Football: The Independent debate...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

It’s not a new argument, but with Heritage Hall playing Tulsa NOAH this week, thought it might be a good time to bring it back up.

Had a couple of e-mails in the last couple of weeks asking why ‘Holland Hall or Tulsa NOAH’ aren’t ranked? Well, if I ranked them, where would I put them? Not trying to be arrogant about it, but there are too many questions about where you place these teams and stuff like that.

Would they be in 3A, 2A, 4A? I don’t know, there is no real way to determine their classification. There is no question the Dutch have been tearing it up this season. Each win has been more impressive. In retrospect, Cascia Hall’s seven-point loss looks better and better.

But with neither school playing by OSSAA rules, it’s a different ballgame when it comes to determining their eligibility. Now I’m not saying there is any chicanery going on here. I’ve never heard one time about NOAH or Holland or Casady letting things slide so stars can play, but what are their standards?

Last year Casady had one of the best starts of any team in the state, but you can’t rank them. The Cyclones and the Dutch are a part of the Southwest Prep Conference. They have their own championships to be playing for so it’s not like they’re left out entirely. And The Oklahoman and Tulsa World still cover as many of their games as possible.