The KHSAA shift from 4 to 6 football classes has been pretty controversial, with many supporters and many detractors.

 

What does everyone think of the idea of going back to 4 traditional classes (based solely on male enrollment size, no exceptions) PLUS a "super class," which would be for any programs who wanted to "play up" in it, regardless of school size?

 

I know that geography is a complicating factor in this scenario, but consider this concept in theory at least.

 

Would any program want to play in the "super class," besides the major Louisville Class 6A powers (like Trinity, St. Xavier, and possibly Male)?

 

Teams like CovCath and Highlands pride themselves in "playing up" in football (for geographic reasons) while still maintaining their traditions of excellence as powerhouses... would they consider "playing way up?" Would that be football suicide?

One potential drawback. Let's say, for argument's sake that the following schools elect to participate in a "super class":

 

Trinity, Male, St. X, Highlands, Ballard, Bowling Green, Boone County, Henry Clay, Manual, John Hardin, Johnson Central and Marshall County. How many teams are needed to create a new class?

 

How does georgaphy dictate the regular season schedule? How many rounds of playoff games would there be?

Add CovCath to the "Super Class". And no way does Johnson Central compete. Sorry!

Add CovCath to the "Super Class". And no way does Johnson Central compete. Sorry!

 

Just using examples to illustrate the geography issue, so I took a team from the mountains.

 

According to the initial post, anyone who wants can ask to play in the super class. Maybe JC, Beechwood, Belfry, etc. want to flex their muscles against the big boys for a couple of years.

I liked the idea of the 16-20 largest schools playing in the super class with the other five classes divided as evenly as possible.

I liked the idea of the 16-20 largest schools playing in the super class with the other five classes divided as evenly as possible.

 

I think that there would be widespread support. I just wonder about the playoffs (as well as geography). One less game, or would we reduce the number of teams that qualify for the post-season in the other classes?

I think that there would be widespread support. I just wonder about the playoffs (as well as geography). One less game, or would we reduce the number of teams that qualify for the post-season in the other classes?

 

Perhaps one less playoff game and a Super Class Title the week before? Maybe a week off leading into the finals for the super class? Maybe no super class playoff games during week one of the regular playoffs?

Ok, T and X already totally dominate KY's biggest class. That means they already basically beat up, on a regular basis, the biggest schools in KY. What would change with a "Super Class"? Yeah, Highlands and Cov. Cath and BG and Male might beat those two 1, maybe 2 out of every 4 or so tries, but more than that is a bit far fetched.

 

There is no getting around it, T and X can only be dealt with in the manner that Tennessee has dealt with its private big boys. Put them in a much smaller bracketed playoff Division that awards a separate State Championship. The TSSAA still oversees the Div. I and II championships, and still reaps the benefits of their revenue. Why can the KHSAA not do that?

 

Playing up would be insane for just about any school other than about 6 in this state. Other than the four schools mentioned above and a scattered few others, playing up would mean once playoffs start, your season is over. The really talented teams of places like Beechwood, Mayfield, and even the bigger boys like BG and Hopkinsville can simply not withstand the wave-upon-wave assaults of a place like St. X on a yearly basis.

 

Playing up is admirable, but it will never hold. People want to win. Schools like trophies. If Highlands didn't have all those trophies in their case, if they had, let's say, played for many years in a super class, then they would simply be known as a tough team in KY, not one of the most storied programs in this part of the country. Highlands’s pride, their prestige comes from many things, but the trophies in the case, and what they signify, are the backbone of all of it. Take those trophies away, and the kids in the program may still have the same pride, but the rest of the state looks at them in a whole different manner.

There is no getting around it, T and X can only be dealt with in the manner that Tennessee has dealt with its private big boys.

 

There is ONE other way...Guru has mentioned it often. But it will take the right situation, a WHOLE lot of work, and even MORE discipline.

Ok, T and X already totally dominate KY's biggest class. That means they already basically beat up, on a regular basis, the biggest schools in KY. What would change with a "Super Class"? Yeah, Highlands and Cov. Cath and BG and Male might beat those two 1, maybe 2 out of every 4 or so tries, but more than that is a bit far fetched.

That sounds to me like a very balanced average. The idea isn't to win every year. That kind of "everyone gets a trophy" mentality is the domain of the separatists.

Playing up is admirable, but it will never hold. People want to win. Schools like trophies. If Highlands didn't have all those trophies in their case, if they had, let's say, played for many years in a super class, then they would simply be known as a tough team in KY, not one of the most storied programs in this part of the country. Highlands’s pride, their prestige comes from many things, but the trophies in the case, and what they signify, are the backbone of all of it. Take those trophies away, and the kids in the program may still have the same pride, but the rest of the state looks at them in a whole different manner.

Just as important as the number of trophies, is the quality of those trophies. The Super Class only needs a few teams. And that trophy would be more prestigious than most state championships in the country.

 

It's not for everyone; but that's precisely the point. Not everyone wants to be faced with that kind of competition...and they shouldn't be forced to. But some programs are at a level where such a concept is viable. I think we have eight or so teams in the state that this would work for.

 

With that few teams, you wouldn't have to worry about districts or regional play-offs. All of the teams would participate in a post-season tournament -- possibly at a central location.

I'll be bold and maybe even ruffle a few "Birds" feathers here, and say that if such a Super Class were made, T, X and Male would win 17-18 out of every 20 super class titles.

I'll be bold and maybe even ruffle a few "Birds" feathers here, and say that if such a Super Class were made, T, X and Male would win 17-18 out of every 20 super class titles.

I agree and then I don't think it would be much of a "viable" concept for the "Birds".

I agree and then I don't think it would be much of a "viable" concept for the "Birds".

I believe this would make it an even MORE viable option. You're not going to win it every year. T & X are winning it almost every year as it is. Nothing would change for them. But it would give some of these more advanced teams the chance to shoot for a goal that truly meant something. And occasionally, without doubt, they would achieve it.

There is ONE other way...Guru has mentioned it often. But it will take the right situation, a WHOLE lot of work, and even MORE discipline.

 

Let me tell you something.....the man that I quoted will build a power right here in our backyard.....it is scary and exciting all at the same time.