I will say again. I think this current method of our playoffs is the best we’ve ever had.
Here are some thoughts.
The 10 point penalty for playing down a class was voted out so I don’t see it returning.
One of the advantages of the current system is that everyone gets to play 10 games, something I understood to be a deciding factor for this system being put into place. Anything that reduces the number of games played may be a nonstarter.
Another advantage is that schools have complete control over their schedules. Not everyone liked getting rid of the old 4-team districts though because some schools have a harder time filling their schedules.
Springfield Central and Russellville have gotten a lot of grief this year for their schedules. However, Russellville just recently added football and Central really fell into some hard times related to their football program. Any situation that grows the sport and/or keeps a program going, I don’t mind giving the benefit of the doubt.
From what I understand, there was a proposal for only the top 4 in each 8 team district to advance with the last 4 playing a final consolation game with no chance to move on into a postseason. It was voted down previously but it seems there is some support for this proposal to pass when/if it is put to a vote again. I don’t like the idea of a point system though that excludes teams in any way.
To me, SOS makes little sense when teams only play conference games.
IMO, the worst method for seeding districts would be coaches making the decision.
Not really proposing these, but here are some of my thoughts on improving the point system:
- Require all teams to play at least 2 games outside of their conference.
- Change the points for a win to 30 from 20.
- A win after a tie in the first extra period is 25. A loss is 15.
- A win after a tie with 2 or more OT periods gets 21 while a loss is 19
- Playing up a class still gets a bonus of 10 pts/class.
- Playing down a class reduces the maximum point differential for a win from +13 to +12 for 1 class, to +9 for 2 classes, +6 for 3 classes, +3 for 4 classes and no points for any win versus a team 5 classes below.