EQUUS GREVYI

Dixie has a chance to make some early noise opening with NCC Tuesday.

This list is in "random order" rather than "no order"

Correct, except 1 v 2 and 3 v 4.

Got to love it. They bought a membership just to trash the pre-season rankings.

I'm hoping Beechwood, Cooper and NCC can pull the upsets on Friday night.

Not that 3 other teams won't have a say, but this very well could decide the 2A champion.

Pardon me if I'm wrong, but I think that is exactly what is happening.

In NKY, I would recommend either the Dixie v. Simon Kenton game or Newport v. NCC game. I believe that Highlands and Beechwood will win handily.

What are the violations that were found to be "fact" by the BOC? I would imagine these are still major violations. We're not talking about a player being eligible after transferring, but major improprieties. I imagine a court would find Cordia malicious in their disregard of the KHSAA rules. Do these violations also bring into question whether or not players should have been ruled eligible by the court last season? I think the whole situation stinks and can't believe the people trying to defend the violations.

If the game is NCC's home game, do they get the gate and concessions? Maybe that's at issue. I would imagine it gets worked out. The game belongs at Newport stadium. I've heard the rumors about NCC playing at Thomas More for a couple years. That would be incredibly stupid. The field has no lights and would require Saturday afternoon games and that would conflict with TMC schedule.

Newport has a nice line and Price does a great job running the ball. But I think NCC has much greater depth and more offensive weapons. I'll take NCC by two touchdowns 35 - 22

I said same thing. OC's schedule was awful. In no way did it prepare them for these types of games.

Again, I conceded that CAL and DeSales appear to be the strength of 2A this year. But how can you know that OC, Murray or Caldwell are loaded compared to the East teams when there are no common opponents. I would contend that NCC, Newport and likely Walton would have the same records playing those schedules. We've seen this before where a team averages 40-50 points a game, appearing to be an offensive juggernaut because they're playing teams that think defense is the thing that goes around de-yard. The East is down this year but I don't believe for a second that the 7-8 best teams are in the West. Problem is, we'll never know because only one will advance from each side.

With only 15 games to play, do you risk using 6-7 in the tournament and schedule only 7-8 regular season games? What if you lose in the regional All A tournament and wasted games anticipating going further? What if you get to the state final of the ALL A and exceed the 15 games? Also, probably need to consider keeping your contracts with existing teams.

Well, this is confusing and maybe a bit misleading as well. I get the intent of the message is to say that no EAST team would advance past the second round if they were playing in the WEST. There's no way to know that because of the vast differences in the schedules. Outside of CAL and DeSales, I'm not convinced any of the other West teams are significantly different than the top East teams. Owensboro Catholic's schedule is terrible and I'm far from convinced that Caldwell County's defense is good enough to keep winning, especially as the weather turns.

1. I agree. That's why there is only 1 football game per week. But both have the threat of injury in every game. 2. I agree here as well. However, eliminating the 4v1 games doesn't shorten the football playoffs at all. It would give byes to the #1 seeds and also present them with the advantage of a week off. You're not proposing eliminating the #3 seeds also, are you? That reduces the playoff field by half in order to avoid the first round mismatch. 3. Although I agree with this, the playoffs aren't only for select, successful programs. Everyone benefits from participation.

Not with respect to the complaints I read about the first round games. The complaints I read mainly focus on the fact that they are not competitive, will have a running clock in the first half, neither team seems interested, they're not productive because the 4 seed has no chance, etc. I have read only one comment regarding the 4v1 games being a safety concern. That was in the Beechwood v Bracken County thread. The mismatch in these games are more about ability, technique, coaching and execution than they are about one team being physically superior to the point of a safety concern. Why is it so much a different animal vs. basketball?

Why is everyone so dead set on eliminating the first round of the playoffs? Let them play as many as they can. Why does it matter that the 4 v. 1 games are lopsided? Doesn't that happen in the first round of the basketball district tournament as well?

Good approach, especially this year where there are three teams in the region that could advance. I'm not even so certain that Lloyd couldn't "pull a rabbit out of the hat".

Sarge, thoughts? Where do you see your Cats headed in the playoffs?

I do admire your passion and support of your beloved Raiders. I can appreciate that they are a program that has come from being non-existent to making the playoffs. However, this game is very likely to be ugly, early. Do you expect Trimble to bring a good crowd with them? NCC typically plays at Newport stadium but is not able because the Wildcats also host a home game. With this being played at Holmes, I anticipate a smaller than normal crowd. Safe travels to all coming and I hope both teams stay healthy.

I could see Newport or possibly Shelby Valley in a regional final.

That is how the rule reads....and don't call me Shirley!

I am afraid you might find NCC's defense a little better than you think. Especially if they get a lead and you are forced into obvious throwing situations.

Although this is not the strongest NCC team, I agree with Mexitucky. NCC wins the Region and quite likely the semis. The state champ comes out of the West again this season. That's not arrogance, just an opinion as to how far they will go. The Newport/Walton winner could certainly beat them in the regional finals, but I'm thinking NCC advances.