the life isn't fair response (in my opinion) is intellectually lazy, (no offense intended) unless one can confirm no other options exist. You being close-minded to those options (such as playing schools out of state) doesn't mean they shouldn't be explored. A path to wisdom is also being open-minded and considering all alternatives. Your arbitrary selection of 5 in-state and 4 out of state schools being acceptable, just not the other way around is logically perplexing to me. 4 out of state ok...5 out of state not ok.
Other high school AD's think they should be punished in football, but not other sports....other sports in which they are also very competitive and have also won state championships. Should other HS AD's have the power to determine if CG does not get the opportunity to play post-season and defend their title? According to your logic, 5 AD's can, but not 4 AD's.
Do I believe other schools should be "forced" to play CG? I think its case by case. I understand BD to a certain extent dropping CG for a season to play IMG. Do you think a school should be allowed to drop an in-state school to play an out of state academy for money? (football factory) In the case of Carmel, yes, I think the IHSAA should quit smooching Carmel's buttocks and made both schools resolve their issues. This was purely a political move by Carmel and the IHSAA chose to play the game with the Greyhound administration.