New Classifications Out

It's around this time, every two years, that the IHSAA reclassifies its football teams. Just a handful of years ago, they changed from straight enrollment, to a more complicated system that takes a success factor into account. Because of Westfield's rapid rate of growth, we're always paying attention to these reclassifications. Top three are:

1. Carmel 4830  
2. Ben Davis 4220 
3. Warren Central 3602

Between #1 and #2 there are ~600 students. Between #2 and #3 there are ~600 students. After that, it falls off in smaller steps. Westfield sits down at #35, or #3 below the 5A cut, with 1928 students. That gives us a guaranteed two more years of 5A football.

It is interesting to note that our neighbor to the south, Carmel, is more than double the school size of Westfield. 600 students is the size of a large class. They have an entire extra CLASS of students on top of the next highest school, who has an entire CLASS of students on the rest of the state. That's crazy!

Also, we won't get the opportunity to square off against Cathedral, as they've bumped up to 6A due to the success factor (with 1292 enrollment).

Another interesting view: The low number in 5A is Munster with 1511 enrollment (New Pal got bumped up due to success factor, so they are smaller, but I'm not including that here). The difference between #1 in 5A (Castle 1940) and Munster is 429 students. Yes, the difference in the entire 5A class enrollment is smaller than between #1 Carmel and #2 Ben Davis. So it's not like being #3 in 5A gives us a huge size advantage over all of the smaller 5A schools. Not when you consider the Indy Metro "mega" schools, anyway.

Size isn't everything, but one could argue it might have a little to do with sustained success. In the last 10 years, one of those top 3 enrollment schools have appeared in the state final a staggering 8 times (winning 7), with 4 contests being between two of them. Not to take away from any of them. They put on pads just like every one else. The odds just might be slightly in their favor.

Odds aren't everything. By any means.

Westfield has been on the losing side of the size battle quite a bit. We've taken our lumps as the smaller school for many years. Often, it seemed like every time we'd be near the top of a classification bracket, we'd jump right up a level.

We have at least a couple more years in 5A, and need to earn all the success we can. Nothing is given in this game. When we eventually grow to be 6A, we want a strong foundation of success to launch from.