Not every team makes it in football. Many districts have 5 or 6 teams and yes, some have 4 or 3. In Kentucky every team makes it in every other sport. Are district tournaments not just like the playoffs for football?

My thinking is, any time you get an extra week of practice with your team and play a game, it is a positive.

Ohio is much different than Kentucky due to population and the number of teams. What works for us might not work for you and vice versa.

 

Keep up the good work Pick-six. The arguments you're making are the ones I have been making for several years. I am with you 100%

Not every team makes it in football. Many districts have 5 or 6 teams and yes, some have 4 or 3. In Kentucky every team makes it in every other sport. Are district tournaments not just like the playoffs for football?

My thinking is, any time you get an extra week of practice with your team and play a game, it is a positive.

Ohio is much different than Kentucky due to population and the number of teams. What works for us might not work for you and vice versa.

 

You don't see the hypocrisy in that statement? What works well for one sport HAS to work for another sport...but what works well for one state in a sport CAN'T work in another state?

You don't see the hypocrisy in that statement? What works well for one sport HAS to work for another sport...but what works well for one state in a sport CAN'T work in another state?

 

I do see it. I am just saying every other sport does what they complain about football doing and everyone doesn't make it in football.

Also, like I said the number of schools playing football in Ohio greatly outnumbers that in Ky.

I still don’t see the point in 1s vs 4s and losing by 50. I don’t think it teaches the kids anything. And when you are coaching that week leading up to that game it could turn into a miserable week of practice. 1-9, 2-8, 0-10 should not be in postseason play. Your season should matter, strength of schedule should matter, and right now it doesn’t. Other sports are exactly that other sports, no likes the playoffs so maybe look at other states and see what they do. So of these games you are advocating for 63-0, 62-6, 66-0. Why? Play these games will there be blowouts with the ranking system probably but not like they’re now in the first round of the playoffs.

I still don’t see the point in 1s vs 4s and losing by 50. I don’t think it teaches the kids anything. And when you are coaching that week leading up to that game it could turn into a miserable week of practice. 1-9, 2-8, 0-10 should not be in postseason play. Your season should matter, strength of schedule should matter, and right now it doesn’t. Other sports are exactly that other sports, no likes the playoffs so maybe look at other states and see what they do. So of these games you are advocating for 63-0, 62-6, 66-0. Why? Play these games will there be blowouts with the ranking system probably but not like they’re now in the first round of the playoffs.

 

Well you could say it teaches you to finish what you start, to persevere, or stay tough in the face of adversity. Or, even better, why does every game of every sport have to be treated as a learning experience? Sometimes, if not most of the time, a game is just that...a game. Are there lessons to be learned sometimes? Sure. But making all high school sporting events into all important, life changing events, really takes some of the fun out of them. Not everything has to be so serious all the time. An 0-10 team getting to play another game and getting blown out isn’t ruining anyone’s life. And there aren’t many former players who wouldn’t go back and play that type of game if given a chance, even if they were going to be on the wrong end of the blowout.

I still don’t see the point in 1s vs 4s and losing by 50. I don’t think it teaches the kids anything. And when you are coaching that week leading up to that game it could turn into a miserable week of practice. 1-9, 2-8, 0-10 should not be in postseason play. Your season should matter, strength of schedule should matter, and right now it doesn’t. Other sports are exactly that other sports, no likes the playoffs so maybe look at other states and see what they do. So of these games you are advocating for 63-0, 62-6, 66-0. Why? Play these games will there be blowouts with the ranking system probably but not like they’re now in the first round of the playoffs.

 

People complain so often about the blow outs in football but I rearly see complaints about similar blow outs in basketball, baseball and other sports. Why is that?

Intra-District in the 1st and 2nd round sucks... Seeding for rounds three and four also sucks... The darlings of each class will consistently host these games, and that’s not in the best interest of high school football... Even if your a Coach at one of these perennial programs, you know it’s not good for the game in general... These top programs may continue to win those games on the road, but by God, they gotta go on the road, in hostile territory, and do it... It ALL STINKS..

A blow out in these other sports don’t involve blocking and tackling. When you get hammered by Johnson Central, Belfry, Boyle, Franklin Simpson etc it’s a physical beating, being physically dominated feels way different than not being able to stop the 3 pointer. Football is a collision sport that’s the difference.

I posted this in another thread too but for good measure here it is again from the KHSAA:

 

“Someday, there will be an issue related to the football playoffs that is unanimously received by all of those involved with the game at our level. But that day likely isn’t today and like most times, the Board is left to sort through a wide variety of thoughts and opinions and make the decisions that they think are best after balancing all perspectives,” said Tackett. “It is certainly my hope from my position, that our membership and the public will give open-minded support to the adopted changes throughout this next alignment period.

 

“The game of football, both nationally and statewide, has such an impact on our communities and our schools. I am happy that the Board thoroughly reviewed the alternatives for not only enhancement of the game, but also for dealing with the very real and present budget concerns that are presented to today’s programs. While there are things that might be wished for in a perfect world, today’s world around football is not perfect, and stabilization and continuance of this great American tradition have forced our Board to make some uncomfortable decisions. Everyone involved is challenged to think bigger picture than just next game or next year, and in many cases, not make the popular decision, but the best decision. Our Board feels strongly that these decisions are in the best interest of the member schools and is passionate about keeping this great game strong.”

Surprisingly I find myself supporting and agreeing with Mr. Tackett yet again. That is a strong and accurate statement. Nothing is perfect in this situation but they are trying. Credit where credit is due, sir.

So then, the timeless question...Why SIX classes in football because of the disparity in the enrollment of schools playing football, but only ONE class in baseball, soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, etc?

 

Why does the enrollment of these schools only matter when involving football?

 

I believe this is true in most states, not just Kentucky. Different sports have different numbers of classes for the various sports. There are sports in Ohio that have only 1 class and football has 7 classes.

As to reducing the number of teams in the playoffs, this new format doesn't do that. There will still be about 32 teams per class in the playoffs.