Ok Leatherneck, I have a question: Why not let everyone in the playoffs similar to Indiana? I'm fine with the six classes, not initially, I don't think it's the perfect situation, but I can live with it. But, if the goal, and I believe it was, to improve Kentucky high school football by giving the players more opportunity to play by increasing the number of players that play in the post season, why not let everyone in the playoffs and allow everyone to play one more game and get one more week of practice?

 

I know this will be argued as further watering down the system by not making the regular season mean something, but the regular season could be used for seeding.

Ok Leatherneck, I have a question: Why not let everyone in the playoffs similar to Indiana? I'm fine with the six classes, not initially, I don't think it's the perfect situation, but I can live with it. But, if the goal, and I believe it was, to improve Kentucky high school football by giving the players more opportunity to play by increasing the number of players that play in the post season, why not let everyone in the playoffs and allow everyone to play one more game and get one more week of practice?

 

I know this will be argued as further watering down the system by not making the regular season mean something, but the regular season could be used for seeding.

 

I agree with this. Eliminate the in-season bye, but have a play-in round which will end up being the bye for almost everyone. I think you might have to modify class sizes slightly to make a bracket that isn't convoluted, but to me, if you're letting 88% of the teams in and many who are missing are only missing because their district is larger than other districts, well just go ahead and put everyone in.

Ok Leatherneck, I have a question: Why not let everyone in the playoffs similar to Indiana? I'm fine with the six classes, not initially, I don't think it's the perfect situation, but I can live with it. But, if the goal, and I believe it was, to improve Kentucky high school football by giving the players more opportunity to play by increasing the number of players that play in the post season, why not let everyone in the playoffs and allow everyone to play one more game and get one more week of practice?

 

I know this will be argued as further watering down the system by not making the regular season mean something, but the regular season could be used for seeding.

 

I'd be fine with that, but you need to remember, there is a balancing act between sports. Extending the season another week in an effort to further improve football would be met with resistance, probably fierce resistance, from the basketball folks. Can't move the start of the season up; it's already too early in my book.

I'd be fine with that, but you need to remember, there is a balancing act between sports. Extending the season another week in an effort to further improve football would be met with resistance, probably fierce resistance, from the basketball folks. Can't move the start of the season up; it's already too early in my book.

 

Letting everyone in would add one week to the season. But taking away the bye week or dropping the number of regular season games to 9 (since all get a 10th game in the postseason) would leave you with the same calendar that you have now.

Letting everyone in would add one week to the season. But taking away the bye week or dropping the number of regular season games to 9 (since all get a 10th game in the postseason) would leave you with the same calendar that you have now.

 

Technically the bye week is already gone. Those that have a bye week have forsaken one of the two permitted scrimmages. Personally I think having a bye week during the season is important to let bodies heal up. But your point about reducing the regular season schedule to 9 may have some merit.

Technically the bye week is already gone. Those that have a bye week have forsaken one of the two permitted scrimmages. Personally I think having a bye week during the season is important to let bodies heal up. But your point about reducing the regular season schedule to 9 may have some merit.

 

You are correct about the bye week being technically gone. I mentioned that because Indiana also plays a 9-game season.

I'd be fine with that, but you need to remember, there is a balancing act between sports. Extending the season another week in an effort to further improve football would be met with resistance, probably fierce resistance, from the basketball folks. Can't move the start of the season up; it's already too early in my book.

Like you not caring about what Ohio does, I don't care what other sports think. But, I understand your point. However, I don't think one week should be make a difference for the betterment of football since it involves so many more student/athletes then any other sport.

I won a state championship in 4 classes going through Highlands, Cov Cath, Rockcastle+Bowling Green. That's an amazing feeling of accomplishment because those programs are so great. With that being said I'm so happy KY is six classes. Why? Because for me the game is about the kids. Only 2 teams each class will be there that last weekend but for many kids that 1st playoff game is 1 more week guarenteed to put the pads on with their brothers again!

I'll take it a step further as there's been arguments that 4 from a District is too much. In 1992-93 we (Lawrence Co) played 1st half of season w many injuries. Mid season we got healthy and sent on a roll. Won 1st rd as 4 seed at Sheldon Clark. 2nd rd played Russell on the rd wout our QB. Russell had beaten us almost 40 earlier in the year. End of playoff game it was 6-6 at Russell. We went on to beat them in double OT. 3rd rd we stopped Mason Co on 3yd line to win by 5! Final Four we ate Thanksgiving Dinner and left EKY for 2 day trip to Mayfield. Paper had us 40pt underdog. We went on to lose 21-18 in the Final Four. Had there not been 4 playoff teams our program might have never turned into one where kids in middle school at that time are now coaching in the NFL, SEC, recruiting coordinator in Big 10, coached in multiple state championships etc. That run changed our community and the young men in it forever.

Maybe it is watered down a little. There are some pretty darn good programs to go through to win it! I think classes differ. To me 4A is brutal, 6A+3A are tough. 5+2 is best path but things change. My old school would be looking at a road going through Belfry, Russell/Mason, Central, Bell etc. Nothing watered down about that. 4A is brutal! 6A nothing watered down etc.

6 classes gives more kids a chance to play a game they love. A shot at a Cinderella run like we went on. More time to learn life lessons. More time on the football field instead of finding trouble on the weekend etc.

I won a state championship in 4 classes going through Highlands, Cov Cath, Rockcastle+Bowling Green. That's an amazing feeling of accomplishment because those programs are so great. With that being said I'm so happy KY is six classes. Why? Because for me the game is about the kids. Only 2 teams each class will be there that last weekend but for many kids that 1st playoff game is 1 more week guarenteed to put the pads on with their brothers again!

I'll take it a step further as there's been arguments that 4 from a District is too much. In 1992-93 we (Lawrence Co) played 1st half of season w many injuries. Mid season we got healthy and sent on a roll. Won 1st rd as 4 seed at Sheldon Clark. 2nd rd played Russell on the rd wout our QB. Russell had beaten us almost 40 earlier in the year. End of playoff game it was 6-6 at Russell. We went on to beat them in double OT. 3rd rd we stopped Mason Co on 3yd line to win by 5! Final Four we ate Thanksgiving Dinner and left EKY for 2 day trip to Mayfield. Paper had us 40pt underdog. We went on to lose 21-18 in the Final Four. Had there not been 4 playoff teams our program might have never turned into one where kids in middle school at that time are now coaching in the NFL, SEC, recruiting coordinator in Big 10, coached in multiple state championships etc. That run changed our community and the young men in it forever.

Maybe it is watered down a little. There are some pretty darn good programs to go through to win it! I think classes differ. To me 4A is brutal, 6A+3A are tough. 5+2 is best path but things change. My old school would be looking at a road going through Belfry, Russell/Mason, Central, Bell etc. Nothing watered down about that. 4A is brutal! 6A nothing watered down etc.

6 classes gives more kids a chance to play a game they love. A shot at a Cinderella run like we went on. More time to learn life lessons. More time on the football field instead of finding trouble on the weekend etc.

Well stated brother. You get it, and I know it. Maybe this explanation will help others get it too.

I'll also add this. I got beat in the big school state championship coaching in WV last year where they have 3 classes. Great competition every week (KY football overall is much better) but winning that game probably wouldn't touch what it would mean to my hometown in KY winning 3A!

I also have a talented nephew at Paintsville. They have 98 boys in the school there. Four classes is brutal for an enrollment like that which is one of the big reasons it ever went to 6 classes.

So while I can't disagree that 6 classes has watered it down some, it's not like the same 6 teams are winning it year, after year, with blowouts every step of the way in the playoffs. With a play or two going the other way during the playoff or state championship games, Belfry, Cooper, Caldwell, CovCath and Scott County were state champions last year instead of Central, BG, NCC, Highlands and T (and perhaps Mayfield too but I don't remember their playoff run).

 

The current structure isn't perfect and I understand and appreciate the criticism.

 

Now fire away folks. I realize my thinking is in the minority of fans' opinions (but I believe I'm in the majority of the coaches', administrators' and players' opinions).

 

One of the biggest problems is that for the most part, the same teams are winning the state championships year after year, with 75% of the titles going to 8 teams.

One of the biggest problems is that for the most part, the same teams are winning the state championships year after year, with 75% of the titles going to 8 teams.

 

You don't think if it was a 4 class system, that 3 of the titles wouldn't be going to the same 3 schools the majority of time?

You don't think if it was a 4 class system, that 3 of the titles wouldn't be going to the same 3 schools the majority of time?

 

The 5 years prior to going to 6 classes, 1A had 4 different champs, 2A had 4, 3A had 4 and 4A had 1.

You don't think if it was a 4 class system, that 3 of the titles wouldn't be going to the same 3 schools the majority of time?

 

The 5 years prior to going to 6 classes, 1A had 4 different champs, 2A had 4, 3A had 4 and 4A had 1.

 

4chs sort of knocked the wind out of you comment didn't he! :thumb:

 

Less division means more quality teams playing in the same divisions with each other, which in turn means more competition competing for the state titles and that results in different teams winning each year

The 5 years prior to going to 6 classes, 1A had 4 different champs, 2A had 4, 3A had 4 and 4A had 1.

I didn't know. Thanks