Playing an independent football schedule.

[jolmstead]

Pendleton County football program's decision to start playing an independent football schedule next year raises some interesting questions (at least to me) as far as to what role KHSAA would have in the regulation and oversight of the program.

 

1) Would PC still be considered a member of KHSAA for Football?

 

2) Would they be subject to KHSAA regulation for Football? Would rules and regulations regarding eligability restrictions and transfer regulations just go away? Would the program be subject to any outside regulation at all? Could they play 19 year olds for example?

[gchs_uk9]

No, all rules are the same. The only difference is they aren't in competition for a district/state championship.

[EasyPro]

Sounds like Trinity

[gchs_uk9]

Their schedule might be complicated in late-September/October. The KHSAA has a schedule grid for district games, which means there aren't tons of teams with bye weeks during the last few weeks. In odd numbered districts, however, one team will always have a bye week. Those are often filled with non-district opponents, or no opponent at all. I suspect Pendleton County will look to fill in those weeks with teams not playing at district game that Friday.

[Harry Doyle]

This is very smart on Pendleton's part. Truth be told, there are several more programs across the state who should do this and I think would reap the benefits from it.

 

Also, if you want to see 6 classes dwindle down to 5 and even 4 (like the good ole days), let there be about 10-12 more schools across the state do this and watch what happens.

 

Because, I can name 10-12 easily that should consider this same move.

 

Go ask people in Lawrence County what dropping out of district play for 2-3 years did for their program in the late 80's-90. Success breeds success. Confidence breeds more confidence.

 

Getting the crap kicked out of you in non district, only to go get beat down like a drum even moreso come district play does nothing for the kids or program. People can talk about "it's more than just winning" all they want (and, it is), but let me tell you what 40 game losing streaks do for people or year after year after year of 1-9, 2-8, etc. does? Zero.

[gchs_uk9]

I agree 100%, Harry. And some might say the kids at Pendleton County have nothing to play for now that they can't make the playoffs. But what realistic chance do they currently have of making the playoffs or advancing right now? Slim to none. Instead, they'll be able to play a manageable schedule, perhaps win 5, 6, maybe 7 games and develop some pride in the program. And in truth, most kids/schools would probably prefer going 7-3 with no playoffs, than going 1-10 and getting routed in the first round.

[Voice of Reason]

I can see why a school would do this, but I also am not sure why you need to do it unless you just want to avoid getting blasted in 2-3 district games. You could still play a district schedule and then set up your non district schedule to play the teams you are competitive with to try and get wins. What is the value in dropping out of the district versus doing what I just said?

[gchs_uk9]

I c*n see why * school would do this, but I *lso *m not sure why you need to do it unless you just w*nt to *void getting bl*sted in 2-3 district g*mes. You could still pl*y * district schedule *nd then set up your non district schedule to pl*y the te*ms you *re competitive with to try *nd get wins. Wh*t is the v*lue in dropping out ** the district versus doing wh*t I just s*id?

 

Good points. The independent schedule philosophy w*s much stronger in the four-cl*ss er* when te*ms regul*rly pl*y 5-7 district g*mes. Now district schedules *re only 3 or 4 g*mes, which gives you m*ny more d*tes to schedule effectively for your progr*m. Perh*ps seeing "Highl*nds" *nd "Covington C*tholic" (to use Pendleton's ex*mple) is something ** * ment*l hurdle th*t keeps kids from w*nting to pl*y, I'm not sure, but I c*n underst*nd th*t r*tion*le.

 

To *dd to the independent philosophy, by dropping out ** district, Pendleton County is likely providing * benefit to schools like Highl*nds *nd Covington C*tholic. Inste*d ** pl*ying in *n *nnu*l romp those schools will now h*ve the opportunity to schedule * non-district foe more in line with their *bility level, which will help boost their progr*ms *s well.

[stickymitts]

If my memory serves me, they must remain sanctioned by the KHSAA or will not be able to play other KHSAA, or NFHS, schools.

[CoachBuckett]

I would not drop out of district play. (unless I was in a 7 team district) most districts are 4-5 teams. I think you have to give your team something to play for.

 

What I would do is start playing a non-district schedule that would give me success. I would do this to build confidence and numbers. Success builds numbers. Now I Understand that Pendleton plays Highlands and Cov Cath. those two are enough to discourage a lot of kids. But kids need to understand what Championship football looks like.

[All In]

My question is after you go Independent,can you go back to district play if you have a really good class coming thru? At small schools there may be 3-4 really lean years that you don't stand a chance in district play, then you may have a class or two that changes things. Can you flip flop? Just want to know the rules on this.

[gchs_uk9]

My question is after you go Independent,can you go back to district play if you have a really good class coming thru? At small schools there may be 3-4 really lean years that you don't stand a chance in district play, then you may have a class or two that changes things. Can you flip flop? Just want to know the rules on this.

 

You can go back when the next alignment takes place. So in the case of Pendleton County they won't be able to return to district play until the 2015 season.

[Harry Doyle]

I would not drop out of district play. (unless I was in a 7 team district) most districts are 4-5 teams. I think you have to give your team something to play for.

 

What I would do is start playing a non-district schedule that would give me success. I would do this to build confidence and numbers. Success builds numbers. Now I Understand that Pendleton plays Highlands and Cov Cath. those two are enough to discourage a lot of kids. But kids need to understand what Championship football looks like.

 

My child needed to know that a hot stove would badly burn them, but not as an infant. :lol:

 

Below average teams need to know what championship caliber teams are, but not when they honestly cant defend themselves against the onslought which will take place.

 

You are spot on with everything else.

[BBsports]

I agree 100%, Harry. And some might say the kids at Pendleton County have nothing to play for now that they can't make the playoffs. But what realistic chance do they currently have of making the playoffs or advancing right now? Slim to none. Instead, they'll be able to play a manageable schedule, perhaps win 5, 6, maybe 7 games and develop some pride in the program. And in truth, most kids/schools would probably prefer going 7-3 with no playoffs, than going 1-10 and getting routed in the first round.

Unless Brossart will be able to move back to 1A soon this is something they should consider. They can not stay on the path they are on.

[Bengal Maniac]

This is a good move IMO. There seems to be another issue besides playing Highlands and CCH. That is getting the #'s back up from what I read earlier this year. Eminence did this 10-15 years ago and they now are a competitive team in Class A. They went to 7 man footballl for a while and had great success. That is probably not an option for PC because of the size of their school compared to Eminence and they had to travel out of the state to play which is very costly in these economic times. I would think that this also allows Highlands and CCH to play better competition to replace that game, which does them really no good to show up and play another JV game. The only thing besides a guaranteed win is the slight chance of getting someone injured in a game they will dominate from the outset. PC wills serve themselves better by playing a cometitive schedule to gain confidence and get their #'s back. The school is large enough to carry a decent # of kids. There are plenty of teams in Ohio to play that they can be competitive with and not have to travel too far.