Since the beginning of the game, ideas about offensive or defensive play and special teams have seeped from the professional game to the college game to the high school game. It seems like the college game ideas have really had a big impact on the high school game. In the 1970s, the success of the triple option in schools like Alabama and Oklahoma or the turnaround around Houston saw high school programs across the country attempt to mimic the offensive systems of these schools. In the 1980s it was formation I. In recent years the system of choice has been the “Spread”. Of course, some schools have copied a Texas Tech-Mike-Leach-type spread offense with an emphasis on throwing the ball and others have implemented a more run-oriented spread offense like Urban Meyer’s teams in Utah and Florida.
The next trend that I think we’ll see in the high school ranks will involve tight ends and wings. Take a look at the best college football programs in the country right now. Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Wisconsin … each of these shows has a similar offensive philosophy. They play with a tight end and a winger and they will line up and attack you with strong running game. While they incorporate the use of the shotgun or some extended offensive concepts, their offensive schemes are primarily based on a power running game utilizing a tight end (or tight ends) and a full back. Among the current 10 AP Top 10s, only Oklahoma State, Clemson and Oregon are truly scattered teams. Arkansas is more of a hybrid that uses spread principles but does so with a TE and a FB with an emphasis on the running game. Even Boise State, from where he will watch just about anything, plays mostly TE and FB on the field.
While the trend to run some type of spread offense continues at the high school level, defenses have as a result shifted towards schemes that help them defend the number of spread teams they face in a given season. Many high schools have opted for the 3-4 or the popular 3-3-5 or 3-5-3 to better defend the spread offense. These defenses use speed and quickness and tend to use the blitz more often to help stop spreading offenses. Due to the emphasis on speed and quickness, the typical “big” defensive lineman is not seen in these types of schemes. As more and more high school programs begin to deal with these types of defenses geared towards stopping spreading offenses, I think you will see a shift back to an offensive style that uses a TE and an FB and emphasizes a running game. of power.
Go to the link below and check out Wisconsin. (http://youtu.be/X0nYDqpLzx0) The Badgers run a multitude of power runs using TEs and FBs and tear up Minnesota’s defense. Of course, no offense to Coach Kill and his staff, but the Gophers are not one of the country’s elite defenses, yet the Badgers were very effective against Nebraska in a 48-17 win earlier this season. Wisconsin racked up 231 rushing yards, led by Monte Ball’s 151-yard, 30-carry performance. Currently ranked seventh in the country in rushing yards per game, Wisconsin relies heavily on a power running game. I think we’ll start to see teams revert to an offensive style similar to teams like the Badgers and Stanford, Oklahoma, etc. While these teams emphasize power runs, they still employ facets of the spread offense (which we all know fans love to watch). However, on the sideline, coaches know that putting the ball in the end zone and keeping the other out is what wins games. They will do whatever it takes to do it and if that means getting it done with the power running game, I think you’ll see more and more of it in the near future.