I'm gonna chime in here because I'd like to ask a question: epgopher - are you actually saying that your son was on a 3rd 9th grade team (C-team) and a 2nd 10th grade team(B-team) and then moved up to play/start as a Jr/Sr?
If so, I'll agree that's pretty uncommon, but only because how many schools in the state actually have 3 9th grade teams? Criminy, that's massive. I went to a fairly large metro school 350-400 kids per class, but EP has 1100 kids per class. But as for your general point, I completely agree with Rosemountain that kids not playing or playing on B/C teams as Fr/Sophs can play and start as Jr/Srs. In my (apparently lowly) HS, I didn't start or play much as Fr/So on the 9th/10th teams, but I gained 6 in in height and 60 pounds in 3 years to start the whole season as a Sr.
EPs success has been a combination of things - good coaching, a financial and time commitment to sports from the community, good youth programs - but their #1 thing they have going for them is numbers. Football is - much, much more than any other sport - a numbers game. You need 22 starters plus a dozen or so key fill-ins and backups. When you have 550 boys in every grade to pick from, the chances of you getting 22 good ones goes way up. Moreover, it's not like they're winning with brilliant innovative playcalling. I caught part of the title game this year, and it confirmed what I've seen every other time I've watched Mike Grant's teams - dull as dirt. They mix up the direction they'll run at you, but basically it's just smashmouth football. They have the size & discipline to do it, and they win, so I don't fault them at all for doing it. But it's just boring to watch. The Strib or someone had an article on their QB - he had thrown 29 passes... this season! I understand it - why would you pass when you can just run over people, but don't expect me to like it, or to chalk it up to brilliant innovative coaching. It's mostly raw numbers, pure and simple.
