Wow...its a good thing I look at MaxPreps before I look here. You might want to check MaxPreps out and get your finger on the pulse...Bakersfield ahead of Tulare Union? Kingsburg at #11? Fresno-Central is Ranked?

And how about adding Delano to the waiting list, they are much better than Lindsay, Chowchilla, Taft, Wasco, and Tehachapi.

MaxPreps is based completely on computers — no one there even watches Central Section football games, much less has "their finger on the pulse." My rankings are subjective. If you don't like them, you can feel free to argue. But I'll argue back. Fresno-Central took Edison to the wire and pounded El Diamante. In my opinion, they deserve to be ranked.

And I've said it once, and I'll say it again: If Delano keeps winning, the Tigers will get their due. Promise. But all 4-0 teams are not automatically equal. You have to admit the schedule has been weak thus far, Division II teams or not.

The other thing about MaxPreps is that it is only as good as the data it receives. The MP data is not always up to date.   Ask around and you are sure to find fb players who will tell you their stats on MP are too low.   The stats come from the coaches.  The coaches review game films and other sources and then as time permits they enter the data and send it to MP.   Some coaches are faster at this than others.  Some coaches get their offensive data in early and then later they get the defensive data in.  I can find stats on some area schools where none of the punt data or PATs or the 2 pt conversions have been entered yet for games from weeks 2 and 3.  You can use MP as a guide but do not accept is as the ultimate authority on who's the best in the Central Valley.  

Wow, for a person who gets paid to do this, you are not well informed. Maxpreps has a computer that does the rankings AND a coaches poll. As far as the stats being too low, that is because many journalists keep incorrect records and report them.

And, as you say, I have said it once and I will say it again, Delano does not need Bakersfield folk to tell them what they already know...DT is a force to be reckoned with and will match up well with any Bakersfield School.  Maybe you might want to take a ride up to Delano next week and watch these guys in action (not just read a box score).

I know that the stats on MP are not correct because I read the ones for my son and his team and they are WRONG. MP gets their data from the coaches.  If the coaches do not have time to provide complete data then the MP data is flawed IMHO.  

Bobby, MaxPreps doesn't get its data from journalists. I can assure you I'm informed on that. Coaches put in their own team's stats. I'd also wager that I pay attention to more games in the Valley each week than a coach who must focus on his own team and no one else's.

And what are you yourself basing your opinion on Ridgeview on besides box scores?

That's too bad. I am sure that your son's coaches are very similar to the coaches at Delano. They work very hard and would like to enjoy some of their Saturday. One thing that may be lacking is the understanding from the fans that only select coaches are actually paid, in Delano I believe it is 3. The programs rely on volunteers. Luckily for Delano High, they have an abundance of volunteers. I volunteer my time and I have no ties to the program except that I graduated from DHS in 1996. If I had a child and I saw his or her stats were not being reflected in MaxPreps, then I would probably find out how I could help in aiding this.

MaxPreps can be a tool used by both HS coaches and college scouts, but only if the information is correct. Unfortunately there are too many parents and fans that want to tell the coach how to do his job, to include using their own time to get online and type in stats, but never reach out and lend a hand. Their poor little Johnny doesn't get the play time and recognition that he deserves. Welcome to the world of the North County.

I dont know what IMHO is, but it doesn't sound nice.

I mentioned the deficiency with MaxPreps and my son's data just to emphasize the fact that the MP data is flawed. I am not just repeating some stranger's theory about the topic I have a personal first hand knowledge of the fact. I agree with you that there are quite a number of whiny parents. I have coached my share of sports and seen enough parent drama.  I can assure you that I have never once complained to any football coach that any of my sons was not getting enough playing time.  It just would not be my style plus most seasons it would not be a valid complaint.  I never have a single negative thing to say to any of the coaches and I never complain about their coaching methods to anyone.  I am the mom with the smile and the big thumbs up after every game. Any game that ends with me not hauling a player to the ER is a good game.  I always point out  the good plays in any game to praise the players about. If I see a nice tackle or a well executed pass then I let the players know how good they did. No body needs me to point out any mistakes that were made.  I have offered to help with the stats  and have been politely refused.   I am an active member of the fb team booster organization and have personally been responsible for acquiring funding for special fb team needs.   The coach has my phone number and he knows I am willing to track down funding for almost any expense.  We discussed this very topic just last night after the game.  You can find me on game days at the school feeding the players at lunch time and working in the snack bar during JV games as that is the only game I do not HAVE to watch.  During the Varsity games my freshman child is one of the water persons.   I am committed to doing what I can to encourage the players to be their best and to play with honor and enjoy their sport.   I also offer free math tutoring to any team member who needs extra help.  This high school fb program has included one or more son from my family for a decade.    My sons have started at QB, WR,  LB, FS, RB, DE, tackle, center, nosegaurd, Punt return guy,  Punter, high snapper,  and holder.   I have yet to raise any field goal kickers but hey there are still three and a half fb seasons to go before the last one leaves the program.   When wrestling season starts I'll be helping with their tournaments and fund raising also.    I am sure there are parents like me at all of the high schools.  We do what we can for the sports programs.  We constantly seek the help of others to fill the gaps in our booster organizations.   I M H O stands for In My Honest Opinion.

Unfortunately Zach failed to answer my question and ended up deleting my comment...TBC at its finest. We will see if this one gets through the defense of Zack Ewing. Don't take anything I say personal, if you do, then you wont make it too far in this biz.

As for my questiong. What are you talking about when you ask me of my feelings for Ridgeview? Read my posts, I have never made any assumptions about Ridgeview specifically.

As for my challenge: Come up to Delano next week and watch these guys, you will change your mind.

OBTW, I view films to determine my opinions of other teams. I have developed a network with some of the coaches in the area and they, in turn, have their own network. Its awesome to see the plays behind the box scores.

  I volunteer my time and I have no ties to the program except that I graduated from DHS in 1996.

I have no ties to BHS other than I played there and graduated in 1996, give them money during fundraisers, and religiously go to games when I'm in the area.

Hands down, Zach is the best sports reporter TBC has had in 20 years.  I'm sorry you can't see past your Tiger tinted glasses to see that.  With more high schools in the Central Section and TBC making budget cuts, he has done more with less.

Bobby, your comment was deleted because it was incendiary and consisted mostly of name-calling. The tone of posts here will remain civil, or I will delete them. i don't care if the target is myself or others.

Not only are you non-objective, but you sidestep the truth. I never called you a name, I commented on your ability to report objectively and uncover the whole truth. As far as it being incendiary, you are beginning to sound like I was getting under your skin. Again, you can't take things personal. You will learn this as you mature in your profession. I am amazed at the thinness of many civilian's skin. The inability to take criticism is beyond comprehension. I don't expect this post to make it, since you may think it is "incendiary and consist[ing] of name-calling."

Again, you never answered my question, Zachary...<shaking head> you truly are the Berry Sanders of Bloggers.

On the topic of Delano Football, TBC is not the only media outlet that denies true coverage of these great group of kids. Call it what you want (Tiger Tinted glasses, an upset fan, blind loyalty), but you got to call it for what it is: Bakersfield has long held a sour attitude towards Delano (maybe it comes from the protests in the 1960s, I don't know). Even TBC critics don't give full recognition (Ralph Bailey had to be corrected on his comment to a Delano Administrator that Delano has a poor graduation rate. Delano actually has one of the highest (10% better than Kern UHSD) in the county and higher API scores.)

Say want about Delano, skirt the truth all you can, and report only the negative, all you are doing is fostering an ongoing negative outlook of a great community.

I won't delete that post becuase it didn't resort to name-calling. Does that disappoint you, Bobby? Are you trying to get under my skin? Believe me, I can deal with criticism. But I'm not going to promote a culture of immaturity here, where I'm in charge.

As for your supposed question, I'm looking back through all the posts and saw just two question marks. You thought several teams were ranked too high. I explained my thought process: Central took Edison to the wire and beat El Diamante handily. If they're not in your top 10, that's fine. You don't have to agree with me. Same with TU and Kingsburg. The second ? was about Ridgeview: I must have been mistaken; someone commented about Ridgeview being much worse than Delano and I thought it was you. I apologize, as that doesn't appear to be the case.

Is there another question I'm missing here? Or I have I answered them all for you?

And I'll take Barry Sanders. Thanks for that.