[More Cowbell]

Tell me what good it does for Pendleton Co to play Highlands and Cov Cath every year and lose by 60+ in District Games???

On the flip side of that, how is playing those schools doing any kind of good for the power houses?

I agree with both of these two. The truth is that it doesn't benefit EITHER team involved in a 50+ point blowout.

For the superior team, they are playing a game where they should win handily, regardless of missed assignments, blown plays, and less than 100% effort. Not a good lesson to learn.

For the inferior team, they are playing a game where they will likely not see any positive reinforcement for the good plays they make. And constantly getting beaten down each week would have to wear on the team's morale, possibly leading to defections and a smaller roster.

I believe you are better off playing teams either right at your same level, or at a level just above yours (where you at least have a puncher's chance to win). If ER feels their program is headed in the wrong direction, then dropping out of district may be the correct decision.