Are even public schools in Catholic Counties better at Football?

[Titan32]

 

Are Catholics better at football?

Blue = Catholic

Red = Evangelistic Protestant

Green = Mainline Protestant

[Titan32]

Probably more of a small school debate....1-3A maybe 4A.

[HHPatriots]

While I am not Catholic (Southern Baptist here), the overwhelming majority of our community is Catholic.  Maybe you are on to something.  

[JQWL]

On 7/7/2026 at 10:44 AM, Titan32 said:

 

Are Catholics better at football?

Christianity

 

Blue = Catholic

Red = Evangelistic Protestant

Green = Mainline Protestant

What is a qualifier to label a county a Catholic county?

[Titan32]

14 hours ago, JQWL said:

What is a qualifier to label a county a Catholic county?

The map shows what the "majority" domination is in each county.  Blue = Catholic.

[Basementbias]

I'd say in D5 to D7 Ohio yes, as Mercer & Auglaize Counties have public schools in Catholic counties. A lot championships won and state championship appearances. 

[Muda69]

On 7/10/2026 at 10:18 AM, Titan32 said:

The map shows what the "majority" domination is in each county.  Blue = Catholic.

I think you mean "denomination" not "domination".

[Titan32]

1 hour ago, Muda69 said:

I think you mean "denomination" not "domination".

You would be correct sir.  Fat thumbs and readers.....deadly combination!

[OlMarksmenTiger]

On 7/7/2026 at 9:44 AM, Titan32 said:

 

Are Catholics better at football?

Blue = Catholic

Red = Evangelistic Protestant

Green = Mainline Protestant

 

On 7/7/2026 at 9:44 AM, Titan32 said:

 

Are Catholics better at football?

Blue = Catholic

Red = Evangelistic Protestant

Green = Mainline Protestant

This could be quite the societal discussion.  It could be argued the higher percentages of German heritage in the south and Polish heritages in the Northwest in those blue areas could also be a factor if just looking for correlation.
But ultimately, I believe it is good coaches that can make a program is the primary factor.
If they have a stable or growing community geared toward service and involvement that can feed a tradition, that gives them a playing field above other communities that may be stagnant or dwindling.
Catholic communities don't have a monopoly on such environments, but I believe the data would show they would be skewed on the demographic spectrum toward the more stable and supportive families and communities.   Then adding in the the random genetic athletic roll of the dice from year to year, you can get sometimes get greatness when you were already good.
Just looking at the historical results of the southwest blue counties in your map, I would say Gibson, Perry and southern Spencer are opposite sides of the tale. In the 70's/80'searly 90's, I would consider South Spencer and Tell City as perennial strong programs, while Gibson Southern over all was not.  The opposite is true now.  I would say observing first hand, coaching changes was a big influence in that and coupled with those areas also having the opposite stories in regards to the population retention or growth, it paints the picture.  Meanwhile, north Spencer and Dubois county communities keep moving right along consistently.