Building a Championship Team: What Does it Take?

This marks AFM’s fifth annual State Champions survey. The results of the first four surveys indicated some clear-cut trends on the following topics: the consistent use of ‘feeder’ programs; a constant in the number of returning starters combining offense and defense; similar numbers of both juniors and seniors on varsity teams; the popularity of the four-man defensive front; and the consistency of overall football budgets. The latest survey – for 2007 State Champions – indicates similar trends. One new trend is the increase in head coaches whose specialty is defense. From our first survey for the 2003 season, head coaches whose specialty was defense, came in at 26.5 %. The number for 2007 State Champions increased to 39.6%. 1. At the time of winning your 2007 high school state football championship, what was your age? Average age: 45.3 Lowest age: 32 Highest age: 64 2. What is