2017 Playoff Format

[SpartanOfYore]

Does anyone know for certain what the football playoff format will be this season? As in, has it been decided how many teams will make the playoffs in each region? My guess is that will be left to each region to decide. Do we know which regional champions will be playing each other in the state semifinals? I seem to recall someone - DP, perhaps - saying that this year, the semifinal matchups will be A-B and C-D, but that the matchups would rotate in subsequent years. For example, in 2018 the champions of regions A and D might square off in the semis, as would the winners of regions B and C. And finally, will the VHSL ratings scale numbers determine home field advantage in the semis? I think I would prefer that to the every-other-year rotation of the old system, prior to 2013.

Thanks!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Unless the final decisions have been made, and the plan not revealed, nothing is certain yet.

I'm confident in saying that the higher seed always gets home field.

Also, I'm confident that A, B, C, and D, will utilize a rotating pairings.

Less certain is how each region will produce their regional champion.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

Unless the final decisions have been made, and the plan not revealed, nothing is certain yet.

I'm confident in saying that the higher seed always gets home field.

Also, I'm confident that A, B, C, and D, will utilize a rotating pairings.

Less certain is how each region will produce their regional champion.

"I'm confident in saying that the higher seed always gets home field."

Right, but we're likely to often have two #1 seeds meeting in the state semis - e.g. Region A #1 Lake Taylor versus Region B #1 Dinwiddie. So I'm guessing whichever team has the higher points scale rating would host the state semifinal.

 

[mikesalem]

"I'm confident in saying that the higher seed always gets home field."

Right, but we're likely to often have two #1 seeds meeting in the state semis - e.g. Region A #1 Lake Taylor versus Region B #1 Dinwiddie. So I'm guessing whichever team has the higher points scale rating would host the state semifinal.

I would think points would be used, much like they do now for determining home team for the championship game. I didn't like the rotating idea, they have points to use might as well use them to determine home field advantage.

I think rotation of the regional semifinal matchup, like they do in 3A, will be interesting.

I'm not sure if this Region would be better off with 6 or 8 teams qualifying. The last 2 years ('15-'16) in 4A West teams with 7-3 or 6-4 records missed the playoffs in a 12 team format. (equivalent of 2 regions C & D) The 2 years previous to that ('13-'14) in 4A North teams made the playoffs at 4-6 or 3-7 with a 16 team format. (2 Regions C & D)

I think 9 or 10 teams could win 6+ games this year and would benefit from the 2 extra slots: Salem, Blacksburg, Amherst, GW Danville, Jefferson Forest, William Byrd, EC Glass, Charlottesville, Pulaski, & Harrisonburg.

This year I think it would be nice to have 8 teams qualify, but that won't always be the case. Should 8/12 teams qualify in Region D when there are 16 teams in Region C? For that matter should 8/12 qualify in Region A & B? (3 teams from Region A qualified with 4-6 or 3-7 records)

Using last year's numbers there were 28 teams in the West, 16 in C, 12 in D. 24 teams in the East, 12 each in Region A & B) I know there will be some teams moving up and some moving down this year so I'm not sure of the breakdown.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I would think points would be used, much like they do now for determining home team for the championship game. I didn't like the rotating idea, they have points to use might as well use them to determine home field advantage.

I think rotation of the regional semifinal matchup, like they do in 3A, will be interesting.

I'm not sure if this Region would be better off with 6 or 8 teams qualifying. The last 2 years ('15-'16) in 4A West teams with 7-3 or 6-4 records missed the playoffs in a 12 team format. (equivalent of 2 regions C & D) The 2 years previous to that ('13-'14) in 4A North teams made the playoffs at 4-6 or 3-7 with a 16 team format. (2 Regions C & D)

I think 9 or 10 teams could win 6+ games this year and would benefit from the 2 extra slots: Salem, Blacksburg, Amherst, GW Danville, Jefferson Forest, William Byrd, EC Glass, Charlottesville, Pulaski, & Harrisonburg.

This year I think it would be nice to have 8 teams qualify, but that won't always be the case. Should 8/12 teams qualify in Region D when there are 16 teams in Region C? For that matter should 8/12 qualify in Region A & B? (3 teams from Region A qualified with 4-6 or 3-7 records)

Using last year's numbers there were 28 teams in the West, 16 in C, 12 in D. 24 teams in the East, 12 each in Region A & B) I know there will be some teams moving up and some moving down this year so I'm not sure of the breakdown.

See VHSL, "Classifications"

 

[DEVILSLB99]

Hasn't been determined yet.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

I would think points would be used, much like they do now for determining home team for the championship game. I didn't like the rotating idea, they have points to use might as well use them to determine home field advantage.

I think rotation of the regional semifinal matchup, like they do in 3A, will be interesting.

I'm not sure if this Region would be better off with 6 or 8 teams qualifying. The last 2 years ('15-'16) in 4A West teams with 7-3 or 6-4 records missed the playoffs in a 12 team format. (equivalent of 2 regions C & D) The 2 years previous to that ('13-'14) in 4A North teams made the playoffs at 4-6 or 3-7 with a 16 team format. (2 Regions C & D)

I think 9 or 10 teams could win 6+ games this year and would benefit from the 2 extra slots: Salem, Blacksburg, Amherst, GW Danville, Jefferson Forest, William Byrd, EC Glass, Charlottesville, Pulaski, & Harrisonburg.

This year I think it would be nice to have 8 teams qualify, but that won't always be the case. Should 8/12 teams qualify in Region D when there are 16 teams in Region C? For that matter should 8/12 qualify in Region A & B? (3 teams from Region A qualified with 4-6 or 3-7 records)

Using last year's numbers there were 28 teams in the West, 16 in C, 12 in D. 24 teams in the East, 12 each in Region A & B) I know there will be some teams moving up and some moving down this year so I'm not sure of the breakdown.

I think Harrisonburg gets bumped up to Class 5 this fall.

For all the reasons you mentioned, perhaps it is best left up to the regions as to how to do their playoffs. With varying numbers of teams and different geographical conditions, it's really difficult to apply a "one size fits all" template across the state. I think six of twelve would be a good solution for Region D - although then we get into having first-round byes, which gets a lot of people fired up.

A note on Pulaski. I think the Cougars might be in for a bit of a struggle in 2017. They'll be losing the only two weapons they had in Hunter Thomas and Bryant Grubb. Unless they have a ton of help on the way from the JV, and have a favorable non-district schedule, I'm afraid PC might have trouble attaining six wins this year. That's why I didn't mention them in my post above. Keep in mind, however - it's entirely possible that I don't know what I'm talking about!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Spartan, so what will happen at Northside? Just continue to to spiral downward for another year?

 

[SpartanOfYore]

Spartan, so what will happen at Northside? Just continue to to spiral downward for another year?

I don't know. There are probably several people who could fill you in on that situation much better than I could.

My guess is, if they get the right coach, further downward spiral could be prevented. I think the Vikings struggled for the first half of last season in part due to Tre Jackson being injured. They beat every team with a losing record, and lost to every team with a winning record. I spent most of the season thinking that their new coach was out of his depth. Until the first round of the playoffs, when they pulled a significant upset of a 9-1 Abingdon team.

I seem to recall them having some young talent. Despite the graduation of Jackson, maybe the new coach build off the momentum of the victory over Abingdon. With the right man at the helm, a minimum of a .500 record could be well within reach this fall. The Roanoke Times stated that they had over 30 applicants for the job last spring. Just my opinion, but perhaps this time it might be wise to start fresh, and hire someone completely new to the system. As opposed to one of Torrence's former assistants, which Tyler Brown was. Given all the mess that's still being waded through, I would think a fresh start might be appealing.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I agree on the "fresh start", except I don't believe the powers that be, embrace that philosophy. Evidence the fact that virtually nothing has been done to expose and clear up the mess left behind.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

I agree on the "fresh start", except I don't believe the powers that be, embrace that philosophy. Evidence the fact that virtually nothing has been done to expose and clear up the mess left behind.

You are probably correct.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

You are probably correct.

Sadly, probably so.

 

[og charger]

i wish they would go back to the way it was prior to the late 90's and rotate where the finals are played. It was more exciting and the atmosphere was high school when the state championships were played on high school fields at high schools

 

[SpartanOfYore]

i wish they would go back to the way it was prior to the late 90's and rotate where the finals are played. It was more exciting and the atmosphere was high school when the state championships were played on high school fields at high schools

Well, there undeniably was some appeal to the old way. I'll admit it was great fun in 1991 to just drive five minutes and sit in my usual seat for the Division 4 championship game at Salem Stadium. Great fun that is, until Spotsylvania just had to be rude guests and spoil the party. Even though that game wasn't played at a high school, I get what you're saying about a little of the essence of the game being lost.

All in all though, I think having the state championships at neutral sites that can accommodate large crowds is the more equitable way to go. Especially in regards to the playing surfaces. Because if left up to the schools involved, one runs the risk of encountering a situation similar to what Salem and Orange County both found waiting for them in Richlands in 1992 - that is, a nearly unbroken sea of mud. Some of you old timers can correct me if necessary, but I believe the fallout from that whole ugly situation was a big factor in moving toward the neutral field sites for championships.

I also didn't care for the randomness of rotating between regions for the right to host state semis and finals. A team could wait for years for the stars to align for their chance to host a state semi and final in a year when they had the team to possibly win it all. I think ensuring a well-maintained field in a venue where many thousands can attend without too much undue hassle has been a good solution. Having pairs of championships at three different venues has seemed to work pretty well. And I think striving towards the goal of reaching that special site - "Who will make it to W&M (or Salem, or Hampton U.) this year?" - adds a little appeal that wasn't there before.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I'm in your court on this Spartan.

First, leaving it to chance as to where a championship game is played is fraught with risk. Suppose the hosting school has an old, neglected, unimproved field. Supposed the field surface has essentially become unplayable. Suppose they have about 1500 seats and minimal parking. Suppose they have no place to put in temporary bleachers.

Why run this risk? Isn't a pre-determined and "adequate" facility a much fairer and equitable solution.

And my God People. It's one game a year, and a rarity to get there.

I love the old days, too. But this is not your grandmother's football. The reality is, high school football has evolved to a lot more than three yards and a cloud of dust on a field out behind the pump house. The kids today deserve for the championship game to be something extra special. And playing that game at a college venue is a big part of that.

Am I out of line with what I'm about to say? It seems like that most of the schools that are perennially in the championship mix have the philosophy, "anywhere, anyone, anytime"? Yeah, travel and other problems are sometimes an issue logistically, but they "find a way"?

And the schools and fans that whine and moan the most, and rarely rise to the top, "find an excuse"?

Do you think that just maybe, these two attitudes are part of the culture of the school and the leaders? And results follow suit?

 

[hamspear]

Hey Rev Lol