I remember that one or two years ago a BGP'er suggested that there should be a bowl at the start of the regular season that would feature the defending state champions playing each other. I wanted to revisit this idea. It could be called the Bluegrass Champions Bowl or something like this, and the 1A and 2A champs could play, the 3A and 4A champs could play, and the 5A and 6A teams could play. The locations for all three games could be in different places. In fact, perhaps the smaller class's champion could host each game, to help level the playing field a bit (i.e. 5A Highlands would host 6A Trinity).

 

I think this would generate some extra interest in the start of the football season. Also, it seems that the beginning-of-the-year bowls (especially the Recreation Bowl and the Thoroughbred Bowl) have lost some luster over time, and this could reverse this trend.

This would be a good idea, but would be very difficult to do because of the usual "two-year" contracts that are involved with Bowl Games. You never know who would win each class's championship (which would be exciting to have it change from year to year), but that could mean teams trying to find games for week 1.

Neat idea, but it wouldn't really settle anything, since the 2 teams to take the field won't be the same ones that won state titles the year before. Every team loses seniors to graduation and underclassmen for different reasons.

Neat idea, but it wouldn't really settle anything, since the 2 teams to take the field won't be the same ones that won state titles the year before. Every team loses seniors to graduation and underclassmen for different reasons.

Well, keep in mind that the point of these games would not be to "settle" issues of which team was better from last year. You are absolutely correct... teams can vary greatly from year to year.

 

The point of this would be to generate a greater interest in the beginning of the football season. Let's face it... the teams that win titles are rarely great one year and bad the next... they tend to be great football PROGRAMS... therefore the chances of these being exciting games year in and year out are strong. By starting off the season with matchups like Highlands vs. Trinity and LexCath vs. Central, a lot of interest would be built up at the very start of the season.

I like the idea, but the problem would be scheduling. Most teams would not know for a fact that they were going to win a State Championship, and be able to keep the first week of the following season open. Teams would have contracts to keep.

 

But, if they could maybe play their second scrimmage of the preseason against the other State Champions, that would be interesting. Maybe all the teams play on a Saturday, at one location, for their second scrimmage.

Perhaps it could be a "glorified" scrimmage that would be a real game situation in the week prior to the season, but with the results not counting except for bragging rights. Great way to kick off the season, but would eliminate problems with scheduling and would only impact these few teams.