30 minutes ago, 83wildcatFB said:

I still don’t see what the problem is though. I know a few teams have dropped out but this mountain of a problem really seems like a molehill. 

Agreed. Does it make sense? No, not completely. But it's not really a huge issue either. I think the key to any playoff system, is to make sure that no worthy team gets left out, especially if a lesser team gets in over them simply because they play in a weaker district (or conference, region, however you want to divide things up). The one good thing about the current system, is that no worthy team gets left out. 

57 minutes ago, New Colonel said:

The problem is too many teams in the post season. The problem is 0 win teams in the playoffs. The problem is also 1, 2 and 3 win teams in the playoffs.   If there wasn't a problem teams wouldn't be dropping out of the playoffs.  

If you want every team to make the post season like every other sport, then just do that.  Football is supposed to be different and special.  Right now, the regular season means jack squat of nothing for 90% of teams.  Win a district game and you are in, unless you are in a 4 team district, then you don't have to win anything.  

Bottom line, the current system is the best and most fair system. Other proposed selective systems will be unfair to some of the teams that get excluded from the post season 

Just now, Voice of Reason said:

Bottom line, the current system is the best and most fair system. Other proposed selective systems will be unfair to some of the teams that get excluded from the post season 

Fairness is subjective, obviously. 

Just now, TheDeuce said:

Fairness is subjective, obviously. 

Yes, but no one in the current system can say they got left out of the postseason unfairly. Other selection systems cannot overcome that issue.

3 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

Yes, but no one in the current system can say they got left out of the postseason unfairly. Other selection systems cannot overcome that issue.

While I agree that no one gets left out, sometimes being left out teaches a lesson that inclusion can’t.

 

3 minutes ago, Falcon Pride said:

While I agree that no one gets left out, sometimes being left out teaches a lesson that inclusion can’t.

 

A team doesn't need to be left out to pay a price and learn a lesson. Your record dictates who you play in round 1. 

5 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

A team doesn't need to be left out to pay a price and learn a lesson. Your record dictates who you play in round 1. 

What lesson is learned by letting an 0-10 team in the playoffs?

16 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

What lesson is learned by letting an 0-10 team in the playoffs?

It isn't about them. It is about the selective system leaving the 5-5 top 10 team out of the postseason, while the 2-8 team in a weak district gets in. That is the alternative. I prefer the current system with more opportunity.

1 hour ago, 83wildcatFB said:

I still don’t see what the problem is though. I know a few teams have dropped out but this mountain of a problem really seems like a molehill. 

How can anyone see it as non-problematic that a single team, let alone multiple teams decide not to participate in the playoffs?  That's a huge problem for everyone involved.  It means the system is deeply flawed currently and entirely too watered down.  

 

What's the point of the regular season if there are so many districts where every team makes the tournament? 

 

The point of the playoffs is to find a state champion.... the best of each class. The 0, 1, 2, and 3 win teams have zero chance of becoming said state champion.  State champion teams gain absolutely nothing by playing those teams, but they have a lot to lose.  It helps nobody.  This is indeed a mountain of a problem, not a molehill.

23 minutes ago, New Colonel said:

What's the point of the regular season if there are so many districts where every team makes the tournament? 

This. 

1 hour ago, New Colonel said:

How can anyone see it as non-problematic that a single team, let alone multiple teams decide not to participate in the playoffs?  That's a huge problem for everyone involved.  It means the system is deeply flawed currently and entirely too watered down.  

 

What's the point of the regular season if there are so many districts where every team makes the tournament? 

 

The point of the playoffs is to find a state champion.... the best of each class. The 0, 1, 2, and 3 win teams have zero chance of becoming said state champion.  State champion teams gain absolutely nothing by playing those teams, but they have a lot to lose.  It helps nobody.  This is indeed a mountain of a problem, not a molehill.

I guess my idea of a mountain of a problem and yours are two totally different things. We will have to agree to disagree.

Paducah Tilghman and Lou. Central both have won state titles with a 4-6 record. When most people from outside Kentucky see that, they always say neither one should've made the playoffs. In 2009 PT just got hot in the end. This may not be the best example but it does show that you can still win a state title with a losing regular season record. You never know.

34 minutes ago, PTHSalumni said:

Paducah Tilghman and Lou. Central both have won state titles with a 4-6 record. When most people from outside Kentucky see that, they always say neither one should've made the playoffs. In 2009 PT just got hot in the end. This may not be the best example but it does show that you can still win a state title with a losing regular season record. You never know.

Two time defending 5A champs Bowling Green has a 4-6 record after a brutal regular season schedule.  63-7 records by Cal, South Warren, Franklin Co., St. X, Scott Co. and OCath.  That is gauntlet not many sane coaches would schedule.

Edited November 3, 2025Nov 3 by Oldercoach

37 minutes ago, PTHSalumni said:

Paducah Tilghman and Lou. Central both have won state titles with a 4-6 record. When most people from outside Kentucky see that, they always say neither one should've made the playoffs. In 2009 PT just got hot in the end. This may not be the best example but it does show that you can still win a state title with a losing regular season record. You never know.

Preach!

3 hours ago, New Colonel said:

 

The point of the playoffs is to find a state champion.... the best of each class. 

Is that the only value? Only 6 teams get any value out of the postseason?