Through ridicule and sarcasm, the author challenges the unrealistic beliefs about high school football as an educational and professional feeder system, enhancing Schroth's argument against its purported benefits.
In paragraphs 7 and 9 of the text, the author employs ridicule and sarcasm to underscore their argument against high school football as a feeder system for colleges and professional teams. In paragraph 7, the author criticizes the notion that playing high school football is a pathway to being noticed by scouts and receiving college scholarships. The phrase "feeding delusions" conveys a sense of mockery, suggesting that the idea is unrealistic and perhaps even naive.
In paragraph 9, the author addresses the argument that some football players are very bright. The use of the phrase "Absolutely right" is a sarcastic acknowledgment, followed by the concession that these individuals are "exceptions to the rule, and few and far between." This sarcasm undermines the counterargument, implying that the rarity of intellectually gifted football players makes the argument in favor of football as an educational pursuit weak.
These instances of ridicule and sarcasm serve to challenge the validity of arguments supporting high school football as an essential feeder system for higher education and professional sports. They contribute to making Schroth's argument more convincing by highlighting what the author sees as the unrealistic nature of the beliefs surrounding high school football's educational and professional benefits.
The question probable may be:
The boys went to high school to play, feeding delusions that they would be noticed by a scout who would get them college scholarships and contracts on pro teams.
But, you say, if high schools drop football, that will deprive colleges and the pros of their feeder system. Right. It will also deprive colleges of many who have come for only one reason - to play - while their paid tutors ease them through the motions of an education.
But, you say, some football players are very bright. Absolutely right. I have taught three in recent years who were the best in the class, straight A's, a delight to have in the room. But they are exceptions to the rule, and few and far between. State examples of ridicule and sarcasm in paragraphs 7 and 9 what effects do they achieve do they make schroths argument more convincing or less so