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Post by lhssoccerfan on Dec 25, 2004 12:53:36 GMT -6
I was wondering if there are any Lafayette High kids and fans who are beginning to wonder what is up with the Mighty Lions? "Last year's" Division I State 5A State Champions should have no misgivings that everybody and their brother is going to be gunning for them this year and last year is gone...Repeating is always the toughest for two reasons:
1. It's hard for the kids to get up for a game until they realize that they are going to have to play twice as well as they did last year because everybody else is going to try twice as hard to beat them...
2. Talent doesn't win games...heart and a passion to win does!
I've read many articles recently comparing some of the better players in the Lafayette area...and I've seen quite a few that indicate that Belfour isn't the best player in the District. He may not be the best, but if I were Joey, I'd play every remaining game like I had something to prove.
I'd appreciate some feedback from some of the rest of you guys out there...The Lions might not have the most talented team, but my question is...DO THEY HAVE THE HEART AND PASSION TO FINISH LIKE CHAMPIONS? Not the champions from last year, but the champions of this year...
Finally, I read an article where Coach Belfour stated that his team doesn't play for November but for February...February is rapidly approaching Coach...Time to take it a new level...!!
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Post by soccerstud722 on Dec 25, 2004 13:25:42 GMT -6
I would just like to say that i think Lafayette high does have the most talent in this district if not the state. I think they will wake up the next time throu district, but i hope im wrong. They seem like they have the potential to play great soccer.
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Post by lhssoccerfan on Dec 25, 2004 15:53:56 GMT -6
Addendum: I noticed that one of the threads comparing Belfour and Broussard, which by the way had been reviewed 1136 times, is locked...? I was very bothered by some of the comments regarding Joey's attitude and predisposition to degrade his fellow players...At the same time, there were many comments regarding Joey's passion and will to win. So, from someone who has been watching Lafayette High soccer for many years and who has seen many tremendous players come out of that program, like David Thevenote, Jonathon Simon, Wayne Shullaw, one of the most ferocious stoppers I've ever seen, and Shami Gupta, who played an entire quarterfinal game witha broken ankle and one of the greatest leaders we've ever had, and the list goes on and on. With that said...Here is a bit of very friendly advice for Joey. You have in my mind and many others undoubtedly proven that you are a great player. Maybe the best to ever come out of Lafayette High. It is time now for you to grow into what you are destined to be in the second half of this rather tragic season. You have to decide that you will not only be great yourself but make those around you great! Then, and only then, you will also be a great leader, not only a great player. Good luck to the Lions in the second round of the season...You will always #1 in my book... If any Lafayette High players see this and Joey doesn't visit this site, print it out for him...It's time for you guys to step up and put all of that talent together to win another state champioship. Did I mention that a state championship is awarded to the entire team?  |
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Post by soccerstud722 on Dec 25, 2004 18:12:44 GMT -6
Hmm...i dont know about being the best player to come out of Lafayette high. He is a great player, but i think he has a long ways to go and a lot to prove before he could be considered the BEST. just my opinion tho. Also i wouldnt call LHS season a "tagic" one. They are tied for second with only 2 losses in district play. As long as they make the play-offs, they should be ok. You shouldnt get all dramatic about it Fan. Ur lions will turn out just fine as soon as they work a few things out.
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Post by lhssoccerfan on Dec 25, 2004 19:00:51 GMT -6
 No doubt soccerstud you are probably too young to remember the early years when we had people like Craig Duncan, actually the best sweeper ever to come out of Lafeyette Parish, and Paul Kramer, another tremendous sweeper with a humble heart as big as you could find anywhere, and Ricky Morris, the human bullet... I appreciate your response, however, when you start talking about who is the best player, which I admittedly responded to, but have a bit of a distaste for, I get a little despondent in not recognizing other players, like Kevin Carter, who has the ability to impact a game by virtue of his tenacity alone. And I guess I'm guilty again of bringing up a single player...lol My only intention was to insinuate if not encourage all of the players of Lafayette High that to "be" a team, you must have a common objective, which is to win "as" a team. A great player in many cases doesn't get a lot of notice while the game is being played, but when the game is over and you look at the stats, you suddenly recognize how much they contributed, quietly and with humility and emotional support of his teammates. How many times when a goal has been scored have you looked back four or five, sometimes even more plays, and said, "It all started with that play!" I've seen it many times over the years. That is what great players do...they are a means to an end.....GGGOOOOAAALLL!!! Yes sir, finishing is critical! But you can't finish if you you don't have the kickstarter...! Joey's role has changed...everytime he touches the ball, he's going to be covered by two or three players. He has a wonderful opportunity to do something that will be personally rewarding to him for the rest of his life...When players that he played with say..."You remember Joey Belfour...Man, he made everybody around him look good!" What a great compliment...!
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Post by Bish on Dec 25, 2004 19:06:08 GMT -6
2. Talent doesn't win games...heart and a passion to win does! Maybe in the movies... Heart and passion alone don't win games. You put a bunch of golf players who've never played soccer before up against the best team in the state, and they could have all the heart in the world to win the game, but they won't. Talent plays a big part in winning. The right combination of heart and talent is what is needed to win a state championship. |
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Post by lhssoccerfan on Dec 25, 2004 19:52:37 GMT -6
Lol...love the picture...You're probably a little too young to recognize how to read between the lines...
Did you give any thought to the possibility that the soccer team might not think that somewhere in that group of golfers there might be some former soccer players...They think it's in the bag...like you are...couldn't resist that...and they get beat before they know what happened. OMG...we got beat by a bunch of golfers...lol.
Just a little food for thought youngster...but I do respect your opinion. Your right! It takes both passion and talent. But all things being almost equal, like it is in Lafayette Parish, testimony to a great and well-developed recreational league, I'll take passion over talent any old day...and you'll never see me comin'... ;D
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Post by lhssoccerfan on Dec 25, 2004 20:00:51 GMT -6
And by the way...I don't know if there are many of you out there who remember the beginnings of LYSA. I think if I had to pick two people who are directly responsible for the level of development and the quality of the program, it would be Deanna Bostic and Jim Simon...Thanks are in order...
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Post by Bish on Dec 25, 2004 21:12:29 GMT -6
Lol...love the picture...You're probably a little too young to recognize how to read between the lines... Did you give any thought to the possibility that the soccer team might not think that somewhere in that group of golfers there might be some former soccer players...They think it's in the bag...like you are...couldn't resist that...and they get beat before they know what happened. OMG...we got beat by a bunch of golfers...lol. Just a little food for thought youngster...but I do respect your opinion. Your right! It takes both passion and talent. But all things being almost equal, like it is in Lafayette Parish, testimony to a great and well-developed recreational league, I'll take passion over talent any old day...and you'll never see me comin'... ;D You are calling me a youngster? Take a look at the way you choose to convey yourself on here then rethink what you just said. Pot calling the kettle black? Please just stop before you get even more behind. And I specifically said the golfers had no soccer experience, so what you just said has no significance at all. I know what you are saying... That Lafayette has the most talent in the state yet they aren't doing as well as they should be because they have lost the will to win that they had last year. But don't ever tell me that all heart and no talent can win it all, because it doesn't happen. I'm sorry to break it to you. |
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Post by Ghandi on Dec 25, 2004 21:53:03 GMT -6
I fail to see how this year has been a tragic season of any sort. Lafayette is behind a team ( right now ) that is playing great soccer. Also, I do not think this is the right place for a motovational speech.
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Post by lhssoccerfan on Dec 25, 2004 22:05:06 GMT -6
8-)Sorry for the misunderstanding...Perception is your reality. Actually, there is no reality, only perception...Sorry my acronyms escape or bother you...
Correction 1: You're right, you did say that the golfers had no soccer experience...did you have a pre-game conference to find out. Good teams always play their worst when pitted against seemingly insignificant teams...read between the lines...
Correction 2: Do your homework...I did not say that all heart and no talent will win it all. I specifically said that all things being equal, I'll pick passion over talent any day and I stick to that premise, because all of the teams in Lafayette Parish have talent...again backed up with my indication of the quality of the rec and select team programs in LYSA...Think about it, only a few years ago, would anyone have considered Carencro to be even in the mix? Stevie Billeaud is one of the best players in the Parish...The playing field is starting to even out and now it's going to be who wants it the most. Sorry to have to break that news to you also...heart does count now bro!
Correction 3: I never even insinuated that LHS had the most talent nor lost the will to win. The talent level is debatable and the will to win is yet to be determined during the second half of the season...
Correction 4: You must be telepathic to even begin to know what I am saying...But, I respect your opinion, and be careful that you don't catch your house on fire...
But obviously, we both love futball. Great sport. I've been to games in South America...You want to see passion and talent...?
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Post by soccerstud722 on Dec 26, 2004 9:34:10 GMT -6
How many times when a goal has been scored have you looked back four or five, sometimes even more plays, and said, "It all started with that play!" I've seen it many times over the years. That is what great players do...they are a means to an end.....GGGOOOOAAALLL!!! Yes sir, finishing is critical! But you can't finish if you you don't have the kickstarter...! I would just like to say that i know how that feels because thats the role i have played most of my life. Its a touph job but hey, someone has to do it. ANd i definatley agree with you about Joey's role changing. He has to step up and be a leader this year on and off of the field. If he can do that and get his players to play as a team, they should be fine. |
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Post by hdkjga on Dec 26, 2004 13:18:11 GMT -6
In response to the original message, I wasn't around with Shami Gupta and Wayne Shullaw and the bunch, but I was around with Tommy Robinson and Peter Guarisco. Scotty Fitzgerald in goal, etc. I have followed Lafayette High soccer closely for the last 10 years and I don't see much different this year than last year. Lafayette has not found a solid defensive leader. That's the only problem. Their offense is still as potent as it always has been. Also, I locked the thread about Beflour and Broussard, becasue instead of people just saying positive stuff about the person they liked, they were basically slamming the other player. Also, Joey is one of the top two most recognized players in this district. Mike LeBlanc being the other. The difference this year, is that Joey has moved back to center mid instead of playing striker. He does a lot more passing in the mid than he did up top and rightfully so. I have watched Joey play for almost 4 years in highschool and he does have a passion to win. Players say things on the field in the heat of emotion. Even the best players do it. As far as what's wrong with LHS.....they have gotten into a funk, Carter has been struggling lately, Menard has, Hardy has. This team has the ability to win it all again. They always have a slump around Christmas time. THey always bounce back and do well in playoffs.
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Post by lhssoccerfan on Dec 26, 2004 13:42:31 GMT -6
Those were great years...Remember when Peter showed up with his head shaved and dyed like a leapard...I loved that kid...When jerseys were handed out after Wayne left, Peter wanted his jersey, #13, and in my view, he wore it well...
By the way...Spoke with Jim Simon yesterday for Christmas and all of his kids are doing great...Chris, Byron, Jonathon, Arthur, Jeff, and Virginia...I'd love to see a vote on who produced the best fold of soccer players in the Parish...Jimbo and Ellen win hands down on that one...
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Post by Bish on Dec 26, 2004 17:35:29 GMT -6
Holy extreme editing batman!
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No doubt soccerstud you are probably too young to remember the early years when we had people like Craig Duncan, actually the best sweeper ever to come out of Lafeyette Parish, and Paul Kramer, another tremendous sweeper with a humble heart as big as you could find anywhere, and Ricky Morris, the human bullet...
