THE UPSTATE 20, comprehensive team rankings for all areas of the Empire State north of NYC, is back for a new installment. The dog days of winter are upon us, and I think from players to coaches to parents to me, we’re all feeling it. The key… who’s surviving and maintaining their approach? Current rankings, … More The Upstate 20 & Weekly All-Upstate (Class D)
THE UPSTATE 20, comprehensive team rankings for all areas of the Empire State north of NYC, is back for a new installment. The dog days of winter are upon us, and I think from players to coaches to parents to me, we’re all feeling it. The key… who’s surviving and maintaining their approach? Current rankings, … More The Upstate 20 & Weekly All-Upstate (Class C)
This post is a little shorter than the Upstate 20 intro last year. Promise. And the wait will be shorter too. The inception of The Upstate 20 was well worth the time & effort put into it last winter. Feedback was active & productive. It forced me to look at teams & games from a … More The Upstate 20 Returns for 2025-26
DATES & SITES (all Sundays) How Many Sessions? One Event/Location $99.00 USD Two Events/Locations $179.00 USD All Three Events/Locations $225.00 USD Last fall, which was the 10th year of Empire State Takeover operations, brought a seasonal showcase “series” for the first time with sessions based in various areas of the EST coverage region. That was … More The 2025 EST Fall Showcase SERIES
Believe it or not, I’m pretty good at making the time to sit & really break down game film from all Empire State Takeover events. It serves as a tremendous resource for me to identify & evaluate talent from all corners of my coverage region. I’m just not very good at taking the additional time … More Views From The Couch: EST Game Film Review (June 10)
*** THIS EVENT IS CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY! Any submitted registration forms going forward will ensure a spot on the wait list, which often gets tapped into with backouts leading up to the event. (as of 5/11) *** Since its inception in 2018, the Middle School Combine quickly grew into being one of my favorite days … More 7TH ANNUAL EST MIDDLE SCHOOL COMBINE
DATES & SITES (all Friday nights) How Many Sessions? One Event $94.00 USD Two Events $165.00 USD Three Events $210.00 USD Fall 2024, the conclusion of Year 10 of Empire State Takeover’s existence, brought a showcase “series” for the first time with events across the general coverage region. That went so well, let’s just make … More The 2025 EST Spring Showcase… SERIES
Setting the Scene: The early part of my last week of February has been dedicated to the Hudson Valley. Back-to-back days with drives south on the Taconic… hey, at least it isn’t four straight days on I-88 like last week? After Monday’s double dip in both Sections 1 & 9, I couldn’t resist turning around … More Fit For Further: Hen Hud Outlasts Pearl River in Instant Classic
If I was really on top of my stuff, I would’ve had this post out to the masses weeks ago. Drake was correct when he said ‘never late is better’, but hey, flipping back to the old adage still applies. This post drags on – bear with me, it all comes back around. Or at … More Time to Expand… EST Diversifies Coverage Avenues in 2024-25
DATES & SITES (all Sundays) How Many Sessions? One Event $94.00 USD Two Events $160.00 USD Three Events $210.00 USD Year 10 of Empire State Takeover… time to take something that’s been around since Year 1 and bring it to another level. The Fall Showcase – first held in October 2015 at Skidmore – is … More The 10th Annual EST Fall Showcase… SERIES