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.