Playoffs , 12 or 16 Teams ?
- Thread starter Xcross
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I have heard both ways. VHSL site says 16 for all of 1A. I guess they are trying to avoid a whooping for the 13-16 seeds of they made a change. You'd think if it was different we'd all know about it.
In 1A it's not the worst idea..... beyond the top 5-6 teams on each side the bottom half is putrid. It's not like 2A 3A 4A etc
8. There should only be 8 West qualifiers and 8 East qualifiers. There are 48 teams in 1A by my count. 16 total playoff qualifiers represents a nice and neat top 1/3. We can all agree no one from the bottom 1/3 should qualify. With 32 total qualifiers, that means the middle (median) 1/3 also make the playoffs. Let's not reward "average".
As for 12, that requires awarding a bye which I feel gives too much of an advantage. There's no way to fairly assign seeds, particularly the ones that earn a bye, when the competition level between conferences are so different.
As for 12, that requires awarding a bye which I feel gives too much of an advantage. There's no way to fairly assign seeds, particularly the ones that earn a bye, when the competition level between conferences are so different.
I placed a call to the VHSL last week to get final confirmation on everything, but need to call them back this week in order to write an article about the playoff structure
This I can buy. I've always felt that 25%-33% is enough for the playoffs. I just didnt like the idea of having bye weeks.
16 teams in most cases is too many, as someone said bottom half of 1A is ridiculously awful. A bye isn't the worst thing in the world as hr6 says; NFL and MLB seem to be doing just fine. Reward the teams that do the best.
He gets all worked up over this, neutral site games, Siegel center, vhsl etc. but the vhsl would lose more money if they didn't have higher seeds host.
He gets all worked up over this, neutral site games, Siegel center, vhsl etc. but the vhsl would lose more money if they didn't have higher seeds host.
1A & 2 A still run 16 teams, I am pretty sure only 1 class is going to 12 teams with byes. Since this playoff structure each season has had the upsets, I personally like the 16 teams, why not give the lower seeds a chance.
Every class should play same format, and that with 16 teams. I cannot express in words how dumb and stupid it is to give any team a bye in VHSL football.
You're right about one thing - you can't express in words how dumb and stupid.... That's the argument my 4 year old makes.
As for 12, that requires awarding a bye which I feel gives too much of an advantage. There's no way to fairly assign seeds, particularly the ones that earn a bye, when the competition level between conferences are so different.[/QUOTE]
Conferences don't matter in football (districts and power rating only). It wouldn't hurt my feelings to have only top 8 from each side make playoffs but it might leave out some deserving teams.
Conferences don't matter in football (districts and power rating only). It wouldn't hurt my feelings to have only top 8 from each side make playoffs but it might leave out some deserving teams.
Cave Spring was #1 seed in the west last year and got beat by the #16. Doubt that would happen in 1a but the point is that the playoff structure has to be the same for all classifications in order for dates etc to work, otherwise you have confusion. Second thing is that if a team is getting beaten badly by a higher seed by the end of the first or half, the coaches should look at this as an opportunity to play 2nd and 3rd teams to get experience and to reward them for all of their work during the year and the parents who have watched their kid stand on the sidelines all seson. That would give the higher seed younger teammates experience with real game conditions instead of just practicing, keep the score respectable, give the losing team something to build on, and everyone would leave feeling good about playing the game. Unfortunately there area few coaches with real big egos who want to send a message and don't agree with this philosophy.
I agree the playoff structure should be the same for all. I just think it should be 8 or 12 per region. Some 1A teams have less than 20 kids on their varsity.
It's amazing that the VHSL isn't smart enough to come up with a good plan and stick to it. just have same format for every school, region , conference or whatever. Go with 16 teams, and have a rule that limits travel over X number of hours for any team. Use neutral sites if needed. When a team has to travel many miles, it does hurt attendance for both teams.