There has to be a cutoff consistent with the average age of a high school senior in my opinion. Otherwise why even have an age limit. Hell, I know a guy who was a very good football player that did not finish high school. By some of this thinking he should have 2 more years of high school eligibility. No wonder some parents hold their kids back a year and it's purely for athletics and not because they struggle academically. Heck, nowadays with how the education system has been dumbed down, you'd have to be an asparagus sprig to not get passed on to the next grade.

 

Of course as I post this I'm thinking about the difference of ages in college sports.

19 year olds need to be allowed to play for those who legitimately need an extra year to complete school. Unfortunately this opens up a loop hole for some parents to give their son or daughter an advantage by allowing them to compete against kids who are predominately a year younger than them.

So in a spring sport, you can be 4 months away from your 20th birthday and still compete in HS sports? WOW!

 

How about we put size limits on it in football as that's more critical than age? No one over 250lbs? Putting someone over that against some rb or DB who's 190 is much more dangerous wouldn't you agree?

How about we put size limits on it in football as that's more critical than age? No one over 250lbs? Putting someone over that against some rb or DB who's 190 is much more dangerous wouldn't you agree?

 

Don't see that happening. I don't know how old you are but in my day, the O-line was small compared to the kids today.

19 year olds need to be allowed to play for those who legitimately need an extra year to complete school. Unfortunately this opens up a loop hole for some parents to give their son or daughter an advantage by allowing them to compete against kids who are predominately a year younger than them.

This I agree with. I have a son in this category. He is not an athlete in the BGP kind of way. But if he wants to be on the bowling team or the swim team his senior year, and go to competitions with his classmates, he needs to be allowed to do that.

There has to be a cutoff consistent with the average age of a high school senior in my opinion.

This is the problem in my opinion. What age do you think the average high school senior SHOULD be?

Sure they should. Absolutely.

 

For the record, b/c I have a feeling it's going there....but, I've never seen a kid (males in particularly) be negatively effected by starting school/being held back and finishing closer to or right at their 19th birthday than their 17th/18th. NEVER.

I'm 19 and a junior in college, I would find it weird if I were still playing high school football.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but most would find it weird that you are 19 and already a junior in college. Which, for the record...kudos to you. And, I mean that. You are far and away an exception more than the rule.

I think the current rule is fine. NO WAY should a kid get to play 5 seasons once they leave 8th grade the clock is ticking, 4 years and your done.

The cap used to be 21 per KHSAA. A Male/Manual QB had to sit out the annual Thanksgiving Day battle because his 21st birthday was also that day. Later, the Louisville Public Schools decided to lower the age to 20. The KHSAA rule was still 21. You had 10 semesters or 5 years to compete in high school. Several players would use four years at Male or Manual and then transfer to St. Xavier and play until they turned 21 or completed their fifth year.

 

BTW, yes, they should be able to play!

 

When were these 5th year seniors allowed to play, what years was this?

Sure they should. Absolutely.

 

For the record, b/c I have a feeling it's going there....but, I've never seen a kid (males in particularly) be negatively effected by starting school/being held back and finishing closer to or right at their 19th birthday than their 17th/18th. NEVER.

Agree completely. My kids will both be 18 when they graduate high school. One plays sport, one does not. Athletics have nothing to do with it, I just think starting college before 18 is not the best case scenario for most people.

Agree completely. My kids will both be 18 when they graduate high school. One plays sport, one does not. Athletics have nothing to do with it, I just think starting college before 18 is not the best case scenario for most people.

 

Completely agree

Don't take this the wrong way, but most would find it weird that you are 19 and already a junior in college. Which, for the record...kudos to you. And, I mean that. You are far and away an exception more than the rule.

 

To me graduating at 17 should be viewed the same way as graduating at 19. If it is academically advantageous for the specific student their parents should do what's best for the student.

One big reason you have kids graduating so young is that SOME parents can't wait to get kids started in school and will start them as early as possible. They want the school to be a baby sitter to watch the kids during the day so they can get out and do what ever.

Don't see that happening. I don't know how old you are but in my day, the O-line was small compared to the kids today.

 

Same here, our "monster" was 220, everyone else 160 to 190.