Theres always been college players that have gotten paid. Now it's just not for the stars. Public high school football in PA has taken a step back so I won't complain about any player who goes to an elite catholic/private school to hone their skills. I consider them go getters!
Anyone who thinks SJP and IMG are in the same boat is really missing something. For one thing, all students at SJP come from within commuting distance of Philadelphia; IMG students come from all over the country and nearly all are boarders. Second, I have a sneaking suspicion IMG students don't have to take Latin. From what I know (not a whole lot but something) about St. Frances (Baltimore), it's quite different from both IMG and SJP. I suspect the situation in CA is also quite different.
My opinion has evolved over time and I am on board with the SJPs of the world. However these big football schools are operating is working. No different than say girls club soccer. You have to train year around with great coaching to Excell. Alot of public schools are unwilling to pay the price to win.
Sjp does bring in top talent. They have been able to complete with img. I think had they played in 2020 sjp would of beat Img or anyone other team in the country in my opinion. They don't have to rebuild or have down seasons but they aren't the only school. Not hating on SJP either but I just think that's the state of highschool football in today's world. We are even seeing colleges offering 12 and 13 year olds scholarships now a days.
What would be really interesting would be connect what we're seeing in high school football with large demographic and cultural changes. I'll be going to an SJP 50th reunion this spring and when I look at the guys who are going I see lots who had brothers who also went to the school. I know this partly because I myself had two older brothers who are alumni. But I also note that not that many have sons who graduated from the Prep and for those who do it's almost always just one or two sons. No surprise when you think about family sizes, people (like me) moving out of the area, etc. One thing it means for SJP is that it has to do a lot of active recruiting and it needs to find ways to be known and to be associated with something highly successful--hence the value of a couple of high-profile excellent sports programs (football and crew) that appeal to different demographic groups. I get it that most people on here aren't interested in rowing, but there are more student-rowers than there are student football players at SJP and it's the best high school rowing program in the U.S.
Take a look at the football rosters of teams in the big north new jersey Catholic league. Don Bosce has 135 players and bergan catholic 120. Interest up there definitely is alive and well.
But the question is whether the great majority of schools in Jersey, i.e. public schools, have as many players. From what I've read, they're down quite a bit. I'm very familiar with upstate NY and Vermont where quite a few schools have dropped football and many others have teams of 25-30 players.
I wander with these football factories and with 12 and 13 year olds getting college scholarships now a days if we aren't far from seeing high school athletes being paid.
wilson, I don't think the $ will stay just with the stars. Who's blocking for an ego maniac making thousands/millions while us slugs get peanuts? That, or it goes to court.
Interesting. Like everything else, enthusiasm varies from area to area. So many variables. Harrisburg is still with a numbers problem (high 20s, low 30s) this season, tho still early and they used to have no problem in that regard.
Here you go Haus....
Stalker, I have to agree with you about college football. If Shaquon Barkley were able to bank some of his merchandise (jerseys, etc.) what about the "Hosses" that blocked for him. Definitely will touch the courts. So why put on the front with college athletes. Why bother with the free education? The future might be that the NFL will purchase some of the conference's sporting programs and just start a minor league!!
You're right I forgot about central dauphin. I still say them beating north Allegheny that year was one of the biggest upsets. I think if they play that game 10 time NA wins the majority of them.
NA was the better team with Leftwich but CD had a lot of weapons, enough to keep NA off balance. Good redzone defense by CD helped BIG time by NA penalties.
Two great games, and you're right about north Penn. It seems like they've struggled with their defense for some time now.
Thanks Sammy! I didn't know I went anywhere!! I do like to take the summers off though. Let us all know the schedule of your game on TV. Like to see what you've been up to.
Sammy- the best answer for you is no, unlikely Pine Richland would have given "schools jobs" in addition to coaching- too many levels of approval, too complicated, esp to get other guys full time jobs. Sadly, the trend seems to be a lot less "teachers who are coaches" so that makes it tough to have stable programs. Most public high schools in PA are really careful about "full time employees" cuz health care and retirement programs have become so expensive. They would much rather hire "part time coaches" and pay them 3 to 5 thousand per year, while they work other full time jobs- really a tough time commitment.
