Breaking News: Rowland's all-everything Michael Ball out six weeks with a broken collarbone

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Junior quarterback/defensive back Michael Ball, broke his collarbone when Walnut's Aubrey Coleman pulled his face mark. It resulted in an unsportsmanlike penalty and Ball leaving the game in an ambulance. Rowland coach Craig Snyder said Ball is out at least six weeks, which means he possibly could return in time for the second or third round of the playoffs should the Raiders reach that stage. "It was a blatant cheap shot," Snyder said of Coleman's action. "He tackled all night going for the head. When you watch him tackle, his arms are always going above the pads." To continue, click thread
Walnut coach Mike O'Shields phoned Snyder on Monday to offer his condolences for Ball's injury, but he also said Coleman, who is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, did not intentionally try to hurt Ball.
"It was an obvious facemask and it's tragic when something like this happens because Michael's a great kid and he's having a great year," O'Shields said. "Because Aubrey's so big, he struggles getting low on anything. I don't think there was any malice or intent on hurting Michael on Aubrey's part.
"I understand Craig's frustration, but if I thought any of our players were out to intentionally hurt someone I would have handled it. That player won't be in the game."
Snyder said when Coleman was issued a second unsportsmanlike penalty for a facemask later in the game, he should have been tossed.
"I know O'Shields doesn't teach that," Snyder said. "He's a great coach, but that kid should have been thrown out of the game when they flagged him again. For a 15-yard penalty we lose one of the best players in the Valley for probably the whole season. It's heartbreaking.
"When I asked the official about it, he said all they can do is make the (unsportsmanlike) call. I guess that means you can tell a player to go after a guy and put his helmet on their knees if you want them gone at the end of the night. By not throwing him out (Coleman) out that's the message you're sending."
Ball, who has thrown for 553 yards and nine touchdowns and just one interception, also has rushed for 165 yards and five touchdowns and is one of the best players in the Raiders' secondary.
With Ball out for an indefinite period, junior wide receiver Leonardo Freeman now is at quarterback. He completed 4 of 7 attempts for 51 yards and a touchdown in Ball's absence.
"First of all Michael is crushed. He was having a great season and it's over in the snap of a finger," Snyder said. "If we play well enough down the stretch and muster a win or two in the playoffs, we might get Michael back.
"But in the short term it affects us because not only do we lose a quarterback, we lose a receiver (Freeman) who is now our quarterback. But I'll tell you what, our kids are resilient. They showed it on Friday and we will get together, map out a game plan and get ready for the rest of the season."
The Raiders have a nonleague game against Wilson (3-3) on Friday before resuming San Antonio league action on Oct. 30 at home against West Covina.
fred.robledo@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2161
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this is aubrey coleman other wise knon as #88 if you where at the game maybe you dumb guys would kno what really happed.. yea i pulled Balls face mask NOT ON PURPOSE IT WAS ACCIDENT AND IF YOU SEEN AFTER WHEN I LET IT GO HE GOT SMACKED BY ONE OF MY TEAM MATES AND LANDED HARD ON HIS SHOLDER WITCH THEN BROKE HIS BONE I PUT MY HAD OUT AND GRABED WHAT CAME IN MY HAD AND IF YOU DIDNT NOTICED I WAS BEING BLOCKED BY 2 ROLAND GUYS WHEN THIS HAPPEN.. YEA YOU SAY YOU TALK TO THE TEACHER AND THEY ALL SAY IM ASS HOLE OR WHAT NOT.. I WOUNDER WHAT TEACHERS YOUR TALKIN ABOUT I KEEP TO MYSELF AND IF YOU DONT KNO ME SHUT THE HELL UP STOP TALKIN MESS.. YES I WILL BE BACK THIS YEAR RUNIN HARED AND FASTER ,STRONGER AND BIGGER AND IF YOU DONT WANT ONE OF YOUR SOFT LITTLE PLAERS TO GET HURT TELL"EM STAY OUT MY WAY WHEN THE BALL IS IN MY HADS... OH YEA BTW... I AM A THUGG LMAO
Same exact play happened tonight at the Gladstone/Azusa game tonight! The Azusa QB was facemasked by the big 6'5" QB from Gladstone as he was playing DE...sound familiar? and yes the Azusa QB neck was yanked all the way around and it happened so fast!
GIVE THIS TOPIC A REST FRED...IT'S PLAYED OUT ISN'T IT?
Tech my friend I will be at the Walnut/WC game tomorrow night. I will be watching #88 very closely. I'm hoping I will see is the aggressive hard hitting player I saw against Arroyo. Either way, the one thing I have been reminded of this week is a quote from John Wooden. "Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it". I will see this week. We should compare notes next week if you are going to that game this week. I get the feeling that we have some of the same values when it comes to kids, sportsmanship, and the spirit of the game.
SGV430 Ouuut!
Gangsta Ballers on the football field.
All done diliberate but one can hide behind the card.. "it was accidental" since after all it is football, a injury waiting to happen game. 50/50 chance you get caught playing dirty. Also you have people who nail guys calling for a fair catch and that is dirty but only draws a 15 yard penalty (some can get hurt on that dirty play). Coleman pulled, yanked, tore Balls head off practically, it is being looked at ONLY as a oops sorry , my bad. Thats cool give it a rest already, bottom line is Ball is lost for the season, Rowland won the game and Coleman got his a-- chewed here on the blog. Put it to rest already, lets move on nothing will be done about it, so lets continue to play football and learn from all this that dirty play exist in football at all levels. Ask Joe Theisman. Yes back then QB had bountys on them and LT nailed him. It is not allowed but it happens, most players are discreet about it but they are doing it..Ever hear of pinching while you are in the pile of players after a tackle? See the Movie EXPRESS The Ernie Davis story and see dirty play at its finest, sure there was racism in that movie but dirty play is dirty play. As long as you dont get caught. Some coaches teach it some condone it. Players at that age know what they are doing. I have seen it done at the Jr. All American level. Turst me dirty play exist and will exist on many fields this Friday nite HS, Saturday college and Sunday Pros.
Gangsta Ballers on the football field.
All done diliberate but one can hide behind the card.. "it was accidental" since after all it is football, a injury waiting to happen game. 50/50 chance you get caught playing dirty. Also you have people who nail guys calling for a fair catch and that is dirty but only draws a 15 yard penalty (some can get hurt on that dirty play). Coleman pulled, yanked, tore Balls head off practically, it is being looked at ONLY as a oops sorry , my bad. Thats cool give it a rest already, bottom line is Ball is lost for the season, Rowland won the game and Coleman got his a-- chewed here on the blog. Put it to rest already, lets move on nothing will be done about it, so lets continue to play football and learn from all this that dirty play exist in football at all levels. Ask Joe Theisman. Yes back then QB had bountys on them and LT nailed him. It is not allowed but it happens, most players are discreet about it but they are doing it..Ever hear of pinching while you are in the pile of players after a tackle? See the Movie EXPRESS The Ernie Davis story and see dirty play at its finest, sure there was racism in that movie but dirty play is dirty play. As long as you dont get caught. Some coaches teach it some condone it. Players at that age know what they are doing. I have seen it done at the Jr. All American level. Turst me dirty play exist and will exist on many fields this Friday nite HS, Saturday college and Sunday Pros.
Water Boy,
1) If a player gets injured cuz of a dirty play, people are going to care. Is it bigger cuz it was Ball? Of course, because of the impact on the team. Would people still be calling out #88 (or anybody else) for a dirty play if it wasn't on the star? I know I would.
2) Was Kalvin hurt because he was injured on a dirty play? Cuz if so then you have a point. If not then lets not make random analogies that have no point
SGVfor30,
You don't recognize the irony of a person who wasn't at the game telling others who weren't at the game what happened?
water boy
Just cause 70% of the school is asian doesn't mean that half the football team is asian. Check out the roster, Bonehead. We're looking at maybe five asian kids, which leaves plenty of room for the thugs.
http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/9CqQThvW9kefd2sj9K7fPA/walnut-mustangs/football/roster.htm
none of you guys would have cared if it had not been done to the star player from rowland and by one the star players from walnut. how is the team full of thugs when half of the team is asian. please explain. we all know the "thugs" mentioned are the big black dudes out there. and nfl thug players do play dirty, they do dumb stuff off the field duh hahahah. this i about the dumbest argument i have ever heard. this is football. if walnut was really out to injure the key players and they were thugs as you claim, they would have just beaten them up before the game to ensure the win. its a high school league rivalry. for all you out there all on michael ball's nut sack, go have a talk with a kalvin, who tore his lcl, mcl, acl and broke his femur. this is football and people hurt. to all those blaming aubrey, he was indirectly responsible for the broken bone. a tackle that came later on the play was the cause of the broken bone. you cannot break your clavicle (collar bone) by pulling your neck. that bone only connects to the scapula (shoulder blade) and sternum. those who break their collar bone usually have put some kind of strenuous force on their shoulder, like falling after being tackled. it sucks when people get hurt, but that is the nature of football
BLAH,BLAH
I may have not been at the game, but I have talked to several coaches and administraters who were there. I've asked their opinions on those plays. So I have based all my comments on what I have been told by some very credible people. Don't make me go Galman on you. (LOL)
Tech, lets just hope this is an isolated incident. I will make it a point to go to the Walnut game this week. I think they are playing Wesco.
SGV Ouuut!
SGV For 30 Years said,
1) It looked like a yank because after grabbing the facemask he pulled on it. I was at the game, I saw it. Didn't need to be right up next to it to tell.
2) And the officials in the playoffs missed a call at second yesterday, what's your point? Let's put it this way, if #88 yanked Michael Ball's facemask in the woods and nobody was around was it still a dirty play and a broken collarbone?
3) Well gee that seems to be Snyder's point now doesn't it? Again, he didn't even have to be "out to hurt somebody" to be ejected to tell you the truth. When a player plays reckless and is unsafe in that manner on multiple plays they should be tossed. But my answer to you is "the officials blew it."
4) It got this type of response because the play was dirty, not because of the picture. Before the picture ran the same type of comments were going up on here. If anything the only thing the picture has resulted in is a bunch of people who weren't at the game coming on here and telling me what I saw.
I'm with you on "uninformed" adults bashing on kids. People who weren't at the game coming on here to argue points??? The nerve of them telling people like you and me who were at the game what... hold up... yeah? Wasn't at the game?
Never mind my last point then. =)
SGV430:
SIMPLE!!!!
iF YOU WERENT AT THE GAME ..the SUT th H@LL UP!!!!
Tech,
Here is my problem with people forming their opinion about a kid based on that picture. Don't get me wrong, that picture looks really bad. First-If you have 2 players going in opposite directions full speed and the facemask gets grabbed. Won't it look like a grab and yank? Second - There was another facemask penalty called by an official from across the field while the official who was right infront of the play didn't throw his flag.
Third - Why didn't the officials eject the player if it was so obvious to everyone that he was out to hurt someone. Their job is to protect the players.
Fourth - Fred and the rest of the Tribune basically threw this kid under the bus. They had to know that if they ran this picture that it would get this response.
Tech, I've read most of your posts. I wasn't at the game so I didn't see the plays in question. I just don't like the idea that uninformed adults are bashing kids, and that the Tribune seens to condone it.
SGV430 Ouuut!
Housetramp of kosovo, take your own advice and lay off the Vodka. Your bitching and moaning has nothing to do with football! Go back to your domestic partner and verbally bash all those ex-jock types that turned you into the He-woman Man hater that you are today. This is a Mans or short horners (as you call it) blog. Go back to your volleyball and crosscounrty threads. We frustrated, ex-jocks types are trying to talk football here.
Ball got hurt, Cheap shot by Aubrey Coleman. Nothing done about it and there will not be. Bottom line here:
Rowland won the game Walnut lost the game.
Rowland gained Respect Walnut lost all respect due to one players BS.
Walnut is going to WC friday and a loss there really forces them to beat So. hIlls which you know they wont.
In the end Walnut misses the playoffs again and starts making plans for their annual loser banquet.
All the hype surrounding Walnut, the 5-0 start comes into focus as a farce for playing weak teams then getting your a--es handed to you when you faced real competition, which included a team losing a star player because of a cheap shot put out by a Walnut player.
Instant Karma here. Walnut is done. AGAIN!!
Reality Bites,
You are so well named, you just don't realize it yet. Here's a hint tough guy, lay off the Red Bulls. They are scrambling your thought processes and altering your recollection of past events.
“GET UP CHEERING AND SNARLING AND HOPING TO DO IT AGAIN! .” That is so great, I had to read it twice. Hint #2: try to cut back on the MMA videos, they're making the Rosacea worse.
“why else would I run full speed and throw my body, face and head into the body of another 185lb mass of muscle that covers the 40 yd dash in 4.5 seconds.” I'm not sure, but I think I saw you do this on an old episode of COPs. You were the guy with no shirt, right?
“And of course I'm gonna talk about my football experiences with strangers, it's a blog you twit! “ Like I said before short-horn, guys like you are all talk. The only time you ever covered 40 yards in 4.5 seconds was trying to make it through a yellow light on your bicycle.
Reality Bites. Totally!
SGV For 30,
Really? REALLY????
1) Did the doctor say the large man grabbing the facemask, yanking it to the point Michael Ball's head looked like Linda Blair in the exorcist, and then pulling the helmet OFF of him on the play, cause a collarbone injury??? Actually no, the doctor said it was caused by the car hitting him right after the play was over.
2) One didn't need to be right on the Walnut sideline to see how bad that play was. I was in the stands on the Rowland side and clearly saw the grab, yank, head twist, and fall. We also got a better view of the two on the Running Back where one was a yank(called) and the other a grab and release (not-called). And I'd also like to think the excellent shot in this article pretty much speaks for itself.
I'm actually with you on the idea of "pre-meditated." Unless somebody can prove it, I'm not buying it. But I think people need to learn the difference between "cheap shot" (when a player is unprotected or after a play), "pre-meditated" (where it was planned ahead of time), and "dirty play" (which is what #88 did).
Closer to the field and Kosovo - Obviously you ladies have never played the game! I was speaking to the players out there and the real players all know what I'm talking about! I'm sorry the guy in the picture got hurt. The reality is, It's part of the game. And of course I'm gonna talk about my football experiences with strangers, it's a blog you twit! I don't know any of you bozo's. Go cut out some paper dolls you pansy! "I play hard,I play mean,I play angry but under control" HELL YES! why else would I run full speed and throw my body, face and head into the body of another 185lb mass of muscle that covers the 40 yd dash in 4.5 seconds AND GET UP CHEERING AND SNARLING AND HOPING TO DO IT AGAIN!
Kosovo - sounds like you've been stood up one to many times by that no good, beer drinking, football coaching, ex-jock of a boyfriend of yours. Get a date!
I've talked to a couple of the coaches at Walnut. They do feel bad for Mr. Ball as do we all. Here is my question, did the doctor say that grabbing the facemask is what caused the injury? What if they find that one had nothing to do with the other? The Walnut-Rowland rilvary in all sports has been intense but there is no bad blood between the two schools. So why are some people trying to make it something it isn't. Reading some of these comments, the sidelines must have been awfully packed because everyone says they were close to the play. From what I understand the play happened on the Walnut side so some of you are not telling the truth. Someone said something about pre-meditated agenda. Give me a break, you must think the Walnut coaching staff, AD, and Principal are a bunch of idiots. Don't you think they would have taken some kind of action if they had suspected a kid of such viciousness? Here is my other question, has Walnut ever been accused of dirty play or cheap shot? I can't remember ONE incident, and I've been around for 30 years. So lets give this one a rest, stop calling kids dirty and cheap and see how the rest of the season plays out. To you Mr. Ball I wish a speedy recovery.
SGV430 Ouuuut!
Aubrey Colemans a Thug. Do I think he did it on purpose. No. But I Mosdef think it was a dirty play. The system must not have worked for Mr. Coleman. Where was his P.O.
rgd2626, I thought someone out there might remember that crap Snyder said about CO last year. What an idiot. Didn't he also accuse CO of filming his practice. Hahaha, that was me on my way home from work. I was just watching. 60 frwy was backed up.
Anyway, $hit happens out there on the field, but if someone is habitually head tackling he should be out of the game. I hope Mike returns to finish the season quickly. Lucky his head is still attached.
hahaha, its actually unedumacated and sarcasm just doesn't fly on the computer screen like it does when coming from the mouth. I still have no idea what Galman is trying to say. Can someone translate???
Reality Bites....be serious? (I play hard! I play mean! I play angry but under control!)
Under control? Kind of defeats the purpose of this blog entry doesn't it? Being out of control is what cost a young, stand up, class act of a student athlete his season. Sounded like I heard some hating on M. Ball and his uniform attire. Really sounds like this "kid" is sorry for what he did.
Done with this blog
Reality? Hardly.
It's been my experience that the very best football players I played with/against NEVER bring up their football experiences with strangers and for sure would never come in here on this blog and pound their chest about how tough they were.
Frankly Mr. Bites, you sound an awful lot like one of those short-horned pop warner coaches who likes to get beered up and tell tall tales about what a stud he was back in the day. Most of you sawed off knuckleheads rig yourselves out in USC regalia from Penneys and have sea stories about the full ride to Penn State you lost because of an injury your senior season. Another clown just in time for Halloween.
Once again.....
To: "Close Enough to the Field"
Your a coward plan and simple , hiding behind a computer. Coward go ahead and call me, you won't becaues like I said your a coward, and cowards need to stay away from football. Your funny, big talk when you from someone who is a no one. Coward Coward
You're all whinning like a bunch of girls. Facemasks happen! Sometimes you can let go sometimes you can't. For you cats that have never played the game...Things happen fast out there. I'm trying to stop a play! Do I go out there looking to inflict pain? HELL YES I DO!!! If your unlucky enough to come into my area while you're trying to score points on my team and looking all flashy with your face shield, spats, taped up hands and wrists wearing your custom cleats with matching sweatbands then your going to get your _ick knocked in the dirt!!! There will be no high fiving, chest bumping in my end-zone! I take it personal. I play hard! I play mean! I play angry but under control! If this game is to harsh and to violent for you then please don't play. Take your son, brother, nephew cousin off my field! Do I want to permenantly injury a fellow gladiator on the field, no, not necessarily, but I do want to shake him up a bit. You have to play hard. The game is rough, violent and physical. The day I let up, is the day I get hurt! So I'm not letting up! See you on the field ladies!!!!
I believe this was submitted to CIF for review. If the player has a history, he could be suspended.....he doesn't. If it were the NFL, he would be fined $5000....it's not the NFL. If
'close enough to the field' didn't talk trash about spelling then drop.... uneduactated?.....well then he wouldn't look like a dumb ass.
The first facemask was bad...the second one....was from behind...and he let go. I don't see a third. He hits high...but not leading with the helmet. You get hit with a chest...and tossed to the ground.
True football fan...I was there too....that was a bunch of lies you just sprung on us. Thanks for your contribution.
Perhaps you played when Walnut was winning 1 or 2 games a year....lovable loser. No Sure. But yep...it's a little different....when you win...and have some confidence. Those big rectangular things at each end of the field....they're called endzones. When you get there....you give high fives...chest bump...drop it like it's hot.
Hey Galman, mix in a comma and a spell check one time for me guy. Still trying to figure out what some of those sentences are saying.
Saying that we all can be held accountable for "slander" in the court of law is absolutely hilarious. You just want to hold everyone accountable huh? Not once in any of the other blogers, Snyder, or my comments does anyone threaten #88. Pull your head out of your rear and read what is actually being said.
Why would I prove to some uneduactated nut on a blog who my true identity is? Why would I put my full name and number on a blog? Nobody is that dumb. Is putting my name going to add more weight to my so called "slander" statements? Maybe I should sign my name as Coach O'Shields and then you can take me to court for "impersonation". I know who I talked to, and if you are saying that the "word" of faculty at Walnut High School is slander, then you seem to be doing everything you possibly can to defend this "kid". You question my playing days and I question your relationship with #88. It is quite obvious that you are a friend or family member of #88. I was just a fan that night who did not like what I saw and heard about the results to M. Ball by reading it on the blog.
Did Fred do his job by reporting what Snyder said? Yes. Did Snyder do his job by speaking about the obvious pink elephant in the room that everyone saw? Yes. Did people at the game also see the same thing I saw? Based on comments left on here, yes. Did I write what I saw and heard from #88 before and during the game? Yes. Mr. Galman, ask yourself, can so many people be wrong?
Not once have you said that #88 was in the wrong. You made excuses for the unsportsmanlike penalties that were called on #88. I think you should "man up or shut up" and realize that you have no argument. #88 did what he did and I am a huge believer in what goes around comes around. Wait.....is that a threat?? No, that is me trying to install some kind of parenting advice to the "kid" since nobody has been able to do that so far. Why do you think he is the way he is?
O'Shields and teachers see #88 everyday at school. Only they can tell us the true character of this "kid" and how he interacts with others. I talked with a few teachers at the game and I heard what I heard. I built a good relationship with these educators back when I was a student-athlete and trust what they have to say. If you can't trust teachers, then really who can we trust Mr. Galman. I guess our kids are just learning "slander" in class then.
Later
This past summer I vacationed in sunny SoCal and had the opportunity to watch Walnut play Monrovia at the Bonita Passing League Tournament(I used to live in SoCal but now reside in Seattle). At the tournament it was evident what type of mentality hovered over some(not all) of the Walnut players. On a number of plays on defense it was obvious that the Walnut players weren't even making plays for the football. Instead they were looking for that cheap hit over the middle on a unsuspecting receiver even when the ball was thrown to the flats. And as the rb in the flats went on to score a touchdown, the Walnut players hooted and hollered over the blind clothesline in the middle with only one Walnut player actually giving chase to the rb. This type of play happened several times during the span of the game. And each time it happened, a Walnut assistant coach would run partially onto the field and high five the player that delivered the hit. I know it's passing league and it's football, and I expect a certain level of physicality. But these hits these Walnut kids were delivering were flat out cheap. Mostly on receivers on the opposite side of the play, never the actual receiver the ball was being thrown to. When Monrovia retaliated with a few hits of their own, Walnut players flipped out. It was clear that this was their way of making up for their lack of speed on the outside as they were constantly getting burned on the wheel and post corner route. A few of their supporters on the sideline even shared the same thought process as they cheered over every cheap hit. In my 10 years of coaching I never understood this type of mentality from parents. If you're a true football fan and TOOK EMOTIONS OUT of the equation, it is very easy to see what is intentional and what is inadvertent.
FredJ,
Could CIF go back and review the film and dish out punishment / suspension based on the film?
It doesn't sound like the officials did their job if he had multiple facemasks and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and was not removed from the game.
CIF cannot prevent the injury (which already happened), but they can definitely make a ruling on the correct punishment (if any).
Is this something that can be done retroactively? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and CIF's process.
"I know O'Shields doesn't teach that," Snyder said.
But apparently head coach Mike O'Shields condones that kind of play.
Let's get real people. The Walnut football program is full of trash talking, chest thumping, wanna be NFL thug players. The only reason that kind of behavior continues is, because of the lack of leadership from the Walnut coaching staff.
Take a look in the mirror O'Shields, and accept responsibility for what took place Friday night. You alone are the cause of what happened, due to your tolerance of such bad behavior by your players.
Snyder did and said the same thing last year after there loss to Charter Oak, except last year it was worse, his remarks were,thats how they teach and coach them over there.
this is something you talk to the other coach about after the game, NOT thru the media!!!
Again Snyder shows no class.Be it right or wrong what he said there is absolutely no need to make this a bigger problem that it already was.And again he has succeded to do that.And its really to bad because he is a very good coach.
Thank you Close Enough To The Field.
Look I don't know #88 from anybody else in the world. Never followed Walnut, never saw them play till last Friday. #88 could be a angel off the field or a demon and frankly I don't care. I know what I saw last Friday night.
Again do I think #88 went into the game thinking "I'm gonna knock people out of the game"? No, I don't. I don't think he went out there trying to hurt somebody anymore than any football player wants to get a good hit on somebody. But people seem to be confusing "dirty play" with "premeditation." The dirty play came from not letting go when he realized he had the facemask. The dirty play came from YANKING on the facemask once he had it in his hand. The dirty play came from DOING IT AGAIN less than 5 plays later to the running back. There didn't need to be a "bounty" or "trash talking" before the game for it to be a dirty play.
And people are right when they are saying that him being "too tall" to not tackle correctly is no excuse. The first responsibility of coaches at this level of play is safety. Not only of their own players but every player. Putting a guy on the field who is reckless and/or doesn't know proper technique is a failure on the coach's part. This game is dangerous enough when you do everything right, don't put more people at risk.
close Enough to the Field>>>>
Wow, your pretty brave to come in here and talk trash about a kid that you do not even know or have never talked to. I doubt for sure you ever went to Walnut. Easy to write what you say and not post your real name or contact number. The reason why I post my name and number is that I do hide behind a computer, You adults should be ashamed for adding to this issue and all of you are cowards who post in here and bash a kid and never man up to who you are. "Man up or Shut up"
So now you know this kid enough to know he did it intentionally, Wow "Close enough to the field" why don't you call me. Coach Synder should not be coahing, he is in change of kids and to make a statement like he did shows that he is immature and he basically is asking people to get back at this kid, he is an adult and responsible for kids , he knew what would happen or possibly happen by putting a statement out there like that. So once again, If something happens to this kid I will blame all you folks and Coach Synder. I understnad why everyone is upset, Michael Ball is a great player and losing him for the entire season basically makes it hard for Rowland to win CIF, but no wayidoes that givs permission for adults from comming in here and bashing a kid or making threats to a kid. If you believe that is okay then you should have kids. You folks are jsut like those parents that were on video, fighting at a kids pop wrner football game. Fred what are your thoughts on this since you published these comments, Is it okay to bash kids and call them all sort of names in here and also imply that someone should take matters in their own hands and make punish this kid. Does the Rowland Coach say what he said when he knows it will just incite more possible violence out there especially retribution. Does the SGV Tribune allow that crap. folks you know who I am, all these folks like "Close to the Field" bash kids and make comments about what they heard, In any court of law that is Slander and you can be sued. Just because you post in here with out your name does not mean that if you slander or make threats to someone that you are not liable! Call me Tony Galman 714.351.3976
This sure has sparked a fire on the blog.
I agree with what O'Shields said. #88 tackles too high. Should that have been fixed by now? Yes. That is technique, that should be coached.
I still do not think it was intentional. I have a feeling that #88 likes to grab and throw, like I have seen him do many times before, and he grabbed high. I don't know if he had time to let go or not, from my vantage point it looked natural. You should ask the 8-9 former varsity coaches (including Coach Gunn) that were right in front of the play and get there take. I have talked to a few of them and most feel it wasn't intentional.
Is there character issues involved? Sure. Does that mean he intentionally did this? No. For a coach to come out and say what Snyder said, maybe he knows something we don't.
@close enough to the field
Absolutely agree with you. Just because the kid's 16 or 17 years old doesn't exempt him from accountability on the field. His play was unnecessary and unsportsmanlike, simple as that.
I have read enough......now I MUST reply. A friend informed me about this blog and I can't believe what I am reading. Someone please try to find one more excuse for #88.......
ok, first of all, lets get one thing clear here...I am not proud to say I wore a Walnut football uniform after watching #88 from Walnut. I anticipated a great game between two undefeated teams and I left with a sour taste in my mouth.
I showed up early for the game, thinking that I would take in the high school football atmosphere and watch the players warm up and just prepare for the game. It was bringing back memories for me. I did notice one huge 6'4, 230 pound (not 6'7 like Tony Galman claims) man wearing #88 spending way to much time talking trash to Rowland while they warmed up. Being close enough to the field, I wish that I could write what he had to say to the Rowland Raiders (for purposes of painting a picture of this kids character). I was extremely surprised at the amazingly small vocabulary and choice of words this mammoth of a "kid" had. He has a huge liking of about 5 to 6 words that you wouldnt say in front of your mother. The words were extremely repetitive and I don't think Oprah would have liked the word he repeated that ended in a "a" instead of "er". (The N word for those who are lost) Things have changed since I played thats for sure.
So I talked with some old teachers and faculty who were at Walnut when I attended, and started to catch up with them. I asked about the really large "kid" wearing #88 and why none of the Walnut coaches are saying anything to him as he taunts the Rowland team before the game?? They informed me that this "kid" has been a problem since he stepped foot on campus. Maybe if some Bonita High School basektball players/parents read this section of the blog, they would inform you that a while back, #88 ran into the stands to fight some parents/players because he did not like the fact that he was being heckled. A character issue is starting to be painted here in my head at this point. (Can't wait for the excuse on why that is justified)
I will not summarize the whole game because I did not stay for the whole thing. What I did stay for and witness is a "kid" who should not be allowed to play organized sports. Yes it is tackle football and yes facemask penalties do occur, but my god....when is enough, enough! Someone on here wrote about his son getting tackled from behind and blowing his knee out.........last time I checked you were allowed to tackle from behind. Grabbing, then gripping, then jerking, then slamming a kid to the ground by the face mask.....not legal. This "kid's" facemask penalties should have cost him the chance to finish the game. Once.....oops, twice...what is wrong with this kid and why is he tackling like an animal, we don't teach that here (right coach?).....three.......get him off the field.
Now...Mr. Tony Galman.....you seriously just put your number on here??!!!??? You say you hold Coach Snyder accountable if anything happens to #88?? Who the hell are you and why would the Coach even care what or who you hold accountable? I don't even know how to respond to that comment except for the fact that *67 BLOCKS CALLS and don't be mad at the late night blocked calls you will get from the high school kids that actually read this. There, now will you hold me accountable if you get calls from numbers that are blocked??
The bottom line is that times have changed and everyone wants to make excuses for kids. Playing football taught me to be accountable for my actions and also how to be a sportsman and class act. #88 has not learned to be either of the two and probably never will, but "let's just give him a chance or two or eight or nine!" (Last quote to be read with extreme sarcasm). I feel horrible for the Ball family and M. Ball because everything I have read about him is nothing but positives. He will miss the season and #88 will play on and continue to be a horrible example of what a student athlete should be. It is extremely difficult to prove someones motive and intent, but in this case, it is not even a question. Check the "kid's" past actions and what he did Friday night leading up to the "facemask" heard round the SGV. Then look at the incident for how you saw it. To be honest, the picture shown above does not do justice for how the rest of the incident played out. You dont see the jerking of the head, the whip lash of M. Ball, and the celebration by the "kid."
The only thing #88 will learn from this is that he can still do what he wants when he wants. I see a future Ron Artest/Bill Romanowski mold coming into play. O'shields "W's" are more important than building character in kids and that is extremely upsetting. Bench the kid, take his pads, try to teach him something. Everyone who was there knows that is what needs to be done, I saw it from the same sidelines/bleachers you did coach.
I commend Coach Snyder for bringing it to the attention of all of us and sticking up for what is right. He cares for his kids, and sticks up for them when it is right, not when they intentionally hurt someone. He did call out #88.....was he supposed to sit there and act like it didn't happen intentionally like the Walnut coaching staff did???
Sorry folks, I found a huge typo in my last comment. What I was saying about Coach Snyder's comment was that it should have NOT been printed by Fred. Fred you do have a responsibility to report the facts, but you also have the a choice when it comes to what is written, especially if you know it will get a huge response. Similiar to yelling fire in a movie theater.
SGV Ouuut!
Comments like these are just to vent and voice fanbase frustrations. Happens in all levels of sports...especially in football.
Children? These are football players, ther 17-18 year old young men... I don't think you can consider them children, especially when something like this happens... I don't think a young child would be capable of hurting a player this bad... Remember you feel facemask you let go, you don't tighten up and grab harder...
Touch Football,
Nobody would have to be ther to see what everyone is viewing in this picture... It is football, but ther are certain things you don't do and this is one of them... I don't think Michael Ball was running down field with his chin touching his shoulder ;), think about it...
Wow, this post and these comments are absolutely SICKENING! Who should be to blame for this UGLINESS? Why are people anonymously allowed to leave messages? I only came on here because a friend of mine told me this is what high school football has come down to but NEVER in my life did I envision something at such a low point. This is sad and I feel bad for the schools, coaches, and especially the boys and their families. Someone should be held accountable for these actions. God's speed in your recovery young man and I'll pray for the rest of you pathetic people as well. Please for the sake of our youth our children they better not, should not, and do not have them read this nonsense. This truly is a sad day in our Valley and this generation of high school football that this is how we choose to spend our time and energy being malicious towards everyone and everything. No one is winning and everyone is losing from this madness! I officially quit my subscription to this newspaper if this is how you choose to sell a product! Good riddance! These are children people! STOP!
To most of the people commenting on the injury to Michael Ball. First of all from what I know of Ball, he is a very nice and respectful young man. I feel extremely bad for him. But I also feel bad for those of you who hadn't had a chance to see him play. I only hope that he is able to return this year. Now as for Mr. Coleman, I find it difficult to believe that a player would try to go out and injure another player. I also know that Walnut doesn't teach or condone dirty play. I wasn't at the game so I can't comment on any of the facemasking penalties. That picture does look pretty bad but I also understand that Mr Coleman was being blocked by two players at the time. Accident? Dirty Play? I can't say.
Fred I do have a big problem with a couple things. First I don't think Coach Snyder's comment about it being a "cheap shot". should have been printed. Especially using the kids name. You had to know that by printing that comment some of these psychotics would take his word as the truth and run with it. Fred what if someone tries to go out and intentially injure this kid wouldn't you feel some responsibility? I also Believe that if the Walnut coaches or AD thought it was a malicious act they would have taken action. How do we know that they haven't? Like I said, I wasn't at the game so I can only go by what I have heard and read.
SGV430 Ouuut!!
guys seriously..i was mad at him at first but now i feel bad for him, im sure #88 didnt mean to injure him, and if he did then he deserves all this trash talking but if not then u guys should slow down on talking trash cuz hes still just a kid and has feelings
??? Where you there when this happened or are you just replying to the picture? Its a still photo dude so of course hes just grabbing his mask and not letting go. Tony you said it best!
to coach O'Shields, tony galman, and the rest of the excuse makers:
Too tall to tackle safely? This is either the biggest load of manure ever or O'Shields ought to step down for allowing a kid on the field who he knows cannot play safely. the last thing this kid needs are adults, supposed role models and people in positions of authority excusing his poor decision making.
I'd also suggest the school's AD has an obligation to find out who is setting him up for the thug role here on the blog and have them shut up. All they do is make the kid's actions seem premeditated and approved by Walnut's coaches and Admin.
Tony Galman,
There is a very big difference between grabbing a facemask, and grabbing, then YANKING a facemask till the player is on the ground. anyone who was at that game aside from players and coaches would've said it was a dirty play. and to add to that, he continued to do the same to the other Rowland players, and yet you still say he isn't a dirty player? there's a fine line between an accident and constantly going for player's heads and grabbing their facemasks, if you were actually at that game, you would've known. a great player's season ended because of an irresponsible, undisciplined, and immature football player who couldn't take losing to a team they trash talked weeks before.
The proper coach would've taught this kid better, I'm not calling him dirty... The way this picture was shot the Walnut kid had a good grab of his facemask, I was always taught that when you feel any part of the facemask on your fingers u let go... It could be a touchdown or just 1 yard, u let go... Ball's had was turned with his chin at his shoulders, that may not be dirty to some, but it was indeed very bad...
First I am ashamed that grown men in here including a coach comes in here to bad mouth a kid that is 16 years old.
Football is a rough sport, just ask my son, who played up till 2 weeks ago when he got tackled from behind and dislocated his hip and was out all season. Was the player that tackled him dirty, no! Stop whinning everyone. Face mask is a part of football whether it is good or bad. So every face mask is now a cheap shot. Give me a break. Aubrey is 6'7 with long arms, Michael Ball is what 5'10 at the most? Taller players tend to have a hard time reaching down to tackle someone, also in the middle of a play, everything is so fast, all you want to do is reach out and try and get hold of something to slow the offesnive player down. Was this a bad play, yes, was it intentional, you have to be smoking put to believe so. That Rowland coach is out of line and I hold him compeltely responsible if something happens to this young man, because his actions are immature and may cause some folks to intenionally go after Aubrey to hurt him.
The real crimanal here is the adults in here bashing a young man and making threats or causing the issues to be worse. We teach our kids in sports to play hard, sometimes bad things like this take place. What if he brings a knife or a gun to the field or a bat, that is intentional. Playing hard and having this happen is not, it is justt a consequence of a rough sport where you are tryaing to take someone down. Go play checkers if you can not handle something like this happening. I am ashamed of all you adults comming in here and talking trash. You want to talk trash call me on my cell, 714.351.3976. I will stand up for this kid. Hey Rowland coach, your the one that should be suspended for making a quote like that, if something happens to this kid , remember I will hold you responsible. Tony Galman
Come on people this is a contact sport. You guys calling out a 16 yr old is a little ridiculous don't you think? Give the kid the benefit of the doubt maybe he didn't mean to do it on purpose? Man this is a rough sport. If anything, maybe the refs should've kicked him out after the second one. Give the kid a break!
I blame this on the CSI generation.
You got me....I forgot my scale and stop watch...I really don't know how much he weighs. He's slim...he's fast. Not making excuses...just asking for the "More".
A bounty? Huh? Really? You got a dollar amount there, partner. OK...I don't think I can respond anymore. This is beyond my expertise.
And something sobering just hit me. If my kid ever got injured...no picture in the blog...no forum to discuss.
To you all, I was told that there was a bounty on on Michael Ball head. This coming from a coach I know. What a shame, he was very upset that happened. What kind of world we live in 1500`s were bounties were common.
To bad for Mr. Ball and his family.
Aubrey Coleman remember what goes around comes around, when you least expect it.
are you SERIOUS!! said:
smallNUT INSIDEr: are you SERIOUS!
Look "You are either pregnant or your not"....A FACEMASK is a FACEMASK!!!!!...Once,...Twice,.....THREE frigin times - Come on....NO ACCIDENT!....Maybe thats what they coach at Smalnut High....Hopefully not ...but makes me wonder why that KID (Aubrey Coleman #88 )wasnt disciplined!
He should have been EJECTED,SUSPENDED,BANNED,EXILED,DEPORTED...something,SPANK his hand at LEAST!!!...instead, he was patted on the back by the HEAD umpire on subsequent play ...NICE ..way to go "REFS".....You missed the boat on that one.
SORRY SMALLNUTS...your tactics backfired!
.......anyways, looks like M.Ball should be back ...uuhhh....right in time with ROWLANDS CIF BID!!!!..While Y88OU watch from the stands!!! ;P
October 17, 2009 10:25 AM
are you SERIOUS!! said:
smallNUT INSIDEr: are you SERIOUS!
Look "You are either pregnant or your not"....A FACEMASK is a FACEMASK!!!!!...Once,...Twice,.....THREE frigin times - Come on....NO ACCIDENT!....Maybe thats what they coach at Smalnut High....Hopefully not ...but makes me wonder why that KID (Aubrey Coleman #88 )wasnt disciplined!
He should have been EJECTED,SUSPENDED,BANNED,EXILED,DEPORTED...something,SPANK his hand at LEAST!!!...instead, he was patted on the back by the HEAD umpire on subsequent play ...NICE ..way to go "REFS".....You missed the boat on that one.
SORRY SMALLNUTS...your tactics backfired!
.......anyways, looks like M.Ball should be back ...uuhhh....right in time with ROWLANDS CIF BID!!!!..While Y88OU watch from the stands!!! ;P
October 17, 2009 10:25 AM
Aubrey Coleman #88 = DIRTY,....DIRTY,......DIRTY!!!!
baby blue nutter ummm....ball does not weigh 160 and i kno dang well he doesn't run no 4.4 so i think you find another excuse for the kid
Deliberate and all of Walnut knows it. Talked to some of the Walnut players parents after the game that I know and they said the samething. Total bush league play by Coleman. The first one being the most damaging to Mike Ball but the second and third Face masking you could just see the kid was being a sore loser and was trying to take matters into his own hands to hurt someone. I understand Coleman lives with Rhodes so he may not even be a true Walnut resident. Sounds like they are in a recruiting violation to begin with. Not that he is all that. So whoever came in here with the B#88gie man take really knew he was going to go out and play dirty. The warning was sent here on this blog. Mike Ball is all class act and is a stud that will return next season if not by playoff time. Hoping you have a speedy recovery Mike. As for Aubrey Coleman...dude you screwed up.!
i still cant believe what happened to ball, after seeing the picture in the paper and reading about it on the blog as hard as it is i feel coleman of walnut was doing it on purpose. i was actually looking foward to seeing ball play this week against our kids. best of luck to michael n his team
Maybe if #88's facemask on Ball was an isolated incident it wouldn't have been that big of a deal. But he was constantly tackling high and had more facemask penalties on him which makes an "isolated incident" into a "reoccurring problem". And considering he had already injured Ball to the point where he had to be taken out of the game in an ambulance, he should've been more conscience of his tackling but he wasn't. He continued playing dirty and should've have been reprehended by the officials or at least disciplined or given an earful by his coaching staff.
No one knows for sure if #88 intended on hurting Ball on purpose except #88 himself. Ball is a good football player period, and from what I here an outstanding young man. If Ball was my teammate & I knew for sure that #88 was out to hurt my QB, & the Refs & his coach did not handle the situation, than I would have. #88 could be just playing extremely hard and not out to hurt anyone, but this is football. I agree that #88 is just a kid, so grown men should not come after him. But, if he was playing dirty & showed no remorse or thought it was funny that he hurt another player intentionally, I
would treat fire with fire. No, I am not a dirty coach, but somethings need to be taken care of between the lines. As I said, if #88 was just playing hard, than leave him alone. No matter what, It is to bad that Ball got hurt, he is a good kid.
Look do I think #88 said "I'm gonna break his collar bone" and went out to injure Ball? No.
I do think the play was dirty, as was his two other facemasks (one of which was missed) and he should have been thrown out of the game. Wouldn't have changed the outcome as Ball was his first incident (although you think HE would have been more careful after that) but to say the kid didn't play dirty is like saying nobody shot JFK, the bullet was just there and the motorcade was going so fast it ripped through him.
Thank you, Fred. I take it all back....I don't really think you should stick your child in a hot air balloon.
Tech Support - First, my SATA hard drive is not responding. A little help? Second, I am not trying to make excuses....merely presenting a little perspective...and asking to hear what the other side has to say. I have no idea what the intention was....neither do you. I understand the Rowland point of view. Not here to spit fire. At first glance...it looks bad. However, I believe 88 should be given a fair chance.
Ok Baby Blue, if that was the only play where #88 grabbed a facemask I could give it to you.
But of course he didn't just grab he yanked. And he did the same thing several plays later to the running back. What's your excuse now?
Why I gotta be a chump? And an idiot? Because I demand the whole story?
Why can't I get the other side of the story? Can I get a response from a Walnut coach? Did we call the Walnut coach? Or just quickly jump in front of Snyder's face with a pen and pad? Can I get a response from #88 himself? Did he appologize? Fred knows this is a sensitive subject. I know it is. I think the young man deserves his due process.
Premeditated? That is a huge accusation. I need some facts. Because, his dad did not come on here and drop any kind of pregame smack...that's B.S.
Look at the tone of the blog entry. This is Fred trying to light it up. Why not just send your kid floating away in a hot air balloon...you'll get more attention.
Hey Baby Blue, you looking for someone to call this kid dirty, no problem, he's dirty. Not only that, his dad came on friday and as much as said “beware of #88” here on the blog.
The problem here are there are no consequences for this behavior. In the day trash talk and dirty players were handled on the field by the players. Everyone had an enforcer or two who would clobber these punks after a teammate stood them up. You think it's an accident that Steve Wisniewski and Bill Romanowski had so many knee and ankle injuries over the years? Pulease.
Now kids learn this garbage in the youth leagues from tough guy coaches and never pay a price, being defended by fools like you who think a kid like Ball deserves injury because of his size. Whatta chump you are. Well, here's the word chump. Tell 88 to keep working on his hiding technique, he's going to need it.
baby blue.. you are an idiot..
walnut plays with no class what so ever
he had no right to do that to Micheal ball
#88 whole pre-meditated personal game plan was to play dirty on this nite and take out some key players to give them a edge to get the win. Both teams were 5-0, somebody has to lose. He took it on his own to play dirty and I am sure his coach did not send him on a mission of such. The end result was he injured a key player and ended his season, Walnut still got beat, and beat good so what was the point to all this madness coming from Aubrey? All he did was slow down what would have been a worse beating on the scoreboard had Ball not been injured. I would send the film to CIF of his intentional dirty play and have him kicked off that Walnut team for the rest of the season. Some kind of suspension from the football field sould be done to Coleman by CIF rules. Rowland should file a complaint. This is unjust.
Baby Blue, I'm not blasting a kid, a coach has a right to make any comment they wish, it's my job to report accurately what they say.
OK..forget it. Nevermind he's only 16. Obviously this is the world we live is...blasting a kid like this seems to be the M.O. of this blog...and finally Fred has caught on. Making progress Fred...good job. Let's see.... Mike Ball only weighs about 160 pounds...maybe. He runs a 4.4....maybe faster.....88 sticks his hand out going the opposite direction. I'm sure there is a physics lesson out there. Has Mike Vick seen his share of facemasks? Is 88 really that coordinated to grab the facemaks at that speed? Is 88 a lot taller than Ball? Has 88 been called a dirty player in any games before this? Nice job of reporting there. Can we make tennis the primary sport of focus for this blog. Obviously football is a little too much for most to handle.
Well there you have it. Snyder calls the Walnut player out like he should have. He's a dirty player and a quitter...and this reflects the leadership on the coaching staff in Walnut. Good luck on Walnut's lone league win against Nogales.