High school football update

[Dean Pope]

So Benson has a smaller team than my Class C school did in the early 80s and even today, when the class enrollment is 50% less than when I was there. Benson either has a male student body that is insufficiently interested in the sport. If this is the case, they should drop the sport and let the kids who want to play transfer. Or perhaps they have a coaching staff that isn't doing the work to get kids to come out for the sport. If this is the case, get a different coaching staff. Perhaps look there before placing the blame on the NSAA. Dividing schools into classes by enrollment is how things are done in high school sports. It isn't perfect, but exactly what would be the replacement for it?

Dropping the sport isn't a good option, but it's viable. I kinda like the coop idea because combining two struggling OPS schools should in theory make teams more competitive. The current state of affairs is not a good one because when an OPS school does actually develop some younger players, those kids go somewhere else to play. It's a joke. Then when the best athletes leave, what is left behind? I don't blame those kids for not going out for football. As far as coaching goes, I am sure that better coaching helps but I don't know the situation, Benson and the like might already have good coaches. But it might take an exceptional head coach (good luck finding that guy) with several top level assistants/JV/9th grade coaches to turn something like that around. And even then, turning it around may only mean going 5-4. Meanwhile the a-holes from you know where are recruiting your kids all off season.

 

[Big bo fan]

They aren't class B in everything. They are class B is a few select sports and class C-1 in the others and are closer to the list. That is the bigger gripe is how can you be in 2 different classes. It was the same way when I was in High School. We were in class B until I was a sophomore and then moved to C-1 in football, basketball, but still were B in golf, track, and wrestling and that is the same today. Why not class C-1 in everything?

Also, I feel bad for Schuyler. They are getting hosed and probably will have kids opt to other schools so they don't have to be in a shitty place. That also happens quite a bit, especially with farm kids. I had two kids in my school go to 3 different schools chasing sports.

I think the schedules are better now than when I was in HS, but we were a small school then and were playing McCook, Lexington, Chase County, Grand Island CC, etc. all teams with like 100+ kids on their sideline when we had 40 if we were lucky. That seems dumb. To me maybe they should run the classes based on participation and not just enrollment.

Because there are no C-1 in track golf and wrestling baseball and softball. It is what it is and your school is not alone.

 

[c3o]

My cousin coaches in the top class in Indiana. He said they average about 5,000 fans. Also said they played a stud that signed with KU, about 9,000 in attendance. Crazy!!

You know what school?

 

[leodisflowers]

Because there are no C-1 in track golf and wrestling baseball and softball. It is what it is and your school is not alone.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Uncle Donny]

For the 100th time, private schools HAVE TO "RECRUIT". They want as many kids as they can hold in their building.

90% of the kids at private schools are not playing varsity sports. They are literally trying to get anyone that can handle the academic workload AND kids that can handle it without tons of extra resources and accommodations.

There is nothing "illegal" about what they do. And I know the next complaint "THEY OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS". Yep...500 dollars, sometimes 1000. Totally helps with that 13K a year tuition.

Deciding the best school for your kids varies based on the kid and your goals. I wanted my kids to be prepared academically for college and play sports for recreation. I knew they weren’t going division 1. I sent them to Mt. Michael and it worked. They were able to play sports and even went to state a couple times. Tuition was steep, but they paid me back thru college scholarships that exceeded what I paid.

 

[Big bo fan]

Thanks for your input.

I think tried a C-1 C-2 D-1 D-2 in golf for a couple years and found out the number of schools were low and went back. I don’t know if it’s because they would have to add extra days at the state tournaments I understand your frustration of getting lumped together in those sports with a bigger school.

 

[BTF69]

Deciding the best school for your kids varies based on the kid and your goals. I wanted my kids to be prepared academically for college and play sports for recreation. I knew they weren’t going division 1. I sent them to Mt. Michael and it worked. They were able to play sports and even went to state a couple times. Tuition was steep, but they paid me back thru college scholarships that exceeded what I paid.

Mount Mikes is a great school. Really good principal. I was sad their one recruiting guy left, he was awesome.

 

[Zeke2005]

But if you opt down you're not eligible for state or district play. Then again if you're getting your butt handed to you does it matter??

That’s correct what you say, you aren’t eligible for district play but oh well if the alternative is staying put and always losing.

 

[king_kong_]

For the 100th time, private schools HAVE TO "RECRUIT". They want as many kids as they can hold in their building.

90% of the kids at private schools are not playing varsity sports. They are literally trying to get anyone that can handle the academic workload AND kids that can handle it without tons of extra resources and accommodations.

There is nothing "illegal" about what they do. And I know the next complaint "THEY OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS". Yep...500 dollars, sometimes 1000. Totally helps with that 13K a year tuition.

Speaking from experience, some offer more under special circumstances

I’m surprised so many are appalled at the notion cash makes the world go ‘round

 

[Dean Pope]

You can’t have 10-12 classes in sports. Sometimes the low end of B is at a disadvantage number wise. It is what it is unfortunately.

Reminds me of that 20 year run that Pius had managing their enrollment numbers to stay as one of the the largest schools in Class B. Man were the Thunderbolts a juggernaut. The only non-athletes in that school were honor students. Then state demographics shifted and they bumped up to in Class A for a while and still did pretty well. Omaha Skutt is still staying in Class B. Take a look at the won-loss records of their sports teams sometime. Their admin and coaches will tell you that it's superior coaching. LOL.

 

[HuskerO]

Reminds me of that 20 year run that Pius had managing their enrollment numbers to stay as one of the the largest schools in Class B. Man were the Thunderbolts a juggernaut. The only non-athletes in that school were honor students. Then state demographics shifted and they bumped up to in Class A for a while and still did pretty well. Omaha Skutt is still staying in Class B. Take a look at the won-loss records of their sports teams sometime. Their admin and coaches will tell you that it's superior coaching. LOL.

Do they have bad coaching?

 

[leodisflowers]

Reminds me of that 20 year run that Pius had managing their enrollment numbers to stay as one of the the largest schools in Class B. Man were the Thunderbolts a juggernaut. The only non-athletes in that school were honor students. Then state demographics shifted and they bumped up to in Class A for a while and still did pretty well. Omaha Skutt is still staying in Class B. Take a look at the won-loss records of their sports teams sometime. Their admin and coaches will tell you that it's superior coaching. LOL.

Agree. Skutt folks love them some Skutt folks.

 

[Dean Pope]

Lyons -Decatur a d-2 school just got done with a 20 million dollar bond that among other things gave them a 2nd 1000 seat gym. Bancroft-Rosalie a D-2 school just passed a similar bond and will also get another gym. I bet there classification doesn’t change.

If I have this correctly, these two districts once had a coop together and talked about merging. Not sure what went south and why, but what a waste of property tax dollars. People with small houses in town vote yes and farmers get to pay for it. Maybe someone closer to the situation can weigh in on this.

 

[Dean Pope]

Do they have bad coaching?

I bet they have very good coaching. Who doesn't want to coach at a place where it's easy to win? I've seen their football teams play and that staff is pretty darn good, probably in the upper half in Class B. It reminds me of the old Larry Eustachy quote after he was asked at the Metro Coaches clinic, what's more important- talent or coaching? He said, "You ever see a jockey carry a horse across the finish line?" Certain jockeys win because they get better horses. The ones that count is when a jockey is going against a similar quality or a better horse.

 

[BTF69]

Reminds me of that 20 year run that Pius had managing their enrollment numbers to stay as one of the the largest schools in Class B. Man were the Thunderbolts a juggernaut. The only non-athletes in that school were honor students. Then state demographics shifted and they bumped up to in Class A for a while and still did pretty well. Omaha Skutt is still staying in Class B. Take a look at the won-loss records of their sports teams sometime. Their admin and coaches will tell you that it's superior coaching. LOL.

Skutt is capped at B just due to their building size. If they were to expand, which they have the land for, they could take more students but that would also mean hiring more staff and so on.

 

[BTF69]

Agree. Skutt folks love them some Skutt folks.

Well it is "Hawk-Tober" right now! Haha

That school is so annoying.

Now, back in the day, the first coed west O private school was supposed to be built where those nice homes are behind St. Roberts. That school would have dominated at sports. But, plans got shot down.

 

[T...Chafes]

You know what school?

Huntington North High School. 😉 My parents are from Auburn and Garrett Indiana. So I have family still there in Auburn and Garrett, also in Orland (on Lake Gage), South Whitley, Peru, Hamilton Lake, one of the Barbee Lakes, etc, etc, etc. Been going to NE Indiana my whole life over summers to the lakes and to visit family....

 

[Big bo fan]

If I have this correctly, these two districts once had a coop together and talked about merging. Not sure what went south and why, but what a waste of property tax dollars. People with small houses in town vote yes and farmers get to pay for it. Maybe someone closer to the situation can weigh in on this.

I help with athletics at BR . LD was never going to merge they used BR in-the coop because their girls numbers were low at the time. They were not going to be able to field a VB team. The BR board was split in the Co-op
The superintendents both wanted merger but the LD super retired half way through the coop. And after that LD was just using bR athletes to win . BR voted to end the coop. Can’t say anything in the LD bond . But the BR bond passed by 80 percent. All the farmers the BR district I know voted yes.

 

[T...Chafes]

Do they have bad coaching?

The two coaches I know there are excellent.....Coach Saunders in one of the best coaches around in volleyball. Their record at Skutt reflects that (also a former Husker that played both volleyball and basketball in Lincoln!).

They just got Coach Day from UNK to coach baseball. Look for them to win state titles in the next few years in baseball. Doesn't hurt that his son Bubba came with him to Skutt, as he's currently the #1 ranked 2027 baseball player in Nebraska...

 

[BTF69]

The two coaches I know there are excellent.....Coach Saunders in one of the best coaches around in volleyball. Their record at Skutt reflects that (also a former Husker that played both volleyball and basketball in Lincoln!).

They just got Coach Day from UNK to coach baseball. Look for them to win state titles in the next few years in baseball. Doesn't hurt that his son Bubba came with him to Skutt, as he's currently the #1 ranked 2027 baseball player in Nebraska...

They have had good coaches in most things.

They are a good school and have some great teams. People do get a little jealous, I get it, it was the same way about Prep years ago.

 

[Cedric]

Well it is "Hawk-Tober" right now! Haha

That school is so annoying.

Now, back in the day, the first coed west O private school was supposed to be built where those nice homes are behind St. Roberts. That school would have dominated at sports. But, plans got shot down.

Wow, I can't believe you know this!
In 1962 my parents built a new house at 117th and Leavenworth. Leavenworth Road ended at the then-new Crestridge School, and I remember the corn being harvested before the builders began working on the house and the street being extended to 120th, which was gravel between Dodge and Pacific; the whole area was outside the city limits. My folks specifically picked that spot because the diocese owned most of that land between what is now the St. Roberts property and the row of houses on the south side of Leavenworth. It was even announced that the new Catholic HS was to be built there, and some grading was done before, for some reason, plans changed and the Skutt site was chosen. I walked to school for 7th and 8th grade at St. Bob's and would have been able to walk basically across the street for high school.

It was like growing up in the country. We played in creeks (most of which are now piped in) and climbed trees. One day my father took me up to the corner to watch the volunteer fire department conduct an exercise by burning an old barn and a couple of out-buildings. The next week, they started building Burke HS on that spot.
Man, that was a long time ago.

 

[BTF69]

Wow, I can't believe you know this!
In 1962 my parents built a new house at 117th and Leavenworth. Leavenworth Road ended at the then-new Crestridge School, and I remember the corn being harvested before the builders began working on the house and the street being extended to 120th, which was gravel between Dodge and Pacific; the whole area was outside the city limits. My folks specifically picked that spot because the diocese owned most of that land between what is now the St. Roberts property and the row of houses on the south side of Leavenworth. It was even announced that the new Catholic HS was to be built there, and some grading was done before, for some reason, plans changed and the Skutt site was chosen. I walked to school for 7th and 8th grade at St. Bob's and would have been able to walk basically across the street for high school.

It was like growing up in the country. We played in creeks (most of which are now piped in) and climbed trees. One day my father took me up to the corner to watch the volunteer fire department conduct an exercise by burning an old barn and a couple of out-buildings. The next week, they started building Burke HS on that spot.
Man, that was a long time ago.

Dude, that school would have DOMINATED in sports had it been built.

I could be wrong but I thought Gross was built instead and then Skutt much later? But it sounds like you know more about it. I taught at St. Bobs years ago. I just sort of heard it through the grapevine.

 

[mwulf]

 

[BTF69]

View embedded media

Prep made SUCH a big mistake when they did not BEG Coach Kush from Boys Town to take over their program.

That is not to take anything away from Tim, who I coached with years ago. But Kush, who I coached with years ago too, is just a different animal. He is a ****ing savage. Had they hired him 10 years ago...they would have won 2-3 state championships in the last 10 years.

 

[Dean Pope]

Skutt is capped at B just due to their building size. If they were to expand, which they have the land for, they could take more students but that would also mean hiring more staff and so on.

Good point. Of course, they can always make room for the best athletes from DC West, etc. It's easy to manage numbers when you can pick and choose who can attend and cast off the discipline problems to public school.

 

[Dean Pope]

But the BR bond passed by 80 percent. All the farmers the BR district I know voted yes.

Wow. Just so I have this right, are you saying that 80% of the people in that district voted yes to passing the bond? Or that they got 80% more yes votes? I've never heard of a bond passing by such a margin. It may sound crazy, but I also know farmers who would vote themselves into a large tax obligation in order to "save a school" or "save the town" or whatever. Good for them. Politically, I like Pete Rickett's stance on the topic which was encouraging school mergers. Just look around at the successfully merged school districts- better schools, lower taxes, more students. That's just my take.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Skutt will always hold a special place in my heart as I got run over by a car hard enough to break my helmet in 3 places, while riding on their sidewalk, and I didn't die. Yay!!! ...the adjuster for the teenager who hit me put me in touch with his manager, so I solicited their business, and American Family turned into my best client for the next 10 years. Yay for happy accidents.

 

[BTF69]

Good point. Of course, they can always make room for the best athletes from DC West, etc. It's easy to manage numbers when you can pick and choose who can attend and cast off the discipline problems to public school.

Skutt has kids that are HUGE jerks and problem kids. They are just smarter about it, those kids drink and cheat and **** around and do bad stuff, just like all kids, they just don't do it at school or if they do they are better at not getting caught or not so brazen about it. They know how to play the game at a younger age by acting "good"

 

[Dean Pope]

Was it one of those things where he lived with one parent or something?

Either way, Westside tattling (certain radio host was quick to call) is so lame.

If a school like Westside has open enrollment is that kid immediately eligible whereas if a school like Gretna has closed enrollement the kid has to actually live in that district?

As far as Gretna's forfeit is concerned, I could be wrong but the way I remember it was a kid from outside the district was playing on the team-- so he was ineligible. A parent had rented an apartment in the Gretna district for a few months figuring that was enough, but it wasn't.

 

[BTF69]

If a school like Westside has open enrollment is that kid immediately eligible whereas if a school like Gretna has closed enrollement the kid has to actually live in that district?

As far as Gretna's forfeit is concerned, I could be wrong but the way I remember it was a kid from outside the district was playing on the team-- so he was ineligible. A parent had rented an apartment in the Gretna district for a few months figuring that was enough, but it wasn't.

The NSAA rules, I think, are a 120 day sit out rule when you transfer (I am not sure, no one transfers to my school for the sport I coach so I don't know).

Open enrollment would be the district policy, basically just means you attend that school if they have space even if you don't live there. Westside had been closed for years, Bennington is technically open but doesn't take kids, Ellkhorn is closed.

I don't even know what Gretna does. My guess is your are correct, that the Dad got an apartment. But that it wasn't being used as an actual place of residency.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

If Gretna had lost that game the opposing coach never would have said a word.

 

[T...Chafes]

The NSAA rules, I think, are a 120 day sit out rule when you transfer (I am not sure, no one transfers to my school for the sport I coach so I don't know).

Open enrollment would be the district policy, basically just means you attend that school if they have space even if you don't live there. Westside had been closed for years, Bennington is technically open but doesn't take kids, Ellkhorn is closed.

I don't even know what Gretna does. My guess is your are correct, that the Dad got an apartment. But that it wasn't being used as an actual place of residency.

I believe it is a 90 school days that a student has to sit if they transfer schools in Nebraska. Only at Varsity level, so they can play JV or lower while they wait out the 90 school days.

 

[huskerfan66]

Good point. Of course, they can always make room for the best athletes from DC West, etc. It's easy to manage numbers when you can pick and choose who can attend and cast off the discipline problems to public school.

Bingo that's basically what all privates do. Guarantee that they make room for a stud anything and turn down a c or b student that doesn’t participate in extra curricular activities. I don't blame them. I would too if in their shoes but you can't admit that it gives them an advantage either

 

[BTF69]

I believe it is a 90 school days that a student has to sit if they transfer schools in Nebraska. Only at Varsity level, so they can play JV or lower while they wait out the 90 school days.

I think you are right.

And yes, they can play JV right away.

 

[Uncle Donny]

Skutt has kids that are HUGE jerks and problem kids. They are just smarter about it, those kids drink and cheat and **** around and do bad stuff, just like all kids, they just don't do it at school or if they do they are better at not getting caught or not so brazen about it. They know how to play the game at a younger age by acting "good"

Skutt wins state championships in every sport. I respect it, but its nauseating. They've literally owned class B for the past decade which is why its good to see Bennington winning in football. Everyone eventually gets tired of seeing a dynasty, which is why this thread started about Westside in football and Millard North/ Bell West in basketball. It will be interesting to see what MN does with Cannon across the river now.

I'm not sure Skutt turns kids away. Kids are drawn there to win state championships and play earlier in career in Class B. Not many freshman starting at Class A schools in the big two sports. The plan was for my boys to go to Prep, but eventually the kids decided they wanted to go to MM and play earlier. It worked and they played varsity sports as freshman. My oldest probably could have played at Prep by his Jr/Sr year, but starting 4 years was the better experience. They didn't win state championships, but had a great athletic experience and excellent academic foundation for college.

 

[Big bo fan]

The NSAA rules, I think, are a 120 day sit out rule when you transfer (I am not sure, no one transfers to my school for the sport I coach so I don't know).

Open enrollment would be the district policy, basically just means you attend that school if they have space even if you don't live there. Westside had been closed for years, Bennington is technically open but doesn't take kids, Ellkhorn is closed.

I don't even know what Gretna does. My guess is your are correct, that the Dad got an apartment. But that it wasn't being used as an actual place of residency.

Gretna is a closed district. The dad enrolled the kid the previous spring. He gave an apartment in the Gretna district as his address. When this occurred a school will submit a transfer list to the NSAA of kids who transferred in to their district.the prob is Gretna does send in a list like this because they are a closed district and you have to live inside the district to attend school. The dad claimed him and his wife were separated and him and his so.n Lives in said apartment. The other address was in the Papillion south district. The NSAA ruled him ineligible because he was not on any transfer list submitted to them . When Gretna appealed the order for the forfeit saying the father and son live in the district because of the separation. The father had a hand written note saying him and his wife were separated. But with no legal documents back this up the NSAA uphold the forfeiture. You can only have 1 legal address in a if you attend a closed district and that address has to be in the district.

 

[Big bo fan]

I believe it is a 90 school days that a student has to sit if they transfer schools in Nebraska. Only at Varsity level, so they can play JV or lower while they wait out the 90 school days.

If you open enroll and if you get your paperwork submitted by March of the previous year on your intent to open enroll in another school.On this is accepted by said school you will be eligible immediately when you start the new school y
at the other school. If you don’t get the paperwork submitted in Time and open enroll to the new school you are ineligible for varsity competition for 90
School days.

 

[Big bo fan]

The NSAA rules, I think, are a 120 day sit out rule when you transfer (I am not sure, no one transfers to my school for the sport I coach so I don't know).

Open enrollment would be the district policy, basically just means you attend that school if they have space even if you don't live there. Westside had been closed for years, Bennington is technically open but doesn't take kids, Ellkhorn is closed.

I don't even know what Gretna does. My guess is your are correct, that the Dad got an apartment. But that it wasn't being used as an actual place of residency.

Westside is closed? Some poster in another thread claims Christian Jones lives in the ES district.

 

[MargotDeeper]

Skutt has kids that are HUGE jerks and problem kids. They are just smarter about it, those kids drink and cheat and **** around and do bad stuff, just like all kids, they just don't do it at school or if they do they are better at not getting caught or not so brazen about it. They know how to play the game at a younger age by acting "good"

So, it's catholic parents that are the real problem 'round here. Letting there kids live fancy free in the off hours, then going to confession at school church service.

 

[SickOfPractice]

And now Grand Island Senior High won't field a varsity girls BBall team this year due to no Juniors or Seniors going out for the sport.

I wonder if volleyball is having some of the same roster issues?

No varsity girls basketball at GISH in 2024-25 due to declining player numbers

At this time, GISH does not have any Junior or Senior student athletes going out for the sport.

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