Was interested if anyone else knew the rule. How far must the visiting team be located from the hosting team in order for the visiting team to get the choice to play on Friday or Saturday for the playoffs?
Travel Rule
- Thread starter knightfan64
- Start date
For some reason, I am thinking someone said 3 hours last year, but I can't remember and am curious myself.
Section page 116 section 55 of VHSL handbook should help. Which day to play I think is left up to the schools A.D.
That rule does not hold up during spring seasons. In baseball and softball, I have seen teams play another team at 3.5+ hours away and during the week (Tuesday night).
Last year Nandua played Goochland in softball, 3+ hours by bus and the game got rained out after a few innings on Tuesday and they went back to Nandua that night, and turned around and made the trip back to Goochland the next day. All while during SOL test dates. If that can be done during the middle of the week, why can't a football team do it on a Friday night (no SOL testing).
Last year Nandua played Goochland in softball, 3+ hours by bus and the game got rained out after a few innings on Tuesday and they went back to Nandua that night, and turned around and made the trip back to Goochland the next day. All while during SOL test dates. If that can be done during the middle of the week, why can't a football team do it on a Friday night (no SOL testing).
Your really comparing those two sports? The effect on the gate is the issue. You could have a baseball or softball game any weekend day you wanted and not generate the gate most football games generate. It's economics not student related in my opinion.
A gate on a Saturday (during hunting season) in my area is very low... compared to a Friday night. Plus the student body is in school on a Friday, not Saturday, and ride problem become an issue with getting those students to school on a non-school day. The game I was talking about was during the playoffs last spring and had to be played before the weekend. Friday nights produce higher gates in our area vs. a Saturday or Monday game.
What area are you from? Cause I've seen Richlands take 2500+ fans to Saturday away games for the playoffs during hunting season. Sounds like a fan-base issue wherever you're at.
Richmond area... plus there are much more things to do in the Richmond area vs. going to a game on the weekend, not just hunting. The southwest is different, bigger fan bases than the eastern part of the state. Each area of the state is very different when it comes to fan bases. Look at Essex, they went to the state championship 4 years in a row, and barely had any fans at each game compared to their opponent.
I am also old school... high school football is Friday, College is Saturday, and Pro is Sunday. ESPN has really messed that trend up.
I love them for the Semis and Finals. Gives em that "big game feel". Or at least it does with me.
I'm with you RichlandsRyan it makes the feel of the game much more intense.
Take home field away from a team that earned it because the opponent have to travel? That wouldn't be right.
Not at all fair to the team that earned that home game.
A game played in the middle is a level playing field. Home field is somewhat over rated come playoff time anyway. To win a state championship you need to win 5 games.
Giles and Riverheads had homefield advantage in 2011. Did either win a state championship that year ?
(No offense intended to Giles or RH, just making a point)
Giles and Riverheads had homefield advantage in 2011. Did either win a state championship that year ?
(No offense intended to Giles or RH, just making a point)
No but every team that had home field in the Semis got to Salem.
You've clearly never seen a Richlands playoff game. We take our home field advantage with us no matter where we go. We've outnumbered Hidden Valley, Brookville, Giles, Gate City, Wilson Memorial and plenty more in our playoff runs. Home field means more than you think, and Richlands try's to equalize that by taking 2500 fans with us no matter where we go.
The game is at Appomattox right? And it won't let me send a message.
yes, game is at Appo. Get there early, lot of people are expected to come. JUST FYI, This is from the A.D. today:
"Due to the large crowd expected to be attending the home Varsity Football game against Amherst on Friday Nov. 6th ACHS has secured overflow parking at Appomattox Elementary School. Shuttle buses will be provided, free of charge, to take spectators to the game starting at 5:30 p.m. These buses will be taking spectators back to the AES parking lot starting in the third quarter of the football game and running until approximately 45 minutes after the football game is over.
For those people who utilize the AES parking lot please do not park in the bus circle. There will be staff members at AES to assist with parking."~ via Chris Dodge (Athletic Director/Asst Principal)
Appomattox fan base been steady throughout the years, but fans here are not big on traveling to places far away. This season, I have seen more fans than I have ever witnessed at an Appomattox game. I will say this though, Appomattox fans are Baptist with a few holy rolling Pentecostals sprinkled in the mix. If you know what I mean?
I know hunting season does effect us on Saturday games, it did last year vs. Lee County.
I know hunting season does effect us on Saturday games, it did last year vs. Lee County.
Hey Ryan, don't forget to give me a run down on the game. Safe travels !
If they are going to transport fans in 3rd quarter they must be expecting a blow out one way or the other. If game is close, I doubt if many will leave in 3rd quarter . Sounds as if they have parking issues at Appomattox.
BCKnights: I'll be most likely watching the game from the track or I may try to find a seat somewhere. But I plan to watch from the track. I'll have on Richlands stuff. I'm sure it can't be hard to miss. I'll be there around 6:30 or so. If any of you guys from the board wanna meet up and talk, just find me! Looking forward to meeting some of you tonight.
Yeah I'll be there the only person with a Buckingham Knights hoodie. I'll see you.
I actually think there will be enough parking, there are 2 big parking lots at Appo and then grassy areas im sure people will use. The shuttle bus will be picking up people from Elementary school. I truly think its going to be a tight game that anyone can win. I do feel we have what it takes to beat Amherst, but the power rushing attack will be something we haven't faced before this year. I don't think our O will have a problem scoring, but we have started off slow in some of our games this year only to turn on the after burners later. Amherst is a game that we cant do that (or playoff game).
I got a secret spot when I come there that never let's me down. Fingers crossed.