I've lived in a few states in my short time here on Earth and have partook in HS football at each stop. I've decided to rank states based on what I've seen. Please note 1) that there is no specific criteria that I'm using and 2) I'm not including private schools cause that's essentially Create-a-Team (although public school is quickly heading that way now).
1) Ohio - Ohio football is definitely legit and they are SERIOUS about it out here. I made it a point to go to a game with 2 different teams in different areas every Friday to get a good feel for HS football here. I didn't see Glenville in person but I see why they lost. Most of the teams I saw have a good number of kids on the team and most actually play. A coworkers son's team has roughly 600 kids in the school and there were 60 to 65 kids on the team with roughly 45 to 50 actually getting meaningful minutes. Also, not a lot of 2 way players. The O and D-lines have excellent size too. Just quality football in general.
2. North Carolina - NC has GOOD football (or at least they did when I was there). Athletes all over the field andr really didn't see too many teams that were "homecoming" teams. I was there during the end of the Tom Knotts Era. Those Independence teams were *chef kiss*. And the small schools were EXTREMELY competitive ( Im sure @BoKnowsSports knows about Reidsville). Most of the population lies in Charlotte, the Triangle, and the Triad but there are A LOT of great teams that win states outside of the metro areas.
3. Virginia - Won't go into too much detail here as most fans in this site are from or reside in VA. I grew up during the Curry/Vick days (I'm Woodside c/o '00) so not much more needs to be said about that. I feel like VA HS football as a whole has regressed with recruiting and private schools. Still a lot of quality teams and players out there though!!
4. Missouri - Mizzou surprisingly has a lot of solid players and programs. I resided in the city of St. Louis where private school ball reigns supreme so all of the city schools were trash. I did venture out to the local counties and even Kansas City and always saw competitive football. I see why the universities (FBS, FCS, and D2) in MO have success. A lot of slept on Talent.
5. Maryland - A ton of athletes but no size on the line and no depth. I see exactly why they actively avoid crossing the bridge to play the VA Boys.
6. New Jersey - a complete joke. Please stick to basketball.
Thanks for leaning into my Ted Talk. 🫶🏿.
1) Ohio - Ohio football is definitely legit and they are SERIOUS about it out here. I made it a point to go to a game with 2 different teams in different areas every Friday to get a good feel for HS football here. I didn't see Glenville in person but I see why they lost. Most of the teams I saw have a good number of kids on the team and most actually play. A coworkers son's team has roughly 600 kids in the school and there were 60 to 65 kids on the team with roughly 45 to 50 actually getting meaningful minutes. Also, not a lot of 2 way players. The O and D-lines have excellent size too. Just quality football in general.
2. North Carolina - NC has GOOD football (or at least they did when I was there). Athletes all over the field andr really didn't see too many teams that were "homecoming" teams. I was there during the end of the Tom Knotts Era. Those Independence teams were *chef kiss*. And the small schools were EXTREMELY competitive ( Im sure @BoKnowsSports knows about Reidsville). Most of the population lies in Charlotte, the Triangle, and the Triad but there are A LOT of great teams that win states outside of the metro areas.
3. Virginia - Won't go into too much detail here as most fans in this site are from or reside in VA. I grew up during the Curry/Vick days (I'm Woodside c/o '00) so not much more needs to be said about that. I feel like VA HS football as a whole has regressed with recruiting and private schools. Still a lot of quality teams and players out there though!!
4. Missouri - Mizzou surprisingly has a lot of solid players and programs. I resided in the city of St. Louis where private school ball reigns supreme so all of the city schools were trash. I did venture out to the local counties and even Kansas City and always saw competitive football. I see why the universities (FBS, FCS, and D2) in MO have success. A lot of slept on Talent.
5. Maryland - A ton of athletes but no size on the line and no depth. I see exactly why they actively avoid crossing the bridge to play the VA Boys.
6. New Jersey - a complete joke. Please stick to basketball.
Thanks for leaning into my Ted Talk. 🫶🏿.
