OFFICIAL NOTICE TO ALL TEAMS:

(2 issues)

1. As we approach the final weeks of a very fluid and competitive rankings battle; make sure all your team's games are posted accurately at MaxPreps. We will suspend any team from rankings if their reports include wrong scoring data or wrong opponent.  The reason is obvious, it's not whether you won, but who you played.

   We are currently holding several teams in suspension so as not to harm the rankings of teams who do things right.

  For example, one team recently reported beating a top national contender when they actually played a different team from a town of the same name. This would have illegitimately boosted the homeschool teams rank higher than the current national homeschool leader.

  We do our best to locate a valid email address and let the leadership know when we see a problem, but if you see your team is missing from our rankings, send us an email at info@nhfcs.org. We will work with you and enthusiastically reinstate your team as quickly as the rankings are reflecting accurate data.

2. Teams who are contending for the national championship rankings will see an inquiry to confirm that their roster has a majority comprised of home-educated athletes.

  We generally accept teams in our rankings database if they claim to be established for homeschool athletes, but since most teams also allow some athletes from very small academies, the rosters can look very different from team to team and year to year. Our team eligibility is based on roster outcomes rather than theoretical statements. for more info, see http://nhfcs.org/selections/

HOW TO PACKAGE YOUR ATHLETE FOR COLLEGE RECRUITERS

Malachi Blankenship now plays for the University of Tulsa

    There are many useful tools at your side, for presenting your athletes to college recruiters. In past years it was more difficult to get the attention of colleges. More often than not, it took a major financial investment just to make a substantive connection with a handful of targeted colleges. Thanks to the digital age and internet communications, You can easily package an athlete without the aide of paid services.

Local media

    Your local & state media doesn't try to ignore you. They really do want to cover every team, but their time and resources are very limited. The more groundwork you provide them, the better your coverage will be.  Media outlets pay attention to how many fans are in the stands. They know that big schools must be covered well, because advertisers what to reach the biggest audience.

Caleb Gastelum now plays for the University of Oklahoma

    Get a list of all statewide media who will report your scores. Then have a volunteer text or call in halftime and final scores promptly. This will draw the attention of a larger audience, including recruiters. Contact sportswriters with human interest stories about your team or players. You may get a feature story done, as a result.

    Local & state media can be a big help in building your homeschool sports program. But it will definitely help your top-performing athletes if you can get your athletes named to an all-state team. But you have to make a good case... and that requires reporting complete stats to media databases.

FILMS

   Most varsity teams keep game films in digital format. Those films should be duplicated for all juniors and seniors. The footage can easily be clipped into highlights and compiled on youtube. The advanced editing features will allow you to post captions onscreen and draw the eye to your featured athlete. Rather than mailing DVDs to every college, simply include the youtube link in an email, along with player stats and background info.

MaxPreps Player Profile:
Kendal Davis now plays for North Eastern Oklahoma

Stat Services

    Your team is probably already compiling scores and stats. Reporting those stats to MaxPreps and other media doesn't require a lot of time or expertise. Not only does the team benefit; Every player builds a personal stat record. Adding a player photo and a few other details (weight, height, etc.) will result in a concise journal that college coaches will rely on. Since the numbers come from actual game records, recruiters know that the numbers are reliable and comparable. You can also post news articles and upload player videos to MaxPreps, to create a complete package for every college to see.

    Another benefit of online records is that offers can come from unexpected sources. Some colleges have specific needs that your athletes will provide. You won't know what didn't happen because you failed to do your part.

Rankings Updates Released

   The National Homeschool Football Championship Commission took steps this week, to clear the database of any teams who haven't reported a schedule or results. The integrity of the rankings is of utmost priority to the national community of dedicated homeschool athletes and coaches. We want to reward responsible and dedicated leadership by setting a standard of expectations. While it is completely appropriate to be as inclusive as possible during the early part of the season, it is even more important in the latter part of the season, to make sure that thorough and accurate information is used for determining seeding, invitations, and ultimately... a national champion.

    Additionally, any team who posts erroneous results, whether it be though confusion, carelessness, or deceit; will be removed from our database until the errors are corrected. We made one such action this week and did our best to notify the team who posted wrong results. The error was corrected within minutes and the team is back "in the hunt" in our current rankings.

   Statisticians should check their MaxPreps season schedule and results on a quick weekly habit. Make sure someone else doesn't make a false claim to have played against you. We have to remove your team from the database while the false info is impacting your weekly rating. Mondays are the weekly deadline for making all corrections prior to the Tuesday update. It would also be advantageous to make sure your team's opponents are keeping their MaxPreps stats up to date.

   Cheer on your past opponents! It's in your best interest that they build the highest rating they can. Your team's Strength Of Schedule is a very important variable.

Division 1 Heats Up

#    Team                                                W/L    Nat.#
  1     Central Virginia (Richmond, VA)    7-0     6631
  2     Crown (Woodstock, GA)                 6-0      7584
  3     Carolina Pride (Charlotte, NC)       2-4      8980
  4     Lighthouse (Springfield, MO)        2-2       9318
  5     Tulsa NOAH (Tulsa, OK)                 0-6       9450
  6     New Covenant (Charlotte, NC)      3-0       9575
  7     Q Foundation  (Charlotte, NC)       1-4       9654
  8     Maryland Christian(Bel Air, MD)    3-4       9665
  9     Anderson (Anderson, SC)              5-1       9860
10     Landmark (Cincinnati, OH)            4-1     10019
11     Dallas HSAA (Plano, TX)                2-3     10042
12     Troy Defenders (Troy, MI)              3-0     10359
13     East Atlanta (Conyers, GA)            5-2     10566    
14     Georgia Force (Buford, GA)           6-1     10589
15     Columbus  (Galena, OH)                 1-6     10967
16     Airborne  (Charlotte, NC)               2-4     11592
17     Noblesville (Noblesville, IN)           3-0    12192
18     Cleveland (Cleveland, OH)             1-4    12203
19     St. John's (Front Royal, VA)           2-1    12362
20     Cent. Maryland(Eldersburg, MD)    3-3    12481
21     North Georgia (Canton, GA)           4-3    12585
22     Raleigh Titans (Raleigh, NC)          2-4    12659    
23     CHEF(Baton Rouge, LA)                  3-2    12922
24     Fairfax (Fairfax, VA)                        2-4    13147
25     Acadiana (Lafayette, LA)               3-1    13260
26     Virginia Lions (Sterling, VA)          1-4    13397
27     Christ Prep (Kansas City, KS)        1-5     13578    
28     So. Florida HEAT (Fort Laud., FL) 2-4     13963
29     Crossroads (Big Rock, IL)             1-2    14057
30     Frederick Co. (Frederick, MD)      0-5    14142
31     Paulding (Douglasville, GA)         1-4    14211
32     Crimson Knights (Indpls, IN)         1-4    14270
33     Freedom  (Huntsville, AL)            1-5    14350    
34     Hampton Roads (Gloucester, VA)  1-2    14393
35     New Orleans  (New Orleans, LA)   0-3    14500
36     North Atlanta (Doraville, GA)         0-6    14546

Division 2 Excels!

   The latter half of the 2012 season is upon us. Division 2 Homeschool football has some very high achievers this year.

Texas continues to deliver some of the greatest football, but California and Alabama have produced some top teams.

   We can't overstate just how huge a season Stephenville FAITH is having again this year. They are currently in the top 50 of all small-roster teams in America - PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR HOMESCHOOL!

   Several teams are just starting a football program, this year. We all salute them and congratulate the fortitude that it takes to get a team on the field.

#    Team                                                     W/L   Nat.#
 1     Stephenville FAITH (Stephenville, TX)         5-0      43
 2     FEAST HomeSchool (San Antonio, TX)       4-2    136
 3     Northwest Christian (Bakersfield, CA)         5-1    224
 4     Hope Christian (Pelham, AL)                        6-0    245
 5     Tomball Christian (Tomball, TX)                   5-1    287
 6     Bastrop Tribe  (Bastrop, TX)                         4-2    322
 7     Cornerstone Christian (Wildomar, CA)        4-3    381
 8     San Marcos (San Marcos, TX)                     4-2    425
 9     Okla. City Patriots(Oklahoma City, OK)       6-1    434
10     Coastal HomeSchool (Pembroke, GA)       4-1    772
11     THESA (Fort Worth, TX)                              2-4     792
12     FISH (Brandon, FL)                                     5-1     804
13     Wise County Christian (Decatur, TX)         2-3     863
14     Crossroads Christian (Corona, CA)            2-4     874
15     El Paso HomeSchool (El Paso, TX)           2-4      884
16     Austin Christian (Austin, TX)                    3-3      918
17     CenTex HomeSchool (Temple, TX)         1-2      944
18     Middle Tennessee Heat (Mt. Juliet, TN)   2-3      970
19     Carolina Wildcats (Pickens, SC)             3-3      986
20     Evangel Family  (Montgomery, AL)         3-4      987
21     Williamson County  (Georgetown, TX)   3-2    1001
22     Christian HomeSchool (Lafayette, LA)   6-0    1082
23     Weatherford  (Weatherford, TX)             1-5    1113
24     Fort Bend Chargers  (Rosenberg, TX)   1-4-1   1165
25     BVCHEA (College Station, TX)                 2-4    1168
26     North River (Tuscaloosa, AL)                   1-4    1180
27     Wichita HomeSchool (Wichita, KS)        0-4    1200
28     Wiregrass (Dothan, AL)                           1-5    1228
29     Cornerstone (Joplin, MO)                        1-3    1236
30     Kansas City East (Leawood, KS)             2-4    1270
31     Greater Augusta  (Augusta, GA)              2-4     1296
32     Independence(Lawrence, KS)                 1-5     1347
33     Franklin Christian  (Franklin, TN)             0-7     1433

Homeschool Postseason plans...

Get ready! Some really exciting things are happening all over the world of homeschool football. And you're a part of it.

Finish strong.  Leave a legacy

   Several postseason competitions are getting ready for Homeschool teams. Over the next several weeks there are several dozen homeschool teams giving their full effort to take home trophies and demonstrate a superior team effort.

Many of these competitions have been established for years, but some organizations are setting up first-time events and planning road trips for bowl games between regional and national contenders. 

   Some of these postseason events are limited to member teams within a conference or state. Still others are still taking applications for open tournaments. Please look over the chart, below; for an opportunity that fits your team.... or just set up a bowl game on your own.

   Some teams may opt for a home-and-home bowl configuration to end a successful season. This is a simple process to set up, provided that it's done early enough for good planning. Let us know if you find another option, or if you have set up another bowl.

Several College Scouts Are Watching...

   The NHFCS will continue to run the rankings stats thru December 1st. All games will have an impact on the final rankings, if they are reported to MaxPreps in a timely manner.

   Several College scouting services are now monitoring the NHFCS, to find great collegiate prospects that other universities have missed. These professional scouts are looking for individual stats, as well as teams who prevail. Even if your team hasn't met your own expectations, your team has individual athletes who've dedicated themselves to excellence and proven themselves

The athletes ARE your ultimate trophy. Developing young people.... is what this is all about. Sending an athlete on to a bigger stage; is a greater trophy than anything made to sit in a glass case.  Please encourage your team's leadership to complete all the stats and get them into MaxPreps and other prominent state & national media outlets.

Friday, October 19  Homeschool Football League Playoffs When: Oct 19 – 26, 2012 Where: South Carolina (map) Description: A new 8-man league, in South Carolina -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Friday, October 26  GFC Conference Playoffs When: Oct 26 – Nov 10, 2012 Where: Georgia (map) Description: Glory For Christ Conference. Involves several 11-man teams from 3 states. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Friday, October 26   ACC Championship When: Friday, Oct 26, 2012 Where: Alabama (map) Description: Alabama Christian Conference Championship. 8-man Alabama Football -website- more details»  copy to my calendar
Saturday, October 27  PFL Conference Playoffs When: Oct 27 – Nov 3, 2012 Where: North Carolina (map) Description: Pioneer Football League. An 8-man league of 3 states along the Appalachian Mtns.  -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Saturday, October 27  CFL Championship When: Saturday, Oct 27, 2012 Where:  Michigan (map) Description: the Christian Football League of Michigan. A Michigan Conference of 11-man teams. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Thursday, November 1  LCSAA Conference Championship When: Thursday, Nov 1, 2012 Where: Louisiana (map) Description: Louisiana Christian Schools Athletic Association.  -website- more details»  copy to my calendar
Friday, November 2  MACC playoffs When: Nov 2 – 10, 2012 Where: Virginia (map) Description: Mid Atlantic Christian Conference. An 11-man league from 3 states. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Friday, November 2  CCAA Conference Playoffs When: Nov 2 – 9, 2012 Where: North Carolina (map) Description: Carolina Christian Athletic Association. an 11-man league in the Carolinas. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Tuesday, November 6  NACA open Tournament When: Nov 6 – 9, 2012 Where: Dayton, Tennessee (map) Description: National Association of Christian Athletes. A multi-sport tournament organization. Both Homeschool Teams and Christian Academies are invited. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar  Election Day
Friday, November 9  T-CAL playoffs When: Nov 9 – Dec 1, 2012 Where: Texas (map) Description: Texas Christian Athletic League. A very large Texas statewide organization. Most of the Texas Christian Schools are members. Homeschool Teams are heavily involved and very competitive. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Saturday, November 10  CS Conference Championship When: Saturday, Nov 10, 2012 Where: California (map) DescriptionCentral Sierra Conference. An 8-man league in California. Most California homeschoolers must list as a satellite student of an 'umbrella' academy. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar	Wednesday, November 14  NHFT open tournament When: Nov 14 – 18, 2012 Where: Panama City, Florida (map) Description: National Homeschool Football Tournament. An open tournament of 11-man football teams from any state. -website- more details»  copy to my calendar

Major Challenges For This Weekend

This weekend's Homeschool football will see a few teams taking on some mighty foes. Tulsa NOAH, Carolina Panthers, and Q-Foundation will have their work cut out, but even a strong performance will boost their rank even if they don't get the

"W".
Most of the top-ranked Div. 1 teams will play lower-ranked teams. The computer formula of CBS Sports (known as the Freeman Scoring) rewards a tough schedule.
Q-Foundation will take on Defending Carolina State Champion, Murphy.
Carolina Pride will face Charlotte Baptist (currently ranked #3 in NCISAA-I).
And Tulsa NOAH is renown for taking on the tough teams. Last year they had the toughest schedule in all of Okla. prep football. They take on Verdigris, a team in he top 8% of all prep teams in the nation.
Be sure to check out the list of Homeschool Post-season events and let us all know if your team is planning a post-season event.