A lot of coaches are mentioning in the media that the season starts awfully earlier here. I actually heard that Kentucky starts the second earliest of anyone in the country, only behind Alaska. So one option with the new realignment might be to rearrange the final games. I just had some random thoughts and options and wanted fellow BGP'ers to weigh in on the subject.

 

One option would be to tell KHSAA that it could hold its finals on the second weekend in December. I think a recent survey of states showed that several (including several that are north of Kentucky including Pennsylvania which sometimes has to juggle its game times due to Pittsburg Steeler obligations) play their finals a week or two after KY. And if you check historical weather, their isn't much difference and frankly, you are on an all weather surface anyway. If you go a weekend later, you can 1) avoid any conflicts with U of L games, 2) only effect a handful of basketball schools and their games and they have a long enough season to catch up with scheduling, 3) start at least one week later.

 

With that said, could you weigh in on a couple of options, to see if we agree? Just trying to start some chatter to get everyone first up about high school football.

 

The four options would be to play two games each day no matter how many days, or play 1/2 one day and 1/2 the other. From what I have read, it would be avoiding U of L if we play the first weekend (in other words, their schedule would dictate the high school schedule), and no conflicts on the second day.

I would prefer no conflicts so if that means going to the second weekend in December that works just fine for me.

 

Also, no matter what the KHSAA decides to do, I never want to see more that two games in any one day. Three games per day is too much and if the KHSAA ever wants the state football finals to be an event the only answer is 2, 2, and 2.

Remember everyone, from this point on "half" the games probably means three games which is a long day.

For those coaches who complain about starting to early...YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY THE FIRST WEEK IF YOU DON'T WANT TO! The KHSAA allows 11 weeks to play 10 games. The first week is always an open week at Russell specifically to lessen the kids exposure to extreme heat. The extra week tends to get your first practices out of the heat a little more and your first games are typically a wee bit cooler. Personally, I believe the best way to remedy the situation with the move to 6 classes is to eliminate the ridiculous first round games. Too many teams make the playoffs as it is and next year will be even worse. It's a joke how many teams will be in next season, just let them all in if that's the way it's going to be.

 

Eliminate the first round of the playoffs and move the start of the season back one week or two weeks if you want to move to the second weekend in December. As for the format, I think 3 & 3 is fine. Spreading it out over 3 days is a bit much in my mind. I don't think there are that many folks who try to go to every game and that number is going to go way down with 6 games now. Force them to spend another day in Louisville (pay for a room, eat out, etc.) and the number goes down even further.

I favor the state finals the 2nd weekend in Dec., 2 Thursday, 2 Friday, 2 Saturday

 

 

This was my vote. Anything to keep all the games on the same weekend and not have more than 2 on the same day.

I favor the state finals the 2nd weekend in Dec., 2 Thursday, 2 Friday, 2 Saturday

 

 

This was my vote. Anything to keep all the games on the same weekend and not have more than 2 on the same day.

 

Very well said!

I don't think there are that many folks who try to go to every game and that number is going to go way down with 6 games now.

I respectfully disagree. I think a lot of people from around the state go with the intentions of going to all 4 games.

 

Being at 3 last year on Saturday did make for a long day, but it should be expected going to a one time a year ordeal... two days of it though could be grueling; although, going to three days I am just not sure is the correct solution, either. I am honestly divided on the issue and could be swayed either way.

 

I really feel the Thursday games would be a small draw.. at least to those not involved with the two schools playing.

Maybe this is a chance to split or rotate venues. Schedule three games each at two sites and then see who makes the finals. Then schedule the best location for the surviving teams. You could mix them up A, AAA, AAAAA in one and AA, AAAA and AAAAAA in the other location and then rotate annually. Honestly, Georgetown, Bowling Green and Richmond could handle most of the crowds. If they stay in Louisville, then two games each for three days should work. Why is this seen as such a hassle when basketball and baseball tournaments held in Lexington over four days doesn't cause a stir?

Maybe this is a chance to split or rotate venues. Schedule three games each at two sites and then see who makes the finals. Then schedule the best location for the surviving teams. You could mix them up A, AAA, AAAAA in one and AA, AAAA and AAAAAA in the other location and then rotate annually. Honestly, Georgetown, Bowling Green and Richmond could handle most of the crowds. If they stay in Louisville, then two games each for three days should work. Why is this seen as such a hassle when basketball and baseball tournaments held in Lexington over four days doesn't cause a stir?

 

The difference is this...

 

basketball: inside cozy warm Rupp while outside weather is usually not so inviting

 

baseball/softball: outside in the wonderful warm late spring weather

 

football: outside in early December's usually not so inviting weather

ttt