Parity, leaders and other football ponderings

Five football thoughts for the week:

Class is in session

If there was any question about the need to move to six football classes to assure greater parity, the first few weeks of the season provide ample support.

Nine of the top 10 ranked teams in Class 5A will move into the new 6A next season reserved for the state’s top 32 schools in terms of enrollment. The only exception is 8th-ranked Castle, at No. 38 in enrollment.

What is perhaps more surprising is that a de facto split already has occurred to a large degree. Of the 30 games played so far this season by the 10 largest schools, only one was against a school that will remain in Class 5A (No. 6 Lake Central’s 40-0 thumping of No. 58 Munster). Indeed, more games (three) have been played by future Class 6A members against Class 4A schools.

Of course, Class 5A may look different for another reason next season. If Class 4A defending champion Cathedral wins at least a regional this season, it will move to Class 5A under the IHSAA’s “tradition adjustment.”

An arm and a leg

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