Is this a safe space?

It’s time we have this conversation, it’s long overdue. The Wing-T sucks.

I know, I know, it’s a classic offense, it’s real football they say. But let’s be honest, watching paint dry would be more entertaining than watching a high school team run the Wing-T offense, and it is time for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to ban the offense.

Is that even possible? Who knows. But the Wing-T run by the schools in Bellevue, Enumclaw and countless other schools along with the Power-T offense run by other schools is just boring and is antiquated in today’s game. But some will say “Ben, you can’t just ban a type of offense because it’s boring.”

Let me break it down for you.

Disclaimer: This is not an active dig at current programs running this offense, but merely a non-football player’s take on the Wing-T.

The Wing-T offense is described by Throw Deep Publishing as “an offense that uses misdirection, unusual formations, and a diverse run game to take advantage of overly aggressive and undisciplined defenders.”

Now sure, that is all fine and dandy, but there is a reason the Wing-T is not run at the college or NFL levels any more. Take a school and program like the Bellevue Wolverines. They run the Wing-T to perfection, everyone knows their roles and executes. But Bellevue is also bigger, faster and stronger than most 3A programs.

A talent disparity that exists already gets exponentially bigger when an offense like this is available. Watching a fullback run six yards a carry is not real football, at least not any more.

My main gripe is just that. There are so many blowouts due to the Wing-T. So many teams frustrate an opponent just because of the type of offense they play. Teams that run this scheme have a legit advantage over teams that don’t have the same size of players, plain and simple. That to me reeks of being a hair unfair, along with the fact that it is boring to watch.

Let’s say a defense comes ready to take on the Wing-T. That game will end 10-3, and yes, everyone will leave that stadium wishing they never watched the game. Needing to wash their eyes.

Are there other run-heavy offenses that could add a little flavor? Yes, absolutely, and we can look at college for that.

Schools like Georgia Tech and Navy ran probably the closest form of the Wing-T, in the speed option/triple option offense. That is a great alternative to the ground and pound Wing-T offense.

In conclusion, there just are so many more offensive blueprints that are entertaining and just as effective. The spread, the option, air raid and West Coast are all types of offenses that create excitement and big plays on every occasion. The Wing-T should stay in Pop Warner, middle school and younger levels of football. It’s time to grow up and air it out.

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Sports reporter Ben Ray can be reached at benjamin.ray@soundpublishing.com.