OldSchoolLion

Don’t say that... lol! They will come with a new excuse..

We talk a lot about the advantages of private schools, and no doubt they have some.  Excluding IMG, I believe only 12 of the top 75 programs in the latest Maxpreps Florida rankings are private schools, and 9 of those are in south Florida. If we could snap our fingers and make all of those private south Florida programs disappear, where would all of the stars on those teams go?  ...my guess is that many would go to Atlantic, Dwyer, Deerfield Beach, Miramar, Carol City, Central or Northwestern.  
Those are already pretty stacked teams that are perennial favorites in their respective classes.  So, in a funny way, the private schools in south Florida help disperse some of the talent.  Without them, the big classes could end up being dominated every year by the south Florida schools.  Imagine Deerfield Beach or Miramar, who already have very stout defenses, with some of the defensive players form StA or AHP on them.  Or imagine one of those Miami schools with 4-stars Shaun Shivers and Xavier Williams from Chaminade adding to their offense.  Either of those scenarios would be absolutely scary for the competition.
Am sure there are some who wish those private school programs would disappear, but be careful what you ask for, especially if you are a 6A, 7A or 8A team.  

We talk a lot about the advantages of private schools, and no doubt they have some.  Excluding IMG, I believe only 12 of the top 75 programs in the latest Maxpreps Florida rankings are private schools, and 9 of those are in south Florida. If we could snap our fingers and make all of those private south Florida programs disappear, where would all of the stars on those teams go?  ...my guess is that many would go to Atlantic, Dwyer, Deerfield Beach, Miramar, Carol City, Central or Northwestern.  
Those are already pretty stacked teams that are perennial favorites in their respective classes.  So, in a funny way, the private schools in south Florida help disperse some of the talent.  Without them, the big classes could end up being dominated every year by the south Florida schools.  Imagine Deerfield Beach or Miramar, who already have very stout defenses, with some of the defensive players form StA or AHP on them.  Or imagine one of those Miami schools with 4-stars Shaun Shivers and Xavier Williams from Chaminade adding to their offense.  Either of those scenarios would be absolutely scary for the competition.
Am sure there are some who wish those private school programs would disappear, but be careful what you ask for, especially if you are a 6A, 7A or 8A team.  

Here are some highlights:
 
 

I had the same question about OA not attempting a field goal.  I thought kicking/special teams game made a huge difference in this game, beyond the winning field goal.  OA gave CM the ball on CM's 40 yard line or better on the opening kickoff and after each of OA's first two scores.  CM's kicker made OA start four of their drives on the 20, and OA only scored on one of those drives.  Give CM's offense an opportunity like that and make your offense drive 80 yards against a defense like CM's, and you are putting yourself behind the eight ball.  I just read CM's kicker made 19/20 field goals this season-quite a season.      
Along with OA's secondary challenges due to injury, Chaminade's qb played the game with a torn muscle in the shoulder of his throwing arm.  Heard he injured it this week during practice and had trouble raising the arm yesterday.  With the cold weather, that arm must have been hurtin' come the fourth quarter.  

Interesting historical tidbit...  and am not proposing things be done this way now.
You old-timers probably remember those state championships prior to 1990 when there were 4 classes and the games were held at the home field of one of the teams.  Because of the way the classes were structured, the 4A championship game often involved a  Miami team versus a panhandle team.  Back in the early 80's, Miami teams traveled to Pensacola three times and lost every time.  Imagine the home field advantage.  When you traveled and won a game like that, it was an amazing accomplishment.  Things are too easy now.   

For what it's worth, in Georgia, all 8 title games are played in the same location (Mercedes Benz Stadium) with 4 games on Friday and 4 on Saturday.  In Virginia, there are 6 classes.  The games are all held on a Saturday in 3 different locations (in different cities), with two championship games at each site.
I don't care for the Thursday championship games in Florida.  For a working fan/parent of a team, it makes it tough to attend, unless one is willing to burn two days of vacation or come to work exhausted on a Friday.  Also, for the diehard folks who would like to see all of the games, it means two nights in a hotel versus one, and I doubt many folks are going to get a hotel on Thursday night just so they can see the 1A and 4A games. 
I thought the atmosphere at the University of Florida was great when the games were  held there, both for the kids and the fans.  Maybe it's me, but just sounds odd cheering "we're going to Camping World." ...nothing against Orlando.  
  
 
 

This was an amazing game from both Oxbridge and Chaminade-Madonna. Congrats to the Lions for winning the state championship. On message boards, it's very easy to say one team is going to win a classification and be done with it; however, it's the players, coaches and staff that still have to go out and play the game each week. In other words, they can't afford to be bored.

Chaminade was the best team in 3A this year, and I commend them for playing a tough schedule early. I actually think their schedule would have been even tougher if some traditional powers didn't stumble. 

For Oxbridge they are one of the best runner-up's I've seen in ages. They didn't quit and they played to the very end. A few missed tackles at the very end was the difference. Coach Kent and his staff had a great game plan and executed to an almost upset. Gio Richardson is a man out there, he played at a very high level.
Anywho- with Chaminade being the state champions, here is my final top 6 for 3A for the 2017 season.

1) Chaminade-Madonna; State Champions.         
2) Oxbridge Academy: State Runner-Ups.                
3) Clearwater Central Catholic: Region 3 Champs.
4) Melbourne Central Catholic: Regional Finalist.
5) FSU School: Region 1 Champs
6) Tampa Catholic: Regional Semi-Finalist


I'm curious if there are any post state championship games that Chaminade would be eligible for. This is a program that should go national before Shivers/Williams and that loaded Senior class moves on.
 

...in case you didn't see/hear the game and are interested.
In the first half, Oxbridge was having success running jet sweeps.  Once Chaminade adjusted, Oxbridge's running game was pretty well shut down.   There was nothing to be had running inside the entire game.  Chaminade's D-line was stout and got a fair amount of penetration.  Davoan Hawkins was impressive.
Oxbridge's qb played a fantastic fourth quarter and their coaching staff did a nice job getting creative after their running game got stuffed.  Shaun Shivers played hurt(knee) the second half.  But he turned it up a notch on their final drive to help Chaminade win the game.  He had a fantastic first half, helped by some poor tackling by Oxbridge.   
Oxbridge's kicking game definitely hurt them.  Oxbridge failed on 3, fourth-down conversions, and am guessing that at least two of those were caused by lack of confidence in their kicker.  Also, Oxbridge gave Chaminade some good starting positions on kickoffs, whereby Chaminade's kicker was good for touchbacks most of the day.   
Both teams showed great composure.  Neither team seemed to get rattled after momentum changes.  It's a shame someone had to lose.  The referees let the kids play.  I don't recall many, if any, holding or pass interference calls the entire game.    
  
 
 
 
 

--__
Glad mamasan gave me a wakeup liberty pass at 0600 today, and some pre-drive sugar to keep me motivated  - made it to my seat just before kickoff.  Low 50's, gray and overcast, with some 1st qtr sprinkles and gusty winds.  Great game.  Shivers dictated from the gitgo, continuing thru 3 qtrs,  and that 55 Hawkins seemed like he cloned himself - he was everywhere, all the time .  Yer spot on, the CM D Line shut down the OX rush,  inside, outside, it didn't matter where.  The only ground yards Ox seemed to gain were effective scrambles by their junior QB, mostly at key times or on key downs, to sustain their drives.  That QB was on today, he's worth watchin next year.  They worked those short passes and flares consistently well eatin up yards till they made two scores tying it up with just a couple minutes to go, - .  But a number of accurate dropped passes really hurt throughout the game.  as did #4 Lane and 17 CJ Smith not suitin up.
Clean game, didn't seem chippy at all.  Not many penalties throughout.  Great comment about both team's composure.  Both stayed focused,  played their hearts out - definitely spent themselves leavin it all on the field.  Tied at 28 - CM rose to the challenge on their final drive as time wound down, impressive as the OX D seemed to control that last quarter.  They surely earned that winning FG with 8 seconds to go.  Their kicker has the right name - Longman - and a bore-sighted howitzer for a leg.
CM played far better than what I saw of them against CCC.  A tough Ox squad brought out the best in them.  Big congrats to the Lions -deserving state champs.  Happy I live in FLA to see this sorta skill and will.

...in case you didn't see/hear the game and are interested.
In the first half, Oxbridge was having success running jet sweeps.  Once Chaminade adjusted, Oxbridge's running game was pretty well shut down.   There was nothing to be had running inside the entire game.  Chaminade's D-line was stout and got a fair amount of penetration.  Davoan Hawkins was impressive.
Oxbridge's qb played a fantastic fourth quarter and their coaching staff did a nice job getting creative after their running game got stuffed.  Shaun Shivers played hurt(knee) the second half.  But he turned it up a notch on their final drive to help Chaminade win the game.  He had a fantastic first half, helped by some poor tackling by Oxbridge.   
Oxbridge's kicking game definitely hurt them.  Oxbridge failed on 3, fourth-down conversions, and am guessing that at least two of those were caused by lack of confidence in their kicker.  Also, Oxbridge gave Chaminade some good starting positions on kickoffs, whereby Chaminade's kicker was good for touchbacks most of the day.   
Both teams showed great composure.  Neither team seemed to get rattled after momentum changes.  It's a shame someone had to lose.  The referees let the kids play.  I don't recall many, if any, holding or pass interference calls the entire game.    
  
 
 
 
 

...in case you didn't see/hear the game and are interested.
In the first half, Oxbridge was having success running jet sweeps.  Once Chaminade adjusted, Oxbridge's running game was pretty well shut down.   There was nothing to be had running inside the entire game.  Chaminade's D-line was stout and got a fair amount of penetration.  Davoan Hawkins was impressive.
Oxbridge's qb played a fantastic fourth quarter and their coaching staff did a nice job getting creative after their running game got stuffed.  Shaun Shivers played hurt(knee) the second half.  But he turned it up a notch on their final drive to help Chaminade win the game.  He had a fantastic first half, helped by some poor tackling by Oxbridge.   
Oxbridge's kicking game definitely hurt them.  Oxbridge failed on 3, fourth-down conversions, and am guessing that at least two of those were caused by lack of confidence in their kicker.  Also, Oxbridge gave Chaminade some good starting positions on kickoffs, whereby Chaminade's kicker was good for touchbacks most of the day.   
Both teams showed great composure.  Neither team seemed to get rattled after momentum changes.  It's a shame someone had to lose.  The referees let the kids play.  I don't recall many, if any, holding or pass interference calls the entire game.    
  
 
 
 
 

...highlights from last year's game
 
 

There was no hidden agenda here.  Why start 10 years ago?  ...nice round number.  I actually spoke of Armwood's excellent 2004 team in another post related to this topic.  But why stop at 2004?  Let's go back even further in the decade, when Armwood visited the Muck in the 2000 state semis and beaten by Glades Central 41-15.  No matter how you slice the pie, one can plainly see that Armwood has had a tough time(either losing or winning very tight games) with south Florida teams.   That's probably not a big surprise for most.
And why did I "conveniently" leave out 2010 and 2011 and "disingenuously" list Armwood's "loss" to the Nevada team?  I was simply going by the record books, nothing more and nothing less.  I am not that familiar with all of the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture of those games.  I wasn't willing to assume that five ineligible players on a team had absolutely no impact on Armwood's  performance those seasons, so I did not include those scores.  
But let's include them now.   Armwood beat Dwyer on a last-second field goal in 2010.  In 2011, Armwood struggled to win against Central.  If their defense had not made a stand in the fourth quarter, they could have lost that game.  Armwood won both games against Booker T in 2004 and 2005 with last-second scores, and gave up big points in each.  Both of those teams struggled with each other.  For me, a struggle is more than just a big loss. 
So, since 2000, Armwood against south Florida teams (oops, I conveniently picked that date, didn't I):
6 losses (5 of 20 points or more and all 14 points or more)
5 wins (3 won in the last seconds of the game, one tough game vs Central, and 1 big win against Booker T in 2003 )
...judge for yourself.
As a side note, those years Armwood  beat Booker T,  BT and Armwood were in 4A and BT was not playing the better teams in Dade County.  There were numerous teams in Dade arguably as good or better.  On paper, I had the Armwood teams in 04 and 05 as solid favorites.  And when you looked at the teams, Armwood looked much bigger.  But BT's speed made it very tough.  And now Armwood is facing a school known for its speed.  Check out their track history and you''ll see what I mean.    
And finally, I was speaking of Northwestern, not Naples, when I commented previously that Armwood has likely not faced an opponent that fast and physical.  ...fast-look at NW's track dynasty.  ....physical-if you have never been to Liberty City, you wouldn't understand. 
Have a nice evening, all!
 
 
   

There was no hidden agenda here.  Why start 10 years ago?  ...nice round number.  I actually spoke of Armwood's excellent 2004 team in another post related to this topic.  But why stop at 2004?  Let's go back even further in the decade, when Armwood visited the Muck in the 2000 state semis and beaten by Glades Central 41-15.  No matter how you slice the pie, one can plainly see that Armwood has had a tough time(either losing or winning very tight games) with south Florida teams.   That's probably not a big surprise for most.
And why did I "conveniently" leave out 2010 and 2011 and "disingenuously" list Armwood's "loss" to the Nevada team?  I was simply going by the record books, nothing more and nothing less.  I am not that familiar with all of the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture of those games.  I wasn't willing to assume that five ineligible players on a team had absolutely no impact on Armwood's  performance those seasons, so I did not include those scores.  
But let's include them now.   Armwood beat Dwyer on a last-second field goal in 2010.  In 2011, Armwood struggled to win against Central.  If their defense had not made a stand in the fourth quarter, they could have lost that game.  Armwood won both games against Booker T in 2004 and 2005 with last-second scores, and gave up big points in each.  Both of those teams struggled with each other.  For me, a struggle is more than just a big loss. 
So, since 2000, Armwood against south Florida teams (oops, I conveniently picked that date, didn't I):
6 losses (5 of 20 points or more and all 14 points or more)
5 wins (3 won in the last seconds of the game, one tough game vs Central, and 1 big win against Booker T in 2003 )
...judge for yourself.
As a side note, those years Armwood  beat Booker T,  BT and Armwood were in 4A and BT was not playing the better teams in Dade County.  There were numerous teams in Dade arguably as good or better.  On paper, I had the Armwood teams in 04 and 05 as solid favorites.  And when you looked at the teams, Armwood looked much bigger.  But BT's speed made it very tough.  And now Armwood is facing a school known for its speed.  Check out their track history and you''ll see what I mean.    
And finally, I was speaking of Northwestern, not Naples, when I commented previously that Armwood has likely not faced an opponent that fast and physical.  ...fast-look at NW's track dynasty.  ....physical-if you have never been to Liberty City, you wouldn't understand. 
Have a nice evening, all!
 
 
   

There was no hidden agenda here.  Why start 10 years ago?  ...nice round number.  I actually spoke of Armwood's excellent 2004 team in another post related to this topic.  But why stop at 2004?  Let's go back even further in the decade, when Armwood visited the Muck in the 2000 state semis and beaten by Glades Central 41-15.  No matter how you slice the pie, one can plainly see that Armwood has had a tough time(either losing or winning very tight games) with south Florida teams.   That's probably not a big surprise for most.
And why did I "conveniently" leave out 2010 and 2011 and "disingenuously" list Armwood's "loss" to the Nevada team?  I was simply going by the record books, nothing more and nothing less.  I am not that familiar with all of the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture of those games.  I wasn't willing to assume that five ineligible players on a team had absolutely no impact on Armwood's  performance those seasons, so I did not include those scores.  
But let's include them now.   Armwood beat Dwyer on a last-second field goal in 2010.  In 2011, Armwood struggled to win against Central.  If their defense had not made a stand in the fourth quarter, they could have lost that game.  Armwood won both games against Booker T in 2004 and 2005 with last-second scores, and gave up big points in each.  Both of those teams struggled with each other.  For me, a struggle is more than just a big loss. 
So, since 2000, Armwood against south Florida teams (oops, I conveniently picked that date, didn't I):
6 losses (5 of 20 points or more and all 14 points or more)
5 wins (3 won in the last seconds of the game, one tough game vs Central, and 1 big win against Booker T in 2003 )
...judge for yourself.
As a side note, those years Armwood  beat Booker T,  BT and Armwood were in 4A and BT was not playing the better teams in Dade County.  There were numerous teams in Dade arguably as good or better.  On paper, I had the Armwood teams in 04 and 05 as solid favorites.  And when you looked at the teams, Armwood looked much bigger.  But BT's speed made it very tough.  And now Armwood is facing a school known for its speed.  Check out their track history and you''ll see what I mean.    
And finally, I was speaking of Northwestern, not Naples, when I commented previously that Armwood has likely not faced an opponent that fast and physical.  ...fast-look at NW's track dynasty.  ....physical-if you have never been to Liberty City, you wouldn't understand. 
Have a nice evening, all!
 
 
   

Miami NW was a combined 6-0 versus Columbus, Booker T, Central (2 wins) and Carol City (2 wins).   On average, their defense gave up only 10 points per game in those games.  This feat is along the lines of a Big Ten Team going undefeated in conference play AND winning the championship game-extremely difficult .  The last 3 years Central won a state title they could not pull off the same, and those were some special Central teams. 
NW was beaten soundly by IMG this year, but who wasn't.  And the fact that they were beaten by Norland speaks to how competitive football is in Dade County.  Numerous teams could beat others on any given night.  Again, speaks to how special that 6-0 mark is.
In 2015, Armwood easily won all of their playoff games and all were played at home, only to get trounced by Central in the state finals.  It's the same scenario this year, with Armwood easily winning all of their playoff games at home.   
One thing I haven't seen from Armwood in the past 6 seasons is a dominant road win against a really strong team in the playoffs.  Armwood played on the road in the state semifinals in 2013 and 2014 and barely pulled off the wins.  And the teams they played those years were not even ranked in the Top 20 in the state.  
I followed Armwood's 2004 state championship team closely.  That team was very talented on both sides of the ball, particularly its defense.  Their offense put up some gaudy numbers, including a huge rout of Jefferson, who was state runner-up.  When their defense faced Booker T,' they got lit up.  Booker T's offense was small, but very fast, and Armwood's D had fits with them.  The only reason Armwood won was that their offense put up so many points.  Ever since then, Armwood has typically had strong defenses, yet has never been able to hold one of the good south Florida teams under 20 points. 
So, I believe the only way Armwood beats NW is by putting up big points on offense-at least 24.  Even IMG's offense could not do that against NW.  The offensive numbers I have seen for this year's Armwood team are not nearly as impressive as its 2004 team, so am not sure they will be able to pull that off.  Granted, those numbers don't always tell the whole story. 
If indeed Armwood is limited who it plays, that's really a shame.  I think some of the blowouts against Central were a function of a strength of schedule.  Even just one very challenging away game each year against an opponent outside Hillsborough County would go a long way toward preparing them for the playoffs.    
     
 

Miami NW was a combined 6-0 versus Columbus, Booker T, Central (2 wins) and Carol City (2 wins).   On average, their defense gave up only 10 points per game in those games.  This feat is along the lines of a Big Ten Team going undefeated in conference play AND winning the championship game-extremely difficult .  The last 3 years Central won a state title they could not pull off the same, and those were some special Central teams. 
NW was beaten soundly by IMG this year, but who wasn't.  And the fact that they were beaten by Norland speaks to how competitive football is in Dade County.  Numerous teams could beat others on any given night.  Again, speaks to how special that 6-0 mark is.
In 2015, Armwood easily won all of their playoff games and all were played at home, only to get trounced by Central in the state finals.  It's the same scenario this year, with Armwood easily winning all of their playoff games at home.   
One thing I haven't seen from Armwood in the past 6 seasons is a dominant road win against a really strong team in the playoffs.  Armwood played on the road in the state semifinals in 2013 and 2014 and barely pulled off the wins.  And the teams they played those years were not even ranked in the Top 20 in the state.  
I followed Armwood's 2004 state championship team closely.  That team was very talented on both sides of the ball, particularly its defense.  Their offense put up some gaudy numbers, including a huge rout of Jefferson, who was state runner-up.  When their defense faced Booker T,' they got lit up.  Booker T's offense was small, but very fast, and Armwood's D had fits with them.  The only reason Armwood won was that their offense put up so many points.  Ever since then, Armwood has typically had strong defenses, yet has never been able to hold one of the good south Florida teams under 20 points. 
So, I believe the only way Armwood beats NW is by putting up big points on offense-at least 24.  Even IMG's offense could not do that against NW.  The offensive numbers I have seen for this year's Armwood team are not nearly as impressive as its 2004 team, so am not sure they will be able to pull that off.  Granted, those numbers don't always tell the whole story. 
If indeed Armwood is limited who it plays, that's really a shame.  I think some of the blowouts against Central were a function of a strength of schedule.  Even just one very challenging away game each year against an opponent outside Hillsborough County would go a long way toward preparing them for the playoffs.    
     
 

According to the records, below are the scores from Armwood's final game of each season over the past 10 years.  Excluding the years they had to forfeit, Armwood has not had good luck with teams from south Florida in the playoffs. 
One has to wonder if their schedule prepares them well for such competition.   Armwood has not had a close game all season.  Northwestern has had a number of them, and even tasted what it is like to lose a close one.  I saw Miami Northwestern destroy Naples last week and cannot imagine any of the teams Armwood faced this year are remotely as fast or physical across the board.   
2007-Miami Booker T Washington 34-14 LOSS
2008-Plant 17-14 LOSS
2009-Dwyer 41-15 LOSS
2010-forfeit
2011-forfeit
2012-Gainesville 42-10 LOSS
2013-Miami Central 52-7 LOSS
2014-Miami Central 24-10 LOSS
2015-Miami Central 48-13 LOSS
2016-Lake Gibson 18-15 LOSS
In 2015, Armwood waltzed their way through the regular season and the playoffs.  The highest ranked team they played in the playoffs was #24 in FL and none of their playoff games were close.  Central had to beat 3 Top 20 FL teams to make the finals that year.  Central played a tough regular season schedule, including Dematha.  ...and then they met Central
This year, once again, Armwood has had a relatively easy regular season and faced only one Top 20 team in the playoffs.  None of their playoff games were close.  Northwestern had a brutal regular season schedule, including IMG, and had to play 2 Top 20 teams to make the finals, and both games were close.  I could see the same result as 2015, with Northwestern winning big.   

According to the records, below are the scores from Armwood's final game of each season over the past 10 years.  Excluding the years they had to forfeit, Armwood has not had good luck with teams from south Florida in the playoffs. 
One has to wonder if their schedule prepares them well for such competition.   Armwood has not had a close game all season.  Northwestern has had a number of them, and even tasted what it is like to lose a close one.  I saw Miami Northwestern destroy Naples last week and cannot imagine any of the teams Armwood faced this year are remotely as fast or physical across the board.   
2007-Miami Booker T Washington 34-14 LOSS
2008-Plant 17-14 LOSS
2009-Dwyer 41-15 LOSS
2010-forfeit
2011-forfeit
2012-Gainesville 42-10 LOSS
2013-Miami Central 52-7 LOSS
2014-Miami Central 24-10 LOSS
2015-Miami Central 48-13 LOSS
2016-Lake Gibson 18-15 LOSS
In 2015, Armwood waltzed their way through the regular season and the playoffs.  The highest ranked team they played in the playoffs was #24 in FL and none of their playoff games were close.  Central had to beat 3 Top 20 FL teams to make the finals that year.  Central played a tough regular season schedule, including Dematha.  ...and then they met Central
This year, once again, Armwood has had a relatively easy regular season and faced only one Top 20 team in the playoffs.  None of their playoff games were close.  Northwestern had a brutal regular season schedule, including IMG, and had to play 2 Top 20 teams to make the finals, and both games were close.  I could see the same result as 2015, with Northwestern winning big.   

Thank you for the replies.  I could see some great rivalries between Hillsborough(city boys) and Polk County(country boys) schools, just like Dade and Broward County folks in south Florida like to argue who is best.  I remember going to a Kathleen vs Lakeland game one year and standing outside the fence with a bunch of other folks just listening to the game.  I could see crowds like that for an Armwood vs Lakeland game.  In Georgia, it is quite common for "X" County to play "Y" County in games, and you get some tremendous rivalries...and crowds.  As much as Florida high school football suffers from low attendance, would think AD's would be getting more creative to drum up ticket sales.  Seems odd that games against teams from Nevada and Washington could be justified, but not for a team 30 minutes away in the next county.   
 
   

Thank you for the replies.  I could see some great rivalries between Hillsborough(city boys) and Polk County(country boys) schools, just like Dade and Broward County folks in south Florida like to argue who is best.  I remember going to a Kathleen vs Lakeland game one year and standing outside the fence with a bunch of other folks just listening to the game.  I could see crowds like that for an Armwood vs Lakeland game.  In Georgia, it is quite common for "X" County to play "Y" County in games, and you get some tremendous rivalries...and crowds.  As much as Florida high school football suffers from low attendance, would think AD's would be getting more creative to drum up ticket sales.  Seems odd that games against teams from Nevada and Washington could be justified, but not for a team 30 minutes away in the next county.   
 
   

New to the forum.  Really enjoy the spirited discussions on here.  Father played football in south Florida in the 1940's, and I have history from the 70's. 
Believe there were 2 classifications when my father played and I recall four from my day.  Recruiting by private schools back then..sure.  Big disparities back then..sure.  "Big" teams routinely playing "little" teams...yes.  All of the discontent I hear today...not so much.
Went to a private school that opted to play up in classification versus the big boys.  Routinely got killed in some sports, but excelled  in football due to great coaching and gritty players.  Success was measured in progress, not just "wins.".  
As a small business owner, I have to compete against Walmart.  Do I have the option to "play" in different classifications in the business world?  Do they have advantages in recruiting talent?   
At the risk of sounding preachy, what I see in our youth today is an expectation that life be a level playing field and a belief that life is intolerable if it is not.  And if I don't like my coach, I'll just quit and go to school down the road.  How many of us wish we could quit our jobs that easily if we did not like our boss?
I dealt with blatant coach-player favoritism back then, but transferring was not an option.  I am so thankful I had to stick it out, because that taught me what the real world was about. 
We need to ask ourselves why we are so driven to level the playing field.  Are we afraid our kids cannot handle losing?  Or is it more about coaches and parents not being able to handle it?
...words of wisdom from an old man.  Our youth is the best time for us to learn about inequity.  "Failure" on the field is usually not life threatening, like it can be in adulthood.  Learn the wrong lessons, and we are set up for a lifetime of unrealistic expectations and disappointment.  
So, let the kids experience adversity and learn how to deal with it.  I truly believe we are doing them a disservice by some of our current efforts with all of this classification stuff, sending a subtle message that life owes us a level playing field and I can take my ball and go home if I don't like the cards I am dealt.  If we are no longer playing high school football to teach life lessons, I think we have lost perspective.  I'll get off my soapbox now.
Have a great weekend all.