I think we're getting too hung up on the idea of a good (sub-.500) team not making the playoffs. What we should focus on is giving some meaning to the goal of making the playoffs. Sure, some relatively good teams from strong districts are going to miss out in a two team format. But, I think the greater good is served by eliminating the poorer teams.

 

Someone said that a player could get hurt just as easily playing a better team, so it shouldn't matter. To me, this is faulty logic. You would be playing one less game, so statistically, you're less likely to suffer an injury before the state finals. And why risk an injury in a game that means nothing? The vast majority of the first round games fall under that category.

 

I think we should go to five (or even four) classes and have two teams from each district make the playoffs.

Was the reason to expand to 6 to put distance away from the smaller schools who can't compete?

You would still be, following logic, getting hurt in the first game of the playoffs if it was to be. Instead of a hurt knee against an 0 and 10 team, you are now hurt against a 6 and 4 team. Congratulations!!!!

Also, if the poor teams are such a risk to hurt people, why do so many teams line them up for easy wins, alumni nights and homecomings in the regular season? What is different in the playoffs that suddenly makes them capable of breaking a star player's leg? If they could bring that kind of punishment at will, why are they 1-9?

 

 

Everyone, yes, everyone, every team, is guilty of putting some kind of cupcake team on their schedule.

 

It's like an ugly girlfriend, apparently. When there is something we want (an easy win during the regular season), we're happy to see them. BUT: If they find a way into the BIG Dance at the end of the year, we don't want them around us or our friends all of a sudden.

Every school in Indiana goes. What's wrong with the system today? Do you really want to cut down on games and reduce the field from 32 to 16 for each class? I know that would adversely affect Trinity and many other schools who rely on football revenue to help their athletic budgets stay in the black. I believe Graves County is looking forward to their adventure into Louisville. They are coming into Louisville tonight. Otherwise, these two may never meet.My understanding is Graves County (Mayfield) has never played a game in Jefferson County. Depsite the long odds, I'd bet the kids are excited about this trip. This may very well be the first time many of them have been to the largest city in Kentucky. I think the playoffs are fine unless you want to add another round and let everyone in.

Yes, thsrocks.

Although, some only want the Old Money involved, regardless. Some are for everyone, with exceptions. It won't change, and if it does, it will not change for the better.

You would still be, following logic, getting hurt in the first game of the playoffs if it was to be. Instead of a hurt knee against an 0 and 10 team, you are now hurt against a 6 and 4 team. Congratulations!!!!

Also, if the poor teams are such a risk to hurt people, why do so many teams line them up for easy wins, alumni nights and homecomings in the regular season? What is different in the playoffs that suddenly makes them capable of breaking a star player's leg?

You're still not following the logic. Playing an extra team (ANY team) adds one more possibility to lose key players before the difficult final games. It makes no difference who they are. And why take that added risk for no other reason than to make one pathetic team feel good about itself for a week?

 

And the reason nobody would want them around as you say, is because they have no right to be there -- they didn't earn it. It's nothing but charity. It has nothing to do with being "afraid" of the poor teams. It's about taking risk without gain or purpose.

I actually think that you sould have to have a .500 record or above to get in. If not enough make it. The other teams get byes....make the regular season important.

I actually think that you sould have to have a .500 record or above to get in. If not enough make it. The other teams get byes....make the regular season important.

 

That won't work unless you restructure the regions and make teams fill their schedules with other teams the same class . Otherwise scheduling would be a nightmare, espcially for better programs who many schools don't want to play. Mandating a .500 season is fine if everyone is playing compairable schedule and that's just about impossible, unless the districts and regions are reconfigured.

Then let's go with district winners only.

 

No seconds, thirds or fourths, then.

Why make a 2nd place team that could not beat the best team feel good about itself when it did not earn it, either?

Loser in the playoffs does not get a second chance, so why should the 2nd, 3rd or 4th place team get one?

Even less games to get someone hurt and even more of a chance to show everyone, even the second place team with a 9-1 record, that your best does not cut it. This is what we should go with. EVERY game should be a good one, an important one, in the playoffs with the 1-seed-only setup.

No one is rewarded at all for losing. If you were second, should have won but didn't, whatever. Does not matter. You had your chance to be first and blew it. Your best was not good enough. Why reward anyone that lost when they needed to win. This way, an 0-10 team and a 9-1 team have the same values. You lost, you are done. Why reward anyone for not finishing first?

And the reason nobody would want them around as you say, is because they have no right to be there -- they didn't earn it. It's nothing but charity. It has nothing to do with being "afraid" of the poor teams. It's about taking risk without gain or purpose.

 

 

 

But, what about the other point I made? Everyone seems to want them around for that easy win, plus if they ever did mandate a .500 season, these guys could almost name their price for a chance to play them. They may not make the playoffs, but they could bring in the jack from a 4-5 team that wants to get the easy win.

Bottom line is we want the easy team when they know their place.

And the reason nobody would want them around as you say, is because they have no right to be there -- they didn't earn it. It's nothing but charity. It has nothing to do with being "afraid" of the poor teams. It's about taking risk without gain or purpose.

 

 

 

But, what about the other point I made? Everyone seems to want them around for that easy win, plus if they ever did mandate a .500 season, these guys could almost name their price for a chance to play them. They may not make the playoffs, but they could bring in the jack from a 4-5 team that wants to get the easy win.

Bottom line is we want the easy team when they know their place.

 

Our out of district games are as follows: Ashland (5A), Greenup Co. (4A), East Carter (3A), Russell (3A), West Carter (3A), Paintsville (1A). Not all teams had great years this year, but we were beaten by 3 of these teams last year. We try to play up as much as possible to make us beeter in our district. Better competition is sought by our 1A team, we are not looking for 'cupcakes'.

Then let's go with district winners only.

 

No seconds, thirds or fourths, then.

Why make a 2nd place team that could not beat the best team feel good about itself when it did not earn it, either?

I give up. :lol:

But, what about the other point I made? Everyone seems to want them around for that easy win, plus if they ever did mandate a .500 season, these guys could almost name their price for a chance to play them. They may not make the playoffs, but they could bring in the jack from a 4-5 team that wants to get the easy win.

Bottom line is we want the easy team when they know their place.

Who said anything about mandating a .500 season? :confused: ANd nobody worth their chinstraps wasnts to play a cupcake -- not the first game of the year, not the last game of the playoffs...not even in scrimmage.

But are there any on your schedule? Most teams have one or two.

We play up a lot, also, but we can be perceived as a "cupcake" by the likes of Whitley and Middlesboro and Harlan County HS. We don't play the traditional "cupcakes" either, very often. We pay the price very often for a tough schedule. Now we're getting to the root of something. A small school plays up out of need or desire, but using the logic we have used all day, this makes them undesireable, yet another team DOES play the traditional cupcakes, finishes 3rd (or 2nd) with a 6-4 record is now considered better than the other team that finishes 4-6/5-5 against a much tougher schedule. Is the 6-4 team really more deserving to be in the playoffs with this scenario?

I was not fighting you, BF.

It has been said all day (BTW the thread has .500 in the title) that a .500 record should be mandatory in many people's opinion. As far as the 1 seed only, it is fair. Using the least-game-possible scenario in the playoffs, more teams would be healthier and the weak teams would all be gone. All I did was take it one step further than you. I dropped the 2 seed. Best teams, by winning the district, have already proven themselves there. Why should they have to possibly play a team that already lost to them again in the playoffs?

Loser is the loser. Why get another shot. Get them next year.

You would be suprised how many teams would schedule cupcakes to get a sure 5th win. Colleges do it all the time. Why would a HS with a mandated .500 not do it?