Method to the madness

OK, before you start wondering about Birmingham coach Ed Croson's sanity for putting the Patriots through such a rough schedule to start the season, understand he's actually on solid ground on this one.

Croson's been doing it ever since he showed up at Birmingham seven years ago. The Patriots ended up winning City Section championships two of those seasons and four times they won West Valley League titles.

See, Croson understands the concept of it's now how you start, but how you finish. He also understands it does you no good playing patsies early in the season if you expect to compete for championships at the end of the year.

So he schedules the best teams he can find to start the season, gladly trading any potential lumps for the experience his players will gain in the process.

You have to respect that.