"Give Them The Opportunity to Experience the Playoffs"

 

There have been many threads since the new design of the playoff system. Many of the “pro-everyone should get in the playoffs” persons often use the argument ender “Everyone should be given the opportunity to experience the playoffs”. How do you counter that argument? If you do, it sounds like you are against letting kids play. If you don’t, you must be for it. Well, this past week I got some answers and counters for those people that say, “it’s for the kids”. These answers are from the kids. The kids are trying to tell people what they think. Is anyone going to listen? Or, are the adults going to continue to say they are “giving the kids something special”. Listen to what the players say.

“We don’t deserve to be here, I wish we were playing someone that we have a chance to beat”.

Talking to the offensive linemen from the opposing team:

“Just tell me where you want me to go, and I will move with you, there’s no reason for us to work to hard, you all are going to kill us”.

“I hope you all get a running clock fast so we can get out of here, we don’t deserve to be here”

“I don’t know why we have to play you all, everybody knows we are going to get killed”

So, for those adults that think they are doing something special for the players of schools that are going to beat badly in the first round, why don’t you go and ask them if they want your help. It may be surprising what some of them say.

 

Some quotes from a first round blow out last season:

 

Said prior to the first play of the game:

“You all are going to kick our butts and we know it”

Said after the first score of the game:

“Yep, the butt kicking is on”

Here is a suggestion, one that I hope the KHSAA takes seriously: Don’t just poll the schools, poll the student athletes on the teams that were beaten by more then 40 points in the first round this year. Ask them if they wish to have a two team, three team, or four team format. I would venture a guess that many of the adults “wanting to give the players an opportunity ” would be surprised at what the High School Students tell them.

 

Are adults trying to justify their thoughts by hiding behind the argument “I want to give them the opportunity to experience the playoffs”? Why not ask the players, they are the ones that benefit, or are punished, by the decision?

Nice job Ram. However, if those statements had come from one of my team mates, there would be a loud discussion in that locker room.

Great post. I just posted something similar in another thread (without seeing this first).

Nice job Ram. However, if those statements had come from one of my team mates, there would be a loud discussion in that locker room.

I understand, but I think many people with a strong opinion on this issue live in a bubble. Most people would not expect things like this to be said, but I think some are not giving the kids enough credit here. There is a difference in going into a game thinking you can win, and going into a game where you know there is no chance of winning.

 

Does anyone think the players from Boyd County thought they had a chance this past week against Highlands? If you do, you must have a very low opinion of the intelligence level of the Boyd County players.

I understand, but I think many people with a strong opinion on this issue live in a bubble. Most people would not expect things like this to be said, but I think some are not giving the kids enough credit here. There is a difference in going into a game thinking you can win, and going into a game where you know there is no chance of winning.

 

Does anyone think the players from Boyd County thought they had a chance this past week against Highlands? If you do, you must have a very low opinion of the intelligence level of the Boyd County players.

 

Don't disagree...flip the coin. I played college football with a guy who's head coach did nothing to promote him. They got killed in the first round of the playoffs...BUT colleges were there to watch another kid and noticed him. He became an All-American...NEVER would have been seen without that blowout. While many kids know the outcome before it starts, there are those blue moon moments that make sports worth watching, if the underdog never gets a shot, why have a playoff system in the first place? Can't we just use the eye test and award a champion? We've seen a lot of championship blowouts...don't we still want a championship? Trinity enters this playoff with a losing record and could win another. I know those are exceptions to the rule, but the exceptions are why we have a game every Friday night I love this game!

While many kids know the outcome before it starts, there are those blue moon moments that make sports worth watching, if the underdog never gets a shot, why have a playoff system in the first place? Can't we just use the eye test and award a champion? We've seen a lot of championship blowouts...don't we still want a championship? Trinity enters this playoff with a losing record and could win another. I know those are exceptions to the rule, but the exceptions are why we have a game every Friday night I love this game!

You have to admit that an underdog story is quite different from a 77-0 game where the winning team sat several starters.

Ram: Have you switched your stance on this?

 

I think one thing that gets overlooked that makes football different from other sports is that while there maybe be blowouts in other sports, in football the blow out is both on the scoreboard and often times it is a physical beatdown as well.

Ram: Have you switched your stance on this?

No. I have mixed thoughts on both sides of the argument. I just thought it was interesting that the players were saying these things. Maybe their thoughts should be heard on the topic.

Adversity is something that some run from while others stand and fight. Let the runners run. I'll stand with whomever will stand with me and we'll fight till the end. Win or lose.

You have to admit that an underdog story is quite different from a 77-0 game where the winning team sat several starters.

 

The story ends differently, but begining is the same. Now with that said, if the coaches can't convince the kids they have a chance...then they are right, they don't. If you think you are beat, you are. That part will always be true. And that is true in ALL sports!

The story ends differently, but begining is the same. Now with that said, if the coaches can't convince the kids they have a chance...then they are right, they don't. If you think you are beat, you are. That part will always be true. And that is true in ALL sports!

I'm on your side on this, I never went into a game, as an athlete, that I did not think our team was going to win. But, I have to say, our team was on the same level, and capable of winning all those games, and we never got beat 77-0 or anywhere close to that.

as long as they also get participation medals.....I say let them play

 

:thumb:

as long as they also get participation medals.....I say let them play

 

:thumb:

 

Don't forget orange slices.

Ram: Have you switched your stance on this?

 

I think one thing that gets overlooked that makes football different from other sports is that while there maybe be blowouts in other sports, in football the blow out is both on the scoreboard and often times it is a physical beatdown as well.

Don't beatdowns happen during just about every game?

Don't forget orange slices.

 

and let them run through the parents' arm tunnel at the end of the game......