Let me give you some more history and help, even though it isn't all about money for the schools. In the days when only one team came to the playoffs, many times that deciding game was not played at the end, but rather, whenever the traditional schedule date allowed. For example, Belfry and Russell used to play about the fifth game every year, and basically, the loser was done. They go very little crowd after that point (whoever lost), and it set a negative tone for a lot of other things.

It got better when it increased to two, and then still to four. As others will point out, lots of teams without previous success were able to remain in the playoff picture, better gates, more support, more kids out, improved play next time, etc.

It's easy to sit back and say that anything more is too many, but there is another thing that is a problem. With anything less than four (for that matter, with anything less and all getting in), it basically allows the rich to keep getting richer. Remember the article early in the year about 40 something titles among a handful of teams? Part of the reason is that those schools get three to five weeks additional practice every year. With everyone in the playoffs (or nearly everyone), that means an extra week of practice for nearly every team, or four weeks over the career of a player (minimum). That's how you build parity, and keep more people involved.

 

 

Very well put!!! Most people dont understand this? :thumb:

 

:dancingpa :dancingpa :dancingpa

Let me give you some more history and help, even though it isn't all about money for the schools. In the days when only one team came to the playoffs, many times that deciding game was not played at the end, but rather, whenever the traditional schedule date allowed. For example, Belfry and Russell used to play about the fifth game every year, and basically, the loser was done. They go very little crowd after that point (whoever lost), and it set a negative tone for a lot of other things.

It got better when it increased to two, and then still to four. As others will point out, lots of teams without previous success were able to remain in the playoff picture, better gates, more support, more kids out, improved play next time, etc.

It's easy to sit back and say that anything more is too many, but there is another thing that is a problem. With anything less than four (for that matter, with anything less and all getting in), it basically allows the rich to keep getting richer. Remember the article early in the year about 40 something titles among a handful of teams? Part of the reason is that those schools get three to five weeks additional practice every year. With everyone in the playoffs (or nearly everyone), that means an extra week of practice for nearly every team, or four weeks over the career of a player (minimum). That's how you build parity, and keep more people involved.

 

Great post!

1A

Fulton City 2-9

Carroll County 3-8

Harrodsburg 3-8

Paris 4-7

Phelps 4-7

Evarts 4-7

 

2A

Casey County 2-9

Garrard County 3-8

Lloyd Memorial 4-7

Shelby Valley 4-7

Brethitt County 4-7

Cawood 1-10

 

3A

Logan County 4-7

Madisonville North Hopkins 3-8

Hopkins County Central 3-8

West Jessamine 4-7

South Oldham 2-9

Grant County 4-7

Lawrence County 4-7

 

4A

Whitley County 4-7

(this is the only team that I found that entered the playoffs with a losing record)

 

If you can't win half your games, you DO NOT deserve to be in the playoffs.

All these teams have 2 things in common ( A losing season, and a early exit in the playoffs)

 

What ever happended to play your way in?

South Oldham had a forfeit situation.

1A

Fulton City 2-9

Carroll County 3-8

Harrodsburg 3-8

Paris 4-7

Phelps 4-7

Evarts 4-7

 

2A

Casey County 2-9

Garrard County 3-8

Lloyd Memorial 4-7

Shelby Valley 4-7

Brethitt County 4-7

Cawood 1-10

 

3A

Logan County 4-7

Madisonville North Hopkins 3-8

Hopkins County Central 3-8

West Jessamine 4-7

South Oldham 2-9

Grant County 4-7

Lawrence County 4-7

 

4A

Whitley County 4-7

(this is the only team that I found that entered the playoffs with a losing record)

 

If you can't win half your games, you DO NOT deserve to be in the playoffs.

All these teams have 2 things in common ( A losing season, and a early exit in the playoffs)

 

What ever happended to play your way in?

 

Let's do the same for basketball.

 

BTW, this will just encourage teams to schedule weaker out of district opponents. Whitley was 3-3 in their district and did toughen up their schedule to help them get back in the playoffs.

I don't know how I feel yet about the 6 class system. I have long held to the thought that 4 classes are enough for KY and I still think I lean that way. I have no problem with the current playoff system, but there are a couple of things that need attention and we could improve upon, IMO. (If we stay with the 4 class system)

 

1. We start too early. Like ChiefSmoke said earlier, there are some great concerns with the heat and any idea that lets us move the start back a week or two is worth considering.

 

2. Too many districts with 7/8 teams and some have only 4. It would be a great benefit to even that out. I realize the travel concerns and geography dictate that it almost has to be that way in some districts.

 

Proposal: I've wondered in the past if it would be possible to go to 16 districts instead of 8 with the top two making the playoffs from each district? Still 32 playoff teams so it wouldn't add any length to the playoffs. You could mandate that each district have only 3-4 teams in it. (54/16 = 3.375) This would cut the district sizes in half and allow a LOT of freedom in scheduling.

 

Mandating only 3-4 teams in a district would likely create a geographic mismatch or two along the way. But it would limit the travel concerns some, because even if you had to travel a distance to a district game, you would only have 2-3 to worry about instead of 6 or 7.

 

In addition to this change, and because we now have some flexibility with our schedule, we could go to a 9 (or 10) game regular season schedule with no bye week. This would allow us to start two (or one) weeks later and avoid some of the heat. We could start later, finish at the same time, have the same number of teams make the playoffs, cut down on travel and allow more scheduling flexibility.

I think I like the idea of 16 districts. This would allow for some nice out of district matchups.

Let me give you some more history and help, even though it isn't all about money for the schools. In the days when only one team came to the playoffs, many times that deciding game was not played at the end, but rather, whenever the traditional schedule date allowed. For example, Belfry and Russell used to play about the fifth game every year, and basically, the loser was done. They go very little crowd after that point (whoever lost), and it set a negative tone for a lot of other things.

It got better when it increased to two, and then still to four. As others will point out, lots of teams without previous success were able to remain in the playoff picture, better gates, more support, more kids out, improved play next time, etc.

It's easy to sit back and say that anything more is too many, but there is another thing that is a problem. With anything less than four (for that matter, with anything less and all getting in), it basically allows the rich to keep getting richer. Remember the article early in the year about 40 something titles among a handful of teams? Part of the reason is that those schools get three to five weeks additional practice every year. With everyone in the playoffs (or nearly everyone), that means an extra week of practice for nearly every team, or four weeks over the career of a player (minimum). That's how you build parity, and keep more people involved.

 

 

 

It may not be all about money, but don't think that is does't play a significant part in making decisions like this one.

1A

Fulton City 2-9

Carroll County 3-8

Harrodsburg 3-8

Paris 4-7

Phelps 4-7

Evarts 4-7

 

2A

Casey County 2-9

Garrard County 3-8

Lloyd Memorial 4-7

Shelby Valley 4-7

Brethitt County 4-7

Cawood 1-10

 

3A

Logan County 4-7

Madisonville North Hopkins 3-8

Hopkins County Central 3-8

West Jessamine 4-7

South Oldham 2-9

Grant County 4-7

Lawrence County 4-7

 

4A

Whitley County 4-7

(this is the only team that I found that entered the playoffs with a losing record)

 

If you can't win half your games, you DO NOT deserve to be in the playoffs.

All these teams have 2 things in common ( A losing season, and a early exit in the playoffs)

 

What ever happended to play your way in?

Is the purpose of the playoff season to select a champion in each class? If so, how does allowing all teams to participate diminish the playoffs? It doesn't seem to dampen the interest in the district basketball tournaments.

I have a problem with a team that has a losing record, and yet still be in the playoffs. :mad: Back in the late 70's only one team made the playoffs out of the district. 1979 We had a 9-1 record and stayed home. To me the playoffs should be earned, not automatic like in some districts.

Just out of curiousity, do you feel the same way when the 1-23 basketball team, or 2-24 baseball team plays in the district tournament?

Too many Teams in the Playoffs?

 

Absolutely.

I know it creates an opportunity for more teams to play an extended season but more than often the first round consist of nothing but blowouts. Maybe the playoffs should include the top two from each district instead of the top four. In some districts there are only four teams anyway and they all go no matter what their records are.

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

:walk:

 

I am not for cutting down the teams. Take Manual as my prime example. They were the 3rd seed from their district...behind X and Male. They are still ranked in this week's updated CJ LIT ratings as the 8th best football team in the state. They beat #2 seed Meade County in the first round of the playoffs. They, with a doubt, belonged in the playoffs.

 

The change that I would make would be to separate each district's 4 teams among the 4 regions, instead of putting them in just two regions. I wonder where Manual would sit in that scenario. They would get to play someone that they haven't played before...most likely.

Well I didn't expect this much response but I must say that I've learned alot from everyone. Thanks for everyone's information and I think that there is room for improvement on the playoffs that could make the first rounds better.

Just out of curiousity, do you feel the same way when the 1-23 basketball team, or 2-24 baseball team plays in the district tournament?

 

Your compairing apples to oranges, but I'll bite. Absolutely they do not deserve to be in the post season with a 1-23 or 2-24 record.

Is the purpose of the playoff season to select a champion in each class? If so, how does allowing all teams to participate diminish the playoffs?

 

The purpose of the playoff season is to select a champion like you said. I would not call a team with a 1-9 record a champion in anyway, nor have earned a chance to become a champion.

 

It doesn't seem to dampen the interest in the district basketball tournaments.

 

Again this is compairing apples to oranges.