The governing body unanimously approved a change that requires split-conference champions to have a winning record or be among the top three teams in the conference to earn an automatic bid. Otherwise, split-conference champions will be seeded as a wild card team.
NCHSAA rule change for split conferences
- Thread starter Hon Dines
- Start date
I don’t say it often about the NCHSAA... but this is a wise move. Last year, South Caldwell received a bye in the first round of the 4A playoffs. Then lost handily to the visitors from Hickory Ridge in the second round. Ended the season 1-11. S. Caldwell was the number TWO seed from the west! All because they were 1-0 (thus the 4A conference champ) by beating the only other 4A team in that conference (McDowell). This is a good fix to that Problem!
Should have been fixed a long time ago. This was presented to the schools in the past but they balked on changing it. Go figure...
Good for some terrible for others. South Robeson, West Columbus, and East Columbus are the only 1A teams in a 10 team split 1A/2A conference. Even if you win both non conference games, beat the other two 1A teams, and 1 of the 2A teams you are 5-6. Now you are a wild card. I understand the rule an even split conference (5 and 5, 4 and 4, etc) but not a 7 and 3 split.
Looking at last year’s records, maxprep and Simmons ratings, it’s hard to argue that any of the three 1A schools in the Three Rivers conference deserve anything more than a wildcard.
2017 records:
E. Columbus 1-10
S. Robeson 3-9
W. Columbus 0-11
South Robeson lost a non conference game to Union (weak team) by almost 4 touchdowns.
A wildcard for any of these teams would be a gift.
The bum deal in this is that a 10 team conference is too big. I don’t know how this conference was created, but if the NCHSAA did this on its own, shame on them.
At least the 10 team Central Carolina conference 2A conference chose their own fate when all the A.D.’s went to bat to bring Thomasville into the mix. NCHSAA only had 9 in that conference before that happened.
2017 records:
E. Columbus 1-10
S. Robeson 3-9
W. Columbus 0-11
South Robeson lost a non conference game to Union (weak team) by almost 4 touchdowns.
A wildcard for any of these teams would be a gift.
The bum deal in this is that a 10 team conference is too big. I don’t know how this conference was created, but if the NCHSAA did this on its own, shame on them.
At least the 10 team Central Carolina conference 2A conference chose their own fate when all the A.D.’s went to bat to bring Thomasville into the mix. NCHSAA only had 9 in that conference before that happened.
The NCHSAA would not even discuss the option of making a smaller conference. 1 person was on the committee from Columbus County and Bladen county petitioned to not be in the conference with Clinton and Company's conference because of travel (and could not compete in most sports). I know that South Robeson was only 3-9 but to win 6 games in a conference with 7 2A school and only 2 non conference games. Or in other sports you have 18 conference games and 14 will be against 2A teams. I would not mind the rule for them if there was a even split of teams or less teams in all.
So let’s say South Roberson finishes the season 2-9. Beating only the other two 1A schools in their conference. Would anyone say that it would be fair to give them the 1st round bye and host a game in the second round? I can’t imagine many would claim that it’s fair.
Is there a better way to do it?
But, you have a good point when it comes to the basketball, soccer, and baseball seasons, which are round robin in conference, it really hinders the ability to go non conference. North Davidson and Ledford are really hindered in getting quality non conference opponents in baseball and softball because of their 18game conference slate.
Is there a better way to do it?
But, you have a good point when it comes to the basketball, soccer, and baseball seasons, which are round robin in conference, it really hinders the ability to go non conference. North Davidson and Ledford are really hindered in getting quality non conference opponents in baseball and softball because of their 18game conference slate.
I have always thought in a split conference the team from larger classification should have to win the conference in order to be a one seed while the smaller classification conference "champion" can get a one seed. In that case South Robeson would be listed with the ones. To take it further I really like the playoff qualification to be all conference champions make the playoffs. The remaining spots are filled by a power poll. (We can discuss power polls and different options.) All teams are then seeded by the power poll standings regardless of conference placing.
Split conferences are awful. I played in one in high school 3A/2A Central Carolina.
Back then, the playoff slots were predetermined, so it wasn’t anywhere near perfect either. There were 3 3A schools. Two went to playoffs, one stayed home.
I could live with a power rating type of seeding. Again, not perfect, but nothing really is.
Back then, the playoff slots were predetermined, so it wasn’t anywhere near perfect either. There were 3 3A schools. Two went to playoffs, one stayed home.
I could live with a power rating type of seeding. Again, not perfect, but nothing really is.
Problem in 3 Rivers conf. is only 3 1A schools in close proximity of other 1A schools. Travel becomes major problem with their budgets. We here in Columbus County operate on tight budget. If we only played other 1A schools at WC who would that be? WRH,Pender,unionto mention a few.
Any team that don't have a winning record should not make playoffs period. We start too early now in August anyway.
Any team that don't have a winning record should not make playoffs period. We start too early now in August anyway.
Before any thing is done the playoffs need to be completely reconfigured. Too many teams and too many champions in my opinion.
Simmons, Drew Pasteur, and MaxPrep all have a computerized ranking formula. I would recommend combining those into one for the NC teams. Some people do not like it but I think it is better than teams from inferior conferences getting a nod due to having a better record than a team that runs the gauntlet.
Note: Drew may not do NC any longer but I am sure he could be enticed to crank it back up.
Too many teams make the playoffs! Argument could be made the season starts too early and ends too late.
Not sure I agree with a winning record is mandatory to make the playoffs for 1A schools. A team could be 5-0 in conference but lose six non conference games to much larger non 1A schools.
it stunk for that 9-1 team that had to miss the playoffs because they drew the shortest straw
What stunk worse was a team with an inferior record went to the playoffs because of the predetermined playoff slots. If they would have had a power poll pre 1985 it would not have really been an issue. 9-1 stays home while a 7-3 team goes. Real bad when that 7-3 is nowhere near the squad of the 9-1 although a 7-3 could be much better than a 9-1.
I think it's a good change, but I would have added an additional rule that says that a higher classification team can only be treated as a conference champion if they win the conference. If a 2A team wins a split
2A/3A conference, none of the 3A teams deserve to be seeded as conference champs, even if they finish in the top 3.
Edit: I see BTango made the same point earlier.
2A/3A conference, none of the 3A teams deserve to be seeded as conference champs, even if they finish in the top 3.
Edit: I see BTango made the same point earlier.
When this has been brought up a lot of the schools in split conferences are against it. Larger classification schools obviously want a lower bar. Smaller schools fear if that is implemented it will eventually dwindle to them and it is not an issue really for them although a school in their classification could be in another conference where they are the larger classification school.