Just a thought. Why do we even need classifications before the season? I think the NCHSAA could use "classifications" for conference purposes. But that is all. At the end of the year, why not take the top "whatever" places out of each conference, sort them by school size, and group them together that way. There are so many schools that teeter-totter between 2AA,3A and 3AA (or other classifications) every year. This would eliminate having to restructure as much. A school could be 3A this year, 3AA next year, and 2AA the year after that, depending on who makes the playoffs and the enrollment of the playoff schools. Thoughts on this?
Playoff Idea
- Thread starter BleedBurnsBlue
- Start date
Interesting. It could work. I do think the current system is not ideal 8 champions are just too many in my opinion. 5 playoff rounds to a championship is Justin many as well. 4 are a plenty. The season is stretched out too long. 10 game regular seasons, no bye weeks. Make winning a conference championship really mean something. Eliminate outside source from the NCHSAA from having any influence on the seeding. It’s not rocket science!
Last edited:
Well....in a matter of speaking, they already kind of sort of do that....remember a lot of teams do bounce between big and small within a classification from one year to the next, depending on that year's ADM number (which we don't have yet this year, and don't hold your breath, it's usually November before we know), AND, with the two year appeal permitted where schools can apply to drop a class, we had a bunch of moving and shaking in classes this year compared to the last 2, with Burns, West Caldwell, North Forsyth, McMichael, and Morehead all new to 2A...and 2A losing Warren Co. dropping to 1A, and also losing a couple moving up to 3A, with East Montgomery merging with West Montgomery to make Montgomery Central, and Vance Co., with Northern Vance & Southern Vance before last year...just remember that they can always say, 'No.' if a school applies to change, I heard Tuscola applied to drop, based on sheer numbers, I thought it seemed like they had a very good case, (and I expect them to drop in next realignment), but their appeal was denied to drop this year.
That's interesting but I could see it creating a scenario that favors the largest school and gives them an advantage..
I have always thought the four classification setup is good fir non football sports but something else is needed for football. The schools were against a separate football only alignment in the past.
My idea if the four classes stay in place.
Have a qualifying setup. That is fir a different discussion.
Once the teams have qualified list them from largest to smallest. Divide them into six divisions. The largest 32 are D1, 33-64 are D2, the smallest 32 are D6. 192 teams qualify with six champions and five rounds. A team’s classification is irrelevant to the division they play in.
If the NCHSAA goes to a two year realignment period instead of the current four years and five classifications it would be helpful and hopefully allow the discontinuation of subdividing. I agree eight champions is too many.
My idea if the four classes stay in place.
Have a qualifying setup. That is fir a different discussion.
Once the teams have qualified list them from largest to smallest. Divide them into six divisions. The largest 32 are D1, 33-64 are D2, the smallest 32 are D6. 192 teams qualify with six champions and five rounds. A team’s classification is irrelevant to the division they play in.
If the NCHSAA goes to a two year realignment period instead of the current four years and five classifications it would be helpful and hopefully allow the discontinuation of subdividing. I agree eight champions is too many.
btango, what effect do you think two year realignment would have on conference continuity? Seems like, in some areas, it would be pretty disruptive. If that’s true, it would affect rivalries, gates, etc..
any idea what the plan is when we bring in 5A? will we split to small and big stiil and have 10 state championships? I hate crowning 2 3A state champs as it is...
I think 1A and 5A will be the smallest and will not subdivide. 2A, 3A and 4A will still subdivide and so you’ll still have 8 champions. So basically 12.5/25/25/25/12.5. That’s my guess.
California does something similar to this...somewhat. For example if Reidsville has a winning record against a number of quality 3A schools with minimal losses, they're allowed to play in the 3A playoffs. I don'tk now all the details but it's something to the affect that seedings vs size is done after the regular season.
California's playoffs are totally screwed up. They do a bowl game based on invitation. It is totally discombobulated. For years their season ended with a three game playoff and a section championship game. The bowl game has been expanded from one to about eight. They have a lot schools in Cali that play 11 man football.