[IceQB]

I have heard a lot of talk about the current playoff system and the peoples thoughts of too many classes and too many teams making the playoffs. I would like to hear some opinions about tweaking the current system, I dont see us changing the number of classes or eliminating any more temas from postseason play. So how about tweaking the current system a little to creat some differnet matchup in the postseason. With the current system we have the same Regional matchups each year: D1 vs D2, D3 vs D4, D5 vs D6, and D7 vs D8. I would like to see the KHSAA do one of the following to change up these pairings each year:
First Option: Rotate the pairing each year
Year 1: 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4, 5 vs 6, 7 vs 8
Year 2: 1 vs 3, 2 vs 4, 5 vs 7, 6 vs 8
Year 3: 1 vs 4, 2 vs 3, 5 vs 8, 6 vs 7

Second Option: Blind Draw for Regional Pairings

I have looked at the maps of current Districts and Regions. We currently have teams traveling 3+ housr for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round playoff games so there is not an argument for my options creating more travel. I think the current system allows programs/teams to advance further in the playoofs each year than others who are annually better than them just becasue of the pairings that exist. In 6A there are teams that will never advance beyond Rounds 2 or 3 because of T and X, but other neighboring districts have teams advance further who are not the caliber of those teams. The same is true in 4A with Highlands and I am sure in other classes as well.
I am not one who believes everyone should get a trophy for just fielding a team but I also believe some programs have the perception of being better than others by advancing further in the playoffs annually but in fact are not even comparable to the teams getting beat out early because of the pairings. I know you have to beat the "best" teams at some point, it would just be nice to see some teams meet a little later in the playoffs occassionally.

Just a thought.

[E's Army]

In 3A Bell county plays in the west. It is a long drive to Paducah from Log Mountain.

[RunItUpTheGut]

The only soloution is the one we currently have.
Theres nothing wrong with the current system or the playoffs.

If you dont like blowouts, get better.

[E's Army]

I agree with gut. This is probably about as good a system as we can get in KY. It is a long way from Paducah to Ashland. The needs of Fulton City and Louisville Trinity are very different. It is hard to come up with a perfect system for everybody.

[HDE]

The KHSAA tried that and it was awful.
It's fine the way it is.
You don't need to flip flop districts around year to year. You don't play in the 10th Region Tournament one year and the 14th the next in basketball or basketball. You need some consistency.

[mysonis55]

I have yet to here any kids complaining about having to play in the current system. I have yet to here kids complaining about having to play a first round game that may be inconsequential. I have yet to here kids saying they want to be done at the end of their 10 game season. The only ones that seem to be crying are the older men setting on their couches, typing on their computers. If you don't like the playoff system here, follow the one in Tn or Oh or Il or Wv or Va. Every year we here this at the end of the season and I don't see who we are to be complaining when it is the boys that play and they are not complaining. First complaint was there shouldn't be any #4 teams making it to playoffs. We has some that won this year and had some that gave a pretty good accounting of themselves. Not to mention these kids look forward to that extra week or so of being with their buddies on the team and going to someplace else to play. The next complaint was that the state championships were not close. We had 3 really close state championship games this year. We had 3 blow outs, but check any other state and you are gonna see the same thing. Yes some better teams don't get to make it as far as they should. In 1a, Beechwood should be playing on the east side and they probably wouldn't have as much of a problem getting to the state championship. Mayfield or Beechwood seems to have to travel 5 1/2 hours each way once a year to play a semi finals game. But you don't here Beechwood players or Mayfield players getting on here and complaining that they don't want to do that.

[IceQB]

I wasn't suggesting a system that would have an example like Ashland going to Paducah. I see the need for the east and west halves. Just think of could mix up the district pairings for Regional play. In regards to the comment about " you don't play in the 10th region one year and the 14th the next in basketball" we'll that is correct, but you do have the opportunity to play different districts in that regional tourney each year.
In reading another thread ( east vs west) the poster mentions 6 other teams who could have beaten Collins in 4A. In that list 4 of the 6 teams are in the same region every year (FTH, Cov Cath, JC and Ashland). These team were probably 4 of the top 6 teams in 4A and the other 2 (Lex Cath and Boyle) are also in the east. Looking at the last few years JC has had teams that were in reality the 2nd best in 4A but have had to play FTH in the 2nd and 3rd rounds each year. While Boyle and Lex Cath have had relative cake walk to the semis based on district pairings. If you rotated the pairs then a program like JC would have had at least been to semis. I know someone will say "'you have to beat them at some point so what does it matter", but it is a difference in building momentum and playing more in your program. Just like making it to the finals will build things at Collins, playing deeper in the playoffs would do the same for other programs around the state. The same is true in other classes. In 1A the east used to go through NKY now they do not. So there are now teams who are playing deeper in the playoffs and their programs are growing because of it. Playing deeper into the playoffs is similar to a college program making it to a bowl game (more games, more practice and more exposure for program).
I am sure some really like the current pairings because they have relatively weak opponents, but I really believe a little shake up would add a little variety and excitement for more programs.

[birdman44]

The kids dont know any better to complain about class system.

this year if it would have been the old format 4 classes:

A NCC vs Mayfield
AA Belfry vs Central
AAA Highlands vs Bowling Green
AAAA St. X vs Trinity

i probably would have gone down and watched all of these.

[IceQB]

I just took another look at the maps of districts on KHSAA site for football alignments and the number assigned to each district seems almost arbitrary. In staying with 4A there is almost no reasoning behind the district numbers ( which is what determines playoff pairings). In the East the districts aren't number East to West or by any logic I can see. Heck District 3 which is in the West is further East than Distrcit 4. Now I am really confused as to why the pairings are the way they are.

[Jumper Dad]

I have yet to here any kids complaining about having to play in the current system. I have yet to here kids complaining about having to play a first round game that may be inconsequential. I have yet to here kids saying they want to be done at the end of their 10 game season. The only ones that seem to be crying are the older men setting on their couches, typing on their computers. If you don't like the playoff system here, follow the one in Tn or Oh or Il or Wv or Va. Every year we here this at the end of the season and I don't see who we are to be complaining when it is the boys that play and they are not complaining. First complaint was there shouldn't be any #4 teams making it to playoffs. We has some that won this year and had some that gave a pretty good accounting of themselves. Not to mention these kids look forward to that extra week or so of being with their buddies on the team and going to someplace else to play. The next complaint was that the state championships were not close. We had 3 really close state championship games this year. We had 3 blow outs, but check any other state and you are gonna see the same thing. Yes some better teams don't get to make it as far as they should. In 1a, Beechwood should be playing on the east side and they probably wouldn't have as much of a problem getting to the state championship. Mayfield or Beechwood seems to have to travel 5 1/2 hours each way once a year to play a semi finals game. But you don't here Beechwood players or Mayfield players getting on here and complaining that they don't want to do that.

I have said basically the same thing everytime this sort of discussion comes up.

[Do-double-gg]

I know I'm going to get punded for saying this because I've said it before but. I have no problem with the 6 class system and all of that stuff. The only change I would like to see is if they would stop classing teams by the number of students they have in the school and class by the number of players on the roster and if they win a lot and blow people out in championship games to move that team up a class till things even out. I don't know how hard this would be but I think they should give every head coach a deadline to submit a roster and then class the teams from that. They could also have a number limit on how many players could be added after the roster is submitted to make room for transfers and things like that. The reason I say this is because you have 1a teams in this state who have more players on the roster then probably some 3 or even 4a teams. There are a lot of reasons for this like interest in football in that particular school and winning tradition and the population of the area that school is located just to name a few. As far as the blowouts and the same teams winning it all every year goes. You can't tell me that a lot of people don't get sick of seeing the same team win it all just about every year unless you are a part of one of those teams. Also you can't tell me that teams like Trinity and Highlands, if the players and coaches are true competitors don't get board of beating up on teams that they know don't have a chance. Some people like to say that we all should just quit complaining and just get better and even though I agree with this to a poit, you can't tell me that you think that if the eastern and mountain area teams get better that we can compete on a regular basis with some of the teams up north and out west. Some of the teams like Bell Co and Belfry have had some of the best mountain teams I have ever seen in my life in the last few years. but yet 9 out of 10 times they still get beat by teams like Highlands, Trinity and Boyle Co and only on occasion will squeak out a championship from time to time. This is just my own personal opinion. I dont think the gap between easten schools and northern and western schools has anything to do with coaching or the drive to win. I believe we have a lot of schools in this area who want to win and I believe we have a lot of good coaches who just can't compete with the schools in the high population areas because of depth and talent. I would love to see a coach like the Belfry coach or the Bell co coach go to a school like Highlands or Trinity or Central for a few years just to prove that it's not coaching.

[RunItUpTheGut]

I know I'm going to get punded for saying this because I've said it before but. I have no problem with the 6 class system and all of that stuff. The only change I would like to see is if they would stop classing teams by the number of students they have in the school and class by the number of players on the roster and if they win a lot and blow people out in championship games to move that team up a class till things even out. I don't know how hard this would be but I think they should give every head coach a deadline to submit a roster and then class the teams from that. They could also have a number limit on how many players could be added after the roster is submitted to make room for transfers and things like that. The reason I say this is because you have 1a teams in this state who have more players on the roster then probably some 3 or even 4a teams. There are a lot of reasons for this like interest in football in that particular school and winning tradition and the population of the area that school is located just to name a few. As far as the blowouts and the same teams winning it all every year goes. You can't tell me that a lot of people don't get sick of seeing the same team win it all just about every year unless you are a part of one of those teams. Also you can't tell me that teams like Trinity and Highlands, if the players and coaches are true competitors don't get board of beating up on teams that they know don't have a chance. Some people like to say that we all should just quit complaining and just get better and even though I agree with this to a poit, you can't tell me that you think that if the eastern and mountain area teams get better that we can compete on a regular basis with some of the teams up north and out west. Some of the teams like Bell Co and Belfry have had some of the best mountain teams I have ever seen in my life in the last few years. but yet 9 out of 10 times they still get beat by teams like Highlands, Trinity and Boyle Co and only on occasion will squeak out a championship from time to time. This is just my own personal opinion. I dont think the gap between easten schools and northern and western schools has anything to do with coaching or the drive to win. I believe we have a lot of schools in this area who want to win and I believe we have a lot of good coaches who just can't compete with the schools in the high population areas because of depth and talent. I would love to see a coach like the Belfry coach or the Bell co coach go to a school like Highlands or Trinity or Central for a few years just to prove that it's not coaching.

Then you'd have coaches who would start cutting kids in public schools where evderyone should play.

This is what im getting at. The current way we have it is the best way. If you go any other direction you find big problems.

[RunItUpTheGut]

The kids dont know any better to complain about class system.

this year if it would have been the old format 4 classes:

A NCC vs Mayfield
AA Belfry vs Central
AAA Highlands vs Bowling Green
AAAA St. X vs Trinity

i probably would have gone down and watched all of these.

Only problem with that is Highlands would be in 2A and Bowling Green would be in 4A.

If you go back to four classes then the numbers make a situation where youve got teams that have a lot more kids than others and that isnt right. Im not one to whine about everybody getting a trophy, but it when you got a school like Scott County with over 3000 kids and in the same class you have a team with half of that.

Hypothetically, if the four system were ever brought back, teams would be forced to play where there suppose to. No play ups and no play downs.

Then were still stuck with blowouts.


6 classes. Already got it. Working fine. Move on.

[HDE]

I wasn't suggesting a system that would have an example like Ashland going to Paducah. I see the need for the east and west halves. Just think of could mix up the district pairings for Regional play. In regards to the comment about " you don't play in the 10th region one year and the 14th the next in basketball" we'll that is correct, but you do have the opportunity to play different districts in that regional tourney each year.
In reading another thread ( east vs west) the poster mentions 6 other teams who could have beaten Collins in 4A. In that list 4 of the 6 teams are in the same region every year (FTH, Cov Cath, JC and Ashland). These team were probably 4 of the top 6 teams in 4A and the other 2 (Lex Cath and Boyle) are also in the east. Looking at the last few years JC has had teams that were in reality the 2nd best in 4A but have had to play FTH in the 2nd and 3rd rounds each year. While Boyle and Lex Cath have had relative cake walk to the semis based on district pairings. If you rotated the pairs then a program like JC would have had at least been to semis. I know someone will say "'you have to beat them at some point so what does it matter", but it is a difference in building momentum and playing more in your program. Just like making it to the finals will build things at Collins, playing deeper in the playoffs would do the same for other programs around the state. The same is true in other classes. In 1A the east used to go through NKY now they do not. So there are now teams who are playing deeper in the playoffs and their programs are growing because of it. Playing deeper into the playoffs is similar to a college program making it to a bowl game (more games, more practice and more exposure for program).
I am sure some really like the current pairings because they have relatively weak opponents, but I really believe a little shake up would add a little variety and excitement for more programs.

School A could win Region 3 one year and Region 4 the next under this plan. No one knew who was in what region when they tried that a few years ago. You don't want to confuse the fans and take away rivalries. You need some consistency in sports. The districts are realigned every four years. That's enough confusion.

[ballboy]

The only way they could tweek the current playoff system is during Thanksgiving break let different regions play. You would have a blind draw by the KHSAA before the season starts like example Class A Region 4 at Region 1. Region 3 at Region 2 Hazard at Mayfield Example In all 6 classes that way sometime the same schools year in and year out would not be in the finals. In Virginia say if Hazard beat Bell,Co they would get 20 points that the way they determine home field advantage is who got the most points by the end of the year, so that means you have to play bigger schools and win to get to play at home and I dont like that. But the only Tweek I see is the one I said during Thanksgiving weekend regions having to play by a blind draw done at the beginning of the year in all 6 classes.

[Ole Miss Rebels]

IceQB,

KHSAA survey results on the football playoff format have been tabulated; and released to the public in first week of Nov. And the result after surveys in from Supt. AD's, principals, and Head Coaches that there was no consensus, meaning what the KHSAA was saying the 4 team format of making the playoffs will stay in place for now.
This was a real chance to tweek the system but the survey returns ended that chance.

[footballfever]

Have all the Bluegrassrivals posters rank ALL the teams in the state and take the top 4 and have an OPEN State Championsip. 1 play 4 and 2 play 3.Winners play for Open Championship. All other teams stay in their classes and get it on for Class State Championship.:1:

[Wise one]

The only way they could tweek the current playoff system is during Thanksgiving break let different regions play. You would have a blind draw by the KHSAA before the season starts like example Class A Region 4 at Region 1. Region 3 at Region 2 Hazard at Mayfield Example In all 6 classes that way sometime the same schools year in and year out would not be in the finals. In Virginia say if Hazard beat Bell,Co they would get 20 points that the way they determine home field advantage is who got the most points by the end of the year, so that means you have to play bigger schools and win to get to play at home and I dont like that. But the only Tweek I see is the one I said during Thanksgiving weekend regions having to play by a blind draw done at the beginning of the year in all 6 classes.

I like this, but the games should be on neutral fields as close to equally distant for both teams, but not at the site of the finals. In your example, maybe Hazard and Mayfield could play near Elizabethtown.

[HHellBird]

The kids dont know any better to complain about class system.

this year if it would have been the old format 4 classes:

A NCC vs Mayfield
AA Belfry vs Central
AAA Highlands vs Bowling Green
AAAA St. X vs Trinity

i probably would have gone down and watched all of these.

You had something wrong.
AAA would of been Cooper vs BG

Highlands would not be in AAA

[Ole Miss Rebels]

Can't imagine the KHSAA ever going back to only 4 classes; again the survey which was just tabulated by the khsaa and released the first week of Nov. to the public tells us the verdict is in. There will be NO changes anytime soon. Some great outside the box ideas on tweeks but again the survey has spoken, there was no consensus so there will be NO changes in the football playoffs anytime soon.

[wildcats fan]

They need to move Bell County out of the west and move them back to the East side of the bracket where they belong... END OF STORY

[Ole Miss Rebels]

Ole Miss Rebels

the KHSAA survey which was just tabulated by the khsaa and released the first week of Nov. to the public tells us the verdict is in.

There will be NO changes anytime soon. The survey showed no overwhelming reason to change.

Some great outside the box ideas on tweeks but again the survey has spoken, there was no consensus so there will be NO changes in the football playoffs anytime soon.

[Mountaineer Man]

Okay, you have struck the wrong cord with me on this. In West Virginia, naturally you don't have as many schools as in KY. However, WV system is a good one. You get points for your wins, and the teams you beat you get points for the games they win. The top 16 in each class make the playoffs. Why not keep the same 6 class but instead of 32 teams making it from each class let's go with 16 from each class. For a single "A" school you get 6 points for each win and a point for each team you beat that wins a game. For 2-A you get 7 points, For 3-A 8, for 4-A 9, for 5-A 10 for 6-A 12. If a 6-A team beats a 1-A team that only get 6 points, it will do away with some bigger schools scheduling smaller schools just to get wins. For example Daviess Co, played McLean Co a 2-A school and won they would get 7 points for the win and 0 additional points because McLean didn't win a game. Total those points up at the end of the year divide it by 10 and the top 16 from each class make the playoffs!

[64SUR]

:HitWall:Six championships is better than four.period more teams and more fans.six :1:and six:Second: moke:

[footballfever]

They need to move Bell County out of the west and move them back to the East side of the bracket where they belong... END OF STORY

It does seem strange and incorrect but how would you realign them?

[EKUAlum05]

It does seem strange and incorrect but how would you realign them?

Move Garrard County in Bell's spot. Fleming moves into the district with Bourbon County, Powell County, etc... Lawrence County joins the Russell District..... Magoffin County moves to the Belfry District... Bell moves in with Breathitt County.


Still doesn't change the fact that geographically speaking it makes more sense to leave Bell where they are at, but that alignment would work.

Garrard would get the short end of the stick, but their drive down I-75 isn't a horrible one.

Then you would have a SKY District, 2 Mountain Districts, 1 NE KY district, and 1 Central KY District.




The other option is move Western Hills into the Central district to give them a 5 team District (currently the only 3A District with 4 teams). Flip Jackson County and Bell County.

The only district without 5 tams is the 6 team NE District which is the district which makes the most sense geographically anyhow.

[ShowmeyourTD's]

The current system we have right now is pretty good, I mean I have to agree I just dont think its going to get any better, if you dont like traveling to watch your team get blown out, then just get better!!

[ShowmeyourTD's]

the current system is fine, it wont get any better then this.

[HDE]

Okay, you have struck the wrong cord with me on this. In West Virginia, naturally you don't have as many schools as in KY. However, WV system is a good one. You get points for your wins, and the teams you beat you get points for the games they win. The top 16 in each class make the playoffs. Why not keep the same 6 class but instead of 32 teams making it from each class let's go with 16 from each class. For a single "A" school you get 6 points for each win and a point for each team you beat that wins a game. For 2-A you get 7 points, For 3-A 8, for 4-A 9, for 5-A 10 for 6-A 12. If a 6-A team beats a 1-A team that only get 6 points, it will do away with some bigger schools scheduling smaller schools just to get wins. For example Daviess Co, played McLean Co a 2-A school and won they would get 7 points for the win and 0 additional points because McLean didn't win a game. Total those points up at the end of the year divide it by 10 and the top 16 from each class make the playoffs!

Sounds a little like the old Dickenson System.
I don't why you'd want to make a simple system that everyone understands so confusing.

[Mountaineer Man]

Sounds a little like the old Dickenson System.
I don't why you'd want to make a simple system that everyone understands so confusing.

I agree the present system is not confusing. Everyone is in and you have Bell Co east of I-75 playing in the West, that's pretty simple. If they would have had to go to Pudacah they would have only had a 7 hour trip.

My system in class 1-A for example Mayfield would have had a point average of 13.8 Fairview would have had 11.8, I need to take some time to figure the rest of the teams that was in the 32 team tourney and see which 16 would not have made it in my proposed system.