The strongest athletic programs for four Knox Valley high schools tend to have stout athletic participation, along with fan support in common, according to their athletic directors.
Justin Sanford, athletic director for Mount Vernon High School, said youth leagues in softball have made the sport quite popular.
“On the girl’s side of things, a popular sport is softball,” he said. “We have a feeder program starting at the youth level. We offer three levels of softball at the high school. There are not many schools in the area that can field three levels of softball.”
Still, Sanford said, despite the Jackets’ 1-5 current football record, the sport remains a top draw for students and fans.
“Football, just being in Ohio, it’s the marquee sport for the fall,” he said. “It’s no different than any other school in Ohio. The Friday night lights, the kids really enjoy participating in that.”
The Jackets’ boys basketball team has enjoyed a long tradition of success, he said.
“After football, it’s the next sport that is better attended by fans and spectator sports,” Sanford said. “The kids and people like coming out to (the school gymnasium) 'The Hive.' It’s pretty popular.”
Rich Porter, athletic director for Centerburg High School, said that for the fall season, the school offers football, volleyball, boys and girls golf, boys and girls cross country, and cheerleading at the varsity level.
“(Participation) numbers are up across the board, and we are seeing great strides and successes in all of our varsity sports,” he said.
After beating Utica and Grandview Heights to start the football season, the Trojans now sit at 3-2 this season (1-2 in the KMAC) and, after beating Cardinmgton-Lincoln in the last minute last week, will look to stay on track as they squared off against Mount Gilead on Friday.
Adam Brown, athletic director and assistant principal for Fredericktown Local Schools, said the traditional sports stalwarts of football and volleyball have gotten off to great starts this season.
“We are currently 3-3 (1-2 in the KMAC),” he said. “We have beaten Northridge, Utica and Mount Gilead, while losing to Clear Fork, Danville and Northmor, and volleyball is currently 13-1 this season and 6-1 in the KMAC.”
Robert Miller, athletic director for Danville Local Schools, said that girls basketball and softball, along with football, have always been the most popular sports in town.
"All three programs have a history of being very successful in our district," he said. "Girls basketball has won eight straight sectional titles, two district championships and one regional final appearance in 2017. Softball has won eight straight district titles, with one state title game appearance in 2017, and they won the state title in 2008. Our football team has also had four final-four appearances within the last several years."
Since 1999, the Blue Devils have won nine league championships, four regional titles and four regional runner-ups, Miller said.
If these four schools are true indicators, high school sports programs remain varied and strong in Knox Valley.
