I like seeding the top 8 teams in a bracket format. These are all 32 team brackets and that puts 3 other teams in each set. What this does do is allow good teams coming out of the same district advance (barring an upset) to the quarterfinals. At that point (again barring an upset) you have a true playoff format with one playing 8, two playing 7, etc. I understand that the logistics of some of that is a stretch, BUT we are talking about 2 games in each division. Those could be played at neutral sites if the travel is more than say 6 hours. Would make for a much more competitive final three rounds.

I like seeding the top 8 teams in a bracket format. These are all 32 team brackets and that puts 3 other teams in each set. What this does do is allow good teams coming out of the same district advance (barring an upset) to the quarterfinals. At that point (again barring an upset) you have a true playoff format with one playing 8, two playing 7, etc. I understand that the logistics of some of that is a stretch, BUT we are talking about 2 games in each division. Those could be played at neutral sites if the travel is more than say 6 hours. Would make for a much more competitive final three rounds.

 

I would think the logistics and cost of a neutral site would be prohibitive.

I like seeding the top 8 teams in a bracket format. These are all 32 team brackets and that puts 3 other teams in each set. What this does do is allow good teams coming out of the same district advance (barring an upset) to the quarterfinals. At that point (again barring an upset) you have a true playoff format with one playing 8, two playing 7, etc. I understand that the logistics of some of that is a stretch, BUT we are talking about 2 games in each division. Those could be played at neutral sites if the travel is more than say 6 hours. Would make for a much more competitive final three rounds.

 

The first thing I want to see happen is reduce the number of teams who get in.

 

32 Teams per class is too many.

 

With the current system:

I have always been a fan of giving District Champs a BYE.. only let the Top 3 seeds in. This gives 12 teams per Semi-State. I know that this will cost a home game gate and concession, but I think most coaches would trade that for a BYE week and a chance to scout their next matchup. It's not like attendance records are being broken in Round 1 anyway in these 1/4 matchups.

 

What I Would Prefer:

-12 Teams Per Semi State get in.. the top 3 from each District

 

- Seed those Teams, but the 4 District Champs are guaranteed as the 4 Top Seeds. Even if you finish 5-5 and another team finished 9-1 and 2nd in their District, the District Champion is rewarded for doing what they are asked. The 5-5 team may be the 4 seed, and the 9-1 team the 5 seed (Top Seed for Non-District winner)... but it brings value to the District Format.

 

- The remaining 8 teams who did not win their District are seeded 5-12.. where you finish in your District now has no bearing and if The #2 and #3 teams from one District are the two best teams they get the #5 and #6 seed as such.

 

 

- The 4 Top Seeds get a First Round Bye.. the other 8 teams play each other

Round 1

Game 1: 8 vs. 9

Game 2: 12 vs. 5

Game 3: 10 vs. 7

Game 4: 11 vs. 6

 

*Round 1 games are all hosted by the Higher Seed*

 

 

ROUND 2:

Game 5: 1. vs. Winner of Game 1 (8/9)

Game 6: 4 vs. Winner of Game 2 (12/5)

Game 7: 2 vs. Winner of Game 3 (10/7)

Game 4: 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 (11/6)

 

*These Games are All Hosted By The Top 4 Seeds*

 

 

ROUND 3:

Game 9: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6

Game 10: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8

**These Are All Played At a Neutral or Approved Site**

 

ROUND 4:

Game 11 (Semi-Finals): Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10

**Played at a Neutral or Approved Site**

 

- This is my personal preference because it rewards and punishes off the District format, which keeps the regular season meaningful. At the same time, for those who don't achieve the goal of a District Title it then evens the playing field out. I also like this format because it keeps the First two rounds local and at respective Home Field... but now the Home Field Advantage Aspect is eliminated despite two teams both winning their District.

 

- The seeding aspect will make for much more competitive Round 1 and Round 2 games.. by eliminating those extra 4 teams that finish 4th in their District you also reward the Champions while also increasing the competition level.

For example right now in 3A may look like this using Calpreps

WEST

1. Boyle- BYE

9. Adair Co @ 8. Henry Co.

 

 

4. Caldwell Co- BYE

12. Union Co @ 5. LexCath

 

2. Central- BYE

10. Bardstown @ 7. Garrard Co

 

3. Etown- BYE

11. Edmonson Co @ 6. Paducah Tilghman

 

 

 

EAST

1. Belfry- BYE

9. Pike Central @ 8. Bath County

 

4. Estill Co- BYE

12. Powell Co @ 5. Lawrence Co

 

2. Russell-BYE

10. Casey Co @ 7. West Carter

 

3. Bell Co- BYE

11. Morgan Co @ 6. Corbin

For example right now in 3A may look like this using Calpreps

WEST

1. Boyle- BYE

9. Adair Co @ 8. Henry Co.

 

 

4. Caldwell Co- BYE

12. Union Co @ 5. LexCath

 

2. Central- BYE

10. Bardstown @ 7. Garrard Co

 

3. Etown- BYE

11. Edmonson Co @ 6. Paducah Tilghman

 

 

 

EAST

1. Belfry- BYE

9. Pike Central @ 8. Bath County

 

4. Estill Co- BYE

12. Powell Co @ 5. Lawrence Co

 

2. Russell-BYE

10. Casey Co @ 7. West Carter

 

3. Bell Co- BYE

11. Morgan Co @ 6. Corbin

 

I would take this and run with it.

For example right now in 3A may look like this using Calpreps

WEST

1. Boyle- BYE

9. Adair Co @ 8. Henry Co.

 

 

4. Caldwell Co- BYE

12. Union Co @ 5. LexCath

 

2. Central- BYE

10. Bardstown @ 7. Garrard Co

 

3. Etown- BYE

11. Edmonson Co @ 6. Paducah Tilghman

 

 

 

EAST

1. Belfry- BYE

9. Pike Central @ 8. Bath County

 

4. Estill Co- BYE

12. Powell Co @ 5. Lawrence Co

 

2. Russell-BYE

10. Casey Co @ 7. West Carter

 

3. Bell Co- BYE

11. Morgan Co @ 6. Corbin

 

I'm a basketball guy, so I don't fully understand how the football postseason is structured, but that scenario seems like a nightmare for the contenders in the West and a cakewalk for Belfry in the East.

I'm a basketball guy, so I don't fully understand how the football postseason is structured, but that scenario seems like a nightmare for the contenders in the West and a cakewalk for Belfry in the East.

 

It absolutely would be...but that's because as pointed out earlier the East is just not very strong this year outside of one great team and 4 good teams.

 

As in everything this is cyclical, but 2014 and 2015 have not been banner years in the Eastern Side of 3A in terms of competition. Things may change next year, but it is going to be hard for anyone to beat Belfry this year.

It absolutely would be...but that's because as pointed out earlier the East is just not very strong this year outside of one great team and 4 good teams.

 

As in everything this is cyclical, but 2014 and 2015 have not been banner years in the Eastern Side of 3A in terms of competition. Things may change next year, but it is going to be hard for anyone to beat Belfry this year.

 

How many teams in the West would you rank ahead of the #2 seed on the East side?

I would go top 16 teams in Maxpreps/Calpreps, then divide them into an east west bracket after those teams are known.

West

1. Boyle vs 8. Adair

2. Central vs 7. Henry County

3. Elizabethtown vs 6. Western Hills

4. Caldwell vs 5. Tilghman

East

1. Belfry vs 8. West Carter

2. Lex Cath vs 7. Corbin

3. Russell vs 6. Lawrence

4. Bell vs 5. Garrard

FINALLY. Randy Parker has joined in on why it should be seaded throughout. ATLCat is on the same page, just had rather have the cakewalk. ATLCat, your system solves nothing. The better teams are getting punished for being better. I agree that the west MAY not always be stronger, but when that takes place the east would have the same benefit.

At this point, at least 4. That means, at least, 4 teams get punished for having better teams. I don't see it as being such a logistical nightmare in the first place. We are talking about one game per week, that could be played on Saturday, if distance is an issue and it would not interfere with class time.

Edited September 25, 201511 yr by TIGER1988
left something out

FINALLY. Randy Parker has joined in on why it should be seaded throughout. ATLCat is on the same page, just had rather have the cakewalk. ATLCat, your system solves nothing. The better teams are getting punished for being better. I agree that the west MAY not always be stronger, but when that takes place the east would have the same benefit.

 

Until you find a way that a team doesn't have to drive 6 hours in Round 1 you cannot seed the entire state.

 

If Caldwell was a 9 seed and asked to travel to 8 seeded Lawrence County would you be fine with it? 357 miles and 5 hours and 6 minutes.

 

And before you say, play it on "Saturday on a Neutral Site"..remember Saturday will be college football day. You either would have to find a High School venue that both teams can agree to and come to a financial agreement or play it on a Friday Night...

You don't have to do it in round one. DUH. Only seed the top 8 teams, and fill that portion of the bracket with 3 other local teams. Travel would not start until the quarterfinals.

Dividing the state into east and west is the only way to make the travel work.

The other issue you aren't comprehending is you have to keep the value of the District system in place. Othwerise, you will have to go to Open Scheduling and your playoff teams will solely be decided based on Human Polling or a Computer.

 

Kentucky isn't exactly excelling in scheduling in the first place.

 

Imagine Caldwell could only play 9 games because they could not work their schedule out and as a result the computer punishes them for playing one less game?

 

There has to be some sort of backbone in place to measure from using results on the field and wins and losses against common competition.