Right now, this does not account for the five team districts. But for the four team districts, why is it that all four get to make it to the playoffs? I am primarily talking about the 1A schools that are fourth in their respective district. I played ball from 2010-2013. The last class realignment was at the end of my freshman year. My freshman year, we were the third seed in our district headed into the playoffs. Even then, the players on the other team kept talking rhetorically, "Why are we here? This is pointless." I didn't think much about it until my junior and senior years when we were the one seed in our district. Of course, we didn't play the best teams in the state in the first round either of the two years, however, I found myself lining up across from a player each year and they looked at me and stated "which way are you going? I'll just go the opposite way" or "yep, going to be a long game. Might as well just go home".

 

I love Kentucky High School football, but should a team that goes 0-10 make it to the playoffs to more than likely just get embarrassed? Why should we reward mediocrity or failure? I think it is dumb but many people say that each senior gets one chance to suit up one more time. Well, what is the point of Senior Night? I honestly don't like it. Thoughts?

I played on some really good and one really bad team growing up. I never felt demoralized by a loss or anything like that. My experience with kids tells me they are pretty resilient and bounce back quite quickly even from the worst of defeats. If nothing else I think the idea of walking out on that field one last times with your brothers on the team means something.

I agree with you, Little Ram. The first round could be eliminated and teams could be allowed to play 11 regular season games. The #4 seeds who have to travel 2-3 hours to get destroyed could replace that game with a closer opponent they might have a chance to beat. The top two teams could advance to the playoffs like it was in the late 80's. With this in mind, the 6A super district should be broken up and dispersed among the weaker Louisville teams. The only drawback is that every so often there are really good teams in tough districts that wind up in third place, as I think Paducah Tilghman was when they won state a few years back. As far as FS is concerned, they will play a Hopkins Central team that hasn't won a game in three years, and their potential second round opponent, Madisonville, will probably beat the same Allen County team they have beaten in the first round for 3-4 years straight now. It will be a shame if someone on those squads gets hurt in first round games that are really foregone conclusions.

I guess in KY, making the playoffs is not seen as a reward for good (or even mediocre) play during the season. It is seen as a right for just showing up. I don't agree with it but that is clearly what we have. How else can 0-10, 1-9, or 2-8 "make" the playoffs.

I agree with you, Little Ram. The first round could be eliminated and teams could be allowed to play 11 regular season games. The #4 seeds who have to travel 2-3 hours to get destroyed could replace that game with a closer opponent they might have a chance to beat. The top two teams could advance to the playoffs like it was in the late 80's. With this in mind, the 6A super district should be broken up and dispersed among the weaker Louisville teams. The only drawback is that every so often there are really good teams in tough districts that wind up in third place, as I think Paducah Tilghman was when they won state a few years back. As far as FS is concerned, they will play a Hopkins Central team that hasn't won a game in three years, and their potential second round opponent, Madisonville, will probably beat the same Allen County team they have beaten in the first round for 3-4 years straight now. It will be a shame if someone on those squads gets hurt in first round games that are really foregone conclusions.

 

Agreed.

Money...plain and simple. A bad playoff game for a bad team that plays a great team still generates a split on the gate of around $1,000 or more...that's a $1,000 that bad team didn't have.

Like Little Ram said, I am basing my opinion on the words of players, not adults. Adults will throw out the "One more chance to play" argument, but the players of the demoralized teams have said, they don't want to play that last game. Little Ram played in the first round against teams that were struggling and I saw their play. They did not want to be there. If fact, when Little Ram walked off the field once I made a comment about him not giving proper effort, he said "the other guy said he would just go where I pushed him" and "There's no reason for use to work too hard". I just stood there and thought, well, what do you say to that?

 

I think the players feel it expected of them to say when asked if they want to play "one more game" to answer "yes". But, they talk to each other and say, they don't.

Money...plain and simple. A bad playoff game for a bad team that plays a great team still generates a split on the gate of around $1,000 or more...that's a $1,000 that bad team didn't have.

I know for a fact the last two years Raceland has lost money on both first round games. Last year, the first round opponent brought 5 people. Five (5). Plus, you have to factor in, some of the home fans stay home or go to other games because the out come is a forgone conclusion. And, no fans of other schools are coming to a certain blowout.

 

Seriously, five fans.

Like Little Ram said, I am basing my opinion on the words of players, not adults. Adults will throw out the "One more chance to play" argument, but the players of the demoralized teams have said, they don't want to play that last game. Little Ram played in the first round against teams that were struggling and I saw their play. They did not want to be there. If fact, when Little Ram walked off the field once I made a comment about him not giving proper effort, he said "the other guy said he would just go where I pushed him" and "There's no reason for use to work too hard". I just stood there and thought, well, what do you say to that?

 

I think the players feel it expected of them to say when asked if they want to play "one more game" to answer "yes". But, they talk to each other and say, they don't.

 

Yeah, I remember that time you got on to me for doing that. We discussed it after the game and we were talking, the kids came here already miserable, why should I shove their face in the ground and make them that much more miserable? Yeah it's football and "no prisoners" as oldrambler would say but that just isn't right. There is a certain amount of class that is needed. I just don't think it's reasonable. And after those games, each year, I would shake each and every players hand and tell them thank you for their love of the game. It's just so dumb.

 

Don't get me wrong, there are some really good games in the first round, but at my stand point, if you don't preform well in the regular season, what makes me think you'll preform better in the playoffs?

Like Little Ram said, I am basing my opinion on the words of players, not adults. Adults will throw out the "One more chance to play" argument, but the players of the demoralized teams have said, they don't want to play that last game. Little Ram played in the first round against teams that were struggling and I saw their play. They did not want to be there. If fact, when Little Ram walked off the field once I made a comment about him not giving proper effort, he said "the other guy said he would just go where I pushed him" and "There's no reason for use to work too hard". I just stood there and thought, well, what do you say to that?

 

I think the players feel it expected of them to say when asked if they want to play "one more game" to answer "yes". But, they talk to each other and say, they don't.

 

I bet if you made all the players on teams that won 2 games or less during the season take a lie detector test and asked them if they want to travel and play a game they have almost no chance of winning or just end the season, the vast majority would admit to not wanting to play. Some would want to play undoubtedly but most would not.

To play devil's advocate, with no first round of the playoffs, Trinity and Manual would be left out this year. I think most would agree they are deserving of a playoff spot.

To play devil's advocate, with no first round of the playoffs, Trinity and Manual would be left out this year. I think most would agree they are deserving of a playoff spot.

I agree, both deserve a playoff game. But, should the four best teams in the Louisville area be in the same district with only 32 teams in the class?

To play devil's advocate, with no first round of the playoffs, Trinity and Manual would be left out this year. I think most would agree they are deserving of a playoff spot.

 

I think they should have the top three make it, have the one seed a bye, and 2 seed play the opposing district's 3 seed, and 3 seed play the opposing district's 2 seed, then continue. I think it will make the playoffs and district play a little more competitive.

I agree, both deserve a playoff game. But, should the four best teams in the Louisville area be in the same district with only 32 teams in the class?

 

Are you suggesting there could be a motive, besides geography of course, why the 4 best teams in Louisville would be in the same district?

 

Next thing you will be telling me is it was set up that way to prevent an all boy Catholic school final every year...

 

 

But I'm going off topic. I say do it like Indiana and let all the schools into the postseason.

Are you suggesting there could be a motive, besides geography of course, why the 4 best teams in Louisville would be in the same district?

 

Next thing you will be telling me is it was set up that way to prevent an all boy Catholic school final every year...

Yea, that would just be a crazy thought wouldn't it? lol