The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-11-06
State High School Slate Pre-
sents Half Dozen Import
ant Contests

Standings OF the Sioux Land high
school football conference, as an
nounced by League officials, are
causing many a chuckle In North
Dakota high school circles these days,
the reason being the ambiguity OF
the situation created by q league
which has so little to hold 1t to-
gether.
With Its team constantly in the
running for state honors in recent
years, few fans in Bismarck can re-
call whether or not the local team
ever won the redoubtable title OF
champions Of the Sioux Land con-
ference. In those years when it was
indicated the local team must have
earned at least q tie-but the point
is that no one cared then and few,
II any, care now. The state cham
pionship is the important thing.
Right now 1t looks as though
Grand Forks has that Sewed up, al
though it Is a debatable question as
to whether 1t has the best team. Bis
marck IS the only team which might
contest the title on the present rec
ord and with that defeat by James,
town looming large in the record, it
is unlikely that the local club will
presume to advance a claim.
II, however, q charity game BE-
tween Grand Forks and Bismarck
could be arranged as some local fans
have suggested, the winner would
have an undisputed claim to honors
in North Dakota. AL this, Of course,
is with the proviso that each team
win its remaining games with North
Dakota clubs. With a Mandan game
still on the schedule this Is far from
certain In Bismarck's case.
But any survey Of the Sioux Land
conference from a local standpoint
would seem to demonstrate that 1t
has little to offer, either as a slim
illus to interest or as an important
factor in the ratings of the various
North Dakota teams. The reason for
this is that Moorhead and East
Grand Forks, MIMI, are members OF
the conference while Fargo and Will
liston, always among the best In the
state, are not.
As the Sioux Land standings rate
now, Minot Is the leader, whereas II
has no more claim to q state title
than a pigeon has to boxing gloves
Grand Forks, logical claimant to the
state tite. Is away down in THIRD
place. Minot has been beaten by
both Bismarck and Williston, and
Williston has been beaten by Bis
marck, yet Bismarck is tied with
Moorhead, Mimi, for second place
II this situation continued to the
end OF the season, and 1t probably
will, the result will be to make some
thing OF a joke Of the whole business
Any fair-minded review of the
situation cannot place Minot's team
better than fourth in any state rat
ing. Above it must go Grand Forks
Bismarck and Williston, the first I'm.
defeated and the latter two beater
only once. The situation Is ever un'
fair to Minot. Glen Jarrett has turn.
ed out q capable and hard fighting
crew at the Magic City school bu'
the uncharitable may accuse then
OF being cheese" champions. No on,
cares for that. least Of all the othel
teams In the league.
Officials Of the local school admi
that the Sioux Land conferenc,
means nothing to them when the!
have q chance for the state title
Their explanation Is that, in cite!
where high school teams run into tn,
competition Of college elevens, the!
hardly pay expenses. In those place
there is q feeling that to have som,
sort Of league peps things up a bit.
II the theory holds good, some ef,
fort should be made to bring Farg,
into the Sioux Land conference. TIL
Gate City school is too important IL
the scheme of North Dakota,S higl
school athletics to be ignored and it
absence from the league adds to tn,
joke which the Sioux Land confer
ence fast is becoming.
A good many fans are taking tn
view that 1t should be made to mea,
something definite or else dispense,
with altogether. j..
Among more than two score team