Semipro Opinion: Playoff Pushes Test Mettle

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While the spring Semipro season marches to its thrilling conclusion, patterns form, kudos are given and issues need addressing.

Spring Semipro football enters the homestretch. With that, we can take a long around at the sport. By weighing its highs and lows, you can draw a conclusion: Change hangs in the air. As the weather heats up, so does the intensity of the action. Despite standout performances, playoff spots remain available. Few top seeds are actually safe. Last year, the Crescent City Kings embarked on the road for the entirety of the playoffs, hoisting the championship trophy at the end. Any given Saturday in Semipro, an underdog can rise.

Keep Swimming

If you look at the South Alabama Dolphins’ 2-5 record, you may draw the wrong conclusion. While you are what your record says you are, nuance exists here. First, no team in the APDFL plays a tougher schedule. The Dolphins first seven opponents compiled a 31-14, while their last three boast a 14-7 mark. Right now, the 45-21 overall mark cannot remain understated. Yet, despite the mountain adversity, Bubba Floyd and his staff rallies the team and prepare them for Saturdays. The Dolphins’ defense, as talented as they are, tires out after the offense sputters. However, they continue to fight for every blade of grass, every yard. Coach Flood will get them right in 2023.

Travelling Light

If you play in a travel league, chances are your roster will look thin on the road. The fluid nature of Semipro brings this situation to the forefront. Now, while every team may not always travel at full strength, how they handle it speaks volumes about the character they have (or don’t). Teams will cross state lines with twenty-five players, win and travel back home. Or, they will leave town with a loss. Either way, you rarely see championship teams complain. Instead, they go on the road and handle business. Somehow, the sport spiraled away from taking accountability.

Settle Down

Earlier this week, I listed teams that earned my respect. These franchises, in my estimation, truly exemplify what an elite organization looks like. Without fail, a few teams were rather upset. Granted, one or two were oversights, easily corrected with an edit. Meanwhile, a few leaped into their feelings. They feel slighted. Now, if this page, and the podcasts are irrelevant, why do certain teams care so much about what I say? Personally, that makes zero sense. Now, if I missed a team, as I typed from memory, for that, I apologize. If I don’t see a scintilla from your squad, may as well delete your comment.

Where’s The Film?

On the back of the previous paragraph, attention-starved teams desperately seek the adulation. At the same time, they’ve engaged in the single most counterproductive behavior: Hiding film. This practice, in and of itself does more to hurt the visibility of teams. For a problem that spans most leagues and teams, hiding film from opponents and the general public doesn’t help. In college, certain conferences mandate film distribution. This works strictly for conferences. Teams from other leagues/conferences are not required to share. YouTube is free, taking little time and effort to upload and share.

Lack Of Community

Football, regardless of level is a sport heavily steeped in community. Sadly, too many teams/leagues prefer to embark on their journey alone. With so many networking resources available, not enough people take advantage. With coaching clinics occurring every month, across the country, too few coaches take the initiative to learn more about the game, blending schemes and techniques to improve their franchise. In all honesty, some Semipro coaches just want to coach their way, learning nothing new and wandering through the game without a single wrinkle of innovation. The sport stagnates without competition spurred on by change. In all honesty, covering teams that run dives for the majority of a game doesn’t bring eyes to words or puts behinds in seats.

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Coaching Aspirations

Luckily for Semipro, the game teems with phenomenal football minds. With that said, current players want to coach at other levels eventually. The greatest two pieces of advice when pursuing a job in the field are relatively simple. First, depending on your state, if you need a certification or a degree, hurry up and get to it. Earn that degree, and grab that certificate. In a sport that continues to age backward, younger coaches should fill the void left by firing and retirements. If you need any help or tops, FullPress Semipro on Facebook.

The Lie That Is Hating

For the entirety of my time covering this sport, players will draw attention to themselves, claiming how much the league, other teams/players, and even the media hate them. To put this as mildly as possible, no. No one wakes up in the morning, hellbent and determined to dislike someone based on their football talent. If you truly believe this, letting someone live rent-free in your head is a sign of weakness. This sport connects with confidence. On the other hand. if you focus on criticism solely, instead of working on your game, opponents will capitalize on this and you will ultimately fail at whatever endeavor you attempt.

Top 50/Spring Elite

For the first time, players from teams representing more than one league will show up on the list. This signals an expansion of our reach, in an attempt to make the Semipro world, that much smaller. To qualify, film and exact stats, along with the strength of opposition matter. To put it another way, snaring seven interceptions is great. However, who threw them? Statpadding against subpar teams will never merit consideration. Additionally, the decision of the list remains with the three-person panel. Plus, we are adding a new feature: The Spring Elite. This will highlight and celebrate the five best coaches in Semipro. No film, no recognition. Feel free to whine on social media afterward.

OPOY Standings (as of 5/3/22)

Jerquin Vines, Columbus Storm
LeSteven Jackson, Mississippi Dynasty
Tyrone Jones, Greater Pensacola Jets

DPOY Standings (as of 5/3/22)

Marquavious Favors, Georgia Thrashers
Keywan Bullock, Crescent City Kings
Amarie Jackson, Columbus Storm