<p>I applied to Andover, Exeter, Hotchkiss, and Taft for the upcoming school year. If I'm lucky enough to have the decision, which school has the best football reputation/environment? With all these schools being so formidable academically, athletics are an essential aspect of each school's attractiveness. </p>
<p>I have already met with all the coaches, as well as sent them my highlight tape. The coaches at Hotchkiss, Taft, and Exeter called me recently, talking about their program and how I could fit in. All the coaches said they would write to admissions requesting my admission. I am a little worried about Andover, as they were less receptive. Their head coach only sent a few emails back, and was quite generic. What does this mean?</p>
<p>I am a quarterback in Southern California, and have been playing competitive football for a long time. Though I value my education much higher than my athletic career, it would be preferable if I could attend a school with a respectable program, as I hope to play for an Ivy League caliber college someday. I'm applying to 9th grade.</p>
<p>Any comments are appreciated. Thanks and good luck to any other applicants! </p>
<p>I’m also a football player applying to all of those schools and a few more. I’m more of a music guy than a football guy, but I started on my school’s team. I think Andover is the best of those schools. They regularly beat Exeter. Also their football program is decorated with a lot of trophies and other awards. </p>
<p>It may be too late, but you should take a look at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. Their football facilities, Hummel Bowl and Centennial Athletic Center, are spectacular. I live 15 minutes from Exeter and can assure you that PEA’s facilities do not compare to EHS’s.</p>
<p>EHS plays in one of the most competitive leagues in the DC area. Out of league opponents include St. Christophers and Collegiate, the alma mater of some quarterback named Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks quarterback). EHS has its share of notable D1 - D3 grads, including NFL running back Tim Hightower and receiver Danny Coale. </p>
<p>The annual EHS vs Woodberry Forest game is the longest running rivalry in the south; game 114 next November. Spirit Weekend draws 8k - 10k to “The Game.” The 100th game was televised on ESPN.</p>
<p>The current EHS head coach previously served as head football coach at the Taft School for four years. At Taft, he inherited a program that had lost 51 of its previous 56 games and quickly transformed the team into undefeated New England Champions in 2011. He also was elected to serve as president of the New England Football Coaches Association. </p>
<p>From an academic perspective, you will have similar educational opportunities as PEA, Taft, etc. However, like SPS and SAS, EHS is 100% boarding. Good luck with your search.</p>
<p>i70sband,
Thank you for the recommendation. I think it is a little to late to apply for this year, but if I don’t get into any of the aforementioned schools, I will be sure to consider EHS. In your opinion, which school do you believe to have the best program of the ones I listed?</p>
<p>Frankly it is difficult to say which school has the “best” program. Based upon season records, you probably would not have considered Taft six years ago. Today it is high on your list. Exeter and Andover programs are very competitive. Last year Andover won 13-12. Not familiar with HK. You want to choose the school that will give you the opportunity to play. Next priority is what is the coaching philosophy and player expectations? What about the facilities? Taft is a much smaller school relative to PEA/PA/HK. Is school size important? Since you have a passion for music, will the school allow you to pursue both football and music. In the end, it is not about choosing the “best” program, but enrolling in a school that will allow you to pursue your passions and get exposed to others. The “best” school is the one that gives the opportunity to play and provide you with the qualified instruction. Based upon the selectivity, you will be very fortunate to be accepted to any of the schools. If you are accepted by more than one, you will have a month to decide. Good luck! </p>
<p>Actually all four admit postgrads.The reality, at this point, is that you have already applied to those four schools. If you are lucky enough to have multiple options March 10, that’s great After M10, you can re-evaluate which school is the right one for you, because all 4 are great schools, but they all have something different that may or may not be right for you. At the end of the day, the best football program is the one you play for.</p>
<p>About 4 years ago, Hotchkiss was the dominant football program among the NE preps. The last couple of years, however, they have been pretty dreadful. That said, the head coach at Hotchkiss is wonderful. (My son played for him and is nuts about him.) Coach Smith should be able to return THS to championship form…at least I hope so. </p>
<p>As for music at Hotchkiss, the school has more music courses than my high school had total courses. The music hall at Hotchkiss is breathtaking. I struggle to see how any NE prep shcool could have better music teachers, courses, training and venues than THS. </p>
<p>Be sure to note that of those schools Taft and Hotchkiss have a league mandated maximum of PG’s (four per season) while Andover and Exeter usually have at least double that number, so it can be harder for a non PG to crack the lineup at Andover or Exeter…</p>
<p>Generally, the greater the number of students, the stronger the athletic teams-- simply because there will be a larger pool of students to draw from. </p>
<p>It’s already been mentioned by previous posters that PGs will beef up teams.</p>
<p>An OBVIOUS thing to do is visit the school’s website and look at the football wins v losses for the last few years. Also read on the school’s football webpage the coaches outlook for the season and the news articles about the football season. Look also at the Varsity roster of players to see how many will be graduating this year; the rosters show the grade of the players.</p>
<p>It is good that you are looking at schools that are a good academic and athletic match for you. But having said that, if you really want a strong football program, you can’t forgett Fork Union Military in Virginia. They have more Heisman winners and NFL players that any school, and a lot of guys who are NFL hopefuls find their way there during their late teens. Not exactly that type of school you are looking for, but if your have football dreams, you should at least be aware of this one. And their deadline is rolling. good luck!</p>
<p>ny22, if you are talking about the FUM varsity team, it has fallen on hard times. It won only one game last fall. Woodberry Forest, for which my nephew played last fall, crushed Fork Union 51-10. That said, FUM has a PG team. It plays several small colleges. The PG team seems to be playing at a high level of ball. So…if some kid wannts to play football at Fork Union, he probably should go there as a PG and then play on the PG team if he wants to play big boy football. </p>