[Bluegrasscard]

As many have pointed out there is a potential negative financial impact.

The main change 6 years ago was:

a) going to 6 classes vs. 4 and
b) Taking 192 teams into the playoffs.

The impact of these 2 actions was that there was more travel involved with the playoffs and post season. The miles driven increased due to

a) Longer distances since districts were now far more spread out geographically
b) More teams in the playoffs with the expanded participation

The recent change of limiting 1A and 6A to 32 teams each only further compounds the logistics. Bell County vs. E-town in the first round points this out.

Combine these simple, basic facts with continued high fuel prices and you have a lot of money being spent the first weekend. If the gate at a game is less than $2,000 it almost certain the game is a financial loser for the schools. Especially the school that has to travel.

I have heard that the reason of the 6 classes was to increase participation. I have also heard that it was to reduce travel. I have not seen any sign of the first occurring and it is mathematically impossible for the second to occur. More classes = more travel period.

To keep the teams more local in the post-season and travel down you need to drop the number of classes - and that is not likely to happen.