the original set up was a two year gap of age under the U designation. This allowed regions with low enrollment to have 2 years play together and form a team.
Then the areas who could form teams with the oldest boys formed one team. These teams exposed those teams that had boys across the 2 years. These teams were generally boys from one grade.
Then teams migrated to grade.
For a bit grade was okay with a few K-holdbacks, then people connected the dots. they realized what could be done and what had been done by the prep families, giving some of them credit they originally played their sons up for the challenge... but then many more became wise (sneaky) and said my older son wasn't constrained by an age range anymore and can play and look better against younger players. This will help in recruitment.
cant blame college coaches as a freshman is a freshman (regardless of age). That is a business and is best for business.
