You could have two classes or 15 and it has nothing to do with this argument.. The problem is under the current format you change regions every year. It's bad for the sport because fans don't understand it and you lose regional rivalries.

 

I agree totally. Hey I don't like 6 classes in football either. I can see an argument to add a 5th one before last year, but 6 is ridiculous considering there are winless teams making the playoffs. My thing also is from a geography stand point, if I am Henry Clay, the best team in Lexington and I am Trinity 1st or 2nd best team in Louisville, that should be atleast a semifinal matchup. It is set up to have St. X and Trinity in the title game, which I understand the argument that they are the 2 best teams in the state. But I think some of these schools not as good as St X and Trinity is who the system is really set up for.

Regional is an antiquated term that has no relevance to geography when applied to the football playoffs. These games are third round tilts that should be called quarter finals, nothing more nothing less.

Six classes!!!! Crazy for a state as small as Kentucky.

I agree totally. Hey I don't like 6 classes in football either. I can see an argument to add a 5th one before last year, but 6 is ridiculous considering there are winless teams making the playoffs. My thing also is from a geography stand point, if I am Henry Clay, the best team in Lexington and I am Trinity 1st or 2nd best team in Louisville, that should be atleast a semifinal matchup. It is set up to have St. X and Trinity in the title game, which I understand the argument that they are the 2 best teams in the state. But I think some of these schools not as good as St X and Trinity is who the system is really set up for.

 

 

Actually the new format caused T and X's districts to meet in the quarter finals last year. Under the old system T and X could meet in the finals every year. So now 50% of the time they will be on the same side of the bracket, therefore I would have to say the your analogy is false.

Regional is an antiquated term that has no relevance to geography when applied to the football playoffs. These games are third round tilts that should be called quarter finals, nothing more nothing less.

 

 

 

I don't know if the players who have won regional championships would agree. Everyone can't be state champs, and it's a big accomplishment to win a regional title, even one that's a moving target.

A lot of regional championships were won tonight, and I'm not sure who won which.

 

For example, did Hazard win Region 3 or Region 4?

If the complaint is about traveling, and not about who you are playing, then why not have the games played at neutral sites? Ohio does it and it seems to work out fine.

A lot of regional championships were won tonight, and I'm not sure who won which.

 

For example, did Hazard win Region 3 or Region 4?

 

It doesn't matter. They won the region championship. Period. Get over it.

Great point Kissinger. Do you really think the likes of Highlands, Trinity, X (and the rest of the powerhouse teams) care whom they play in the second, third or fourth round? They all know that eventually they will have to beat the best teams in their region to make it to state. I was of the understanding that it was some schools that got tired of always getting beaten by the same teams in the playoffs that were behind this move, not the powerhouse teams. Is my understanding correct to the best of your knowledge?

 

That's exactly as I remember hearing the discussion. Several key schools tired ot the path to the finals always being blocked by the same schools. So with the new, now two year old rotation, at least some people have gotten a shot at late season practice, third and fourth round play, that never got that before. That eventually, if given time, leads to some parity. If you don't believe it, look at what is happening in college football. I can remember years ago when people screamed that there were too many bowl games, things were being watered down, etc. But funny thing is that football didn't die because of it. It actually has seen an explosion in growth. And more teams getting more and more practices (three and four weeks of bowl prep per year), have led to more parity than ever before.

 

It is a tried and true strategy that works. But it does take time.

It doesn't matter. They won the region championship. Period. Get over it.

 

 

If you don't know, then it is a mess.

Pointing out the obvious here, 6 classes are too many...that's the first problem. There's not enough private schools to have their own class, well, there is, but even though the Holy Cross', O'Caths, DeSales, etc. have GREAT programs, I still think it would come down to a final four of CovCath, LexCath, St.X and Trinity every year, so that scenario is out the question.

 

We could go to 5 classes, which I think everybody could tolerate more, and might just work at the best.

 

.......or, just be done with it, go back to the 4, like it has been?!?

 

That's just my two cents worth....if it's even worth that?! haha

If you don't know, then it is a mess.

 

To help you with your concern, I looked at their web site. This link http://www.khsaa.org/football/playoffpairings.pdf appears to tell you region numbers. If they matter. My original point still remains. Since football is realigned on a regular basis, and schools, classes and regions change on a regular basis, there is no continuity to the term "region" and it is an antiquated and outdated term giving someone only some false sense of geographic pride or statistics base. In sports with relatively little change in alignments, it is probably much more valid. Just one opinion and I respect yours as well.

When I came to Fort Campbell in the early 90's I thought the setup in KY was a little wierd. and now it seems even crazier. When I grew up in Oregon, we has 4 classes and each class had 8 conferences. Each conference sent 2 teams to state for a 16-team field. Each conference champion was seeded 1-8, and the conference runner-up was placed in the opposite side of the bracket (seeded with 3 other runners-up against a conference champion). The only time you saw a team from your conference was in the state chapmionship. This was the basic format they used for all sports back then, but I understand it has changed since then.

 

This sounds better then what we have now. I do not see any reason why so many teams feel that they should be competing for a state title. If they want a chance they might need to play a little better during the regular season to make sure they get a spot. KY is worse than some of the pro sports (NBA) that sends nearly everyteam tot he playoffs. Just doesn't make ense to me.

Stickymitts, I agree. Play the game and if you don't win go home. It wasn't your year. If you think about it, it might save your athletic program some money in the long run. They won't have to pay for transportation an extra week. The playoff system in KY has never been set up for the "best teams" to reach the final. Should we set-up the play-offs like other states. Just let the top 10 teams play. KY play-offs in football, basketball, and baseball are great, in that they give "ALL" schools the oppertunity to play and win a championship. Just show up and bring your "A game" every week and win. Good luck in the playoffs.

 

I kind of like the idea, but in the long run I can see 100 - 0 scores in contests to get to the top 10! It therefore wouldn't boil down to who you beat, but by how many points did you beat your opponent by. On the flip side... many schools that have soft schedules now would be forced to play more challenging competition.

If the complaint is about traveling, and not about who you are playing, then why not have the games played at neutral sites? Ohio does it and it seems to work out fine.

 

I agree 100%. Let the first 2 district playoff be decided in the respective district. Then playoffs number 3 and 4 should be played at a neutral site. The regional games should be lumped together on the same day, same site. This would provide football fans the opportunity to see different teams play from different areas of the state. It would also give fans a chance to see neighboring schools play during this round of competition. (ie. Highland fans could not see neighboring schools such as Newport Central Catholic, Boone County and Beechwood play as the games were going on at the same tme.)

 

I really think this would add a great deal of excitement to the fans, pride to the schools and revenue to the schools and KHSAA as the attendance would be greatly increased.