Letters to the Editor

Time to Rethink Class Football

To the Editor:

I would like to make an observation that may make the recent Linton Miner loss to Scecina less bitter, or perhaps it will have the opposite effect.

This is the final pairing for Indiana High School Football Finals for 2011:

Class A: Lafayette Central Catholic vs. Indianapolis Scecina

Class 2A: Fort Wayne Bishop Luers vs. Evansville Mater Dei

Class 3A: South Bend St. Joseph's vs. Indianapolis Bishop Chatard

Class 4A: South Bend Washington vs. Indianapolis Cathedral

Class 5A: Penn vs. Carmel.

What do seven of the ten schools in State Final Matchups have in common; they are parochial/private schools. Class 5A does not have any private/parochial schools. Therefore, seven of the eight teams vying for a football championship in classes other than 5A are private!

The game card for the State Finals should read: "Come see seven elite Indiana 'Private Schools' compete for Indiana State 'Public School' football honors; and as a BONUS, we will throw in three teams from the public schools' sector to make it a full card!

The Miners put up a great display of athleticism but ran smack into a wall, not because of lack of athleticism, but of the advantage Scecina (a parochial/private school) has; they can recruit, and they can pick and choose their student body. The very nature of "private" makes this a reality. Because parochial/private schools are not hamstrung by geographical barriers of public schools, they have the tactical advantage.

Competitiveness should require all participants to abide by the same limitations and have a level playing field. That is the reason for class football. However, it is apparent that the mixture of parochial/private schools with public schools is not a reasonable arrangement.

The IHSAA needs to take a look at the history of class football and the dominance of the parochial/private schools and rethink the appropriateness of pairing public schools with quasi-college teams. The solution I offer is simple: either place these parochial/private schools into the next higher class or develop a playoff system that is specifically for private schools. Until some parity is reached, the Miners and other stellar teams will be playing uphill with the wind in their face. Scecina won, and they are to be congratulated, but I must still ask the question: Could this game have been considered an even match up? If not, then the victory is hollow.

Ford Bond

Linton, Indiana

Huffine says thanks to family and friends

To the Editor:

Many thanks to my friends and neighbors and everyone who sent cards, gifts and visits while I was in the hospital and nursing home and for the many prayers. Special thanks to my family Craig, Connie and sister June Evans. Also my church family the United Methodist Church at Newberry.

Katherine Huffine

Lyons

Family says thanks for anniversary celebration

To the Editor:

We would like to thank everyone who came and helped us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. You made it a special day for us.

Darrell and Judy Dunigan, and family

Worthington