i've been there and seen it, certainly tough. would i say it's tougher here than anywhere else, certainly not. there no way to make that judgement. have family all around up there (mankato, courtland, jewell, formoso). i've been to norton football games, wrestling matches, and basketball. my dad makes the trek every year to watch smith center vs norton each year with my uncle. their tough, no doubt in all sports, but i would never say one class or area is tougher than the rest. because it changes year in and year out. watched my cousins (pike valley) f-ball and b-ball team play, had 2-3 juniors who were over 6' and 200lbs, one was like 6'5' 230lbs, i thought man these guys won't get beat in 8man, sure enough they did. a little school down here in my neck of the woods happened to tear through everyone in those days, st. paul.

it's all fun to talk about and speculate, but some folks put all their eggs in one basket, stats. i'm not at all implying that's what YOU meant GREG. just sayin' some people read way too much into things. GOOD LUCK TO ALL 6 OF THE NORTON FINALISTS AND THE REST OF THE BLUEJAYS. they appear to be putting on a clinic.