I understand why the KHSAA went to the 6 class system and I don't completely disagree with it, but, it does seem to have watered down the quality from what it used to be. Granted, the 4 class system did mean 90 or so schools would not get to participate in the playoffs, which was a concern to them. It also meant there was a bigger disparity in enrollment from the biggest to smallest school in each class. I understand all that, but, there would seem to be a better compromise to the problem.

 

Why not split the difference and go with a 5 class system and why the issue with teams opting to play up? I understand not allowing teams to play down, but, why penalize programs that want to strive to get better and play better competition. I realize geographics play a role, as well, but, unless the request to play up put another team in a distinct geographic disadvantage, which it doesn't for the most part, what's wrong with it?

 

The biggest disparity in enrollment exists with the smallest 1a and 6a schools competing vs the larger 1a and 6a schools, so, I can see the need to limit the largest and smallest classes to 32 teams, but, then you have the rest of the schools in the middle and not that big a disparity.

 

With 221 participating schools, I'd love to see the 5 class system with 32 in 1a, 32 in 5a and then split the remaining 157 teams into 2a,3a and 4a. I think that would help the competion level from being so watered down, still get over 73% of the teams in the playoffs, but, also make the district games actually mean something. The only other suggestion I'd make is if a team opts to play up, they still make it mandatory for the 1a and 5a classes to maintain 32 teams. In other words if a 5a team opts to play up to 6a, then the smallest 6a team is allowed to drop to 5a or if a 1a team opts to play up, then the smallest 2a team is allowed to drop to 1a. If they opt not too, then the next smallest gets that option and so on.

 

This issue has been discussed in the past, but, haven't seen it recently and just curious if the KHSAA has any intentions to possibly consider something along these lines and was curious to what others think about it.

 

Thoughts?

There was nothing wrong with the four-class system we had in place ... I would rather go back to that.

With four classes and district/region/sections made up of 7 to 8 schools and 1 more week of playoffs you could have a good system like Indiana where all the teams make the playoffs and you have an exciting two round playoff system. The first 3 rounds would result in 32 meaningful district/Regional/section champions. Then a separate round of playoffs for the state championship. By having 7-8 team units you have a perfect 3 round bracket and then with 32 sub-state champions divided by 4 you have another 8 team bracket for the 3 weeks of state level playoffs.

 

Also, along with all teams making the playoffs the seeding is all blind draw at both levels. So no set patterns and at least a chance for lower level teams to have an exciting first round in the playoffs.

Isn't this current alignment in effect for the next 4 seasons? If so, this seems like a useless discussion at this point.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, so, no.

With four classes and district/region/sections made up of 7 to 8 schools and 1 more week of playoffs you could have a good system like Indiana where all the teams make the playoffs and you have an exciting two round playoff system. The first 3 rounds would result in 32 meaningful district/Regional/section champions. Then a separate round of playoffs for the state championship. By having 7-8 team units you have a perfect 3 round bracket and then with 32 sub-state champions divided by 4 you have another 8 team bracket for the 3 weeks of state level playoffs.

 

Also, along with all teams making the playoffs the seeding is all blind draw at both levels. So no set patterns and at least a chance for lower level teams to have an exciting first round in the playoffs.

 

I more week of playoffs wont work. Football is already 16 weeks long with basketball already being effected with the shortened season. Maybe eliminate the week 0 stuff and no bye weeks.

I more week of playoffs wont work. Football is already 16 weeks long with basketball already being effected with the shortened season. Maybe eliminate the week 0 stuff and no bye weeks.

 

they have a 9 week regular season

With the system we have now you will have teams who didn't win a district game make the playoffs. It is hard to see why a team that didn't win a district game play a team like Highlands in the first round.

With the system we have now you will have teams who didn't win a district game make the playoffs. It is hard to see why a team that didn't win a district game play a team like Highlands in the first round.

Here's one that is worse. I'm told that District 1 in Class 6A is paired with the Louisville "superdistrict" in the playoffs. In the first round, Trinity is likely to be matched up with a winless Muhlenberg County team.

 

Ouch, ouch and more ouch.

Here's one that is worse. I'm told that District 1 in Class 6A is paired with the Louisville "superdistrict" in the playoffs. In the first round, Trinity is likely to be matched up with a winless Muhlenberg County team.

 

Ouch, ouch and more ouch.

 

I believe that is incorrect. 6A-D1 is paired with D3, which is PRP, Butler, Southern and Seneca. The super-district is paired with Central Hardin, Meade County, Nelson County, and the 5th place team from northern Kentucky.

I'd be shocked if it changed.

All basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball teams go to the playoffs, regardless of record in district or out of it. I'm not saying that football should do this, just that we can't make comparisons with other sports when the very setup of the season for others sports is so completely different.

I believe that is incorrect. 6A-D1 is paired with D3, which is PRP, Butler, Southern and Seneca. The super-district is paired with Central Hardin, Meade County, Nelson County, and the 5th place team from northern Kentucky.

Where did you see that? I can't find it anywhere on the KHSAA website.

 

That there is any confusion is ridiculous. The only class that has rotating playoff matchups is 6A, and I think we all know the reason.

All basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball teams go to the playoffs, regardless of record in district or out of it. I'm not saying that football should do this, just that we can't make comparisons with other sports when the very setup of the season for others sports is so completely different.

Amen ...

Where did you see that? I can't find it anywhere on the KHSAA website.

 

That there is any confusion is ridiculous. The only class that has rotating playoff matchups is 6A, and I think we all know the reason.

 

It's on the second page of this document: http://www.khsaa.org/handbook/tournamentrules/fbtournamentrules.pdf