In life, it's hard enough to compare apples to oranges, but it's even harder to compare two different kinds of apples. Does an apple taste better from the state of Washington or one from Adams County in Pennsylvania?
A couple of weeks ago, a guest columnist ranked what he thought were the top 10 football teams from Mifflin and Juniata Counties.
But he left one team out of the conversation - the 2007 Indian Valley Warriors.
Nine of the 10 teams he ranked played prior to the establishment of PIAA football playoffs in 1988. Maybe there should have been two rankings, one before 1989 and one for the teams after.
The 2007 Warriors finished in the state quarterfinals at the Class AAA level, which is the next to highest level in the PIAA divisions. Could the 2007 Warriors play with any of those teams that were listed?
Maybe, or maybe not. But, one thing is for sure: The athletes of today are stronger, faster and bigger than a half century ago, even in Mifflin County.
Indian Valley went 11-3 in 2007 and advanced farther than any other team from Mifflin County since the playoffs were implemented. Indian Valley did have another District 6 winner in 2002, but lost in its first state playoff game that year.
The Warriors of 2007 had two of the best athletes produced in last 10 years from Mifflin County, Jay Hartman and Austin Long. Hartman, the Alex Ufema Award winner for the 2007 season, was a key player on offense and defense. He played in the defensive backfield and was a slot back who ran and caught the ball.
One of the most improved players for the 2007 Warriors was the team's quarterback, Jarrett Kratzer, who had to guide the offense and make sure all the key players were getting touches. The Warriors also had two great running backs in Thad Rosenberry and Skylar Romig. Rosenberry was one of the fastest running backs Indian Valley has produced.
Along with Hartman, Kratzer threw to Zach Mannino and Sean Gingerich. On defense, three of the top players were Andrew Bishop, Todd Pully and Todge Aumiller.
But the part of the team that was way above average for a Mifflin County football squad was the offensive line. It was not only senior laden, but it averaged 240 pounds. Adam Weaver paved the way for a lot of runs with his 300-plus pounds as he anchored the line.
Other members included Grant Harpster, Devin Miller, Wes Criswell, Zach Anderson, Matt Krieder, Michael Wooten and Derek Baker. A block by Weaver and a sweep by Rosenberry and Indian Valley was headed for six points.
Was the 2007 Warriors the best team ever produced in Mifflin County? Who knows - but it can claim that it was the only team to get to the state quarterfinals.
Ranking teams from different eras is always tricky, but it becomes even tougher when some teams are not involved in the same postseason as the others are.
That's what makes sports fun - trying to figure out who is the best team of all time. It's always subjective and objective.
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Ray Wilde is a Sentinel correspondent.
