Some interesting stats in here on Ohio high school football participation rates.

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/sports/football/ohio-high-school-marion-local.html

Having lived and covered sports in that region for about 15 years until recently, it has a unique set of characteristics that make it both wonderful and infuriating. It’s been 1962 there since 1962 for better and for worse. I grew up in a town full of German Mennonites and yet Mercer County takes their dedication to hard work to the next level.

Ironically, I now live in the town the team that is discussed as Marion’s first opponent. Different dynamics at play here.

They won the championship on Saturday. Now tied for most state titles with St Ignatius.

As usual in a NYT article, the comments demonstrate we live in a world of black and white, with no gray.

My mother grew up on a farm about 5 miles from the high school. Unless you have lived in an area like this, it is very difficult to understand the small town atmosphere. Generations of Catholic German farmers have lived in this area. Everyone knows everyone. I went to a high school about 20 miles away. These small towns live for their schools and sports. They have fought consolidation ever since I was in high school and that was more than 50 years ago. My thoughts are that if the schools are willing to pay to be small what is wrong with that. They may not have all the AP courses of bigger schools, but you get a very good fundamental education.

I still have a uncle and aunt and many cousins living in that school district. I don't believe any of them were on the team this year. The discipline and teamwork on those teams is amazing. Anna won the Division VI title and Marion was the only team to beat them. They are both in the same league.