Rob Long: Will Travel
It's amazing the type of criticism you receive when you're among the best at what you do. After the Gilman Greyhounds lost to St. Edward of Lakewood, Ohio, the critics and doubters of Gilman came out in full force. Maybe Gilman isn't as strong as advertised. Maybe the Greyhounds are overrated. Maybe this team doesn't have the talent of some of the teams of the past. Folks, don't kid yourself. In the end, Gilman will be a force that will be heard from.
The Gilman Greyhounds are one of the model programs in the Baltimore Metro area. Yes, once upon a time, I too was a Gilman hater. I mean, why wouldn't you hate them? They constantly do it the right way. I remember getting my butt handed to me as a high school at Northern High School by the Greyhounds. They were a well oiled machine then and they still are.
Coach Biff Poggi and company will travel anywhere, anytime to play anyone. They do it for exposure. That exposure not only helps Gilman, but it puts the players in position to play on a national stage. Gilman may have been outmatched against an outstanding St. Edward team on Sunday, but once again, Coach Poggi put his young men in the spotlight by playing the number four team in the country on a national stage.
In addition to that, good teams with good coaching get better from week one to week two. If you don't think so, secretly ask any local high school coach if they WANT to play Gilman right now. Paramus Catholic of New Jersey doesn't have a choice. The number three school in the Garden State will host the Greyhounds on September 6th. It'll be interesting to see how Gilman responds.
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