Read the debate intro, Bleacher Fan’s argument that Ohio has the best high school football and Loyal Homer’s argument that Georgia has the best high school football.
Fantastic debate from Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer. This debate will be a series, where, over time, we will research and compare various state’s high school football and eventual declare a supreme ruler.
In this case, both states have a long and storied high school football history. Bleacher Fan did a marvelous job explaining Ohio’s high school football tradition in the sport’s birthplace. There is a reason, for example, Ohio was the 2009 host of an international high school football tournament. Bleacher Fan correctly highlighted the importance of Paul Brown and his Ohio roots. Folks, there is no greater influence on the game of football – at any level, in any era – than Paul Brown. The man was a wizard with vision matched only by his ability to implement his beliefs. The legacy of his offense alone has been the muse of Heisman winners, Super Bowl winners, and Friday night champions.
Loyal Homer correctly highlights the extreme passion for high school football in the state of Georgia. The quality of talent is also an excellent supporting point from the successful head coach of North Gwinnett’s team. The willingness for major national media outlets to focus in on one intra-county rivalry game in the state of Georgia is also impressive and telling.
While tradition and passion are vital for maintaining enthusiasm for high school football, neither state has an edge over the other. Additionally, both states have consistently produced top programs, though few national champions in recent years. They each are also responsible for being the proving ground for elite athletes that continue their careers in football at the upper levels of the sport.
For this debate, the overriding factor is state-wide depth.
While quality and depth of football in Ohio and Georgia is remarkable, Loyal Homer highlights throughout the article that Georgia has the largest concentration of consistently powerful programs in a single region. Ohio’s power schools, however, are distributed throughout the entire state, in suburban, urban, and even remote areas. Across all divisions, landscapes, and demographics, judging from the two arguments, it seems Ohio has more depth throughout the state. Therefore, the debate win goes to Bleacher Fan.
It is certainly possible for these two states to switch positions in the future. The already profound passion and booster support for Georgia football is gaining additional strength every year. Passion-fueled support is vital for continued growth. Passion counts for a lot, especially in high school football.
I think there is an opportunity to encourage the organizers of high school football in each state to create a tournament where the top programs in one state play the top programs in another state. The comparisons between high school football in each state are destined to continue. While the speculation is fun to engage in, organizing high school football into state versus state competition is good for the growth of the sport, a challenge for high school football players, and an opportunity for fans to expand their pride from their town or region to their state. Also, the football would be excellent and each state’s largest venues would sell a lot of tickets. I know I would very much enjoy watching Valdosta play Massillon, Lowndes play St. Ignatius, Parkview play Moeller, and Northside play Pickerington.
I hope the debate was informative and interesting. Throughout the duration of the series we hope to highlight the value and tradition of high school football in America – a true community pastime.
