TIGER1988

Again, at the point of quarterfinals, I don't see the problem with neutral sites for games with huge travel times. And there is still Saturday.

You don't have to do it in round one. DUH. Only seed the top 8 teams, and fill that portion of the bracket with 3 other local teams. Travel would not start until the quarterfinals.

At this point, at least 4. That means, at least, 4 teams get punished for having better teams. I don't see it as being such a logistical nightmare in the first place. We are talking about one game per week, that could be played on Saturday, if distance is an issue and it would not interfere with class time.

FINALLY. Randy Parker has joined in on why it should be seaded throughout. ATLCat is on the same page, just had rather have the cakewalk. ATLCat, your system solves nothing. The better teams are getting punished for being better. I agree that the west MAY not always be stronger, but when that takes place the east would have the same benefit.

I like seeding the top 8 teams in a bracket format. These are all 32 team brackets and that puts 3 other teams in each set. What this does do is allow good teams coming out of the same district advance (barring an upset) to the quarterfinals. At that point (again barring an upset) you have a true playoff format with one playing 8, two playing 7, etc. I understand that the logistics of some of that is a stretch, BUT we are talking about 2 games in each division. Those could be played at neutral sites if the travel is more than say 6 hours. Would make for a much more competitive final three rounds.

I see know that you are starting to come around. This is exiting.

I understand you are a big Belfry supporter, and I am glad of it. I am, obviously, a fan of Caldwell County. The most glaring difference between us is our outlook on other teams, and their true ability. I am positive that anyone on here would disagree with your assessment of 2A the past few years. CAL, Desales, Caldwell, Murray, and OCath would all be considered in the top two of the east in 2A for the past few years if not #1 . NCC being the lone holdout in the east of 2A. Now moving to 3A, I see much of the same in this class as we seen in 2A. The west is loaded, while the East not so much. With the likes of Boyle, Central, and PT heading that side. There is no comparison between east and west. West is heavier hands down. This is exactly the reason I would like to see seeded playoffs. This would be a mute discussion, and the playoffs would be much tougher in every division. Of course those getting the benefits of the cake walks don't see it that way.

Belfry should again be in the semis in 3A. Let me see if I can be clearer on my point. The west side of the bracket is MUCH deeper, with a very heavy topside. For a PT, Caldwell, Central, or Boyle to reach the semis, they have already played one of the top 4 teams in 3A. The east side of the bracket will not, and usually does not work this way.That is why I am for seeding the layoffs and doing away with the east/west garbage. The easier path to the semis and therefore the title game is in the east bracket.

I am glad someone got that.

You don't agree?

I have a hard time with the "defending state champions" argument to why Belfry is ranked so high. Although, I believe it is true and hard to say that they will not appear in this year's state title game in 3A. The point is that if you replace Belfry with Caldwell or Tilghman in the east that they would be the odds on favorites to appear in a state title game from the east side of the bracket, and Belfry would be ranked then about 6 or 7 trying to get out of the west side of the bracket. No one is arguing that Belfry has had an impressive run (at least not me) in the east side of 3A for the past 8 years. The argument (made by me) is that said run probably does not exist in a full state format or playing from the west side. For instance (given the current rankings) in order to reach the state finals this year Belfry could face Caldwell in the quarters, Central in the Semis, and get Boyle in a title game. Not near what they will see in the current format. Boyle getting there would likely face Tilghman in the quarters, LexCath in semis, and Belfry in finals. Basically what Boyle will see regardless (with rankings holding serve).IMOWAFN.

Here is where we will disagree, again. Belfry has, to say the least, a skeptical schedule against that of Caldwell or PT. A convincing win would vault either of these teams into the top spots with Boyle, Central, Belfry, and LexCath. I am certain that Belfry and LexCath would be on the bottom side of those 5 if that scenario plays out. If not, its a mute point. Belfry will remain high simply because they don't play in the west and their schedule resembles that fact. LexCath to be considered a top 3 team would have to give Boyle all they wanted to get into the conversation, otherwise they would fall prey to the same consideration IMO.

If either PT or Caldwell have a decisive victory this Friday. That team IS a top 3 team no way around it. A close battle between the two should only allow them to move up to #4 barring upsets to teams ahead of them. Too bad the rankings don't have more value come playoff time. Would make for a wild ride in 3A, and some classics after the first round. With the west being so much better this season, spreading them out in a playoff format would lead to an all west title game, maybe even final four.

If Caldwell seperates themselves from PT by a big margin (this is a big IF; I expect a close one Friday) should the be considered legit to contend for a state title?

It couldn't be that Caldwell is good?

Paris Johnson Central Ludlow Adair Co Campbellsville Lynn Camp

5 - Franklin County 3 - Elizabethtown 3 - Henry Clay 1 - Beechwood 1 - Central Hardin 1 - Hopkinsville 1 - West Jessamine 1 - Spencer County 1 - Garrard County 1 - Lexington Catholic TB - 61

7 - Monroe County 5 - McLean County 3 - Hart County 2 - Hopkinsville 1 - Trigg County TB - Hopkinsville

I will have to disagree with you here. Belfry typically has a easy route to the finals, and you make it a one game season and anyone can win. For Example: you pointed out the 2012 season that Belfry lost to Central (who had a much tougher way to get their by comparing schedules). Belfry beat two teams that were undefeated to get to the title game, but were they really all that or just played soft schedules? The combined win/loss records of the teams they played in 2012 was 118-170 (58-84 and 60-86). 10 of their combined 25 opponnents ended with plus 500 records (3 of those were in 2A or 1A). Now we are down to 7 teams they played that season with winning records in 3A or higher classes (one of these was 5A).

Bullitt Central Pikeville Simon Kenton Bishop Brossart Lafayette E. Jessamine

7 - Trinity 3 - Belfry 3 - Bowling Green 1 - South Warren 1 - Elizabethtown 1 - Mayfield 1 - Ryle 1 - Bell County 1 - Corbin 1 - Lexington Catholic TB - 55

7 - Franklin-Simpson 5 - South Warren 3 - Bowling Green 2 - Grayson County 1 - Paducah Tilghman TB - Franklin- Simpson

Caldwell in its first season as a 3A team seems to have jumped right back into the fire. The west 2A is LOADED, was last year and is again this year. The state title in 2A will again be determined in the semis (probable Mayfield/ DeSales matchup). Jumping to 3A this year, and again the west 3A is LOADED (Boyle Co, Lex Cath, PT, Etown, and Bardstown) with Belfry sitting on the other side with what seems to be a cake walk to the finals (much like NCC has had for several years in 2A). It is a shame that two teams from the same side of the state can't fight it out for a title in BG.Some really good teams getting shortchanged. Gotta love the west brackets though. Some great football played in the west that is much overlooked by most of the state.

Toughest run of the year.

5 Johnson Central 3 Beechwood 3 Boyle County 1 Bowling Green 1 Fulton County 1 Murray 1 Campbell County 1 Franklin County 1 Fairview 1 DeSales TB 59