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Michael McCollum/The Record Lodi HighÕs Kenyata Beck runs while being pursued by TracyÕs Robert Emerson during the first half of FridayÕs game in Tracy.

Lodi Flames slim playoff chances vanish in setback to Tracy Bulldogs

By Mike Martinez
The Record
Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:01 AM PST

Comments (25 comment(s))

It only took the Tracy Bulldogs offense two plays and 26 seconds to get the game's first score in a 52-7 blowout of the Lodi Flames on Friday night at Wayne Schneider Stadium.

But it was Tracy's defense that dominated the game. The Bulldogs limited Lodi to 28 total yards of offense — all rushing as the Flames didn't complete a pass — through three quarters before the starters were taken out of the game.

The victory clinched the San Joaquin Athletic Association title for Tracy (10-0 overall and 5-0 in league), the first in Tracy coach Mark Stroup's 11-year tenure. The loss ended Lodi's slim playoff chances.

"I thought we just came out and dominated the entire game on both sides of the ball,'' Stroup said. "The kids have been mature about it all season. They wanted to take this title on their own and take care of business, and it showed.''

Tracy hadn't completed an undefeated regular season since 1986 when the Wayne Schneider-led team started 12-0 before losing to Vintage in Napa in the section semifinals.

"We've been talking about being perfect since we beat Lincoln (on Oct. 16),'' Stroup said. "Now it starts all over again. We're going to get back into the work room because we're playing some better opponents now.''

As a team, Tracy amassed 548 yards of offense, with 443 coming on the ground. Quarterback Casey Wichman rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns, including a 41-yard scramble on the second play of the game, while running back Depray Celestine rushed for 154 yards, including a 69-yard run on the last play of the first quarter.

Celestine also connected with Jordan Williams on a halfback pass for a 79-yard touchdown.

The Flames (4-6, 3-2) finally got on the scoreboard with nine minutes remaining in the game when quarterback Colin Rhoads optioned to keep the ball and ran 62 yards before leaping into the end zone.

Lodi hasn't beaten Tracy since 2005 when the Flames won in Tracy 49-0.

"They're a pretty good ball club,'' Lodi coach Todd Dillon said. "They've got a lot of weapons."

Tracy has made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons but lost in the first round both times.

Both games were on the road and the Bulldogs are expected to host a first round game next Friday against an opponent to be determined Saturday afternoon.

TRACY 52, LODI 7
Lodi0007—X
Tracy1615147—52
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
T — Casey Wichman 41 run (Garrigan kick)
T — Garrigan 29 field goal
T — Depray Celestine 69 run (kick failed)
Second Quarter
T — Colin Rhoads sacked in the endzone for a safety
T — Wichman 3 run (bad snap)
T — Celestine 79 pass to Jordan Williams (Garrigan kick)
Third Quarter
T — Wichman 17 run (Garrigan kick)
T — Jordan Strong 4 run (Garrigan kick)
Fourth Quarter
T — Williams 53 run (Garrigan kick)
L — Rhoads 63 run (Alexander Frasier kick)

Reader Feedback

galtguy wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:04 AM:

" Mr. Nichols-

As much as I hate to do it I have to agree with Flamefan. No one has to reveal anything to anyone and it has nothing to do with their character.

When the Coaching Staff elects to take the job they take it with the thought being they will be subject to scrutiny by all parties. One merely has a simple choice to end this scrutiny and that is to either win or quit. Simple. "

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flamefan wrote on Nov 16, 2009 3:07 PM:

" Mr Nichols why dont you take a wild guess why some of these parents dont use their real names. Hmmm I just cant figure out why. Yea baby next year everything will be all better. Gee never heard that before. Go Flames! "

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fballfan wrote on Nov 16, 2009 1:19 PM:

" sportfan-you must be a parent.
you are right on scottnichols.
thank you lodi coaches for putting in the time.next year should be better.i know kids who are beginning to work out today for next year.Keep up the hard work!Parents-push your kids to be better and accept no excuses!! Go flames and go Tigers! "

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scottnichols wrote on Nov 16, 2009 12:50 PM:

" I would respond to superflamefan and end this conversation here and now. First off, why don't you post your true name here? I can tell you why. You are afraid of the unknown. Why don't you show some values to your kids and sit down and talk to one of the coaches about your issues with the program in person instead of bashing them with the anonymous name in the comment section here. That is called character. That is what the basis of all programs try to achieve is "Character". If it is not supported in the household how can it be confirmed on a field. I guarantee lodi will vye for a league championship next year, young , talented and hopefully stay healthy and make the right decisions in the offseason. I look forward to seeing them play next season. Good Luck! "

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CityFootball wrote on Nov 16, 2009 12:19 PM:

" Poisonous effects of gossip can infect any program. When an impressionable young player reads these blogs and is influenced by it, he goes to practice and listens to the coaches speak. He feels that poison and doesnt realize he is seeing the coach through the eyes of the blogger.

He starts talking to his teammates about it, and then they all start to see the coach in the same way, as an incompetent jerk. Eventually they begin to hate it and either drop out or quit buying into the program. They blame the coaches, but it is the gossip to blame. "

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CityFootball wrote on Nov 16, 2009 12:02 PM:

" The key issue here Nichols makes is "gossip" which is true. That is the very worst form of communication because it is pure poison.

The players do read these blogs and for them to see adults gossipping about the coaches like this can transfer that poison to where it infects the team.

I'm guilty of that myself. Citizen was right, I didn't need to say earlier that maybe a parent was upset that little Johnny didnt play.

I don't have a kid on the team and I can't assume I know the reason why they were voicing a negative opinion. "

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sportfan wrote on Nov 16, 2009 11:46 AM:

" fballfan...that is the craziest thing i've heard in awhile "

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fballfan wrote on Nov 16, 2009 8:25 AM:

" also superflamefan.we have athletes that are good in Lodi but few are good compared to athletes in nor cal and the whole section.fball is a lot more than lodi is.look outside of lodi for once and you will see real athletes! Lodi has good athletes for high school but not compared to other areas in the state.a few do come around here and there but it's rare.perkins in fball is comparable to athletes around the state ,armstrong is comparable in baseball, and maybe a few others but the majority of athletes in lodi are only lodi good. Thats especially evident in the number of d 1 scholarships handed out in fball. Perkins will get one but who was the last one to get a d 1 out of high school? Not many. The lodi boys work hard but they need to work harder! Their talent alone won't win games.it all starts in the off season. "

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fballfan wrote on Nov 16, 2009 8:02 AM:

" superflamefan: you are way off..it all starts with parents! there have been kids on the team that just quit because they aren't playing enough.no character.kids in lodi have changed because most parents don't raise their kids with strong values such as committment, integrity, teamwork, etc.(i could go on) It's not the coaches fault that they had 3rd string linebackers and 3rd string lineman in there because of injuries and other issues. You have to have talent!!! Perkins will be back to build the team around.Lodi will be back to their regular offense again next year and Lodi will win the SJAA title with mostly seniors and hopefully no injuries. The defense will be stronger and hopefully some of the juniors this year will come back out and play their last year so Lodi can actually look like a football team and play with pride, and a sense of teamwork. Good luck in the off season and keep working hard boys! "

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Bulldog wrote on Nov 16, 2009 7:24 AM:

" Looking forward to next year, we should see a great improvment in this team. They should compete for the SJAA crown.

4 of the starting linemen return and should be stronger and more cohesive.

Beck, Perkins, Armstrong, and Rhodes will all be back to run the ball.

Wonnel should be coming up to help in the passing game.

Frazer should be back on the line with Herron. Combined with Simon, that should be a very good D line.

The JV team coming up will provide more size and depth.

The 2010 season starts today. If they will get into the weight room and work hard this off season, the Flames should be great next year. This season will provide the springboard to a great 2010.

Go Flames! "

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Bulldog wrote on Nov 16, 2009 7:17 AM:

" I would like to Congratulate the team on a great effort this season. They worked hard and gave the school and community everything they had.

My postseason awards (the ones that others may not have noticed).

Most improved lineman - Big Roy Navaro. He cleaned up his penalty issues and was a beast by the end of the year.

Most improved skill player - Beck. He left it all on the field. I expect he and Jordan will be a two headed monster that will cause huge problems next year for every team.

Most inspirational - Shaffer. One eye and still giving his all even though no one really noticed. Played well the last two weeks.

Favorite seniors - Geez and Fernandez. Very quietly provided leadership and work ethic all year long.

Wounded warriors - Garabay, Simon and Carlson. Garabay played all year with a shoulder injury. Carlson played with a rotator cuff at Lincoln and Chavez before being shut down by the doctor. Simon was finally pulled for Tracy after playing on a bum leg for 3 weeks. "

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superflamefan wrote on Nov 15, 2009 11:18 PM:

" 4-6 is more than a share of losses..it would be nice to see lodi hang a banner...not just go for moral victories...its a whole school effort from the top down.......i'm sorry a .400 winning percentage is not acceptable...that is way beyond building character and ife lessons. if we succeed 40% of the time in life its a pretty dismal life....sorry but nobody forces you to read the blogs...adios "

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scottnichols wrote on Nov 15, 2009 11:05 PM:

" "Mr SuperFlameFan" I am glad to see that you have kids that are participating in HS athletics, that is something every parent should be proud of. If I am correct didn't Lodi only have 25-28 guys suited up? That could have something to do with only 15-16 players playing all the time, I really can't speak about that because I do not coach there. I'm not to sure where you are going with the whole Losing breeds losers quotation. I think you answered your own question with the response about how coaches cannot motivate kids. Look at the positive stuff that they read in these blogs. I have read comments with people personally attacking the coaching staff and their families on this site and that is what sickens me. That makes it pretty difficult for a coach to get kids to buy into the philosophy of a program. In your response to me having my share of loses, you are right I have had my share of losses and I have had my share of wins and that doesn't make me a loser. It has made me stronger. goodluck! "

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superflamefan wrote on Nov 15, 2009 10:32 PM:

" mr nichols you couldn't be further off..my kids play all the time...no gripe there...they work summer, spring , winter and fall and they are so sick of losing...losing breeds losers...sounds like you lost your share. we have the athletes at the school but why put in all that time to watch one or two people get the glory ...how many times has dillon mentioned the hard play of the d line or the oline....special teams...its always one or two guys...it takes a full team to win and we play about 15 kids....i'm sorry but if they are such great coaches why can't they motivate kids to play? sad story "

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scottnichols wrote on Nov 15, 2009 8:29 PM:

" In response; I would like people to think about the kind of message that you are sending to any high school athlete that will read these some of the negative comments. The first thing that comes to mind is the accountability issue. Posting negative comments without leaving your name!! What life lesson's are being learned from this? And think about what this program would be like without the coaches you currently have. These coaches could go anywhere in the section and coach, but they are loyal Lodi High people who are trying to pay it forward to the kids at Lodi High. I understand everyone likes to win, but there are several good life lessons through a loss as well. The relationships and experience of the game is what it is really about. A final thought, sometimes, its not about the x's and o's, its about the jimmy's and joe's. "

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citizen wrote on Nov 15, 2009 6:59 PM:

" CityFootball dont take this the wrong way but you have no idea what you are talking about. So I guess if someone says anything negetive about the program that means their kid never plays? I think just the opposite. If your kid never plays then you dont care as much because you can say well maybe you should have played my son and we would be better. Just ripping anyone who comments negatively doesnt really make sense. It just shows that you really dont have that much insight into the program, and are just trying to start an argument. Everyone has the right to their opinion if their kids are in the program. I would guess you dont. Is that right? "

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CityFootball wrote on Nov 15, 2009 6:39 PM:

" If Superflamefan actually agrees with Nichols, there would be no "however".

Sounds like Mommy and Daddy are unhappy that little Johnny didn't get to play much this season and all that volunteer work didn't pay off.

If great coaches, why no success? Many reasons.

Section expansion with new high schools thinning out the local talent pool and some opting to play for private schools.

Budget cuts, low coaching stipends and academics also affect turnouts.

Dillon and Bishop run a tough off-season weightlifting program and some kids dont want to pay the price.
Nintendo WII is easier.

Scott Nichols is right on all counts. "

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superflamefan wrote on Nov 15, 2009 5:07 PM:

" i agree mr. nichols however...parents and fans have worked hard too to raise money for the program and support their efforts...coaches put in endless hours in all sports however...we don't have to be happy with the results...no one likes losing....we have made the playoffs once in forever and that was on a coin flip....if they are great coaches why so little success.....the only way to eliminate the negative blogs is to get rid of the blogs all together ...our program has no roots just new plantings every year! "

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tigermeat wrote on Nov 15, 2009 9:16 AM:

" I second Mr Nichols comments.. Although many disagree with Lodi's coaches decisions and schemes ,( they know the players, strengths & weaknesses) ... We should still have some positives for the hard work and hours they put in ... We know they dont do it for the money !! "

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scottnichols wrote on Nov 15, 2009 12:11 AM:

" I would like to tell the coaching staff and kids at Lodi High congratulations on a good season. The coaching staff works as hard as any staff in the section. As a fellow grad and coach I am ashamed to see the how the community has failed to embrace and recognize the quality of coaching that you have at Lodi High. I don't think that people realize the effects of bashing coaches on this blog has on the players themselves. Kids read this stuff. Its hard enough to get kids to buy into anything as it is, so why not say something positive, be accountable (real name), and be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Wake up before you push these coaches away from your program. Be proud---Once a Flame, always a Flame. "

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flamefan wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:50 AM:

" Really Lynn? did I not say that Lodi would have lost anyway? Thanks for the obvious though. "

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Lynn wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:33 AM:

" Flamefan: I would not be worrying about run, pass or spread offense. When a defense gives up 52 points it translates into another loss for the flames. "

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flamefan wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:25 AM:

" cont. Hey dont get me wrong Tracy is an awesome team and we probably didnt have a chance to beat them anyway, but man cmon how about a little creativity to try and give the boys a chance. Rhoads and all the rest played their butts off out there and deserved a better game plan. Collin, Jordan, Beck, Pud, Gardy, Brock, and the rest left their guts on the field for that team and have nothing to sorry about that last game. Its basketball season now! Go Flames! "

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flamefan wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:19 AM:

" ok some final game observations. Its the biggest game of the year and the only slim chance Lodi has to make the playoffs and they cant even get the boys to the game on time. They were so late that they were forced to change into their uniforms while standing on the practice field behind the bleachers? Then they get on the field late for warmups. Did anyone else notice how Tracy had about twice as long to go through warm ups on the coldest game of the year. Why leave Lodi so late on this game of all nights? Then Lodi decides to abandon the spread offense that had been working fairly well the last two weeks to go back to the running game? Against Tracy? The best team in the league? Why? The only chance they had was to put the ball in the air and hope for the best. Did they really think they would suddenly be able to run against Tracy? They havent been able to run the ball all year against a good team. All their running stats were against weak teams. If I could tell that why couldnt the coaches figure that out? "

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boonablis wrote on Nov 14, 2009 7:21 AM:

" but they almost made the playoffs right?? "

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