Blogs by Hof

Copyright IHSA, 2022 A couple weeks ago, I was listening to a podcast about high school football. The hosts began with developments on an investigation into the Maine South High School football program, which allegedly brought in players from nearby communities outside of their district to play for the Hawks.  Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Ill., hosts over 2,300 students within an area of about 10 square miles butted up against the northwest side of Chicago. The team advanced to the 8A Quarterfinals in 2022, but had all their wins stripped after the season due to their alleged cheating. Copyright Chicago Sun-Times, 2023 The next topic on the podcast was about the results of games in the CCL/ESCC, a super-conference of 24 Chicagoland private school football programs, most of which make impressive runs into the playoffs each year. These schools, ranging from 300 students to 3,000 students, have the opportunity to bring in student-athletes from a 30-mile radius, amounting to abo

Copyright Pixar Post, 2023   To infinity... and to England... and Andy's room... and beyond! On Sunday, October 1, the NFL charted new territory by playing its first "Sunday Funday" game from the floor of a Pixar character's bedroom: Andy's from Toy Story.  The same game was played in England, but that grandeur was not nearly as impressive as watching the same players in real-time as Disney-style characters. Copyright Jacksonville Jaguars, 2023 As a fan of football, Disney, Pixar, graphic design, and broadcasting, it was astounding to see the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons portrayed as animated characters, complete with helmets, pads, numbers, names, etc.  The players weren't alone: the play-by-play, color commentary, and sideline reporters were also animated in real-time. The game was streamed on Disney+. Copyright  Good Morning America,  2023 The game was put together to appeal to fans of all ages, with regular football analysis for the regular