WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GARY FOOTBALL?

Jeffrey King looks like he's been through boot camp after every Friday night football game.

The Lew Wallace senior exudes sweat from every pore, the result of playing every snap at a plethora of positions.

King does it all: offensive lineman, linebacker, long snapper, special teams contributor. He tries to stay positive, too, even though he knows the Hornets have almost no chance at winning, especially against teams from outside the Northwestern Conference.

Since 1995, Wallace is 0-47 against non-Gary squads. In their first four games this season the Hornets were outscored 173-28 by teams from three states: Muncie Central, Arrowhead (Wis.), Woodstock Marian (Ill.) and St. Francis de Sales (Ill.).

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CONSOLIDATION IS THE SOLUTION

If the IHSAA had a heart — and I believe it does sometimes — it would let Gary's high school football programs consolidate.

he players in the Steel City deserve better than their current, dire situation where they have proved they can't compete with teams outside of Gary.

Let's get this straight: Current IHSAA by-laws won't allow the move. Assistant commissioner Bobby Cox said student-athletes may compete only for the school at which they are enrolled.

The IHSAA should reconsider.

Gary has good football players. The city just doesn't have enough of them to field four competitive programs. Too many freshmen play varsity ball in Gary. Varsity coaches have told me they're lucky to have a JV program. Consolidation would allow the underclassmen much-needed time to prepare for the varsity level.

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