NCC did a great job to finish their season but I think you would have needed a crystal ball to know that they would have finished as state champs at the midseason point. Sometimes in the playoffs it's who you play, where you play,injuries and how your team has come together. NCC did a great job.
I agree to the fact some teams have a easier ride in the playoffs.But I would argue no team in 1A had a tougher road Than NCC. Also NCC played a very tough schedule that gave them that 2-5 record and I am glad they did. They learned to never give up as a result of it. I believe if they were 13-0 with a cake schedule they might not be state champs.