FT Myers, Lake Wales & Port Charlotte jamboree

[gatorman001]

Sitting in the parking lot at Fort Myers HS, to watch the FT Myers spring Jamboree. One of the officials for tonight parked next to me and had a interesting conversation with him.

He's 66, indicating to me he's been officiating for 49 years. Will be out there running around tonight with one artificial knee. Told me the Lee County Officiating Assoc had its 1st meeting for the 2025 football season last week. Of the 40+ officials that showed up, only 7 were younger than 50. He wondered aloud what Lee County was going to do in 10 years, with such low participation among its members in Lee County in as far as having enough officials?

 

[gatorman001]

All 3 of these teams looked to be playoff caliber teams, with probably FT Myers needing the most work yet between now and it's 1st regular season game to get there. Port Charlotte took both of its half's 14-0 against Lake Wales, and 28-7 against FT Myers. Lakes Wales took its half against FT Myers 27-20 (or something close to that).

The QB's for both Lake Wales and FT Myers both had good size and nice arms, but both also suffered from timing issues that will probably be worked out over the summer. The Port Charlotte QB (has a Gator offer), had no such issues and it showed! The big DT for FT Myers reminded me an awful lot of last years Port Charlotte DT Myron Charles -(now at the university of Texas), in that he just completely disappeared at times? FT Myers as a team didn't appear to be at peak conditioning either. FT Myers also had a OT with college size and build written all over him, but absolutely no nasty anywhere in his game..

I thought Lake Wales as a team, was probably most likely to make the biggest jump from spring to fall in as far as team progress. Port Charlotte would be second despite winning both of its half's. FT Myers has the most work to do between now and it's 1st regular season game.

 

[jambun82]

Sitting in the parking lot at Fort Myers HS, to watch the FT Myers spring Jamboree. One of the officials for tonight parked next to me and had a interesting conversation with him.

He's 66, indicating to me he's been officiating for 49 years. Will be out there running around tonight with one artificial knee. Told me the Lee County Officiating Assoc had its 1st meeting for the 2025 football season last week. Of the 40+ officials that showed up, only 7 were younger than 50. He wondered aloud what Lee County was going to do in 10 years, with such low participation among its members in Lee County in as far as having enough officials?

How is the situation with schools and coaches in Lee County? How are officials treated?

 

[MarkECannon]

Jambun, I just arrived home from the Lakeland jamboree. New officials were being trained during the first three 2 quarter games. There were about 5 training officials wearing blue shirts. They seemed to be doing a fine job. Were you one of the training officials?