Interesting point. Allegany had a once-in-a-multi-generational player in Robinette. Had FH had him, they would have won the championship by two scores. Try as you might, you cannot fudge the numbers of FH players from freshman, JV and varsity when Allegany can barely field a varsity team.
Really, Lags?
Whose problem is it that FH has a solid football program and other schools do not? I will guarantee that other schools in the area do not commit the time that Fort Hill coaches, players, etc. put into their respective football programs. When one looks at the whole of a program, FH is willing to make the sacrifices that others are not - simple as that.
One only has to look at the dominating feeder programs over the last ten years to realize there are quality programs at the younger levels feeding into FH, especially when you look at the Patriots in the CAYFL. Coach A. has been there for many years, and has followed the footsteps of the late Roy Manges, Don Decker, Fred Meeks, etc. - all alumni of FH.
Many of the coaches at the pee-wee level played at FH within the last 15-20 years, and, yes, this includes FH graduates who are engineers at Northrop Grumman, local law enforcement officials, or those who have since retired from their chosen professions.
As has been previously mentioned, one only has to look at other sports to see that FH is not dominant and other schools are...Allegany in boys' basketball; Southern in girls' basketball; Mountain Ridge in boys' and girls' soccer; Southern in boys' cross country; etc.
Heck, in baseball Northern can compete with any school in the area on a consistent basis. Last I heard, a starting line-up in baseball only requires two less players than a starting line-up on the offensive or defensive side of the ball in football.
If I'm correct, you, Lags, have proudly, and rightfully so, mentioned from time-to-time on this message board that your sons are graduates of VMI. If true, why did they commit to VMI - a military school - and not to your typical state-run college/university in VA? I'm 100% confident there was a very good reason.
Furthermore, why is there such a disproportionate number of male student-athletes who go to a school such as Dunbar in Charm City? Why don't they go to Douglass of Baltimore City, Baltimore Poly, Reginald Lewis, etc.?
Parents choose to send their children to a specific school for a variety of reasons.
Let me say, too, that FH currently has an academic reputation that is solid as any other comprehensive high school in Allegany County, so there are other reasons parents choose to send their children to FH other than to play football.
Yes, FH has recent graduates who have graduated and/or are currently attending University of MD Medical School, WVU Medical School, Harvard (undergrad and grad), Yale, Case Western University, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Duquesne, Marist, Binghamton University, Towson, Frostburg, UMBC, Salisbury, ACM, Waynesburg, Union Apprenticeship Programs, etc. Several recent graduates are in the U. S. Military. In fact, one former FH football player recently became a Ranger.
Similar stories can be said about recent graduates from Allegany, Mountain Ridge and the CCTE.
It is really sad when adults are critical of teenagers committed to a program that emphasizes teamwork and commitment and that includes multiple intangibles built into the program. Without such a program, the alternative for some student-athletes could be much, much worse.