Mississippi Top Football State

JACKSON, MS (August 25, 2006) – Football may still be king in California, Florida and Texas but a new powerhouse was introduced Friday – the State of Mississippi – as Governor Haley Barbour accepted the 2006 Governor’s Cup from USA Football, the national youth football advocacy organization founded by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

The award salutes Mississippi as the nation’s top football state following a study conducted by The Wharton Spots Business Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania. The project encapsulated a variety of per capita criteria including, the percentages of collegiate and professional football fans, number of NFL players who hail from the state, percentage of high school football players in the state and percentage of high school players who have letters-of-intent to play for NCAA Division I-A colleges and universities.

“Receiving this honor is about celebrating a long history of Mississippi football legends –a tradition that continues today with many NFL stars who are Mississippi natives,” said Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. “We're proud of them all. The 2006 Governor’s Cup will serve as a symbol of the strength shown by Mississippians as they remain committed to rebuilding our communities following the tragedy that struck the Gulf Coast one year ago.”

USA Football Chairman and former U.S. Congressman Jack Kemp will present Governor Barbour with the inaugural award at a press conference at the state capitol. The presentation will also offer an opportunity to celebrate with Mississippi football legends Archie Manning, Deuce McAllister, L.C. Greenwood, Hugh Green, and the family of Mississippi great Walter Payton. They will be joined by officials from the NFL, New Orleans Saints and members of Mississippi college, high school and youth football leagues.

The presentation of the 2006 Governor’s Cup will also kickoff USA Football’s “Play Football Month” celebration in conjunction with the NFL and NFL Players Association. Billed as the “World’s Largest Youth Football Celebration,” it is designed to promote the sport of football at all levels. From mid-August through mid-September, NFL teams will host special events in their communities, including clinics, skills competitions, scrimmages, picnics and parades. Additionally, USA Football will award $500,000 in equipment grants to youth football leagues throughout the country. Applications are available at www.usafootball.com.

“We present the Governor’s Cup to recognize everything that’s great about the sport of football – the passion of the fans, the focus of the players and the commitment of the coaches and administrators who help young men harness the skills necessary to ultimately play on Sundays,” said Jack Kemp, Chairman of USA Football. “The lessons learned playing football extend beyond the fundamentals of the game. Football teaches important life lessons from dealing with adversity and developing a strong work ethic, to learning the value of teamwork and building character.”

Research for the Governor’s Cup was performed by Dr. Jason Wingard of The Wharton Sports Business Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania and included data from the ESPN Sports Poll, the National Federation of State High Schools Association participation survey, College Sports Television’s 2006 NCAA Division-I recruiting base, the National Football League and the 2000 U.S. Population Census.

The study ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on five different criteria: percentage of professional football fans (Mississippi ranked 21st), percentage of college football fans (15th), percentage of varsity high school football players divided by the state’s male population 15-17 (3rd), percentage of signed NCAA Division-I recruits for 2006 divided by the number of 11-man varsity high school football players in that state (7th) and the percentage of NFL players in 2005 divided by the number of 11-man varsity high school players in the state (8th). The states ranking in the top 10 included (in order of finish) Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Alabama, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina, Kansas and Florida.

Founded in 2002 by the National Football League and NFL Player’s Association, USA Football is an independent non-profit organization whose purpose is to support and expand football at all amateur levels. The first national advocacy group created for this purpose, USA Football enhances the development and operation of leagues, teams, coaches, parents and players across the country with resources and best practices such as coaching and health & safety information. The organization also serves as the designated United States representative to the International Federation of American Football.

VIrginia High School League Considering Major Changes To Fall High School Football Practice

The Virginia High School League is expected to consider sweeping changes to the way high school football programs can conduct pre-season camps.

As early as September, the VHSL could vote on a propsal that would using the NCAA model of banning two-a-day practices on consecutive days. The formal proposal also recommends fewer days will full equipment or contact at the start of pre-season practice, plus limits the amount of time that can be spent on the practice field.

The guidelines have been worked on over the past year with the intent of maximizing safety and minimizing risk to injury from the heat. The new rules really hit home after Stafford high lineman Joey Roberson died of hyperthermia, a heat-related illness, three days after collapsing on the football field near the end of a second workout session on the school's second day of practice.

Hoover (AL) Blanks UMS-Wright In Champions Challenge

Hoover, which is ranked #1 in several national publications, didn't disappoint in its season opener. The Bucaneers shutout UMS-Wright in Alabama's first ever Champions Challenge at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.

The Champions Challenge featured the 2005 Alabama high school football champs squaring off in games that don't count toward regular season records. Hoover won last year's 6A title, while UMS-Wright is the defending 5A champ.

Hoover was led by senior quarterback Ross Wilson, who was 16-of-23 for 261 yards and four touchdowns.

In the first game, Clay County (2005 2A champ) defeated Addison (2005 1A champ) 41-6 in the opener. The 3A and 4A champs decided not to take part in the Champions Challenge.

To read a wrap-up of Hoover's win, click on our headline "Hoover Blanks UMS-Wright In Champions Challenge".

Independence (Charlotte, NC) Runs Win Streak To 94

Independence got back down to business in Week 2 of the high school football season. After a disappointing 17-6 win in its season opener, the Patriots rode a strong defensive effort to shutout West Mecklenberg 56-0 for the school's 94th straight win.
Independence's defense only allow 56 total yards of offense.

To read a wrap-up from the Charlotte Observer, click on our headline "Independence Runs Win Streak To 94".

Byrnes (Duncan, SC) Tops Glades Central (Belle Galde, FL) In Battle Of National Powers

Byrnes 27th straight win will stand out as one of the best in Rebel football history. Before a national television audience on ESPN, Byrnes beat Glade Central High School 27-15.

Byrnes used a strong defense to shutdown Glades Central, a team that is loaded with Division I-A talent. The Rebels held Raiders to just 168 yards in total offense. And while, the Rebel D was strong, quarterback Willy Korn and his receiver Randall Hawkins were putting on an aerial show.

Korn threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Hawkins caught nine balls for 149 yards and two of the touchdown tosses.

To read a compete game wrap, click on our headline "Byrnes Tops Glades Central In Battle Of National Powers".

Mt. Carmel Tops Joliet Catholic In Battle Of Chicago Powers

When it comes to football in Illinois, Joliet Catholic and Mt. Carmel are the cream of the crop. Between them they own 22 state championships; 12 for Joliet Catholic, 10 for Mt. Carmel.

Saturday the two powerhouses kicked off the 2006 season at Solidier Field in the 2nd Annual Chicago High School Football Kickoff Classic. One game into the season, it's Mt. Carmel that has the bragging rights after a 13-6 win.

Mt. Carmel quarterback Carter Kopatch was the star of the comeback win throwing two fourth quarter touchdown passes. Kopatch was 13-of-21 for 252 yards.

Also Enjoy some of the pictures I took at Soldier Field.

Kentucky Adds Two Classes To High School Football Championships

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has announced that its expanding the state's high school football championships from four classes to six starting with the 2007 season. The change means that 192 schools will qualify for the post-season, up from 128 this year.

To read about the change and how schools will be realigned, please click on our headline "Kentucky Adds Two Classes To High School Football Championships".

Independence Goes for 94 Straight

Independence puts it 93-game win streak on the line tonight at home against West Mecklenberg. While the Patriots struggled in last week's opener, West Mecklenberg was beaten by 25-points.

Independence's streak is head-and-shoulder above the rest of the nation. The second longest win streak currently is Modesto's(CA) 61-game streak. South Panola (MS) has the third longest active streak at 45 straight.