How many schools have a bye the last week of the season? Was it by choice or because the scheduling didn't work out? Is it better or worse to have it then?

Cooper does, believe on purpose. Gives boys time to rest and focus on the game ahead I think.

Holy Cross was originally scheduled to have week 10 as a bye, but a down state bowl game from earlier in the year fell through and HC had to take their bye week then and ended up scheduling Friday's game against Bellevue at the last minute.

Trinity opted out of playing Cincinnati Moeller in week 10. Another week to play the Crusaders could not be worked out. We shall see how the week off helps the Rocks in their quest for another state title.

Fern Creek has a bye this week, It wasn't by design but happened due to the move down to 5A and going from 3 district games to 5. Our first round opponent Bullitt Central has a bye as well, so we can't take advantage and watch them. Haven't decided what game I am going to yet.

For the better teams a bye in week 10 I think is a bad idea, because they are likely to have a blowout game week 1 of the playoffs. As a coach I would not want to have a 3 week layoff from meaningful 2nd half minutes going into week 2 or 3 of the playoffs.

come on out to OC Pete, I'll get you in the booth. :-)

Having the final week off is good for live scouting purposes.

 

Granted you're looking at a likely blowout win in the opening round, but you can divide up your coaches (and or players, if they're willing) to the teams you're likely to face in the second round and watch them.

 

I've also heard coaches -- more in cross country because of healthy eating -- hate playing Halloween weekend (because of the parties, the candy and the craziness that goes with it). So some avoid it.

 

Plus, if you know you're going to have a bad team, your season doesn't last any longer than you have to if you're off the final week of the regular season and you're not in the playoffs. Might hurt to say it, but some coaches/parents/players might have already checked out anyway.

 

Or you could play younger/weaker/less-experienced players in a meaningless game and hope they don't get hurt (although the game's not going to help them much).

The only teams I can see benefiting from a week 10 bye are higher class teams who play a very tough regular season schedule, including tough district games, and will likely face a solid opponent in round 1 of the playoffs