Harrison (OH) Realignment Discussion

[footballsalads43]

I will start by saying I am not from Harrison but I do like to keep up on Southwest Ohio football. With Talawanda off to the SWBL and Northwest/Mt. Healthy more than likely going to the CMAC, that leaves 1 team in the SWOC without an obvious home, the Harrison Wildcats. I am very interested to see where they go next. This topic has been talked about in various other threads, but I wanted to make one main thread and see what others think they should do! I have a few ideas of what they might do, and please feel free to share thoughts and opinions on your own ideas! I will put mine in order of most likely to least likely.

1. They will be forced to go independent. In football being an independent in Ohio sucks, as you have to scrape together a schedule and there aren't many teams with open weeks. This means you have to often travel or look across state lines. Harrison could probably put a schedule together weeks 1-3 easily and 4-5 shouldn't be that bad, but weeks 6-10 are the hard weeks. I could see them playing a GCL school or even traveling to NE Ohio and playing a Massillon, Hoban, Iggy or Ed's as those schools are always looking for games.

2. They go independent but they look across the border to Indiana and form a scheduling agreement with the Eastern Indiana Conference and help fill their schedule out except week 10. Travel wouldn't be bad as a lot of the EIAC schools are off of 74 and Harrison/East Central is a huge rivalry already. They could also get some other decent opponents out of this Like Lawrenceburg and Batesville are both good teams. Also if they can help Harrison fill games in weeks 4-9 I think it would be a great move for them. But I see some other EIAC schools not liking this.

3. They go to the SWBL with all their former SWOC pals. This is becoming less and less likely due to the state of the SWBL and being now at an even 14 teams with 8 small and 6 big. This will only happen if another big school leaves or Harrison goes to the SWBL with someone else. Also, Harrison is getting big and will outgrow the SWBL in 5-10 years.

4. They try to join a conference as a football only member but they go independent in all other sports. A possible fit for them in this scenario would be the GWOC. The GWOC could possibly look to get to 10 teams in football and Harrison and Trotwood could be given invites as football only members. Harrison could compete with the GWOC schools and so can Trotwood, but this will not happen due to travel concerns.

5. They could also try other local leagues like the SBAAC American Division. They could add Harrison and move New Richmond to the small school side. A division of Harrison, Wilmington, CM, WB, Goshen and Batavia isn't a bad division if you ask me. However Harrison would dominate a lot of sports besides football, CM is the powerhouse there. Also location is a factor here. Harrison on weekday nights to these schools isn't the worst trip ever, but it might not be ideal in the winter time. And again, Harrison is already probably too big to be with these schools, but as an SBAAC fan I would love this move.

6. They somehow get into the ECC or GMC. This is only so low because I just don't see this happening unless someone leaves either of these conferences. Also Harrison needs to be D1 before they have a legitimate chance to be considered by the GMC. Also the ECC schools probably don't want to add a school on the 'west' side. I could maybe see in 5-10 years Harrison becoming a D1 school and maybe the GMC can attract a Centerville to jump ship from the GWOC and they also bring in Harrison and form 2 divisions? Or maybe a Lakota Central is built and they would obviously join the GMC and then the GMC would take Harrison then?

Let's hear some thoughts or other ideas?

 

[PURPLE REIGN]

I will start by saying I am not from Harrison but I do like to keep up on Southwest Ohio football. With Talawanda off to the SWBL and Northwest/Mt. Healthy more than likely going to the CMAC, that leaves 1 team in the SWOC without an obvious home, the Harrison Wildcats. I am very interested to see where they go next. This topic has been talked about in various other threads, but I wanted to make one main thread and see what others think they should do! I have a few ideas of what they might do, and please feel free to share thoughts and opinions on your own ideas! I will put mine in order of most likely to least likely.

1. They will be forced to go independent. In football being an independent in Ohio sucks, as you have to scrape together a schedule and there aren't many teams with open weeks. This means you have to often travel or look across state lines. Harrison could probably put a schedule together weeks 1-3 easily and 4-5 shouldn't be that bad, but weeks 6-10 are the hard weeks. I could see them playing a GCL school or even traveling to NE Ohio and playing a Massillon, Hoban, Iggy or Ed's as those schools are always looking for games.

2. They go independent but they look across the border to Indiana and form a scheduling agreement with the Eastern Indiana Conference and help fill their schedule out except week 10. Travel wouldn't be bad as a lot of the EIAC schools are off of 74 and Harrison/East Central is a huge rivalry already. They could also get some other decent opponents out of this Like Lawrenceburg and Batesville are both good teams. Also if they can help Harrison fill games in weeks 4-9 I think it would be a great move for them. But I see some other EIAC schools not liking this.

3. They go to the SWBL with all their former SWOC pals. This is becoming less and less likely due to the state of the SWBL and being now at an even 14 teams with 8 small and 6 big. This will only happen if another big school leaves or Harrison goes to the SWBL with someone else. Also, Harrison is getting big and will outgrow the SWBL in 5-10 years.

4. They try to join a conference as a football only member but they go independent in all other sports. A possible fit for them in this scenario would be the GWOC. The GWOC could possibly look to get to 10 teams in football and Harrison and Trotwood could be given invites as football only members. Harrison could compete with the GWOC schools and so can Trotwood, but this will not happen due to travel concerns.

5. They could also try other local leagues like the SBAAC American Division. They could add Harrison and move New Richmond to the small school side. A division of Harrison, Wilmington, CM, WB, Goshen and Batavia isn't a bad division if you ask me. However Harrison would dominate a lot of sports besides football, CM is the powerhouse there. Also location is a factor here. Harrison on weekday nights to these schools isn't the worst trip ever, but it might not be ideal in the winter time. And again, Harrison is already probably too big to be with these schools, but as an SBAAC fan I would love this move.

6. They somehow get into the ECC or GMC. This is only so low because I just don't see this happening unless someone leaves either of these conferences. Also Harrison needs to be D1 before they have a legitimate chance to be considered by the GMC. Also the ECC schools probably don't want to add a school on the 'west' side. I could maybe see in 5-10 years Harrison becoming a D1 school and maybe the GMC can attract a Centerville to jump ship from the GWOC and they also bring in Harrison and form 2 divisions? Or maybe a Lakota Central is built and they would obviously join the GMC and then the GMC would take Harrison then?

Let's hear some thoughts or other ideas?

IMO Harrison should get into the GMC in place of Colerain. Harrison is growing and Colerain is shrinking (unless they combine with Northwest).

If Harrison is looking for football games, the entire GCL South would be willing to play them home/home ongoing every year.

 

[footballsalads43]

IMO Harrison should get into the GMC in place of Colerain. Harrison is growing and Colerain is shrinking (unless they combine with Northwest).

If Harrison is looking for football games, the entire GCL South would be willing to play them home/home ongoing every year.

If Colerain doesn’t combine with northwest and Harrison takes their place where do you think they would go?

It would be beneficial for Harrison to play the GCL schools. Especially La Salle as they are D2 R8 and they have ended Harrison’s season quite a bit. Elder/Harrison would be a fun west side rivalry since Oak Hills/Elder isn’t being played often these days

 

[CMorris_99]

ECC or GMC. It has to be one of those two. Harrison is a growing district and will be d1 in the future. In my opinion that puts them out of the SWBL or the sbaac immediately. The SWBL would be better equipped to handle them than the sbaac. CM is the smallest school on the American side and will be d5 in the future. The other larger schools are not large enough to welcome Harrison in. The drive time is also a problem. I feel Harrison has an opportunity to level up by going to the ECC or GMC. It would better them all the way around.

 

[Vincent and Regina]

I will start by saying I am not from Harrison but I do like to keep up on Southwest Ohio football. With Talawanda off to the SWBL and Northwest/Mt. Healthy more than likely going to the CMAC, that leaves 1 team in the SWOC without an obvious home, the Harrison Wildcats. I am very interested to see where they go next. This topic has been talked about in various other threads, but I wanted to make one main thread and see what others think they should do! I have a few ideas of what they might do, and please feel free to share thoughts and opinions on your own ideas! I will put mine in order of most likely to least likely.

1. They will be forced to go independent. In football being an independent in Ohio sucks, as you have to scrape together a schedule and there aren't many teams with open weeks. This means you have to often travel or look across state lines. Harrison could probably put a schedule together weeks 1-3 easily and 4-5 shouldn't be that bad, but weeks 6-10 are the hard weeks. I could see them playing a GCL school or even traveling to NE Ohio and playing a Massillon, Hoban, Iggy or Ed's as those schools are always looking for games.

2. They go independent but they look across the border to Indiana and form a scheduling agreement with the Eastern Indiana Conference and help fill their schedule out except week 10. Travel wouldn't be bad as a lot of the EIAC schools are off of 74 and Harrison/East Central is a huge rivalry already. They could also get some other decent opponents out of this Like Lawrenceburg and Batesville are both good teams. Also if they can help Harrison fill games in weeks 4-9 I think it would be a great move for them. But I see some other EIAC schools not liking this.

3. They go to the SWBL with all their former SWOC pals. This is becoming less and less likely due to the state of the SWBL and being now at an even 14 teams with 8 small and 6 big. This will only happen if another big school leaves or Harrison goes to the SWBL with someone else. Also, Harrison is getting big and will outgrow the SWBL in 5-10 years.

4. They try to join a conference as a football only member but they go independent in all other sports. A possible fit for them in this scenario would be the GWOC. The GWOC could possibly look to get to 10 teams in football and Harrison and Trotwood could be given invites as football only members. Harrison could compete with the GWOC schools and so can Trotwood, but this will not happen due to travel concerns.

5. They could also try other local leagues like the SBAAC American Division. They could add Harrison and move New Richmond to the small school side. A division of Harrison, Wilmington, CM, WB, Goshen and Batavia isn't a bad division if you ask me. However Harrison would dominate a lot of sports besides football, CM is the powerhouse there. Also location is a factor here. Harrison on weekday nights to these schools isn't the worst trip ever, but it might not be ideal in the winter time. And again, Harrison is already probably too big to be with these schools, but as an SBAAC fan I would love this move.

6. They somehow get into the ECC or GMC. This is only so low because I just don't see this happening unless someone leaves either of these conferences. Also Harrison needs to be D1 before they have a legitimate chance to be considered by the GMC. Also the ECC schools probably don't want to add a school on the 'west' side. I could maybe see in 5-10 years Harrison becoming a D1 school and maybe the GMC can attract a Centerville to jump ship from the GWOC and they also bring in Harrison and form 2 divisions? Or maybe a Lakota Central is built and they would obviously join the GMC and then the GMC would take Harrison then?

Let's hear some thoughts or other ideas?

I love this topic. Mainly because I believe it could force a Harrison vs Elder game that I have been wanting for 25+ years.

I don't agree that Northwest and Mt Healthy go to the CMAC. The CMAC is having trouble with shootings and they are moving games around so no game is played at night. I don't see the administrations of those schools wanting in on that. But I do see them going to the CMAC eventually.
Now you have to recognize why teams join conferences. In Ohio it just a bunch of schools that agree to play each other on an annual basis. So you want to have schools that are similar in size.

So when you say they go independent in football but join other another conference in all sports don't work. That works in college because schools can still make money on football only. (Norte Dame) Harrison isn't the Norte Dame of HS football. So it won't work. You are trying to fill schedules for football and all other spots. It just doesn't work. So this toss out options 2 and 4.

SWBL doesn't want them because the drive would be too much. So option 3 is out.

5 is out because of the drive.

6 is out because the GMC and ECC are both at 10 playing 9 games. Which means if Harrison is add one team will be open every week.

In week 6 the GMC schedule was the following.

West vs Colerain
Mason vs Fairfield
Oak Hills vs Sycamore
Hamilton vs Princeton
East vs Middletown.

Who does Harrison play. Same thing happens in the ECC. So the ECC and GMC don't want Harrison.

I think they are forced into going independent. Their location forced them into this, but it can also help them out. Because they are in the corner of the state they will always be on the outside of the loop of any conference. But it also puts them close to out of state teams. Their game vs East Central is not going anywhere. They can easily add some other teams from Indiana like Lawrenceburg and Batesville. The last few years they have played Campbell County. They can easily add a few more NKY teams. The GCL would love to add them in football and they could very easily get all four of those schools in home and homes. Ross left the SWOC, but they are still on the schedule of 3 of the 4 SWOC memembers. I bet if Northwest and Mt Healthy leave, they might still stay on the schedule. Finding 10 games for football won't be hard. The other sports not so much.

 

[footballsalads43]

ECC or GMC. It has to be one of those two. Harrison is a growing district and will be d1 in the future. In my opinion that puts them out of the SWBL or the sbaac immediately. The SWBL would be better equipped to handle them than the sbaac. CM is the smallest school on the American side and will be d5 in the future. The other larger schools are not large enough to welcome Harrison in. The drive time is also a problem. I feel Harrison has an opportunity to level up by going to the ECC or GMC. It would better them all the way around.

My only concern with the ECC/GMC is that those conferences are at 10 teams unfortunately, or they would easily be option 1. But I 100% agree with you that it would be the best move all around, as Harrison could compete well and travel isn't bad for either conference. And even currently Harrison I think is close to 3x the enrollment of CM. Thats a HUGE gap. I think the next closest school in enrollment to Harrison in the SBAAC would be either Goshen or WB. But Harrison has those schools beat by 300-400 kids still... However Batavia, Goshen and WB are all growing districts in the SBAAC. Where as CM, Wilmington and NR are getting smaller, so the SBAAC will have that problem to handle in a few years. The SWBL is only slightly better to handle them as those schools are all D3/ borderline D2 schools, but Harrison will outgrow them FAST too. And they are already at an even 6 teams on the big side. But, an ECC or GMC is the ideal move for them.

 

[footballsalads43]

I love this topic. Mainly because I believe it could force a Harrison vs Elder game that I have been wanting for 25+ years.

I don't agree that Northwest and Mt Healthy go to the CMAC. The CMAC is having trouble with shootings and they are moving games around so no game is played at night. I don't see the administrations of those schools wanting in on that. But I do see them going to the CMAC eventually.
Now you have to recognize why teams join conferences. In Ohio it just a bunch of schools that agree to play each other on an annual basis. So you want to have schools that are similar in size.

So when you say they go independent in football but join other another conference in all sports don't work. That works in college because schools can still make money on football only. (Norte Dame) Harrison isn't the Norte Dame of HS football. So it won't work. You are trying to fill schedules for football and all other spots. It just doesn't work. So this toss out options 2 and 4.

SWBL doesn't want them because the drive would be too much. So option 3 is out.

5 is out because of the drive.

6 is out because the GMC and ECC are both at 10 playing 9 games. Which means if Harrison is add one team will be open every week.

In week 6 the GMC schedule was the following.

West vs Colerain
Mason vs Fairfield
Oak Hills vs Sycamore
Hamilton vs Princeton
East vs Middletown.

Who does Harrison play. Same thing happens in the ECC. So the ECC and GMC don't want Harrison.

I think they are forced into going independent. Their location forced them into this, but it can also help them out. Because they are in the corner of the state they will always be on the outside of the loop of any conference. But it also puts them close to out of state teams. Their game vs East Central is not going anywhere. They can easily add some other teams from Indiana like Lawrenceburg and Batesville. The last few years they have played Campbell County. They can easily add a few more NKY teams. The GCL would love to add them in football and they could very easily get all four of those schools in home and homes. Ross left the SWOC, but they are still on the schedule of 3 of the 4 SWOC memembers. I bet if Northwest and Mt Healthy leave, they might still stay on the schedule. Finding 10 games for football won't be hard. The other sports not so much.

You have a good point on Northwest and Mt. Healthy, that causes huge safety concerns. So until then, they probably will stick together with Harrison. In that case you then have 3 teams. Mt. Healthy and Northwest can stay on the schedule and be part of the later weeks. I agree with the reasoning on the other options being out as well. GMC/ECC aren't taking them unless they have an opening. Maybe if Ohio had bye weeks they would add them, but Ohio doesn't so nope on that. Also Harrison would probably be too big for the SWBL/SBAAC, as mentioned they would want to stick to at least D2 or above and maybe an occasional D3 team. So this also eliminates Option 3 and 5.

So we can do a little schedule breakdown for them
Week 1: A GMC/ECC school can fill this spot.
Week 2: East Central? Or they could coordinate to move this game later in the year, but this game is staying no matter what.
Week 3: I would love to see them play a GWOC school. Maybe a Centerville or Springboro would be good options. Also a GCL school would be a good fit here.
Week 4-5: Ross, Edgewood, Talawanda. Whoever you want or Clinton-Massie.
Week 6-9: Northwest, Mt. Healthy, La Salle, St. X, Moeller , NKY teams, etc.
Week 10: Elder (Although it seems like week 10 is reserved for La Salle and Elder?) but a Harrison/Elder week 10 west side rivalry game I think would be pretty epic

 

[Vincent and Regina]

You have a good point on Northwest and Mt. Healthy, that causes huge safety concerns. So until then, they probably will stick together with Harrison. In that case you then have 3 teams. Mt. Healthy and Northwest can stay on the schedule and be part of the later weeks. I agree with the reasoning on the other options being out as well. GMC/ECC aren't taking them unless they have an opening. Maybe if Ohio had bye weeks they would add them, but Ohio doesn't so nope on that. Also Harrison would probably be too big for the SWBL/SBAAC, as mentioned they would want to stick to at least D2 or above and maybe an occasional D3 team. So this also eliminates Option 3 and 5.

So we can do a little schedule breakdown for them
Week 1: A GMC/ECC school can fill this spot.
Week 2: East Central? Or they could coordinate to move this game later in the year, but this game is staying no matter what.
Week 3: I would love to see them play a GWOC school. Maybe a Centerville or Springboro would be good options. Also a GCL school would be a good fit here.
Week 4-5: Ross, Edgewood, Talawanda. Whoever you want or Clinton-Massie.
Week 6-9: Northwest, Mt. Healthy, La Salle, St. X, Moeller , NKY teams, etc.
Week 10: Elder (Although it seems like week 10 is reserved for La Salle and Elder?) but a Harrison/Elder week 10 west side rivalry game I think would be pretty epic

The Elder LaSalle game is moving to Week 4 in 2025. Elder and Springboro seem to have seem to have become friends for week 3, they have played the last 3 years in week 3 and again in 2025.

They don't want to go independent, but might be forced to. Winton Woods made it work for a number of years.

So many moving parts make it hard for anyone to predict who is open what week.

 

[footballsalads43]

The Elder LaSalle game is moving to Week 4 in 2025. Elder and Springboro seem to have seem to have become friends for week 3, they have played the last 3 years in week 3 and again in 2025.

They don't want to go independent, but might be forced to. Winton Woods made it work for a number of years.

So many moving parts make it hard for anyone to predict who is open what week.

They definitely are hoping for an opening in the GMC, but until then they are going to be independent more than likely.

I think they can make it work quite well. They have plenty of options it seems like for games. Also Winton woods started to get good when they were independent and playing a tough schedule. If Harrison does the same we could be looking at them following a similar trajectory and the Wildcats could elevate their program from good to great.

But with that La Salle/Elder game being moved to week 4 in 2025 it would be cool to see Harrison take their spot. Because I 100% agree a Harrison and Elder matchup is long overdue and the west side of the cincy metro needs a new rivalry.

 

[JBaller]

ECC or GMC. It has to be one of those two. Harrison is a growing district and will be d1 in the future. In my opinion that puts them out of the SWBL or the sbaac immediately. The SWBL would be better equipped to handle them than the sbaac. CM is the smallest school on the American side and will be d5 in the future. The other larger schools are not large enough to welcome Harrison in. The drive time is also a problem. I feel Harrison has an opportunity to level up by going to the ECC or GMC. It would better them all the way around.

There is zero chance that Harrison winds up in either of the ECC or GMC. It's SWBL or bust for them unless they want to play all out-of-state opponents in the EIAC.

 

[Vincent and Regina]

They definitely are hoping for an opening in the GMC, but until then they are going to be independent more than likely.

I think they can make it work quite well. They have plenty of options it seems like for games. Also Winton woods started to get good when they were independent and playing a tough schedule. If Harrison does the same we could be looking at them following a similar trajectory and the Wildcats could elevate their program from good to great.

But with that La Salle/Elder game being moved to week 4 in 2025 it would be cool to see Harrison take their spot. Because I 100% agree a Harrison and Elder matchup is long overdue and the west side of the cincy metro needs a new rivalry.

I don't see an opening in the GMC happening. If Northwest and Colerain merge they stay in the GMC. I don't see anyone leaving the GMC because it is too easy to schedule anything. So if Northwest and Colerain merge that only adds to Harrison problem.

Is it hard to got independent, yes. For the more part the GCL is interdependent because every year they they have to find 7 games. Winton Woods did get good during their independent run. In the Cincy area you can get it done. The GWOC only plays 7 league games so getting a game with one of those schools in weeks 1-3 is easy. You add in the East Central game (hopefully moving to week 4 or later) Adding in the 4 GCL. You are at 8 games. Finding 2 games isn't that hard.

 

[footballsalads43]

There is zero chance that Harrison winds up in either of the ECC or GMC. It's SWBL or bust for them unless they want to play all out-of-state opponents in the EIAC.

EIAC would've been a better option if Talawanda was still around in the SWOC. Then you can have a division with Talawanda, Harrison, East Central, Lawrenceburg, Batesville and Connersville. Talawanda and Harrison can just play week 10 as Indiana is 9 weeks only, but Talawanda is in the SWBL. SWBL the only school really out of the way for Harrison would be Bellbrook, but Harrison to Bellbrook is actually a quicker drive than Talawanda to Bellbrook, but the SWBL has 6 schools and I don't think they want to make it an uneven 7. GMC/ECC is last on my list of options as there's no way any team leaves either of those conferences for a long time, they are set. But Harrison can play a lot of those schools in other sports though. As Vincent and Regina suggested, being independent and playing the GCL schools is probably the best and most doable option currently.

 

[aztecjim]

My first thought is the ECC with Mount Healthy. Make it an east-ish/west-ish split and change the name of the league to the Southwest Metro. Northwest merges with Colerain. Second thought is a rebuild of the SWOC when Talawanda gets tired of travel. Talawanda, Mount Healthy, Harrison, Edgewood, Ross, Lemon-Monroe (Do they still call it that?), Franklin.

 

[footballsalads43]

I don't see an opening in the GMC happening. If Northwest and Colerain merge they stay in the GMC. I don't see anyone leaving the GMC because it is too easy to schedule anything. So if Northwest and Colerain merge that only adds to Harrison problem.

Is it hard to got independent, yes. For the more part the GCL is interdependent because every year they they have to find 7 games. Winton Woods did get good during their independent run. In the Cincy area you can get it done. The GWOC only plays 7 league games so getting a game with one of those schools in weeks 1-3 is easy. You add in the East Central game (hopefully moving to week 4 or later) Adding in the 4 GCL. You are at 8 games. Finding 2 games isn't that hard.

East Central and Harrison being a week 4 or later game would make Harrisons life a lot easier and I would love that, because then they can schedule a GWOC school. The GWOC thread said that they don't have issues finding games weeks 2-3, but if a GWOC school is playing a DPS school weeks 2-3 I am going to have to disagree with that. Also East Central already plays a non-league game every year for their last game. They can easily help Harrison and move that game to later in the year. Moreover this would create an opening for Harrison to add another EIAC school like Lawrenceburg. Also both the SBAAC and SWBL schools are looking for games weeks 4-5, so they can always schedule them too. And then the GCL schools wouldn't hesitate if Harrison offered to play them anytime during the season as well.

So while it will be hard, it won't be impossible.

 

[footballsalads43]

My first thought is the ECC with Mount Healthy. Make it an east-ish/west-ish split and change the name of the league to the Southwest Metro. Northwest merges with Colerain. Second thought is a rebuild of the SWOC when Talawanda gets tired of travel. Talawanda, Mount Healthy, Harrison, Edgewood, Ross, Lemon-Monroe (Do they still call it that?), Franklin.

Mt. Healthy would pretty much just be another Withrow for the ECC, while Mt. Healthy isn't terrible in football they would be pretty middle of the pack towards the lower end in football, same story in basketball. They would also struggle mightily in all other sports.

If the ECC does expand, in 5-10 years Goshen/Batavia from the SBAAC and Monroe could both be potential targets as those communities are growing along with Harrison. And the new name Southwest Metro would be a cool name.

In the SWBL I could potentially see a future where Bellbrook leaves as they are the geographical outlier to the MVL, but at that point I would think Harrison would be way too big for all those other schools, but if not that could work!

 

[aztecjim]

Mt. Healthy would pretty much just be another Withrow for the ECC, while Mt. Healthy isn't terrible in football they would be pretty middle of the pack towards the lower end in football, same story in basketball. They would also struggle mightily in all other sports.

If the ECC does expand, in 5-10 years Goshen/Batavia from the SBAAC and Monroe could both be potential targets as those communities are growing.

In the SWBL I could potentially see a future where Bellbrook leaves as they are the geographical outlier to the MVL, but at that point I would think Harrison would be way too big for all those other schools, but if not that could work!

Bellbrook is not really the outlier. They are/were part of a tight area group where Eaton to Bellbrook at 57 minutes was the longest trip. It is only when Talawanda, Ross, and Edgewood were admitted that geography became a problem.

 

[footballsalads43]

Bellbrook is not really the outlier. They are/were part of a tight area group where Eaton to Bellbrook at 57 minutes was the longest trip. It is only when Talawanda, Ross, and Edgewood were admitted that geography became a problem.

You have a good point. I think the SWBL is shifting more towards a Cincy league. Do you think Bellbrook gets concerned over this and looks elsewhere? I’m sure the MVL would take them and Lima Senior and form 2 divisions, a north and south

 

[aztecjim]

You have a good point. I think the SWBL is shifting more towards a Cincy league. Do you think Bellbrook gets concerned over this and looks elsewhere?

Size-wise the MVL. Geographically not many options. Even Monroe is getting too big for the SWBL. I wonder if they could/would start a new league with Franklin, Fairborn, Stebbins, Miamisburg, Monroe, West Carrollton AND I have a bad feeling this may happen sooner rather than later-Alter, C-J, Carroll.

 

[cincifbfan]

I think a major shakeup of all conferences is coming in the next few years, even more-so than there's been.

Harrison is going to be the catalyst that brings it forward. It's going to be interesting to see what happens in the 5 or so years. I wonder if schools really hammer out these conferences based more on geography than what division they are in. Schools are going to continue to find ways to cut costs, and transportation for extra curriculars is one way that schools can save BIG. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet because the times in which kids get home from weeknight games like volleyball, basketball, and soccer is pretty insane when you actually think about it. Nothing like going from Oak Hills to Middletown on a Tuesday for a soccer game that will end between 9:30-10:00 then having to take the bus back to school then drive home.

I also wouldn't be surprised if there's different conferences for different sports..... like for the "country club sports" since not all schools offer those and not all schools have a ton of kids participating in them.

 

[The Illusive 2-point]

I will start by saying I am not from Harrison but I do like to keep up on Southwest Ohio football. With Talawanda off to the SWBL and Northwest/Mt. Healthy more than likely going to the CMAC, that leaves 1 team in the SWOC without an obvious home, the Harrison Wildcats. I am very interested to see where they go next. This topic has been talked about in various other threads, but I wanted to make one main thread and see what others think they should do! I have a few ideas of what they might do, and please feel free to share thoughts and opinions on your own ideas! I will put mine in order of most likely to least likely.

1. They will be forced to go independent. In football being an independent in Ohio sucks, as you have to scrape together a schedule and there aren't many teams with open weeks. This means you have to often travel or look across state lines. Harrison could probably put a schedule together weeks 1-3 easily and 4-5 shouldn't be that bad, but weeks 6-10 are the hard weeks. I could see them playing a GCL school or even traveling to NE Ohio and playing a Massillon, Hoban, Iggy or Ed's as those schools are always looking for games.

2. They go independent but they look across the border to Indiana and form a scheduling agreement with the Eastern Indiana Conference and help fill their schedule out except week 10. Travel wouldn't be bad as a lot of the EIAC schools are off of 74 and Harrison/East Central is a huge rivalry already. They could also get some other decent opponents out of this Like Lawrenceburg and Batesville are both good teams. Also if they can help Harrison fill games in weeks 4-9 I think it would be a great move for them. But I see some other EIAC schools not liking this.

3. They go to the SWBL with all their former SWOC pals. This is becoming less and less likely due to the state of the SWBL and being now at an even 14 teams with 8 small and 6 big. This will only happen if another big school leaves or Harrison goes to the SWBL with someone else. Also, Harrison is getting big and will outgrow the SWBL in 5-10 years.

4. They try to join a conference as a football only member but they go independent in all other sports. A possible fit for them in this scenario would be the GWOC. The GWOC could possibly look to get to 10 teams in football and Harrison and Trotwood could be given invites as football only members. Harrison could compete with the GWOC schools and so can Trotwood, but this will not happen due to travel concerns.

5. They could also try other local leagues like the SBAAC American Division. They could add Harrison and move New Richmond to the small school side. A division of Harrison, Wilmington, CM, WB, Goshen and Batavia isn't a bad division if you ask me. However Harrison would dominate a lot of sports besides football, CM is the powerhouse there. Also location is a factor here. Harrison on weekday nights to these schools isn't the worst trip ever, but it might not be ideal in the winter time. And again, Harrison is already probably too big to be with these schools, but as an SBAAC fan I would love this move.

6. They somehow get into the ECC or GMC. This is only so low because I just don't see this happening unless someone leaves either of these conferences. Also Harrison needs to be D1 before they have a legitimate chance to be considered by the GMC. Also the ECC schools probably don't want to add a school on the 'west' side. I could maybe see in 5-10 years Harrison becoming a D1 school and maybe the GMC can attract a Centerville to jump ship from the GWOC and they also bring in Harrison and form 2 divisions? Or maybe a Lakota Central is built and they would obviously join the GMC and then the GMC would take Harrison then?

Let's hear some thoughts or other ideas?

just go independent for football, play the GCL, one GMC/ ECC team at the start of the year, East Central, Cathedral, Eds, I’s, cov cath. There’s a potential schedule for ya that might be one of the hardest in the state, but metal sharpens metal, man sharpens man. Play the big teams, more kids stay to play for their school rather than going to Elder/Lasalle/X/etc.

 

[The Illusive 2-point]

I think a major shakeup of all conferences is coming in the next few years, even more-so than there's been.

Harrison is going to be the catalyst that brings it forward. It's going to be interesting to see what happens in the 5 or so years. I wonder if schools really hammer out these conferences based more on geography than what division they are in. Schools are going to continue to find ways to cut costs, and transportation for extra curriculars is one way that schools can save BIG. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet because the times in which kids get home from weeknight games like volleyball, basketball, and soccer is pretty insane when you actually think about it. Nothing like going from Oak Hills to Middletown on a Tuesday for a soccer game that will end between 9:30-10:00 then having to take the bus back to school then drive home.

I also wouldn't be surprised if there's different conferences for different sports..... like for the "country club sports" since not all schools offer those and not all schools have a ton of kids participating in them.

The problem with the end of your statement is things like all league trophies that count points for most/ all sports. A lot of schools think that’s important to strive for and different conferences for different sports would just ruin that

 

[93 red ls]

With Harrison growing at the rate it is the GMC or ECC seems as the only likely conference worth taking them. Seems like every time I go to white water to Golf there is a new "parks of whitewater" subdivision popping up!

People are saying Mt. healthy and NW going to CMAC. Northwest will Merge w/Colerain some point in the near future. it just makes too much $ and cents (sense) for that district to go that route.

although difficult Harrison has the connections with long tenured coaches and Meibers that can make the scheduling work. The only sport that would see issues obviously football.
Id love for Harrison to get into the GMC so we can see the Harrison vs OH baseball match up

 

[footballsalads43]

With Harrison growing at the rate it is the GMC or ECC seems as the only likely conference worth taking them. Seems like every time I go to white water to Golf there is a new "parks of whitewater" subdivision popping up!

People are saying Mt. healthy and NW going to CMAC. Northwest will Merge w/Colerain some point in the near future. it just makes too much $ and cents (sense) for that district to go that route.

although difficult Harrison has the connections with long tenured coaches and Meibers that can make the scheduling work. The only sport that would see issues obviously football.
Id love for Harrison to get into the GMC so we can see the Harrison vs OH baseball match up

The CMAC Blue in football is looking real rough these days, they are losing DC to the SWBL. So I think the CMAC Blue is going to need filled out. Finneytown and Deer Park would be great fits and then they can finally compete and get away from the CHL. Move Woodward over to the Blue and Move Mt. Healthy in the Red. I think this makes sense overall.

CHL then has 6 teams who all fit well, but rumor has it Taylor wants out, but not really sure where they would go. New Richmond and Batavia would be good fits in the CHL, but it would be hard to get them away from the SBAAC, they have been there for YEARS. Well actually, Taylor wouldn't be bad in the SBAAC American thinking about it. But those trips from Cleves to Clinton County would make for longgggg nights, but the rest of the SBAAC travel wouldn't be terrible for Taylor.

 

[thehawg27]

Harrison's AD is a real piece of work. If he's negotiating a new conference they are likely screwed. His reputation in SW Ohio preceeds him... not in the good way

ECC is their best fit.

 

[LS92]

Ok, so the MAC is the most Catholic league in Ohio, though nominally a public school league.

How about Harrison just officially convert to Catholicism, remain public, overfill St John's on Sundays, then join the GCL Co-Ed. Problem solved for everyone.

 

[JBaller]

Harrison's AD is a real piece of work. If he's negotiating a new conference they are likely screwed. His reputation in SW Ohio preceeds him... not in the good way

ECC is their best fit.

Yes, Harrison would want the ECC, but there is zero motivation for the ECC, or the GMC, to want to add them. It’s SWBL or nothing. EIAC could be possible if they got creative. That’s it.

 

[footballsalads43]

Yes, Harrison would want the ECC, but there is zero motivation for the ECC, or the GMC, to want to add them. It’s SWBL or nothing. EIAC could be possible if they got creative. That’s it.

EIAC would be a scheduling agreement type deal, not a full membership imo. Similar to what trotwood is doing currently with the DPS. Harrison already plays East Central every year, and If I remember correctly the EIAC is split into two divisions. Harrison can play the bigger schools which I think compromises of Lawrenceburg, Connersville and Batesville. There’s 3 more games right there for Harrison. Then they can fill their earlier weeks with GMC/ECC/SWBL and GWOC. Then whatever is left fill with the GCL South, the two opponents they should really try to play in the GCL-South is La Salle and Elder. La Salle for the D2 R8 exposure and Elder for a west side rivalry. That’s a really solid schedule if you ask me. But as other commenters already said, all 4 of the GCL South schools would happily schedule home and home series with Harrison, so they can easily play Moe and X too.

And then if the ECC/GMC ever do have an opening, I’m sure Harrison will be on the list.

 

[MassillonK1D330]

IMO Harrison should get into the GMC in place of Colerain. Harrison is growing and Colerain is shrinking (unless they combine with Northwest).

If Harrison is looking for football games, the entire GCL South would be willing to play them home/home ongoing every year.

If they go independent I'm pretty sure Massillon would be willing to play them as well.

 

[93 red ls]

The CMAC Blue in football is looking real rough these days, they are losing DC to the SWBL. So I think the CMAC Blue is going to need filled out. Finneytown and Deer Park would be great fits and then they can finally compete and get away from the CHL. Move Woodward over to the Blue and Move Mt. Healthy in the Red. I think this makes sense overall.

CHL then has 6 teams who all fit well, but rumor has it Taylor wants out, but not really sure where they would go. New Richmond and Batavia would be good fits in the CHL, but it would be hard to get them away from the SBAAC, they have been there for YEARS. Well actually, Taylor wouldn't be bad in the SBAAC American thinking about it. But those trips from Cleves to Clinton County would make for longgggg nights, but the rest of the SBAAC travel wouldn't be terrible for Taylor.

I am not sure where this "rumor" is from but as someone whom is very close to administrators and athletics that's 10000% false. Why would Taylor want to leave the CHL? They have won/competed more in the CHL in the past 10 years than they did for the previous 15 prior to that.

They are top 1-2 in enrollment.
Going to SBAAC they would be 3-4 biggest.
Add onto that traveling for league games would be a nightmare.

 

[The Illusive 2-point]

So nobody has really addressed the fact that both the GMC and ECC have 10 teams already in most sports, how would they add Harrison? They all play 9 league games already, do you want them to play 10??? You could split them into divisions but you’d have to find another school that wants to join to have an even number, but who really wants that in a high school sports conference????