Will it compare? I think not...

[AZTiger]

Some of you (mostly the people I've picked on) like to come back at me with the quip "do they even play football in Arizona?"

First off, I'm a Katy ex, so I don't care. HOWEVA, I'm going to watch USA Today nationally ranked Hamilton HS in the AZ State Title Game this Saturday, I want to compare it with the high powered teams I've seen in Texas. I will give a full report that night (well, check that, Sunday, because odds are my report would suck if I go out after the game).

Any thoughts from others who have attended games in states other than Florida or California?

[BAMF cowboy]

I occasionally watch it on tv on Fox Sports. I know you don't get the real effect unless you are actually at the game, but i can safely say all michigan football amounts to is '3 yards and a pile of dust'

I wasn't too impressed by california and florida football either. the teams were filled with great athletes but as far as being good football players, texas is far superior

[rancher52]

I have lived in 4 different states over the last 35 years and followed the local HS football closely. I was in Fl for 12 years and you the athletes they have put out are very impressive. In the late 70's and early 80's they stopped letting there elite athletes go out of state to Michigan, ND, and elsewhere and bingo, UF, FSU and Miami all rose to the top. At the highest level, they do play football on par with what I have seen in TX but you just don't find as many quality teams/programs. One team I have followed recently is Charlotte Independence who now holds the record for wins without a loss (I think now at 90 and 5 consecutive State titles). They have put several in the D1 ranks including Chris Leake at FL. NC would only have a handful of teams that would get close to competing with what I have seen here..... probably not more than 4 or 5 teams. I think just because of the sheer numbers, CA, OH and PA all have very strong HS programs. But for my money, from top to bottom, and with all of the storied history there is nothing like TX HSFB.

[PantherFan70]

I lived in Arizona for 3 years when I went to Arizona State and happened to catch 3 State games for Arizona while I was there. I would have to say that Az high school football is not on the same level as Texas ball. I did get a chance to watch Hamilton play in one of those state games and I would say if they were here in texas they would be some where in the mediocre range, but this is based off of what I saw 4 years ago. I also got to see the local Tempe High play a game against Shadow Montain high(I think) and those teams would be a good fit in 3a here. They just don't play on the same level as Texas. as far as I care If Texas and Arizona met Texas teams would win all the time.

[AZTiger]

I lived in Arizona for 3 years when I went to Arizona State and happened to catch 3 State games for Arizona while I was there. I would have to say that Az high school football is not on the same level as Texas ball. I did get a chance to watch Hamilton play in one of those state games and I would say if they were here in texas they would be some where in the mediocre range, but this is based off of what I saw 4 years ago. I also got to see the local Tempe High play a game against Shadow Montain high(I think) and those teams would be a good fit in 3a here. They just don't play on the same level as Texas. as far as I care If Texas and Arizona met Texas teams would win all the time.

wow....really? that is not what i figured. i guess i'll see Saturday night.

[Red Raiders]

Some of you (mostly the people I've picked on) like to come back at me with the quip "do they even play football in Arizona?"

First off, I'm a Katy ex, so I don't care. HOWEVA, I'm going to watch USA Today nationally ranked Hamilton HS in the AZ State Title Game this Saturday, I want to compare it with the high powered teams I've seen in Texas. I will give a full report that night (well, check that, Sunday, because odds are my report would suck if I go out after the game).

Any thoughts from others who have attended games in states other than Florida or California?

I have seen North Carolina Football and it wasn't that good as Texas football.

[PantherFan70]

wow....really? that is not what i figured. i guess i'll see Saturday night.

well, maybe not as bad as I made them sound. Hamilton if they were here in Texas I think would consistantly make the playoffs and go 2 or 3 deep in the playoffs depending the Region and Division of Playoffs. I do know that Terrell Suggs now the LB for the Ravens use to play Running Back at Hamilton high, never got to see him run but I did get to see him wreck some QB's while I was @ ASU. But I still don't see AZ being that comparable to Texas, but I haven't seen an AZ game in a while. What I do like about Az though is every High School has its own stadium, I though that was pretty cool.

[Dragon 97]

It's hard to compare when Az only has about 12 High Schools in the whole state

[PantherFan70]

It's hard to compare when Az only has about 12 High Schools in the whole state

True... but I think it's more like 14...:D

[AZTiger]

well, maybe not as bad as I made them sound. Hamilton if they were here in Texas I think would consistantly make the playoffs and go 2 or 3 deep in the playoffs depending the Region and Division of Playoffs. I do know that Terrell Suggs now the LB for the Ravens use to play Running Back at Hamilton high, never got to see him run but I did get to see him wreck some QB's while I was @ ASU. But I still don't see AZ being that comparable to Texas, but I haven't seen an AZ game in a while. What I do like about Az though is every High School has its own stadium, I though that was pretty cool.

He actually only went to Hamilton for one year I think. Before it was built all those kids went to Chandler.

Yeah they all have their own stadium, but they are all crappy.