Playoffs Format Question

[MntnrMark]

This may have already been answered in another thread and, if so, I apologize, but has the format for the playoffs been announced yet? I'm presuming each Region in each Class will have its #1 vs. #8, #2 vs. #7, etc. to eventually establish the regional champion. Will the regional champions then cross-bracket, e.g., A vs. D and B vs. C or A vs. C and B vs. D, or will A play B and C play D to determine the championship game participants? Or, is it something altogether different?

Also, one final question - Is the VHSL dropping the "A" after each classification or not? I read on the VHSL website a few months back where the "A" was being dropped and each classification (1-6) would be called "Class" instead of "Group". Are they following through with that or not?

I would REALLY appreciate anyone who KNOWS those answers sharing them!

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Playoff format 2017-2019

Check out this thread about 30 threads down the list on this 4a page.

 

[MntnrMark]

Playoff format 2017-2019

Check out this thread about 30 threads down the list on this 4a page.

I don't see a definitive (i.e., the VHSL has decreed that . . .) type of answer in that thread. I don't know if each region is still allowed to do its own thing or if the VHSL is mandating that each region operates identically.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead_rivals]

https://virginiapreps.forums.rivals.com/threads/playoff-format.50562/

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Mark, as far as dropping the "a" and call them "Classes"; well that's what was decided upon by the VHSL. But when they published the new Master Football Schedule and still referred to it with the "a" designation. I guess somebody didn't get the memo?

 

[DinwiddieProud]

The VHSL did decree that A plays B and C plays D for this season only. I don't have time to go back and find it right now, but it's in the minutes.

As far as how many play in each Region's playoffs, that's totally up to each region. The VHSL's only requirement is for each region to provide them a team for the state semi-final games. Honestly, they do not involve themselves in that in any way. Draw a team from a hat for all they care. "Just send us a team" is all they say.

 

[MntnrMark]

The VHSL did decree that A plays B and C plays D for this season only. I don't have time to go back and find it right now, but it's in the minutes.

As far as how many play in each Region's playoffs, that's totally up to each region. The VHSL's only requirement is for each region to provide them a team for the state semi-final games. Honestly, they do not involve themselves in that in any way. Draw a team from a hat for all they care. "Just send us a team" is all they say.

THANK YOU, DinwiddieProud! That is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Regarding dropping the "A" and calling them "Class"es instead of "Group"s, I guess old habits sometimes die a slow death. I'll call them "Class X" (X=1,2,3,4,5,6) on the radio without using the "A" and use "Class" instead of "Group" and maybe someday I'll be regarded as having been out in front of the bell curve.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Yeah, but in the meantime your listeners will be going, "huh?" LOL

Actually, I prefer the "a" designation. Since I didn't get a vote nor anyone gives a rip about my opinion, I guess it will become "Class" one day.

The biggest question that I'm waking to see answered is what will the smaller regions choose.

If a region has just eight teams, do they start with all eight? (Which personally I prefer). With less than eight, do the go with six or four, and some type of byes being given? For sure, some teams may get in with really poor records. I say, so what? I would want to say that I once played in a playoff game.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

The VHSL did decree that A plays B and C plays D for this season only. I don't have time to go back and find it right now, but it's in the minutes.

As far as how many play in each Region's playoffs, that's totally up to each region. The VHSL's only requirement is for each region to provide them a team for the state semi-final games. Honestly, they do not involve themselves in that in any way. Draw a team from a hat for all they care. "Just send us a team" is all they say.

Mark, I finally had time to research the regional pairing question. It was approved as stated above at the May 4, 2017 Executive Commitee Meeting, but only for the upcoming school year.

 

[MntnrMark]

Mark, I finally had time to research the regional pairing question. It was approved as stated above at the May 4, 2017 Executive Commitee Meeting, but only for the upcoming school year.

THANK YOU! I thought I had seen that same thing, but I couldn't find it (although I didn't dig as hard as I could/should have). From a travel cost standpoint that makes sense, but it does take away the intrigue of a cross-over semifinals.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

THANK YOU! I thought I had seen that same thing, but I couldn't find it (although I didn't dig as hard as I could/should have). From a travel cost standpoint that makes sense, but it does take away the intrigue of a cross-over semifinals.

I hope they will go with what was proposed as "Option 3". Which is switch up each year. A-B, then A-C, then A-D, and then starting over. This is just my opinion as a fan. Realistically, this idea needs to be examined with respect to expenses and potential attendance.

It was not proposed, but I would hate to see any format that matches up Regions based on VHSL power points.

Truthfully, if it is always A vs B and C vs D, it would maintain a pretty pronounced and evolving rivalry between the two halves of the state.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

I hope they will go with what was proposed as "Option 3". Which is switch up each year. A-B, then A-C, then A-D, and then starting over. This is just my opinion as a fan. Realistically, this idea needs to be examined with respect to expenses and potential attendance.

It was not proposed, but I would hate to see any format that matches up Regions based on VHSL power points.

Truthfully, if it is always A vs B and C vs D, it would maintain a pretty pronounced and evolving rivalry between the two halves of the state.

I agree - rotating through all the regional matchups in the state semis offers the most interest, and seems most desirable. That's the best aspect of the return to four regions: we can have regional champions and what is essentially cross-bracketing in the semis. If the arrangement ends up being A-B and C-D every year, that will be rather disappointing.

 

[cb2018]

I like the cross-region semis until you look at the travel costs. Blacksburg made the same trip East two weeks in a row last year and it cost a bundle! Could've been a unique situation being a low seed and all, but a definite hit to the athletics budget.

 

[Lafayette Rams]

I hope they will go with what was proposed as "Option 3". Which is switch up each year. A-B, then A-C, then A-D, and then starting over. This is just my opinion as a fan. Realistically, this idea needs to be examined with respect to expenses and potential attendance.

It was not proposed, but I would hate to see any format that matches up Regions based on VHSL power points.

Truthfully, if it is always A vs B and C vs D, it would maintain a pretty pronounced and evolving rivalry between the two halves of the state.

I would vote to keep it the same each year at A/B and C/D. This cuts down the travel significantly and as you said leads to a rivalry situation.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I would vote to keep it the same each year at A/B and C/D. This cuts down the travel significantly and as you said leads to a rivalry situation.

Yes sir, I can see a better crowd at the A-B, C-D matchups year after year. The last four years have shown that the list of top teams in each region varies very little. Of course it will as time goes by, but in the short term, we are reasonably assured that we will see some re-matches.

I believe that every team that loses a playoff game to a school, wants revenge.
Though, rotating around the state is an exciting idea to me, so is a grudge match.

Speaking of Dinwiddie games, don't you know that Lafayette wants to even the score? No need to even discuss Lake Taylor; Dinwiddie, (or Monacan), would be a blood match with them. Win or lose in the regular season, Denbigh and Smithfield, round two would qualify as "let's get even"! And on and on.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I'm so excited to see some action, I think I might go find Bleeding Navy a start a fight. I know I would get my butt kicked, but at least I would see some hitting.

Danny told me a couple of days ago to just calm down and take deep breaths. It ain't working Danny!!!!

 

[bulldog1150]

I would like to see the quarter finals cross bracketed where #1 from region A plays #2 from region B and vice versa. Then the winner of those games play in the semis. I don't think this would create the huge travel burden that happened the past few years. Then the same situation between region C and D. Often times the best two teams might be in the same region and this will at least keep them apart until the state semis. It will also allow some teams to see some new opponents. That was my biggest gripe with the old regions in the past was that you were constantly seeing the same teams in the regional playoffs.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I would like to see the quarter finals cross bracketed where #1 from region A plays #2 from region B and vice versa. Then the winner of those games play in the semis. I don't think this would create the huge travel burden that happened the past few years. Then the same situation between region C and D. Often times the best two teams might be in the same region and this will at least keep them apart until the state semis. It will also allow some teams to see some new opponents. That was my biggest gripe with the old regions in the past was that you were constantly seeing the same teams in the regional playoffs.

I would certainly embrace this idea. I think it would be most workable if the region pairings were repeated each year.

Just making up a senerio here, but I wonder how popular a game between Region C #2 would be against Region D #1? (Of course, it would all depend on who the teams were). You could get some long distant, not necessarily interesting games some years.

I think it's good that we have these open and "what if" conversations. They may not chime in, but most of the AD's and coaches around the state read what is posted. Hopefully, what we say stimulates the though process.

 

[Lafayette Rams]

I would like to see the quarter finals cross bracketed where #1 from region A plays #2 from region B and vice versa. Then the winner of those games play in the semis. I don't think this would create the huge travel burden that happened the past few years. Then the same situation between region C and D. Often times the best two teams might be in the same region and this will at least keep them apart until the state semis. It will also allow some teams to see some new opponents. That was my biggest gripe with the old regions in the past was that you were constantly seeing the same teams in the regional playoffs.

I agree- specifically for me, is traveling to Dinwiddie, Monacan, chancellor worse than the tunnel to LT and Kings Fork? Nope, I rather drive to Richmond area than congested Southside any day.