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Post by pistolwhipped on Dec 9, 2024 7:04:06 GMT -6
Marion Local (OH) has just completed a 4 year stretch:
This is a rural public school that excels in academics as well.
The town of Maria Stein has around 1,000 people.
3% free/reduced lunch
$110K median household income
0 losses
4 state titles
This past Friday were up 67-0 at HALF on their state title opponent.
Beat the two divisions higher State Champion 35-0.
Running Clocked the Indiana State Finalist.
They have around 100 boys in the school and 70+ on the roster.
They have won 14 state titles since 2000.
Their conference produces multiple state championships in football.
They won the state track meet in 2023 and 2024.
Ohio guys, make this make sense for the rest of us. Is it just as simple as high expectations from families and really hard work?
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Post by coachlaseak on Dec 9, 2024 7:20:01 GMT -6
I coach in Ohio and I am still trying to make sense of it. That area is jam packed with great football programs. Just great communities, great buy in from players, family, and school, great coaching, etc. It is the perfect storm for a successful program.
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Post by groundchuck on Dec 9, 2024 8:09:52 GMT -6
I am not from Ohio. But here in MN Caledonia had a great stretch as a 2A school and right now Minneota is on a great run and in a slightly larger class (4A) Hutchinson has been on a good run for about the last 50 years.
Yeah high expectations year in and year out. Good families. Good coaching. Good admin who "get it" and also a good gene pool. You don't win state titles without some level of talent.
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Post by pistolwhipped on Dec 9, 2024 8:18:35 GMT -6
I coach in Ohio and I am still trying to make sense of it. That area is jam packed with great football programs. Just great communities, great buy in from players, family, and school, great coaching, etc. It is the perfect storm for a successful program. Same. I'm probably 1.5 away and have never been up there but it's just unreal. How Netflix hasn't swooped in is crazy. Football used to not discriminate with socio-economics but more of the champions seem to be in higher tax brackets. I see it in Indianapolis Metro area where the dominance has shifted from the "athlete" schools in the surrounding city to the suburbs. Ohio's two large schools reflect that as well. ML seems to be affluent by rural standards. Has a high college degree ownership for rural standards. I am guessing drug abuse is extremely low as well. This shouldn't take away anything from what their coaching staff and school admin have accomplished. Just an anomaly that should be studied. Stunning. |
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Post by pistolwhipped on Dec 9, 2024 8:20:38 GMT -6
I am not from Ohio. But here in MN Caledonia had a great stretch as a 2A school and right now Minneota is on a great run and in a slightly larger class (4A) Hutchinson has been on a good run for about the last 50 years. Yeah high expectations year in and year out. Good families. Good coaching. Good admin who "get it" and also a good gene pool. You don't win state titles without some level of talent. Does their conference have juggernauts as well. This conference has over 150 State Titles in all sports. Sometimes MULTIPLE STATE champs the same year in the same sport. This pocket of buckeyes have produced unreal results. |
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Post by GuyinOhio on Dec 9, 2024 9:02:04 GMT -6
I am not from Ohio. But here in MN Caledonia had a great stretch as a 2A school and right now Minneota is on a great run and in a slightly larger class (4A) Hutchinson has been on a good run for about the last 50 years. Yeah high expectations year in and year out. Good families. Good coaching. Good admin who "get it" and also a good gene pool. You don't win state titles without some level of talent. Does their conference have juggernauts as well. This conference has over 150 State Titles in all sports. Sometimes MULTIPLE STATE champs the same year in the same sport. This pocket of buckeyes have produced unreal results. Their Conference compiles these 10 teams Marion Local - 14 State Titles Coldwater - 8 State Titles (Including winning D6 in Ohio this year by a score of 31-7) Versailles - 7 State titles (6 were prior to joining the league in 2001 and 1 in the league since joining) Delphos St Johns - 6 State Titles St Henry - 6 State Titles Minster - 3 State Titles New Bremen - 2 State Titles Fort Recovery - 1 State Title Anna - 1 State Title Parkway - 0 Titles In 2014 the league won 3 State Titles Here is their website: www.midwestathleticconference.com/our-historyHaving lived and coached in the area, most of these communities are very small and tight knit not only with themselves but each other. There is often times multiple kids on one team will play another in the league with multiple relatives on the opposing team. Most of these kids come from two parent homes with at least one parent having graduated from the school. In the latest school rankings of public school districts, they had something like 6 of the top 15 public school systems in Ohio. Below is a good article on the family aspect: dailystandard.com/archive/2015-12-02/stories/28318/homans-ready-for-memorable-weekendAlso Below is an article on the Marion Local Program from the NY Times www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/sports/football/ohio-high-school-marion-local.html |
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Post by freezeoption on Dec 9, 2024 9:16:29 GMT -6
A hfc I worked for said back in the early 2000s said the trend is going to be schools where parents have some money so the kids don't have to work as much in the summer.
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Post by coachcb on Dec 9, 2024 9:37:38 GMT -6
I've taught and coached in rural areas for a good chunk of my career. High school sports become a huge part of a small town/school's identity. There's a ton of tradition that can be passed down. Once a coach turns the corner, it's relatively easy to set high standards for the program as the community has a much closer look at what it takes to win. However, you better stay successful as these towns aren't typically kind to coaches who don't produce.
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Post by pistolwhipped on Dec 9, 2024 10:01:59 GMT -6
Does their conference have juggernauts as well. This conference has over 150 State Titles in all sports. Sometimes MULTIPLE STATE champs the same year in the same sport. This pocket of buckeyes have produced unreal results. Their Conference compiles these 10 teams Marion Local - 14 State Titles Coldwater - 8 State Titles (Including winning D6 in Ohio this year by a score of 31-7) Versailles - 7 State titles (6 were prior to joining the league in 2001 and 1 in the league since joining) Delphos St Johns - 6 State Titles St Henry - 6 State Titles Minster - 3 State Titles New Bremen - 2 State Titles Fort Recovery - 1 State Title Anna - 1 State Title Parkway - 0 Titles In 2014 the league won 3 State Titles Here is their website: www.midwestathleticconference.com/our-historyHaving lived and coached in the area, most of these communities are very small and tight knit not only with themselves but each other. There is often times multiple kids on one team will play another in the league with multiple relatives on the opposing team. Most of these kids come from two parent homes with at least one parent having graduated from the school. In the latest school rankings of public school districts, they had something like 6 of the top 15 public school systems in Ohio. Below is a good article on the family aspect: dailystandard.com/archive/2015-12-02/stories/28318/homans-ready-for-memorable-weekendAlso Below is an article on the Marion Local Program from the NY Times www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/sports/football/ohio-high-school-marion-local.htmlI was shocked when I learned they don't offer wrestling. Do the other conference foes not offer it either? That is wild to me and I've never wrestled in my life. It seems like theyre just all moving in the same direction with as few things pulling away from football as possible. |
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Post by center on Dec 9, 2024 10:06:16 GMT -6
High school sports seem to be leaning towards the higher demographic more than ever.
Money so the kid doesn't have to work all summer.
Money for lessons, camps, and trainers.
Money for food so the kid can eat somewhat decent.
And the schools have money to help provide all of this.
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wamp19
Freshmen Member
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Post by wamp19 on Dec 9, 2024 10:08:57 GMT -6
I think a lot of it boils down to the weight room culture, community expectations, and the competitiveness of league games. The teams from this area do not look like other small division teams in the surrounding area in terms of physical maturity.
As posted above all but one school has one a state championship in football. 7 schools have state titles in the last 10 years and as recently as 2021 the league had 3 schools in the state finals (all 3 in different divisions) with two winners. This year a team that went 3-7 in the league made a run to the regional finals.
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wamp19
Freshmen Member
Posts: 64
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Post by wamp19 on Dec 9, 2024 10:12:16 GMT -6
Their Conference compiles these 10 teams Marion Local - 14 State Titles Coldwater - 8 State Titles (Including winning D6 in Ohio this year by a score of 31-7) Versailles - 7 State titles (6 were prior to joining the league in 2001 and 1 in the league since joining) Delphos St Johns - 6 State Titles St Henry - 6 State Titles Minster - 3 State Titles New Bremen - 2 State Titles Fort Recovery - 1 State Title Anna - 1 State Title Parkway - 0 Titles In 2014 the league won 3 State Titles Here is their website: www.midwestathleticconference.com/our-historyHaving lived and coached in the area, most of these communities are very small and tight knit not only with themselves but each other. There is often times multiple kids on one team will play another in the league with multiple relatives on the opposing team. Most of these kids come from two parent homes with at least one parent having graduated from the school. In the latest school rankings of public school districts, they had something like 6 of the top 15 public school systems in Ohio. Below is a good article on the family aspect: dailystandard.com/archive/2015-12-02/stories/28318/homans-ready-for-memorable-weekendAlso Below is an article on the Marion Local Program from the NY Times www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/sports/football/ohio-high-school-marion-local.htmlI was shocked when I learned they don't offer wrestling. Do the other conference foes not offer it either? That is wild to me and I've never wrestled in my life. It seems like theyre just all moving in the same direction with as few things pulling away from football as possible. Off the top of my head I think only 2-3 school in the league have wrestling. I'm also pretty sure that none of the communities in this league offer youth football. They all start in JH. |
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Post by GuyinOhio on Dec 9, 2024 10:14:20 GMT -6
I was shocked when I learned they don't offer wrestling. Do the other conference foes not offer it either? That is wild to me and I've never wrestled in my life. It seems like theyre just all moving in the same direction with as few things pulling away from football as possible. Schools that offer wrestling: Delphos St Johns (Only private school in the league as St Henry is the name of the town) Coldwater Minster started this year Fort Recovery just started a program Versailles (They are the big wrestling program of the schools in the league as they average around 30+ wrestlers a year) Parkway So they are a school shy to make it an official league sport One thing these schools swear by is they do not offer youth football, and soccer isn't a sport for any of these school except when younger. They believe that it keeps the kids interested in football that by the time JH rolls around they are chomping at the bit to play. For example Coldwater this year, which graduates around 50-60 boys a year, had 45 kids on the 7th grade football team alone. Having grown up in the area and coaching here, it is a very different vibe from most of rural America. When people say "God, family football" this might be the closest you actually get as most people are still deeply Catholic (Look up "Land of the cross-tipped churches"). These players from the conference schools are all friends with each other and will hang out on weekends, including going on senior trip together or becoming roommates in college, all the while they compete with each other as well during their HS sports careers. Many people usually get married to either someone they grew up with in their school, or one of the other conference schools, and it makes for a lot of camaraderie among everyone. |
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Post by coachlaseak on Dec 9, 2024 10:16:12 GMT -6
I watched their state title game this weekend and just looking at their kids they do not look like weight room junkies. Just do all the fundamentals that right way, every single play. It's not hard, but it is extremely difficult.
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Post by pistolwhipped on Dec 9, 2024 10:18:05 GMT -6
I think a lot of it boils down to the weight room culture, community expectations, and the competitiveness of league games. The teams from this area do not look like other small division teams in the surrounding area in terms of physical maturity. As posted above all but one school has one a state championship in football. 7 schools have state titles in the last 10 years and as recently as 2021 the league had 3 schools in the state finals (all 3 in different divisions) with two winners. This year a team that went 3-7 in the league made a run to the regional finals. I've read an article where they have 70 kids in before school and that 90% of all students are in S&C class. Carmel is a mega school just north of Indy that's very affluent. If Carmel could replicate ML, they'd have 4,500 kids in Strength and Conditioning. It's been said, but the culture of the communities is the secret sauce. |
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Post by CanyonCoach on Dec 9, 2024 10:57:08 GMT -6
There was a school in rural ND that won 3 straight state titles (48-0) lost in the semi-finals the year prior to that and lost in the quarter finals the year after. Had kids play at Army, Air Force and various DII and FCS schools. Looked back at numbers and they had 64 kids out of 78 boys the first year of the 5 year run. 77-4 in a 7 year period.
Outstanding coaches, very close community...
And then the HC got run out by a new Superintendent/AD who had coached previously. Within a decade they had dropped football.
One of the towns co-oped with a different school and within 3 years started a 6 year run of 53-10 with a state title win and a runner up.
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Post by 3rdandlong on Dec 9, 2024 11:50:19 GMT -6
It's mentioned on another thread, but Rio Hondo Prep in So Cal has to be considered in this discussion too.
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Post by pistolwhipped on Dec 9, 2024 12:20:28 GMT -6
It's mentioned on another thread, but Rio Hondo Prep in So Cal has to be considered in this discussion too. They're impressive but an LA suburb and not public correct? What makes this school truly special is it's academics and that it draws from literal cornfields. There is no population to "recruit" from.  |
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Post by GuyinOhio on Dec 9, 2024 12:49:25 GMT -6
It's mentioned on another thread, but Rio Hondo Prep in So Cal has to be considered in this discussion too. They're impressive but an LA suburb and not public correct? What makes this school truly special is it's academics and that it draws from literal cornfields. There is no population to "recruit" from. I will add one more thing. These schools love their 50/50 drawings. For example this year when Marion Local and Coldwater met week 10 (Both teams won state titles this season), the 50/50 pot take home was a little over $22,000 |
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Post by larrymoe on Dec 9, 2024 13:07:29 GMT -6
A hfc I worked for said back in the early 2000s said the trend is going to be schools where parents have some money so the kids don't have to work as much in the summer. All the best schools in Illinois outside Chicago are bedroom communities for larger cities. Champaign- Tolono Unity, St Joe Ogden, Mahomet Seymour. Bloomington- Tri Valley, Leroy, Olympia. Decatur- Maroa Forsyth, Mt Zion. Springfield- Williamsville, Rochester, Auburn. Peoria- Washington, Dunlap, Farmington. Rockford- Byron, Stillman Valley. |
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Post by coach55 on Dec 9, 2024 13:21:36 GMT -6
They're impressive but an LA suburb and not public correct? What makes this school truly special is it's academics and that it draws from literal cornfields. There is no population to "recruit" from. I will add one more thing. These schools love their 50/50 drawings. For example this year when Marion Local and Coldwater met week 10 (Both teams won state titles this season), the 50/50 pot take home was a little over $22,000 They only sell tickets at the actual game that night? |
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wamp19
Freshmen Member
Posts: 64
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Post by wamp19 on Dec 9, 2024 13:35:02 GMT -6
I will add one more thing. These schools love their 50/50 drawings. For example this year when Marion Local and Coldwater met week 10 (Both teams won state titles this season), the 50/50 pot take home was a little over $22,000 They only sell tickets at the actual game that night? They sold tickets the week of at bars and other spots in the communities. |
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Post by coachwoodall on Dec 9, 2024 16:48:28 GMT -6
Abbeville Panthers, Abbeville SC
Abbeville has the unique distinction of winning state championships in multiple classifications.
AAA in 1971
AA in 1981, 1991,1996, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020,2022; also in AA there were 2 divisions in a couple of those years.
A in 2010, 2011, one in each division of single A
So basically they have won a ring in 5 different playoffs set ups. This year they are back down to single A and will stay there going forward because the town is not near a growth area and the cotton mills are long gone. They play for ring #13 this coming weekend and are expected to walk the dog.
It's all about the 'A'. Their logo is a block letter A in the middle of a circle in the school colors. You find it all over town. All the little leagues teams are the Panthers and wear the A. Their little leagues regularly play for the 'championship' (a little league playoff set up for the leagues that participate in SC) and will again this year. Every kid wants to strap up and wear that 'A' one day.
It's small town football where on game nights they roll up the sidewalks because everyone is at the game. People get off work, go to the stadium and lay their blanket on the concrete bleachers for their spot then go to get something to eat before returning to watch the game. During the game all their kids are down behind the end zone playing paper cup football or sliding down the grass hill on a piece of cardboard.
It's a poor rural county that doesn't pay much, but all the coaches (and supporters, boosters, parents, teachers, etc..) are from there and want to be there. When the team goes to their pregame at a local restaurant, the OL get to get on the bus first and get to go eat first. They have had a bunch of play at the next level. They are a ground and pound team that decided to go 'spread' b/c of a local talent transferred a few years back b/c a college recruiter here in the Upstate told him they couldn't offer him as a FRESHMAN if his team only threw the ball 50 times a year. BUT if they get stymied versus a team, they will go under center double tight wishbone and power football run your arse over.
Academically they aren't going to win any awards but overall are good to very good. FFA is still huge there. They went away from it years ago but used to have the BOSS of marching bands -- Full Scottish kilts and bagpipes in full bearskin grenadier mitre hats along with the typical brass ensemble.
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Post by morris on Dec 9, 2024 21:02:17 GMT -6
Beechwood in northern Kentucky is a pretty damn good program. I think most recently they won 6 state titles in 7 years and I believe have around 20 or so titles.
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 10, 2024 7:36:22 GMT -6
Haynesville Louisiana - town of about 1900. 17 state titles and 10 runnerups
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Post by pistolwhipped on Dec 10, 2024 7:38:09 GMT -6
Beechwood in northern Kentucky is a pretty damn good program. I think most recently they won 6 state titles in 7 years and I believe have around 20 or so titles. Did their coach retire two years ago? I know a triple option coach went there and they carried on as usual. Was he triple as well? |
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Post by woodyboyd on Dec 10, 2024 9:54:29 GMT -6
Marion Local (OH) has just completed a 4 year stretch: This is a rural public school that excels in academics as well. The town of Maria Stein has around 1,000 people. 3% free/reduced lunch $110K median household income 0 losses 4 state titles This past Friday were up 67-0 at HALF on their state title opponent. Beat the two divisions higher State Champion 35-0. Running Clocked the Indiana State Finalist. They have around 100 boys in the school and 70+ on the roster. They have won 14 state titles since 2000. Their conference produces multiple state championships in football. They won the state track meet in 2023 and 2024. Ohio guys, make this make sense for the rest of us. Is it just as simple as high expectations from families and really hard work? I'm from the area. I've coached at one of the schools in the MAC and coached against most of the others. It's a special environment in this region. This article has some good insight. www.daytondailynews.com/sports/mac-winning-formula-soccer-peewee-football-transfers/NYNPJuYeMyjNRD9Vm28yiJ/ |
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Post by coachlaseak on Dec 10, 2024 11:38:01 GMT -6
Marion Local (OH) has just completed a 4 year stretch: This is a rural public school that excels in academics as well. The town of Maria Stein has around 1,000 people. 3% free/reduced lunch $110K median household income 0 losses 4 state titles This past Friday were up 67-0 at HALF on their state title opponent. Beat the two divisions higher State Champion 35-0. Running Clocked the Indiana State Finalist. They have around 100 boys in the school and 70+ on the roster. They have won 14 state titles since 2000. Their conference produces multiple state championships in football. They won the state track meet in 2023 and 2024. Ohio guys, make this make sense for the rest of us. Is it just as simple as high expectations from families and really hard work? I'm from the area. I've coached at one of the schools in the MAC and coached against most of the others. It's a special environment in this region. This article has some good insight. www.daytondailynews.com/sports/mac-winning-formula-soccer-peewee-football-transfers/NYNPJuYeMyjNRD9Vm28yiJ/This article says that they do not have a youth league at Marion Local. Is that still true? |
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wamp19
Freshmen Member
Posts: 64
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Post by wamp19 on Dec 10, 2024 12:10:12 GMT -6
They do not, and I believe that's true for the majority of the schools in their league.
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Post by woodyboyd on Dec 10, 2024 12:22:38 GMT -6
This article says that they do not have a youth league at Marion Local. Is that still true? To the best of my knowledge, most teams in their conference still do NOT have organized youth leagues. There are some flag organizations in the area. |
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