Participation in High School Football Down in North Carolina

[Booth]

I just read an interesting article on participation in football in N.C. There were 20% less people who went out for football this year than 5 years ago. Two schools with large student bodies of over 1,200 students did not have enough to go out to have teams, some former players interviewed about not going out this year, said the main reasons were lack of playing time, they were not going to the next level to play, and injuries some of them has had while playing football. Soccer and lacrosse also was reasons mention. I was just interested in knowing if other states was having this problem.

 

[The Hock]

High school football seems to be down here in Northern California. The buzz just isn't there like it was say up to maybe ten years ago. And a lot of the smallest schools have gone to eight man football. I watched a large school game last Friday and they didn't seem to have as many players on the sidelines. Fewer players on the roster. More blowouts, fifty and sixty something to nothing games. The kids didn't grow up tossing the football in the front yard and playing pick-up football in the park the way we did. Smaller families not producing three or four or five stud players following each other through the high school.

There is still some good football being played but overall it seems to be past its prime.

Much like this increasingly sorry ass excuse for a country.

 

[Carolina Speed]

I just read an interesting article on participation in football in N.C. There were 20% less people who went out for football this year than 5 years ago. Two schools with large student bodies of over 1,200 students did not have enough to go out to have teams, some former players interviewed about not going out this year, said the main reasons were lack of playing time, they were not going to the next level to play, and injuries some of them has had while playing football. Soccer and lacrosse also was reasons mention. I was just interested in knowing if other states was having this problem.

Booth, I'm glad you posted about this. As you know I live in NC. I think football around here began to erode around the time my youngest son was playing at the local level. They were blowing other teams out almost nearly every game until they got to the second or third round of the playoffs. The crowds were huge then. It could have been for a couple of reasons. He was rushing for over 300 yards a game and his team was winning! There was also good teams at the other classifications. However, now there seems to be a big drop in participation and good teams as well. There is one pretty good team locally, but that's about it. I took in one game this year, because I heard about this great QB. He threw a pick 6 INT on the first play and ended up handing the ball off for most of the game.
The other thing I noticed was the sparse attendance. I've been told it's like at most HS games in this area.
Seems like it may be this way in other parts of the country as The Hock allude to.
Anyone else?

 

[Booth]

I been to two games this year and I can't believe the how few players our local high school has on the team this year. The Fighting Scots are always in the playoffs and usually go far. They are using jv players as backups and the starting qb is a 10th grader. Attendance is way down partly to their record, but never affected attendance this much. CS I hope you don't mind me saying this but I believe I saw your son play against Sun Valley High School about 2012 or 2013, a fantastic running! If I am wrong I apologize. #44

 

[Carolina Speed]

I been to two games this year and I can't believe the how few players our local high school has on the team this year. The Fighting Scots are always in the playoffs and usually go far. They are using jv players as backups and the starting qb is a 10th grader. Attendance is way down partly to their record, but never affected attendance this much. CS I hope you don't mind me saying this but I believe I saw your son play against Sun Valley High School about 2012 or 2013, a fantastic running! If I am wrong I apologize. #44

Yes, you did. #44! He put up over 300 yards and 4 TD's in the first half. He was so exhausted, I believe they gave him some IV treatment at half time. He injured his ankle midway through the third quarter and couldn't finish the game. He was leading the state in rushing with over 3,000 yards at the end of that playoff game. During the season he would only get to play through the first half, not getting much time in the second half because we would be so far ahead and his coach didn't want to run up the score. Well, come playoff time, it backfired on us and he just didn't have the stamina in that particular game.
His coach made the comment at the beginning of his senior year that he was going to really let him go and play as much as possible, because he wasn't getting any offers from D-1 schools, only D-1AA and I'm sure he would have set the national record for rushing yards. Sadly, that never would happen. During the first game of his senior year, after running for a 55 yard TD on his first carry, he tore his ACL on the second carry of his senior year! Then tore it again while rehabilitating! Just wasn't meant to be. But yeah, probably one of the best RB's in the history of NC football!
I'm glad you got to see him. Were you at the game?
Maybe one day we can meet each other.

 

[Booth]

Yes, I was there along 3 of my friends. We had heard of this white running back who was rushing for all these yards & touchdowns. I must admit I had my doubts, but I assure you I didn't afterward. I know you were one proud Papa. We tried to go to different games ever week. I am sorry about your son's injury I hope he overcame it and have a successful career. CS I would like to meet you, but I am sort of rough around the edges but there is nothing like watching Friday night football with friends.