Comments on Danny's article on "Schedule Changes".

[DinwiddieProud]

The one that jumped out at me the most was Meadowbrook. Along with an historically tough Central District slate, they added Varina to LC Bird and Highland Springs. Talk about "go big or go home", wow!

Riverbend really reached out to the Richmond area big time. It shows that they believe to old saying, "to be the best, you have to play the best".

I'm glad to see TJ make the changes they did. It gives their kids a chance to have much more competitive seasons.

Overall, I think the schedule changes were a giant step in the right direction for the Richmond area teams. I hope the VHSL membership will relax the criteria for mandatory district play by the next cycle, so more teams can adjust their schedules.

Good job Danny!

 

[CRF4Dan]

The one that jumped out at me the most was Meadowbrook. Along with an historically tough Central District slate, they added Varina to LC Bird and Highland Springs. Talk about "go big or go home", wow!

Riverbend really reached out to the Richmond area big time. It shows that they believe to old saying, "to be the best, you have to play the best".

I'm glad to see TJ make the changes they did. It gives their kids a chance to have much more competitive seasons.

Overall, I think the schedule changes were a giant step in the right direction for the Richmond area teams. I hope the VHSL membership will relax the criteria for mandatory district play by the next cycle, so more teams can adjust their schedules.

Good job Danny!

Meadowbrook always seems to have a tough schedule... I mean before picking up Varina they were playing Hermitage, LC Bird and Highland Springs which is without a doubt a gauntlet. Any of those three could win state titles and two have. Varina is on the way back up so while Herm is no longer in the picture, still a tough opening slate, then to face the Central District foes... Dinwiddie, Hopewell, Thomas Dale among others... Meadowbrook comes into the playoffs battle tested for certain.

Not only is Riverbend saying let's play the best but they are playing teams they have a chance to face come playoff time so other than travel, I see no negatives to this.

I think TJ's moves will payoff for the Vikings and I cannot wait to see how their season unfolds.

Interesting note on district play. In the 1940's and 1950's, there were instances where you didn't play everyone in your district. In fact, in some cases as long as you played three or so games, you were eligible for the district title. Feels like we are reverting to that in this new age of VHSL classification where emphasis is put more on playing teams of your own class or similar in size.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

With respect to your last sentence above, that's exactly the direction I believe it's headed. And I agree with it.

Back in the old days, there were always standout teams like there are now, but I think the level of play was a lot more homogenous. The level of separation seems to me to be much greater, in many cases today. Perhaps it's most apparent with inner city schools. Some sports are all the rage, others get mediocre attention. And almost no football program can be really competitive if it's not really high on the importance list to the school and community.

I think it's just not in the best interest of the kids when you lock teams in to play much bigger schools just because they happen to co-exist in the same geographical area.

 

[CRF4Dan]

With respect to your last sentence above, that's exactly the direction I believe it's headed. And I agree with it.

Back in the old days, there were always standout teams like there are now, but I think the level of play was a lot more homogenous. The level of separation seems to me to be much greater, in many cases today. Perhaps it's most apparent with inner city schools. Some sports are all the rage, others get mediocre attention. And almost no football program can be really competitive if it's not really high on the importance list to the school and community.

I think it's just not in the best interest of the kids when you lock teams in to play much bigger schools just because they happen to co-exist in the same geographical area.

You know something that could work too...

Being as districts don't mean nearly as much as they once did what if instead of playing a minimum number of district games, you must have a set number of games against opponents in your class. For instance like Thomas Jefferson, they must play 6 or 7 Class 3 opponents to be eligible for the playoffs and likewise say Varina must play 6 or 7 Class 5, so on and so forth.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I like that idea, at least without researching it.
But my first thought is a team like Franklin County that is in an area with very few like size schools. Halifax is another.

 

[mikesalem]

I like that idea, at least without researching it.
But my first thought is a team like Franklin County that is in an area with very few like size schools. Halifax is another.

Yeah that plan would work well except for Franklin Co, Halifax, Fleming, PH, Orange, and Albemarle. They would have to travel further to satisfy that requirement in 5/6A. The bigger issue would be loss of gate. Salem/Franklin Co would draw a much bigger crowd than a NC team with Franklin Co. I like the idea of not being forced to play all teams in the district though. For many years certain teams within a district really drag down their opponents points and it would be better for both sides if they could find different opponents. Carroll Co was put in the RRD for 4 years and I don't think anyone liked the arrangement, especially Carroll Co and especially in football!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I think the proverbial "free market" would basically take care of things if district play requirements were relaxed.

I would not be in favor of completely removing district requirements. I'm afraid it would really put a lot of schools at an extreme disadvantage. (It's important to remember that we are discussing just football with this debate).

Danny's idea has merits, but also comes with the issues, as Mike spelled out. I don't like an idea that says that "here is the rule", except for teams x,y,and z. So I'm not sure if requiring a team to play a certain number of same class level teams will work.

Gee wiz. Why has life got to be so complicated?

 

[CRF4Dan]

I think the proverbial "free market" would basically take care of things if district play requirements were relaxed.

I would not be in favor of completely removing district requirements. I'm afraid it would really put a lot of schools at an extreme disadvantage. (It's important to remember that we are discussing just football with this debate).

Danny's idea has merits, but also comes with the issues, as Mike spelled out. I don't like an idea that says that "here is the rule", except for teams x,y,and z. So I'm not sure if requiring a team to play a certain number of same class level teams will work.

Gee wiz. Why has life got to be so complicated?

Life got complicated when districts lost their value as factors in making the playoffs. Only real purpose they serve now in football is for scheduling purposes and we are seeing more examples of that not always being the case.

Since the start of realignment in 2012 when it was first being discussed the thought was that one day districts would not exist as they have for all these years. Within 5 to 10 years I think that will certainly come to fruition. If there are districts at that time, I think districts will be formed based on class as the first priority and geography as the second priority.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Maybe. But, if it wasn't for football, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. So maybe the fact that they are of value for all other activities means that districts will remain? I don't see why the uniqueness of football can't be accommodated, but districts remain for most all other sports and activities.

 

[CRF4Dan]

Maybe. But, if it wasn't for football, we wouldn't even be having this discussion. So maybe the fact that they are of value for all other activities means that districts will remain? I don't see why the uniqueness of football can't be accommodated, but districts remain for most all other sports and activities.[

Football as you said is the only sport where this seems to be an issue so you can't help but wonder if at the football level districts have a different makeup. Examples being college sports where some schools are in one conference for one sport, another conference for another sport.

 

[mbonape1]

I respect Meadowbrook but its gotta be about ticket sales and making money for them. Why in Gods name would they schedule that? I can't find more than 5 wins for them. Playoff ready? Its gonna be a miracle if they make it. @CRF4Dan they are 5A correct? There are plenty of decent teams they could schedule that are 4A, 5A or 6A state wide that aren't suicide missions. How about Henrico / Monacan / & Douglas Freeman as an OOD for them. Or a Lee Davis, Bird, and a 757 5A or 6A. They are already in district with TD and Dinwiddie, Motoaca and Hopewell. You scheduled the 3 major power-houses in 5A statewide in your own back yard for OOD. If you are an emerging program... at what point is it counter productive?

 

[CRF4Dan]

I respect Meadowbrook but its gotta be about ticket sales and making money for them. Why in Gods name would they schedule that? I can't find more than 5 wins for them. Playoff ready? Its gonna be a miracle if they make it. @CRF4Dan they are 5A correct? There are plenty of decent teams they could schedule that are 4A, 5A or 6A state wide that aren't suicide missions. How about Henrico / Monacan / & Douglas Freeman as an OOD for them. Or a Lee Davis, Bird, and a 757 5A or 6A. They are already in district with TD and Dinwiddie, Motoaca and Hopewell. You scheduled the 3 major power-houses in 5A statewide in your own back yard for OOD. If you are an emerging program... at what point is it counter productive?

Gotta be for the power ratings... 5-5 with that kinda schedule should get you in.

To answer your question, yes, they are Class 5