From a rural standpoint, I disagree. I think this allows schools the fliexibility to renew some rivalry games that were discontinued when the new alignment came into effect four years ago. Teams will look to schedule a border school as opposed to driving 55-70 miles for a mandated district game. Fewer district teams = more scheduling flexibility because many schools will have the same off weeks with the districts being close to the same size.

 

:thumb: :thumb:

 

Smaller districts can mean better, more competitive scheduling in a lot of areas. The team I root for can upgrade their schedule somewhat and get better prepared for playoff time.

What I don't like is next year in the Lexington 6A district there is only four teams. Dunbar, Henry Clay, Lafayette, and Tates Creek so no one will have to win a game to make the playoffs. Either we don't need 6 classes, the district needs to be re shuffled, or we need to change the playoff format to where only two teams from your district makes the playoffs. Not winning a district game and making the playoffs is a joke.

 

While I understand the complaint, keep in mind, football is the only sport in the state that requires any type of qualification for the post-season. Baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, etc...all get a free pass into the district tournament. I don't think this will "kill Kentucky football" the way many like to it will.

Which game is more important year in and year out? St. Xavier vs Trinity (rivalry) or that big St. X vs. Iroquois district game? Danville vs. Boyle (rivalry) or Danville vs. Trimble County (district). I think it's safe to say that there will still be MANY important non-district games.

 

I've seen too many teams travel to a district game with a fan contingent of 20-30 people. I remember one year where Fulton City had more cheerleaders on the sidelines than fans in stands for a road game.

 

 

 

 

How would you like for your team to play a team in week 11 and then turn right around and play them in the first round of the playoffs? That is what the new system is trying to eliminate since they have made the first two rounds of the playoffs intra-district games now.

 

Sure there will be many important non-district games. But didn't St. X /Trinty

and Danville/Boyle already exist and then you could add district games that meant something to that schedule?

 

I am willing to somewhat wait until the schedules come out next year but I am going to predict that teams that had a hard time finding non-district games before will have just as tough a time now and will have to find more games. I can't think of too many teams wanting to play say Trinity or Highlands or Beechwood or Danville in Week 11 right before the playoffs start. Yes there were some very bad district games under the current system and yes most of the time the good teams in the district would meet again in the playoffs but I am going to miss teams playing for something other than home field.

While I understand the complaint, keep in mind, football is the only sport in the state that requires any type of qualification for the post-season. Baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, etc...all get a free pass into the district tournament. I don't think this will "kill Kentucky football" the way many like to it will.

 

 

Is it possible that actually having to "win" your way into the playoffs in football is the reason KY Football has made such great strides in improving in the last 20 years?

 

What if Basketball or Baseball or Soccer or Volleyball had a set-up like Football whereby 4 out of 6 or 7 or 8 teams qualify for the playoffs? Might the overall quality of play improve?

I am willing to somewhat wait until the schedules come out next year but I am going to predict that teams that had a hard time finding non-district games before will have just as tough a time now and will have to find more games. I can't think of too many teams wanting to play say Trinity or Highlands or Beechwood or Danville in Week 11 right before the playoffs start. Yes there were some very bad district games under the current system and yes most of the time the good teams in the district would meet again in the playoffs but I am going to miss teams playing for something other than home field.

I concur on all points.

While I understand the complaint, keep in mind, football is the only sport in the state that requires any type of qualification for the post-season. Baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, etc...all get a free pass into the district tournament. I don't think this will "kill Kentucky football" the way many like to it will.

Football people often cite this fact as if it's some sort of discrimination, when in fact it is true because of the very nature of the sport.

 

All other sports can safely play games more than once a week, allowing all schools to participate and postseason play to conclude in timely fashion. Football doesn't afford the same opportunity.

From the perspective of Pikeville we play in a weak district with a few exceptions. So fewer district games mean more non-distrct games against tougher opponents which in-turn will make us better for down the road.

From the perspective of Pikeville we play in a weak district with a few exceptions. So fewer district games mean more non-distrct games against tougher opponents which in-turn will make us better for down the road.

Pikeville has to replace Jenkins and Hazard, I take it. I will be very interested to see who the Panthers choose to add to the schedule.

 

On the other hand, what will the weaker teams (the general non-contenders) do with their non-district schedules? Will they simply seek out more programs of similar stature, or will they try to upgrade?

 

Some of the pro-six-class crowd has been dropping hints that the move will improve football by giving more teams a chance to compete for district, regional and state titles. Most of us think we'll keep seeing the same old faces in contention, except that they will be spread out among more classes and won't be pushed quite as often in the postseason.

 

That could change if the lower-level programs choose to play tougher competition now that they have more "schedule flexibility" ... but I'm not holding my breath.

Pikeville has to replace Jenkins and Hazard, I take it. I will be very interested to see who the Panthers choose to add to the schedule.

 

On the other hand, what will the weaker teams (the general non-contenders) do with their non-district schedules? Will they simply seek out more programs of similar stature, or will they try to upgrade?

 

Some of the pro-six-class crowd has been dropping hints that the move will improve football by giving more teams a chance to compete for district, regional and state titles. Most of us think we'll keep seeing the same old faces in contention, except that they will be spread out among more classes and won't be pushed quite as often in the postseason.

 

That could change if the lower-level programs choose to play tougher competition now that they have more "schedule flexibility" ... but I'm not holding my breath.

I can tell you that Ashland has replaced one of them and the other from what Ive heard is just as tough but the name hasnt been released yet. Youll have teams that schedule cupcakes as always but that wouldve happened anyway. The programs that choose to play the tough non district schedule WILL be a better football team than they would have been under the 4 class format.

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but I can't believe anyone thinks the move to six classes was good for any reason, other than to make some have-nots feel better about themselves.

While I understand the complaint, keep in mind, football is the only sport in the state that requires any type of qualification for the post-season. Baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, etc...all get a free pass into the district tournament. I don't think this will "kill Kentucky football" the way many like to it will.

 

I would agree if all districts were equal where everyone made the playoffs like the other sports you mentioned, but it isn't fair when some teams make the playoffs who have non won a district game when other teams have too.

 

In Basketball you don't say Bryan Station has to win 5 Basketball games to make the playoffs while Tates Creek can win O and make the post season.

From a rural standpoint, I disagree. I think this allows schools the fliexibility to renew some rivalry games that were discontinued when the new alignment came into effect four years ago. Teams will look to schedule a border school as opposed to driving 55-70 miles for a mandated district game. Fewer district teams = more scheduling flexibility because many schools will have the same off weeks with the districts being close to the same size.

 

 

 

I agree. :thumb: I think it also sets the opportunity to schedule some interesting matchups statewide if they so desire.

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but I can't believe anyone thinks the move to six classes was good for any reason, other than to make some have-nots feel better about themselves.

I think that the main benefit of six classes will be to reduce the size spread in 1A and 6A.