sportshooter

I don't think that is a good analogy as all DIA schools have an equal number of scholarship athletes - 85. Intuitively, you would think a school with 600 male students would have an advantage over a school with 200 male students. However, some of the smaller enrollment schools do a great job of attracting a few top athletes to make up for the difference in numbers.

Might want to check your facts on this statement. I believe BGA, BA, and Ensworth have fewer male students than Baylor.

It is ridiculous that every team makes the playoffs. If you are a bad team don't you just want the season to be over rather than having to play a BA, Ensworth, or Baylor a second time? Your 6 team scenario makes a lot of sense and I would have the championship game November 17th (somewhere other than Cookeville). Many of these kids wrestle or play basketball so would benefit those athletes.

Dew sets in by the second half and will cause the field to be wet. Can we move on from Turfgate??

I was very impressed with no. 20, the safety for BA. What year is he and has he been offered?

I don't know the irrigation schedule but there is a problem with the turf tearing away. It obviously did not give the home team an advantage. Thanks for the apology. Pictures of the field and the game are here: www.bgapix.com.

The field was fine. Given BA outweighs BGA about 50 lbs. a man across the line wouldn't poor footing help the bigger team? I would say your moronic conspiracy theory is pretty bush league.

I hear JPII's fourth grade team is tearing it up this year...

Pictures from the game are here: www.bgapix.com

BGA lacks depth but certainly not talent. Other than having a huge, powerful offensive line, where did MBA have more talent? Wide receiver, running back, defensive back, linebacker? I believe BGA was more talented at these positions.

You may have been around high school ball a long time but you are not up to date on college recruiting. Kids are being offered after their Sophomore and junior years. The Ramsey kid at BA was offered by Tennessee this summer. That was before the Junior receiver had played one down of high school football. a kid who doesn't go to a college camp or play before his senior year has very little chance of earning a scholarship in D1.

Shakin, I don't think you are giving the defense the credit they deserve. The first team defense has given up one TD in the last 4 games..that is pretty good. They are certainly a bend but don't break system.. MBA was shut out in the second half (meaningless TD with 6 seconds left). Also creating a lot of turnovers.

Better coaching + motivated players = BGA win

Just for the record, the games between FHS and BGA the last two years resulted in no FHS players transferring to BGA. It would not be an easy transition because the player would have to sit out one year. Did you not realize a player loses one year of eligibility if he transfers? That prevents your scenario from taking place. FHS plays BGA, and usually wins, in basketball every year. The question is why did they elect not to play BGA in football if, as the poster stated, the coaches desired as tough a schedule as possible.

Robin, how do you think Ensworth compares with other DII schools in regard to the amount of financial aid they award athletes? I am just curious if there is any correlation between the amount of money paid out in financial aid and won-loss record. I am not suggesting EHS or any other school is doing anything illegal. I would just like to know if, like major league baseball, the team with the highest payroll wins at a higher rate. I could be off base here but these numbers should be available to the public. Also, I wish some posters would stop asking for proof that DII schools recruit. Of course they recruit. How else would they attract students? I am certain that recruiting is not a violation provided it is done within the rules i.e. a coach can't approach an athlete at a middle school game. And just because a committee rules on the aid an athlete can be awarded, that does not mean the authorized amount is actually paid by the parents. The recent MBA disclosure is a good example that athletes may be receiving more help than is authorized by the committee.