Should the KHSAA follow the lead of the other states including the OHSAA and play the Semi-Final games at a neutral field instead of allowing a Home game for one of the semi-finalist?

 

Alternating home field years for Regions means that it is randomly "fair" but would the KHSAA be better served to appoint a proper facility to host something as important as a State Semi-Final?

 

Would a neutral site maybe increase attendance since it could be chosen so that no fans need to drive 3 or 4 hours?

 

Or would it take away something if there is no Home team?

I really like the atmosphere created by it being a home game for one of the teams. Johnson Central was an atmosphere I wouldn't have wanted to miss.

I have thought about this in the past and see pros and cons to both answers. I think it would increase attendance by getting each team's fans plus some fans from the neutral site. Of course, it could be argued that some of the "Home" fans may not travel and the attendance would not be higher, I'd say it would depend on the area of the neutral site.

 

I think the venues could be better, particularly if it was located at a college stadium. There are quite a few small colleges in the state that have turf, unfortunately some of them are located in one area (Lyndsey Wilson, Union, Cumberland's, Campbellsville). But, you still have Georgetown in Central Kentucky, Kentucky Christian in NEKY and Pikeville in Eastern Kentucky. Add the possibility of the larger colleges and some nice High School facilities, there are quite a few nice stadiums in the state.

 

I think this is more of an issue now with smaller classes and more travel distance.

 

I think this is more of an issue now with smaller classes and more travel distance.

I think the biggest issue is travel time. If it is a long trip then the home team definitely has an advantage. If the trip isn't long, I don't think it's an issue.

So would you also be splitting the gate 3 ways instead of 2 by using neutral sites?

 

 

(I forgot, does KHSAA get a cut? Which would make it 4 ways instead of 3.)

I like when our team has home field advantage and the convenience associated with it. I also like traveling as a fan base and taking our support to someone else's field.

 

I think it also allows the home team to show off their facilities and traditions. I have also experienced some very nice hospitality when visiting other schools. If our

team is traveling a couple hours for a game, I want to go to a host school and learn a little more about them. I would have no desire to go to a local college for that game.

I can remember back in the early 90s, Lawrence Co had to make a trip to Mayfield. I believe someone said it was close to 7 hours. We may as well have been playing a team from New Orleans or Kansas City as they're roughly the same distance from Mayfield. In those instances, I could definitely see a need for a neutral site.

Seriously. We're asking for a change? In Ky? Pretty funny...

Yes, we need a neutral site and Yes, we need to leave it alone. All the arguments are valid but to sterilize the games is not something I am in favor of. I like fact that not all things are equal. I am looking forward to traveling to Williamsburg or awaiting a team like we did the past 3 weeks. Because, when it is all prepared, the game is played on the field between the lines with the same rules.....(small reference to Hoosiers)

1) it will never happen

2) I would be fine if it did, the possibility of a Bell Co vs. Paducah Tilghman Semi-State is ludicrous that's even worse than Beechwood vs. Mayfield as far as travel time.

Food for thought. As long as you have 6 classes you will have 12 semifinal games. Ideally, you would play the 2 games for each class at the same venue and for the games to be on artificial turf. So 6 venues would be needed.

 

Lexington could support such a set-up. All the schools in Fayette County have artificial turf except Lexington Christian. So you have Henry Clay, Lafayette, Tates Creek, Dunbar, Bryan Station and LexCath hosting 2 games each on a Saturday.

 

Or, since Lexington is still somewhat 'East' in the state - split the semis into the East/West. East done in Lexington, West done in Bowling Green. 6 games at each city.

 

You might get more of 'Sweet 16' atmosphere by using centralized venues.

Along those lines, I don't think they have to be the same class at one venue, but say for instance, EKU hosts two games. Take the teams that are playing from Eastern Kentucky and play those semi's there. EKU is pretty much in the middle of EKY as far as North versus South, the South travels an hour or two, the North travels an hour or two. Pretty centralized.

I really like the atmosphere created by it being a home game for one of the teams. Johnson Central was an atmosphere I wouldn't have wanted to miss.

 

Once. But after your ears stop ringing, you tend to rethink that.

I wouldn't want a Class Final 4 at one location...I'd prefer to have it divided somewhat East/West

 

Example 2A

Region 1 Vs Region 2 at Neutral site somewhere near Bowling Green

Regions 3 vs Region 4 at Neutral site somewhere around Lexington, Georgetown would be a great location looking at how these regions seem to fall every year.

Nice thought but not at all practical. You use Lexinton or EKU as possible examples in the east. Apply last years and this years semi final to that equation and see if there are any issues.