The blame game: Arcata football team's problems don't originate...

Last week, the Fortuna High football team was undermanned, missing two integral pieces of its machine.

[FeelURPain]

I played for AHS back in '94, and we too suffered the same fate with a 0-9 season. With a team of 16, it was rather difficult to go up against the much larger and more talented teams. It's not an excuse, but a fact. And like the article says, a lot of talented athletes play other sports at Arcata, and always have. I feel for ya guys. Hope you can pull out a win.

[Old Logger]

While the football team is 0 for, the soccer team is 16-4 just coming off a 4-0 win with Fortuna and a 13-0 miling of Ferndale. The basketball team has got to be the top dog with so many return players and the rest of the teams having graduated their senior laden teams. The baseball team is likewise stacked with a stron return of starting players including pitchers.

Athletics in Uniontown are not all that gloomy when you look at the larger, brighter picture.

[Coach D]

I have been a part of Arcata's Football programs since Coach Newton (now at CR) hired me to be a Linebacker Coach back in '95. I have been there for the Highs (few) and the Lows (many). I have received my share of blame for some of those teams I have coached, been there still showing up on Fridays even when we knew there wasn't a chance in hell we weren't going to win. It takes guts and bravery to keep showing up on those teams, and there were many young men who did quit over the course of those rough seasons. But those guys who stuck it out during the 0-9 seasons earned something from one another, respect and the knowledge that even in the worse of circumstances, they had it in them to keep fighting, no matter what.
Yeah, Arcata High Football doesn't win alot of games. But those kids who survive these seasons, and make it through without quitting move on to be some amazing young men. They never give up, they gain the determination and toughness that comes from surviving adversity, and they carry that on through their lives.
At least five young men that were on my two 0-9 teams have served in Afghanistan or Iraq with distinction. Many others have gone on to impressive careers. Several have gone on to play Div IAA or II Football, and quite a few more played at CR, or other JC's. These guys have used the adversity that life handed them on the football field to their advantage and never gave up. So, Arcata High Football may not win a lot of games, and we may not have a lot of talent, but they turn out young men that we, as a town, can be proud of!

[Faculty Hiring]

Arcata and Mack sports programs have suffered from the egos of some teachers that have played the faculty preference card to gain positions in which they are not competent. That is what led to the fall of the Arcata football program.

[On the Horizon]

Arcata's JV team is now 5-3 after a convincing payback win on the road against Fortuna.

[cbc]

i was at the game-fortuna's jv qb is now on varsity-he makes a big difference. also up 27-6 with 15 seconds left arcata throws a bomb downfield to the three AFTER kneeling down the play before. then they rush up and try to score before time runs out.WHAT A JOKE ARCATA.

[HaHa]

Just think how bad Arcata would have been if they hired Jason White?

[Why We Kill]

All I know is that there is a great group of kids headed up to Arcata high... Conner Cox, Quinn Rice, Ayden Mazzotti, Derek Gaston, Brandon Dunsing, Marquis and Desmond Van, Zachary haggins, Jonas Linblom, caden hotze and numerous others. I do believe these kids... if coached well will have some success! I think that soccer has taken many of the best athletes away from this senior group but there are a lot of kids now that are Football players and will continue to be!

I cant wait to see them as players for Arcata high school!

Oh and as for the Blame Game?? It is a team that makes the plays and it is a team that lives with the results... I am sure there is no one pointing fingers on this team. I am sure the catchy headline is all that it refers to!

[Arcata JV Fan]

cbc wrote:

i was at the game-fortuna's jv qb is now on varsity-he makes a big difference. also up 27-6 with 15 seconds left arcata throws a bomb downfield to the three AFTER kneeling down the play before. then they rush up and try to score before time runs out.WHAT A JOKE ARCATA.

Who are you too talk stuff about the Arcata JV. JV went winless for 2 years. Now they are 5-3. So what if they kneeled then went for it. You are trying to take away a great catch from sophmore Trevon Davis and a beautiful pass from qb Sam Kauffman.Your just mad because your team lost at home, its not like you don't run the score up when you get the chance! Our game a few weeks ago was 24-6 And I know your team was still trying to run that score up. It's high school now, grow up, it was a great game for both teams especialy your Brandon Fuller he is a great player.

[On the Horizon]

CBC,

Ooh! Hooked the tuna.

Gave payback for your antics last year. Chew on that for a year, learn the lesson, and play with sportsmanship at the end of a game.

[Coach D]

Why We Kill wrote:

All I know is that there is a great group of kids headed up to Arcata high... Conner Cox, Quinn Rice, Ayden Mazzotti, Derek Gaston, Brandon Dunsing, Marquis and Desmond Van, Zachary haggins, Jonas Linblom, caden hotze and numerous others. I do believe these kids... if coached well will have some success! I think that soccer has taken many of the best athletes away from this senior group but there are a lot of kids now that are Football players and will continue to be!
I cant wait to see them as players for Arcata high school!
Oh and as for the Blame Game?? It is a team that makes the plays and it is a team that lives with the results... I am sure there is no one pointing fingers on this team. I am sure the catchy headline is all that it refers to!

{Well said Coach, We'll do our best to show 'em how its done!}

[Joe Porter]

Having been coached by Ray Watson and defensive coordinator Curen Sanchez I know for a fact the Tigers woes are due to a lack of talent. Period dot blank.

[Alamama]

Joe Porter wrote:

Having been coached by Ray Watson and defensive coordinator Curen Sanchez I know for a fact the Tigers woes are due to a lack of talent. Period dot blank.

The future is real spooky!!!! Period..........

[Ohio]

Ray Aspuria,

Quit covering his butt!!! The last coaching staff was just as, and more qualified then then this one!!!! That staff took the heat for winning six games in two years and should have beat Eureka in 2006 if it was not for Ray Finkle. Where is the out cry from the parents??? They cried before and got what they wanted???

[Bob]

Joe Porter wrote:

Having been coached by Ray Watson and defensive coordinator Curen Sanchez I know for a fact the Tigers woes are due to a lack of talent. Period dot blank.

Finally the voice of reason.

[Bob]

Ohio wrote:

Ray Aspuria,
Quit covering his butt!!! The last coaching staff was just as, and more qualified then then this one!!!! That staff took the heat for winning six games in two years and should have beat Eureka in 2006 if it was not for Ray Finkle. Where is the out cry from the parents??? They cried before and got what they wanted???

Who is Ray Finkle? Seriously I want to know.

[Pissed Of Parent]

I wish you guys would stop saying that this team has no talent, there is 11 guys on the field but only one player gets all the passes, hand offs and everything else, don't get me wrong Noah is very talented but if the coaches would pull there heads out there are other kids able to catch and play football. These kids play with heart and love the game they practice 6 days a week 3 hours a day, and still are upset when the game was called at half time in Fortuna with the score 48-0. They have had teams in the past that all they did was fight with each other even when the are winning, this group of young men get along play hard to the end and hold the heads high, we all could learn a thing or two from this team.

[Ohio]

Bob wrote:

<quoted text>
Who is Ray Finkle? Seriously I want to know.

Ever see the movie "Ace Ventura"

[Ohio]

Pissed Of Parent wrote:

I wish you guys would stop saying that this team has no talent, there is 11 guys on the field but only one player gets all the passes, hand offs and everything else, don't get me wrong Noah is very talented but if the coaches would pull there heads out there are other kids able to catch and play football. These kids play with heart and love the game they practice 6 days a week 3 hours a day, and still are upset when the game was called at half time in Fortuna with the score 48-0. They have had teams in the past that all they did was fight with each other even when the are winning, this group of young men get along play hard to the end and hold the heads high, we all could learn a thing or two from this team.

Your are right about clicks of kids that had talent not getting along!!! That's their parent's fault. The fighting was not only with the kids, but with the parents who were reliving their youth!!! It came up the ranks of the youth football program. This is common knowledge.

[funny]

leave the kids and coaches alone. This is Arcata Football, not Midland Texas.