Woody,

 

My more is better comments apply to reducing the disparity in enrollment among the teams in each class.

 

How about this, we could have six classes with only 16 teams in Class 1A, 16 teams in Class 6A, and equal numbers of teams in Class 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A.

 

Again, I want it to be as balanced as possible. This idea makes 1A football a true All A Classic and 6A football a battle of the mega schools.

^ I know that one was for Woody but it sounds pretty good:thumb:

Woody,

 

My more is better comments apply to reducing the disparity in enrollment among the teams in each class.

 

How about this, we could have six classes with only 16 teams in Class 1A, 16 teams in Class 6A, and equal numbers of teams in Class 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A.

 

Again, I want it to be as balanced as possible. This idea makes 1A football a true All A Classic and 6A football a battle of the mega schools.

 

That is pretty close to what was suggested by Coach J earlier in this forum. It would go a very long way to resolve the problems and would not be nearly as bad as splitting them 6 ways with equal numbers in each class, IMO.

 

This would also leave us with about 45 teams in each class 2A - 5A

Woody,

 

My more is better comments apply to reducing the disparity in enrollment among the teams in each class.

 

How about this, we could have six classes with only 16 teams in Class 1A, 16 teams in Class 6A, and equal numbers of teams in Class 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A.

 

Again, I want it to be as balanced as possible. This idea makes 1A football a true All A Classic and 6A football a battle of the mega schools.

 

On face value, I like this idea of 16 teams in 6A and 16 teams in 1A and dividing the remaining teams equitably in the remaining 4 catagories. Personally, I would also base the enrollment ranking on 2-year average of boys only, rather than total enrollment. Since we are talking about football, to me this makes much more sense. Out of curiosity, I referenced the KHSAA statistics to see how this rolled up for 6A:

 

1. Trinity-1,420

2. St. Xavier- 1,397

3. Paul Dunbar- 1,151

4. Henderson County-1,079

5. Henry Clay-1,037

6. Lafayette-987

7. Eastern-984

8. Scott County-929

9. Pleasure Ridge Park-917

10. Daviess County-898

11. Seneca-853

12. Tates Creek-849

13. DuPont Manual-828

14. Central Hardin-825

15. George Rogers Clark-819

16. Madison Central-818

 

Out of further curiosity, I also tabulated 17-32, who would drop to 5A to compete with the larger existing 3A schools:

17. Conner-812

18. Ballard-808

19. Nelson County-799

20. Campbell County-783

20. Southern-783

22. Ryle-772

23. Meade County-770

24. Boone County-765

25. Shelby County-764

26. Male-739

26. Simon Kenton-739

28. Butler-728

29. Fern Creek-720

30. North Hardin-719

31. Greenwood-716

32. Apollo-715

 

The strangest thing that stood out to me was that although Male has a 2-year/4-grade average enrollment of 1,656 students, they only have 739 boys. In theory, they do not come close to qualifying for the 6A class, but nonetheless, they are a member of the "Big 3". How do they manage to do so well....is it something in the water (or just open enrollment, which, by the way, is restricted to only three Traditional Middle Schools)? Do you think Coach Redman would be offended by being told that his team was not good enough to compete with Trinity, St. X., Eastern, PRP, Seneca, and Manual in Jefferson County, besides the ten other teams in 6A out in the state? This tells me that there should be some case also for allowing teams who have their act together to play up.

That is pretty close to what was suggested by Coach J earlier in this forum. It would go a very long way to resolve the problems and would not be nearly as bad as splitting them 6 ways with equal numbers in each class, IMO.

 

This would also leave us with about 45 teams in each class 2A - 5A

 

The other thing I would consider doing under this format would be to have no district games for Class 1A and Class 6A and let all 16 teams in the playoffs. I would do this for two reasons, one, travel would be a huge problem and two, it gives these classes four rounds of postseason play just like the other four classes should have if we go to six classes total.

Ox, you know the answer to your question, Male has more than their share of talent and they have a very good coach.

Ox, you know the answer to your question, Male has more than their share of talent and they have a very good coach.

 

You are right...I do know the answer, but I am trying to stimulate others to truly look beyond the numerical inequity as the reason for failure. :ylsuper:

 

This is just a major illustration that there are many factors just as important as numbers in having a successful program. After we somewhat level the field numberswise, we will then be challenged on how to level the field in individual talent; work ethic; coaching; parental, community, alumni, and administrative support; economic level; facilities; and cultural diversity. If we don't also resolve the variation in these equally important traits of champions, we will continue to have disgruntlement from those who find they are still without state championships. One needs look no further than Male as a guiding light that numbers alone should not stand in your way.

Woody,

 

My more is better comments apply to reducing the disparity in enrollment among the teams in each class.

 

How about this, we could have six classes with only 16 teams in Class 1A, 16 teams in Class 6A, and equal numbers of teams in Class 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A.

 

Again, I want it to be as balanced as possible. This idea makes 1A football a true All A Classic and 6A football a battle of the mega schools.

 

 

Guru, sorry Ive been out....

I dont have a problem with that at face value. I don't have the enrollment figures in front of me but trust others comments. That at least leans a bit towards my comment about all classes dont have to be exactly the same #.

Thoughtful consideration can produce equitable groups IMO - despite what we've seen in the public/private brouhaha. I keep seeing that Coach J and/or others have brought up the disparity in class A. Could someone post or direct me to a list of who those 16 class A schools are, just for [my]curiositys sake? I think if all coaches & schools are consulted and their opinions are listened to then they will go with whatever the consensus is.

 

I agree that MALE enrollment figures is what should be used.

 

Geography and travel distance is still a serious factor (especially for eastern KY teams)

 

If we are leaning towards having everyone (or almost everyone?) in the playoffs then perhaps we can have smaller districts (a max of 4) to allow more flexibility in scheduling local teams or long time rivals [ie, MONEY games - after all, this is a big part of what all this is about right?]

 

On a side note about promoting HS football: I'd love to see some schools get creative and experiment with doubleheaders. Say for example; Ashland and Johnson Central could play against Belfry and Bell Co at Bell Co, then flip flop partners later in the season (or next season) and play at Ashland.

If UK is playing at 1:oo on Sat then the HS's could play at 6 & 8 pm. If UK has a night game then the HS games could be played at 11am & 1pm.

I THINK a creative setup like this would bring in great crowds & money as well as create a lot of enthusiasm for all the schools & their fans.

As far as balancing monies - you can either play multiple double headers per year so everyone could host in odd years, or figure out a payday for visiting teams (like college) oe something else.

Just an idea..........

 

 

Cheers, Woody Jr