Public vs Private in the Playoffs - A Comparison of States

[OldSchoolLion]

States Where Private Schools Play Private Schools in Playoffs

Texas-Private Leagues

Washington DC-Catholic League

Maryland-Private League

New Jersey-Private League

North Carolina-Private Leagues

 

States Where Private Schools Play Public Schools in Playoffs

Pennsylvania-Philadelphia-area private school powers, ie St Joseph's and Archbishop Wood, play together in Philadelphia Catholic League during regular season; some private schools in PA play in leagues with public schools; all private schools play against public schools with similar populations in playoffs; PA recently expended to 6 classes in 2017 and private schools are spread throughout the classes

Southern California-Private school powers play together in Trinity League during regular season; play against much larger public schools in competitive Div 1 CIF Southern Section 

Ohio-Private school powers, ie St Ignatius and St Edward's in Div 1), play in very competitive divisions with public schools

Missouri-Christian Brothers-plays in Catholic League during regular season; face public schools in competitive Class 6(Missouri's largest) playoffs

Hawaii-Private schools St Louis and Punahao compete with public school power Kahuku in the Div 1 & Open playoffs.  These 3 teams have dominated Hawaii in recent years.

 

Pennsylvania is the state that reminds me the most of FL.  They expanded to 6 classes in 2017 and now there is even more potential to have multiple private school state champions.  There is St Joe's in 6A, Malvern Prep and Archbishop Wood in 5A, and the 1A-4A classes each have multiple private school powers.  There is a legitimate possibility of having 6 private school state champions in Pennsylvania. 

We all know southern California is loaded with private school powers.  Come playoff time, though, there is a handicap.  With the exception of Mater Dei, many of these private school powers have less than 1000 students.  They are playing against highly-ranked public schools public schools such as Long Beach Poly (4400 students), Upland (3400 students), Centennial (3300 students), and Mission Viejo (2400 students) with much larger populations, and in an area with a rich talent pool.  Though the private schools have the upper hand, there are a number of public schools in southern CA who can certainly hold their own against them.

So, what's the point?  As best I can tell, the situation we have in FL with private school powers spread amongst multiple classes they can potentially dominate, is not common.  The closest thing I have found is Pennsylvania in their 3A and 4A classes, but the level of domination has not been quite as extreme.     

 

[BigAl]

https://www.maxpreps.com/news/2ylOE87a_UC3XlYOyz_Qbg/top-10-toughest-high-school-football-leagues-in-the-nation.htm