Worst decision ever made and it didn't even take a VOTE, it was just done without anyone knowing it.

I would much rather see the old system back, if you are going to reward the kids with a playoff birth allow them to play an unfamiliar opponent, at least we would have avoided T this season.

As long as there are going to be 4 teams from each district in the playoffs, at least go back to the previous format of playing first-round games against neighboring districts.

 

But it's the 4 automatic district qualifiers that's the inherent problem. I'd rather see another entertaining regular-season game and one less playoff game.

I strongly support going back to the old method of playing another district for the first two rounds and go away from this rotating district idea. The old system was more interesting, easier to understand, had better attendance (a guess) and it was just more fair.

 

When I say fair, I'm speaking in terms of 3rd and 4th round game locations. Under the current system, there are some big inequities where some schools get to hose the semifinals for 3 years in a row, and then they would have to travel for 3 in a row if they made it that far. That is just not a fair system, IMO.

 

I merged these two similar threads.

I agree with playing another district in the first two rounds AND would like to see only the top two from each four team district make the playoffs. The 0-10, 1-9 or 2-8 teams that just get in because they completed the regular season are still going to get shutout by the neighboring #1 seeds as well.

Here are a few excerpts From Mike Fields' Friday Notebook

 

If your satellite dish delivered nothing but reruns tonight -- almost 100 in all -- it certainly wouldn't rate as must-see TV. That's what Kentucky high school football is delivering tonight in the first round of the newly expanded playoffs. Nothing but reruns. We've seen all these games before during the regular season. That's not a good thing.

 

In talking with coaches across the state, I've heard a lot more complaints about the playoff format than the expansion to six classes.

 

Belfry Coach Philip Haywood

"I think not only are the coaches totally against it, but the fans are too. Everybody wants to see new teams at the end of the year. We're not like basketball. We're a different sport. We had a great format before. Changing it was a mistake."

 

Haywood said most coaches and fans "want to see a new face in the first couple rounds of the playoffs.

 

"My personal opinion is that this new format is bad for high school football."

 

 

Newport Central Catholic Coach Bob Schneider

He said it was understood that the change would be reviewed after this second year, and that will happen.

 

"I know there are a lot of feelings about it both ways. Up here (in northern Kentucky), I don't think people mind (the change) at all. But if there's a strong feeling against it statewide, there may be some adjustment."

 

But, Schneider added, just because a majority of coaches may be against it, their principals could have the final say, especially if it's a money-saving issue.

I agree with playing another district in the first two rounds AND would like to see only the top two from each four team district make the playoffs. The 0-10, 1-9 or 2-8 teams that just get in because they completed the regular season are still going to get shutout by the neighboring #1 seeds as well.

 

I don't think you will ever see that change. Dropping that round of playoff games would be detrimental to the bottom line for the KHSAA and one of the reasons given for the change to 6 classes was to see more teams make the post season.

 

There will still be blowouts, but they would be more interesting blowouts using the old system.

 

The 2nd round is where I really liked the old system better. The games are more competitive and instead of playing a team you already faced, you were taking on one of the better teams from the neighboring district for a chance to play for the regional title.

Here are a few excerpts From Mike Fields' Friday Notebook

 

If your satellite dish delivered nothing but reruns tonight -- almost 100 in all -- it certainly wouldn't rate as must-see TV. That's what Kentucky high school football is delivering tonight in the first round of the newly expanded playoffs. Nothing but reruns. We've seen all these games before during the regular season. That's not a good thing.

 

In talking with coaches across the state, I've heard a lot more complaints about the playoff format than the expansion to six classes.

 

Belfry Coach Philip Haywood

"I think not only are the coaches totally against it, but the fans are too. Everybody wants to see new teams at the end of the year. We're not like basketball. We're a different sport. We had a great format before. Changing it was a mistake."

 

Haywood said most coaches and fans "want to see a new face in the first couple rounds of the playoffs.

 

"My personal opinion is that this new format is bad for high school football."

 

 

Newport Central Catholic Coach Bob Schneider

He said it was understood that the change would be reviewed after this second year, and that will happen.

 

"I know there are a lot of feelings about it both ways. Up here (in northern Kentucky), I don't think people mind (the change) at all. But if there's a strong feeling against it statewide, there may be some adjustment."

 

But, Schneider added, just because a majority of coaches may be against it, their principals could have the final say, especially if it's a money-saving issue.

 

I would think the format of playing another district would be good for basketball too. It's no fun to play the same team twice during the season, and again in the district tournament.

Who you play in the first two rounds changed last season. It really doesn't have anything to do with 6 classes.

 

Here is an idea: Take three from each district to the playoffs. #1 gets a first round bye (seems to work out OK in the NFL). #2 plays #3 cross district in the first round. #1 are seperated from their district # 2 in the overall bracket. All teams that do not make the playoffs are free to schedule a post-season bowl against another non-playoff team if they want. The only thing eliminated is the 4 over 1 upset.

Now that we have six classes and nearly everyone gets in, AND the first round is within the district, was this year's first round of the playoffs the worst ever?

 

I say yes.

The Garrard@Wayne game was a terrific HS football game - very entertaining and exciting for the fans of both teams. However, I agree. Bring back the "sister district" playoff brackets. Let's see some different teams and game sites from those of the reg season.:thumb:

I agree with playing another district in the first two rounds AND would like to see only the top two from each four team district make the playoffs. The 0-10, 1-9 or 2-8 teams that just get in because they completed the regular season are still going to get shutout by the neighboring #1 seeds as well.

 

I agree 100%. Rotating disrict play in the 1st round will not eliminate the 50-0 blowouts we witnessed last evening in 1st round action. My understanding is that there will not be a bye week in the regular schedule for 2008. Why not eliminate the 1st round of play and insert the bye week in that slot. That way teams would have a chance to nurse the wounds, energize and get ready for playoff action. The blowouts in the first round are ugly, teams on the short end of the stick are frustrated and the parents and coaching staff are equally frustrated. Plus you have to factor in the injury possibilities! The visting team to the game I attended last night did not bring more than 100 fans. That is embarrassing to their football team and certainly does not promote the Kentucky football atmosphere of excitement. Time of the KHSAA to wake up and smell the coffee...

What bothers me is that great teams can lose players to injury during these games which can hurt the team down the road. Not worth the risk.

3 #4 seeds won on the road over the #1's last night.

16 #3 seeds won on the road over the #2's last night.

( I don't think these teams think it was a boring week)

 

27 games were decided by less than 16 point (2 TD's + Conv) last night with many other games being that close late in the second half, before on team pulled away.

 

 

Yeah, there were a lot of blow outs last night but there are 19 teams of young men that have worked their tales off this year that won and prove they deserved a chance to keep playing. Congrats to all of the teams !!!!!

 

My sons team was not a #3-4 seed so I am not saying this because they got in the playoffs and wouldn't under the top two plan most on here advocate. I just think another week of football for every team in KY (well almost every team) over the long haul is good for football in KY. Just as the couple of weeks of spring ball has helped so does this extra week at the end of the season.

An obvious way to make more first round matchups competitive would be to stop seeding and hold a blind draw matching teams from one district with teams from the other one. Some first round games would still be blowouts and there would be a few more blowouts in the second round than the current system. The best team would still emerge with a regional title and every playoff round would feature many great match ups.

 

I like giving everybody an equal shot in the playoffs. Coaches should spend the entire regular season developing young talent to prepare them for playoff success.

An obvious way to make more first round matchups competitive would be to stop seeding and hold a blind draw matching teams from one district with teams from the other one. Some first round games would still be blowouts and there would be a few more blowouts in the second round than the current system. The best team would still emerge with a regional title and every playoff round would feature many great match ups.

 

I like giving everybody an equal shot in the playoffs. Coaches should spend the entire regular season developing young talent to prepare them for playoff success.

 

Blind Draw? then the season would mean nothing as far as seeding goes. I would like to see #1 play #4 from the other district and #2 play #3 from the other district. But a blind draw that could pit #1 vs #1 in the first round would be a bad idea IMHO. :fight: