[cardcrimson]

One very big reason a lower percentage of kids try to play high school football today is that high school football is at least two orders of magnitude more "advanced" than it was in the 60's and 70's. The coaches are more professional, the kids have played lots of Pop Warner, they are bigger, they are faster, and they have had lots of coaching. Back in the day, most kids trying out for football had played a bit of sandlot, and that was it. Coaches would take warm bodies and keep them on the team because they needed practice players. Today, most kids in that category know they are not in the same class as the athletes that will actually play, so they don't bother trying out. If you are just "some guy", are you seriously going to try out for De La Salle or even Woodisde? I doubt it.

Along those lines, I noted that the size and weight of my son's freshman football team in 2006 was the same as my high school team in 1979.

True, but chances are that the mean weight of the freshman class in 2006 is comparable to that of the junior/senior class back in 1979.

BC

Completely anecdotal information--I've been walking the dog as I do every morning and the freshman football players have started showing up for their early morning practice. Man, they look really young and very small, even in their pads and cleats. The school typically has a pretty good team, and has had many Pac-12 players and a few pros, but man, these guys are smaller than some of the 12 year old girls my daughter swims against.

[cardcrimson]

One very big reason a lower percentage of kids try to play high school football today is that high school football is at least two orders of magnitude more "advanced" than it was in the 60's and 70's. The coaches are more professional, the kids have played lots of Pop Warner, they are bigger, they are faster, and they have had lots of coaching. Back in the day, most kids trying out for football had played a bit of sandlot, and that was it. Coaches would take warm bodies and keep them on the team because they needed practice players. Today, most kids in that category know they are not in the same class as the athletes that will actually play, so they don't bother trying out. If you are just "some guy", are you seriously going to try out for De La Salle or even Woodisde? I doubt it.

Along those lines, I noted that the size and weight of my son's freshman football team in 2006 was the same as my high school team in 1979.

True, but chances are that the mean weight of the freshman class in 2006 is comparable to that of the junior/senior class back in 1979.

BC

Completely anecdotal information--I've been walking the dog as I do every morning and the freshman football players have started showing up for their early morning practice. Man, they look really young and very small, even in their pads and cleats. The school typically has a pretty good team, and has had many Pac-12 players and a few pros, but man, these guys are smaller than some of the 12 year old girls my daughter swims against.