year's starter Carter (500 passing, 6 TDs). Both will have several young receivers to work with including Mandarin transfer junior Travis Makauskas, Gelzer, Pugh and Whittaker along with Sims, son of coach Sims. Sims is relying on five solid lineman to help protect Walker and Carter, Gamble, Campbell, Countryman, Cavanary and Mackey. Sims says his linebacker core, defensive line, quarterbacks, offensive line and wide receivers are his team’s strengths while his secondary is his weakness. Freshman Justus Gelzer, Wrighten (second in team tackles last season), junior Jimmie Martin and Countryman will be the starting linebackers. Junior Bryan Rose, sophomore Mike Hardmon, Sims and Campbell will be on the line while senior Robert Fields, Ronald Gelzer and Smoot will start in the secondary.

Aucilla Christian
Head Coach: Scott Scharinger
2008 Record: 3-7
Last time in playoffs: 2005
Key returnees: Joe Mizell (Sr., RB/DB), Alex Dunkle (Sr., RB/DB), Wilson Lewis (Sr., WR/DB), Brandon Dunbar (Sr., WR/DB), Matt Harrington (Sr., OL/DL), Jacob Pitts (Sr., OL/DL), Jake Walker (Sr., OL/DL), Buddy Vollerston (Sr. OL/DL), Koal Swann (Sr., OL/DL), Lane Fraleigh (Sr., K/DB), Daniel Ward (Sr., RB/DB)
News: Scharinger, a graduate of FSU, was hired to replace Joe Striplin in March and will take over a program that has seen its share of highs and lows over the past couple of years. Aucilla has seen its share of success just two seasons ago the Warriors were 7-3 yet reversed their record last season. Since 2002, the program has had just three winnings seasons going 31-39 during that stretch. The Warriors will be quite young with 16 of the 27 players being underclassmen with just 11 seniors.

Cedar Creek Christian
Head Coach: Daryl Dozier
2008 Record: 1-7
Last time in playoffs: None
Key losses: Tommy Roach (DE), Matt Quinn (WR/SS)
Key returners: Josh Brizer (Jr., QB), J.J. Washington (Jr., RB)
News: Bizier’s west coast offense fared better last season and has shown steady improvement as the Soldiers put up points and even managed a 50-12 win over Lake Wales Vanguard. Two years ago in the inaugural season, the Soldiers were shut out five of their six games and was outscored 269-6. After two years of playing in the independent league, the Soldiers make the move to district play joining 1B and will be quite familiar with some of the teams. Last season the Soldiers went 0-5 against new district teams Mandarin Christian (38-20), Hawthorne (57-14), Oak Hall (80-6), St. Johns Country Day (65-14) and St. Francis (37-0). If Cedar Creek can come out injury free after opening the season against state power North Florida Christian, the Soldiers have a chance to possibly win at least two games this season including one against a new program Peniel.

 

Thank you that was very helpful and I did something close to it.

 

I like the "five-year" trend graphs that most of the pro preview mags run...a basic line graph of winning percentage for each school over the previous five seasons. Gets some basic info out there, gives a good look at who in fact are the top programs and breaks up a preview page with some art.

 

Sportsnut, those are all basic information type questions. I'd suggest typing up some sort of questionnaire and sending it off to your coaches about a month before practice starts. Some things to put on there include:
1) Last year's overall and division record
2) Coach's name (sometimes it's a new guy) and assistant coaches
3) Number of returning starters on offense and defense
4) Key returners, along with stats if available
5) Their outlook for the season (this will usually be as cliched as cliched gets, but occasionally you'll get a good answer that gives you some insight; it also shows that you value the coach's opinion)
6) What kind of base offense and defense they run
7) Contact information, including cell phone number

I'd also suggest sending a cover letter that introduces yourself. It's a good icebreaker, especially if you're new to the area or a coach is.
As others have said, though, you don't need to worry about this just yet. If your state does spring practice you can touch on some of it in spring wrapup stories. Otherwise, enjoy the summer. There's nothing to write about yet. If you must get a jump on things, try to come up with design ideas.

 

FireDarylDozier.com?