I wasn’t aware!

[Mebuck]

Not surprised, a few years ago a neurologist here in Fort Wayne told me that High school football is slowly going away. He stated that concussion are the biggest threat. I know Dwenger's numbers are down. Mostly because several want to focus on Rugby. They play 8 man out in the western parts of the country. Honestly i have gotten board at games, the game has changed. With Lacrosse getting popular i wonder if that will replace football in 10 to 15 years. Hope not.

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[Boilernation]

On 8/12/2026 at 10:14 AM, Muda69 said:

8-man is just football-lite.  

The real solutions are:

1. Co-op programs.

2. School consolidations. 

 

I really like the idea of Co-Op programs. Not sure how it would work or be regulated, but the idea seems good. 

[hhpatriot04]

The IHSAA needs to push for co-oping. Would the coaches' association get behind it? @Coach Nowlin

[Coach Nowlin]

Association always promoting playing vs not playing:  Been more push to get behind 8 man, which I think is most logical if the goal is to play the great game of football.  

[foxbat]

On 8/19/2026 at 9:13 PM, Gipper said:

Brutal first game welcome to 8-man with Waldron on Saturday.  ISD's going to be no picnic either.  At least they get Morristown for a potential uptick to the end of the regular season.

[Gipper]

We’re loyal to you, Newton High!  Our opponents we all will defy…

[Coach Nowlin]

I think more and more folks should start to really study it and understand it is FOOTBALL, just a bit smaller field and 3 less players.   I am happy for my SN friends who are able to still coach and players play the game each week.  

[justafootballguy]

9 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

I think more and more folks should start to really study it and understand it is FOOTBALL, just a bit smaller field and 3 less players.   I am happy for my SN friends who are able to still coach and players play the game each week.  

11 man or 8 man... a certain someone at SN can really coach some ball... 

[Gipper]

21 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

I think more and more folks should start to really study it and understand it is FOOTBALL, just a bit smaller field and 3 less players.   I am happy for my SN friends who are able to still coach and players play the game each week.  

At least SN is maintaining their tradition in volleyball…

[WestfieldRocks]

On 8/13/2026 at 8:34 PM, wabashalwaysfights said:

 

I've made similar observations about our enrollment for years, but there's no doubt that it is directly tied to population dynamics and specifically jobs. I haven't kept up on the job implications of Data Centers, but if it's anything like the wind farms in Benton and Warren counties, they aren't good. I would think Data Centers, regardless of whether one thinks they are a "boogeyman" or not, would offer better job prospects. 

I've read that 50 employees would be all they need to keep a data center running.

The number of kids is indeed trending down. Here in Westfield, they had a demographer and his company run the numbers for this past year. This is not analyzing just the current population, but homes under construction, subdivisions approved but have yet built, and things like the number of homes of the total in the city that have no kids. This includes homes that house only adults where the kids have grown up and moved, or homes with people of child bearing age who choose not to have kids. In Westfield, that is just over 60% of households. I remember our mayor said he was shocked at that news. Now as for the schools, yes, the high school is at 3,000 and still growing. However the demographer looks at all grades, from preschool to 12th grade. Those lower grades are where the numbers really are sliding. He said this is happening in every school district in Hamilton County. I remember he used HSE as an example. That school system has lost over 1,000 kids since it's peak. I can imagine in the 1A and 2A public schools, all pretty much located in rural areas, these lower numbers are already happening. 

[WestfieldRocks]

On 8/14/2026 at 6:45 PM, PHJIrish said:

There have been years when mega school Tech didn't dress 30!  I'm not sure their situation now, but it's not enrollment!

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Tech played at Noblesville this past Friday. They were blown out 64-0.  Supposedly Tech only dressed 30 players. 30 players for a 6A school!

 

On 8/14/2026 at 6:45 PM, PHJIrish said:

There have been years when mega school Tech didn't dress 30!  I'm not sure their situation now, but it's not enrollment!

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