How the VHSL and Football Should be.

**pvfan** · October 30th, 2007, 05:34 PM

I'm an avid High School fan, I attend a game somewhere every week. At this point in the season I've seen every team in Region D that is in playoff contention except Appy who I will see this week. You have teams every season who throughout the state miss the playoffs because they are good. How so you may ask yourself? Teams are rewarded for the district championship, good system in theory but entirely flawed. For instance, the BDD distirct has one D2 team. If Honaker can defeat 3 D1 teams, one of which is probably the worst team in the state, Twin Valley, and another in Hurley who isn't much better there in the playoffs. There only real competition Haysi was defeated soundly by CW who odd enough is battling for their playoff life with Haysi.

For a moment, I would like for you all to look at the districts that comprise the Region D at this time. The LPD, BDD, CMD, and CD.

LPD
Norton 9-0
CW 4-4
PV 6-3
Appy 6-2
JJK 5-4
Pound 1-8

Pretty solid district wouldn't you say? Lets dig deeper, the LPD as a district has a combined record of 16-4 against other Region D teams. On top of that all four loses were against D2 schools by D1 schools.

The BDD
TW 0-9
Hurley 2-6
Honaker 4-4
Haysi 6-2

Against other Region D schools the BDD has posted a record of 1-7, with games remaing they will be underdogs in the reamining games. The one win came over 1 win Ervington.

Clinch Mountain District
GC 6-3
Lee 5-3
Lebanon 7-2
Virginia High 4-5
John Battle 2-7

The Clinch Mountain District has a combined record of 6-4 against the rest of Region D.

Cumberland District:
St. Paul 7-2
Castlewood 5-3
Thomas Walker 4-5
Rye Cove 2-7
Twin Springs 2-7
Coeburn 3-6
Ervinton 1-8

The Cumberland District has a combined record of 4-11 against the rest of Region D.

How much longer is the VHSL going to continue to allow teams to make the playoffs by playing in a sub-par district? I agree if your a district champ you should be in, but only on the basis that the districts are fair. The same argument can be made up in Region C the TRD blows the rest of the Region away in terms of talent. It's ridiculous to believe that CW should even be worried about making the playoffs over Haysi, does the field not prove they are the better team. Clintwood just doesn't have the luxary of playing TV/Hurley/Berea they actually play legit teams. Something needs to be done, I personally believe that if your going to keep the districts as is remove the district champ getting auto bid into the playoffs. Best case scenario is that they re-district the teams and end mixed districts. It doesn't take a rocket science to figure out that if you have one team in a divison that is division 2 that they have an advantage over the other teams. You put Honaker in any other division in the region and there not in the playoffs. As it stands today teams non deservingly get into the playoffs and get a one shot crack at pulling an upset. As a football fan please VHSL put the best teams in and fix this crazy system and not leave fans of teams in VA hoping some school in KY wins this Friday so there VA team can make the playoffs.

**starbuck** · October 30th, 2007, 08:48 PM

I think if you are a district champ and you make it into the playoffs on the auto-bid buy you are out power pointed by a team that is not in the playoffs you should have to play your way into the playoffs with a play-in game. you have the opportunity to prove you belong there.

**aoa_stripes** · October 30th, 2007, 08:52 PM

They also could prove themselves by not scheduling weak teams. A tough schedule and out pointing teams would show they really belong.

**aoa_stripes** · October 30th, 2007, 08:59 PM

You have Haysi, CW, and Appy vying for playoff births. All of these teams would win the CD championship easily this year. This year Pound could have possibly caused some trouble in the CD. This is not a knock at the CD. Just a down year for them.

**imported_PioneerBlue** · October 30th, 2007, 10:02 PM

Pound couldn't cause trouble in any district man

**aoa_stripes** · October 30th, 2007, 10:03 PM

I wouldn`t see them finishing last in the CD that`s for sure. But I also wouldn`t see them competing for the championship. They`d probably fall somewere in the middle.

**Mr taterhead** · October 31st, 2007, 08:23 AM

Easy on pound there big fella. Don't forget that TW has had some 0-10 seasons before. And i don't think that Schoolastic Sports Americas has ever called Pound about coming close to breaking the longest losing streak in H.S.football. you guys are having a great year, but little schools like TW and Pound have to stick together. And don't underestimate what a good coaching staff can do with a group of kids that wants to play.

**CPF** · October 30th, 2007, 10:05 PM

If you are implying that Honaker doesn't deserve to be there then you are crazy. Not flaming but any single A school that schedules Richlands,Abingdon,Tazewell,Va High,Lebanon, and JI Burton has my respect. That is a tough schedule. So there are a pair of creampuffs on the schedule. The out of district schedule more than makes up for it. Besides didn't Honaker miss the playoffs at 9-1 a few years back? That is unfair, not a 6-4 team that had their chances not making it.

**imported_biggamesjames** · October 30th, 2007, 10:12 PM

Haysi also missed the playoffs after going 9-1 a few years back. They could possibly miss them again even if they finish 8-2 this year because of a St. Paul team who they would be 3 or 4 TD favorites against. Honaker deserves to be in the playoffs. They have gotten better every week and are capable of beating any team in division 2. They beat Abingdon just a few weeks ago and they may be playing as well as any team in SWVA right now. Their only really dismal performances were against VA High a game in which they had a bunch of turnovers and Richlands a game in which their star player did not play.