LilUrb

Frontier

Rensselaer

West Central

Tri County

On 8/21/2019 at 7:22 AM, Kick4fun said:

This is the first time I have seen this article. I believe the title is inflammatory and false; a different look at the numbers would suggest the following title:

High School Football Participation Numbers Decreased Slightly, but that is OK

There is absolutely NO evidence that football is Dying a slow death. There is still plenty of participation. The author points to a 6.5% decrease in athletes playing football and the rise of Lacrosse. What the author does not point out is that the decrease in participating schools across the country has been 1% in 10 years. That means that 99% of the US high schools that fielded teams 10 years ago still have students excited about playing football. 1% decrease in schools participating is not a slow death.

Furthermore, the author makes additional points that explain the slight decrease in participation. Most notable of these is the decline in the total number of boys in this country aged 15-19. His census numbers showing that there are 700,000 fewer high school boys in this country accounts for a 6% decrease in the number of high school males. So football participation has decreased at the exact same level as high school boys attending high school. Amazing coincidence (haha). Bottom line: Using his numbers, the same proportion of boys are playing now as did 10 years ago. Hardly a dying sport.

There is some truth to arguments that sports specialization causes some athletes to choose other sports (baseball players choosing fall ball over football). There is also truth that some families are pushing kids in different directions due to concussion risk. And there are a few families that see sports as a path to a scholarship and push their kids toward other sports that that they mistakenly believe are easier routes to that scholarship.

But overall, our communities are excited about this Friday night and the beginning of football season. Players are excited. Students look forward to attending and entire communities are coming together on Friday nights.

Football is definitely not dying.   

   

I would also add that there are more options for kids to participate in than there were even two decades ago.  So that will skew statistical data that does not take those factors into account.

42 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

Must be feelin' lucky. The pick 'em list is wrong by the way, HH plays Mt. Vernon(Fortville). It's the Kirschner Bowl.

When in doubt pick Rangeline

1 minute ago, gonzoron said:

Must be feelin' lucky.

Well I didn't figure Eastern Hancock could win two games on the same night against two different teams.

2 POINTS EACH

Delphi

Northwestern

Hamilton Heights

Pioneer

Tipton

Western

 Lafayette Jeff

Guerin Catholic

Tri-County

North White

Covington

Frankfort

3 POINTS EACH

Rensselaer

Tri-West

21 hours ago, TheWaterBoii said:

I would like to see Tri-County end the losing streak! They haven't won the Carroll opener since 2011. Should be a great game.

Would love to see that too!

On 1/23/2019 at 12:22 AM, DT said:

I think you are short changing McWhorter's accomplishments.

The HCC is a tough nut, and Zionsville is the smallest school in the conference.  They more than hold their own.  But the record is the record.  Im happy with the content of my analysis.  Certainly don't need your approval in that regard.  

 

I think you are short changing Coach Ech's accomplishments.  Admittedly, my POV is biased, but I learned a lot from Coach Ech and am greatful to the opportunities he gave me at Zionsville.

Look at Coach Ech's seasons game by game.  Each year we accomplished one more thing.  We beat multiple teams for the first time under Ech's guidance.  This year we finished 3rd in the conference behind Avon and Brownsburg.  As Coach Nowlin said, consistent performance in our sectionals, but our admitted weakness was getting over the Regional hump.  Also the strength gains were a huge accomplishment.  No disrespect to any previous coaches before, but the strength differences to when Ech came in and where they are now are drastic.  You watch us on film and we were getting pushed around, even our strongest kids.  Even with undersized DL we were able to hold our own much better than before.

This is a great hire for Pike, and a great opportunity for Ech.  I think both the school and he won in this hire!  I wish him the best of luck this season.