Why So Few Rural Schools in the Rankings?

[OldSchoolLion]

In Maxpreps' recent Preseason 100 poll, only 4 schools were from rural areas clearly outside major metropolitan areas...Longview(TX), Rome(GA), Colquitt County(GA), and Muskegon(MI)

In ColumbiaFan's recent Florida preseason poll, 6 of the 50 schools were from rural areas(my definition of "rural" is subjective).  Madison County, Crestview, Niceville, Columbia, Immokalee, Pahokee

In years past, one would see more rural schools in the rankings.  Any opinions what is happening?  Are rural areas not getting the love they deserve in the polls?  Are rural programs declining due to waning interest in "country" areas?  Are metro areas better able to leverage transfers?      

 

 

[DarterBlue2]

Just now, OldSchoolLion said:

Are metro areas better able to leverage transfers?      

Bingo! That's it right there!

[nolebull813]

Yeah the talent pools are much bigger in metro areas making the commute easier for players near a hot school. 

Broward and Dade have more talent than everything from Ocala up

Madison County is 50 miles to Tallahassee. And there's not much in between them and anywhere else. They would have to have dumb luck some parents of a stud recruit move there for a job. 

Jobs are a big one too. Not many in the rural areas so not many move ins. You get what you got. How it used to be. 

In my opinion it's not a public private debate. The publics in Florida can hang. Hell STA lost 3 games last year all to public schools.

 

[nolebull813]

Oh and Niceville isn't top 50 in the state they are hot garbage. Maybe not top 100

The coach at Crestview told me that the days of Niceville poaching all the Okaloosa talent and surrounding areas are over. They will keep going downhill. 

[Hwy17]

12 hours ago, DarterBlue2 said:

Bingo! That's it right there!

 

1 hour ago, nolebull813 said:

Yeah the talent pools are much bigger in metro areas making the commute easier for players near a hot school. 

Broward and Dade have more talent than everything from Ocala up

Madison County is 50 miles to Tallahassee. And there's not much in between them and anywhere else. They would have to have dumb luck some parents of a stud recruit move there for a job. 

Jobs are a big one too. Not many in the rural areas so not many move ins. You get what you got. How it used to be. 

In my opinion it's not a public private debate. The publics in Florida can hang. Hell STA lost 3 games last year all to public schools.

 

I'm starting to think that transfers are not just keeping rural schools from being competitive, but also is keeping some metro schools from developing.  Why do metro schools like Leto or Gibbs always seem to have a losing record or a good year for them is 5-5?

[OldSchoolLion]

Top 10 transfers in US per Maxpreps.  Except for IMG, note how all are from some of the biggest metro areas in the country.   Nobody from rural areas.

http://www.maxpreps.com/news/Bjy1-iQ3x0qZRxPtiIVQBg/early-contenders--top-10-high-school-football-transfers.htm

IMG-1

South FL-2

Baltimore/DC-2

Dallas/Ft Worth-1

Phoenix-1

Los Angeles-3