8 man football playoff number discussion.

[northeastNebraska]

32? 24? Or 16?

I want to start the conversation because personally I think 32 teams in the playoffs is too many. There are 54 teams in Class D1 and 32 make it? Ridiculous and it waters down what the playoffs are supposed to mean.

I think if anything, 24 would be a solid number. Thoughts? I know the top 4 teams would get byes.

 

[runningback43]

I'd rather see 24 teams in the playoffs as well. Put a couple of the teams that finished 6-3 in a different district and they probably go 9-0 and make the playoffs.

 

[northeastNebraska]

I like 16 in Classes C1 and C2. It makes the last two weeks so meaningful and fun.

I wish Class A would shrink their playoffs to 12 or even 8.

But in my opinion, 32 is too many for any class.

 

[ftball95]

32? 24? Or 16?

I want to start the conversation because personally I think 32 teams in the playoffs is too many. There are 54 teams in Class D1 and 32 make it? Ridiculous and it waters down what the playoffs are supposed to mean.

I think if anything, 24 would be a solid number. Thoughts? I know the top 4 teams would get byes.

They don't consider the first game in D1 & D2 as playoffs that is the qualifying round, if you win the first game then you qualify for the playoffs, isn't that right or not?

 

[northeastNebraska]

They don't consider the first game in D1 & D2 as playoffs that is the qualifying round, if you win the first game then you qualify for the playoffs, isn't that right or not?

I don't think that is accurate. If a team is in the initial playoff bracket and they get shirts, that means they make the playoffs.

 

[OutlawTrail]

They don't consider the first game in D1 & D2 as playoffs that is the qualifying round, if you win the first game then you qualify for the playoffs, isn't that right or not?

This was true in the late 90's in C & D but not so anymore.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

D-1 is the easiest class in the state to make the playoffs
C-2 is the hardest Class to make playoffs
Class A -- 57% make playoffs
Class B -- 50%
Class C-1-- 34%
Class C-2 --33%
Class D-1 70%
Class D-2 59%

 

[Football2274]

The system works the way it is. Why does it concern you that kids that might play in a stacked district still have a chance to compete beyond the regular season even if they don't win their district. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! And by the way, 32 teams out of 54 to qualify is not 70%, it's 59% in D-1. That's a 2% difference from class A.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

The system works the way it is. Why does it concern you that kids that might play in a stacked district still have a chance to compete beyond the regular season even if they don't win their district. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! And by the way, 32 teams out of 54 to qualify is not 70%, it's 59% in D-1. That's a 2% difference from class A.

And by the way ITs not 54, 8 of them are ineligible due to high of enrollment, So only 46 in D-1 are playoff eligible THAT makes 70% Thank You

 

[Eagle3898]

And by the way ITs not 54, 8 of them are ineligible due to high of enrollment, So only 46 in D-1 are playoff eligible THAT makes 70% Thank You

There are only 5 teams ineligible...3 teams got a mid-cycle waiver.

 

[Football2274]

There are still 54 in the class regardless. The point is the 8 man playoff works. Leave it alone. It only takes one more night of games in the playoffs to crown a champion in D-1 and D-2 than it does the four larger classes and to offset that the 2 lower classes only play an 8 game schedule in the regular season, whereas the 4 higher classes play a 9 game regular season. The point is, they all play the same amount of games regardless of class. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

There are still 54 in the class regardless. The point is the 8 man playoff works. Leave it alone. It only takes one more night of games in the playoffs to crown a champion in D-1 and D-2 than it does the four larger classes and to offset that the 2 lower classes only play an 8 game schedule in the regular season, whereas the 4 higher classes play a 9 game regular season. The point is, they all play the same amount of games regardless of class. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

I am not for or against either way, I just put the numbers out of percentages in playoffs BUt i will say 70% makes first round a JOKE and makes making playoffs in D-1 a Joke, but that is due to the opting in to play 8-man and having to high of enrollment to play, thats why all other states dont allow teams to opt in with to high of enrollment or you end up with a Joke in first round playoffs

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

There are still 54 in the class regardless. The point is the 8 man playoff works. Leave it alone. It only takes one more night of games in the playoffs to crown a champion in D-1 and D-2 than it does the four larger classes and to offset that the 2 lower classes only play an 8 game schedule in the regular season, whereas the 4 higher classes play a 9 game regular season. The point is, they all play the same amount of games regardless of class. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

And its not 54 regardless its 46 the other dont count if they can not make playoffs

 

[Football2274]

It's actually 49 if you want to split hairs, but you still don't have a valid urguement against the 32 team playoff. There are teams that opted in that were over the enrollment # that knew they would only be over the cutoff for one year and chose to stay in D-1 and forgo the playoffs for one year opposed to enduring the costs of field modifications and making kids learn a whole new system for only two years and then have to switch back. Ask any young man that has played in a state playoff game if he thinks it was a joke. I know the answer and so does everyone else.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

It's actually 49 if you want to split hairs, but you still don't have a valid urguement against the 32 team playoff. There are teams that opted in that were over the enrollment # that knew they would only be over the cutoff for one year and chose to stay in D-1 and forgo the playoffs for one year opposed to enduring the costs of field modifications and making kids learn a whole new system for only two years and then have to switch back. Ask any young man that has played in a state playoff game if he thinks it was a joke. I know the answer and so does everyone else.

If 32 out of 49 in playoffs and getting in at 2-6 or 3-5 makes people feel good, then okay, I could see that in this generation of kids

 

[Football2274]

It has nothing to do with the kids of this generation. I'm sure 32 teams in the playoffs keeps you up at night but that's what I can see with your generation.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

It has nothing to do with the kids of this generation. I'm sure 32 teams in the playoffs keeps you up at night but that's what I can see with your generation.

If you think so , I think the first round maybe should be called District finals or sub-state

 

[northeastNebraska]

It's actually 49 if you want to split hairs, but you still don't have a valid urguement against the 32 team playoff. There are teams that opted in that were over the enrollment # that knew they would only be over the cutoff for one year and chose to stay in D-1 and forgo the playoffs for one year opposed to enduring the costs of field modifications and making kids learn a whole new system for only two years and then have to switch back. Ask any young man that has played in a state playoff game if he thinks it was a joke. I know the answer and so does everyone else.

You think last year in Class D2 Osceola the #15 seed enjoyed losing to #2 Stuart 48-0? How about #4 St. Francis beating #13 St. Mary's 70-14? Or # 1 Exeter-Milligan beating #16 Red Cloud 56-6? Or #4 Sandhills/Thedford beating #13 Hitchcock County 49-0? I highly doubt it.

Yes there are blowouts in the second and third round occasionally but not nearly as much as the first round games. They basically tune up games which are unnecessary.

 

[Football2274]

You think last year in Class D2 Osceola the #15 seed enjoyed losing to #2 Stuart 48-0? How about #4 St. Francis beating #13 St. Mary's 70-14? Or # 1 Exeter-Milligan beating #16 Red Cloud 56-6? Or #4 Sandhills/Thedford beating #13 Hitchcock County 49-0? I highly doubt it.

Yes there are blowouts in the second and third round occasionally but not nearly as much as the first round games. They basically tune up games which are unnecessary.

 

[Football2274]

Well then explain to me all the championship games in all classes last year. Omaha North 41 Creighton Prep 0 in class A, Class B it was Omaha Skutt 40 to 10 over Elkhorn. How about C-1 where Boone Central/Newmann Grove beat Ashland/Greenwood 54-14 or in C-2 where Aquinas bounced Harrington CC 40-6. And in D-1 Hemmingford won 52-8 over BDS. The only game that wasn't a complete blowout was in D-2 with Exeter/Milligan over Anselmo/Merna 40-26. I guess a blowout in the first round is different than a blowout in the last round huh? I'm sure none of these teams enjoyed getting blown out either but I'm certain they were glad they at least had a chance to play the game. It's ultimately about the chance for an underdog to do what they say can't be done.

 

[sports10]

2274 Great point.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

2274 Great point.

I think you have two choices Raise the the number to 90 or above get rid of opting down
or leave it and go to 24, If you leave it as is then YES its a joke to make playoffs and be 3-5 or less. If your proud of 2-6 or 3-5 then that is why you are 2-6 or 3-5 and if so then arguing with you over this is dumb because you dont get it and never will.

 

[northeastNebraska]

Well then explain to me all the championship games in all classes last year. Omaha North 41 Creighton Prep 0 in class A, Class B it was Omaha Skutt 40 to 10 over Elkhorn. How about C-1 where Boone Central/Newmann Grove beat Ashland/Greenwood 54-14 or in C-2 where Aquinas bounced Harrington CC 40-6. And in D-1 Hemmingford won 52-8 over BDS. The only game that wasn't a complete blowout was in D-2 with Exeter/Milligan over Anselmo/Merna 40-26. I guess a blowout in the first round is different than a blowout in the last round huh? It's ultimately about the chance for an underdog to do what they say can't be done.

Last years scores and 2013 don't happen very often like that. It was an anomaly in my opinion. Usually there is 1-2 games like that out of 6 championship games.

2012:
Millard North 17 Omaha North 14
Gross Catholic 14 Norris 7
Norfolk Catholic 24 Boone Central 13
Aquinas 35 Sutton 20
Giltner 42 HSF 26
*Only Class D1 was a blowout.

2011:
Lincoln Southeast 21 Omaha Burke 9
Elkhorn 26 Crete 17
Norfolk Catholic 20 Platteview 6
Aquinas 27 Kearney Catholic 13
Sargent 21 Howells 18
*Only Class D1 was a blowout

2010:
Millard North 28 Millard South 20
Norfolk Catholic 28 Pierce 13
St. Cecilia 17 Bergan 14
WPCC 45 Creighton 30
*Classes B and D2 were blowouts.

2009:
Aurora 34 Skutt 21
St. Cecilia 26 Norfolk Catholic 18
Ponca 14 Hartington Cedar Catholic 13 OT
*3 games were blowouts

2008:
Millard West 21 Millard South 8
Aurora 20 Beatrice 14
Pierce 20 Boys Town 10
Blue Hill 14 Bergan 0
*2 blowouts, both 8 man.

2007:
Omaha Central 26 Millard North 21
Crete 14 McCook 7 OT
Pierce 34 Bishop Neumann 28 OT
Pope John 39 Clarkson 30
Chambers 28 Elgin 24
*Class C2 was a blowout.

Sometimes sure there are blowouts in the finals, but not very often, especially in 11 man. My point is there are far too many blowouts in the first round of 32.

 

[Football2274]

I think you have two choices Raise the the number to 90 or above get rid of opting down
or leave it and go to 24, If you leave it as is then YES its a joke to make playoffs and be 3-5 or less. If your proud of 2-6 or 3-5 then that is why you are 2-6 or 3-5 and if so then arguing with you over this is dumb because you dont get it and never will.

Apparently you are the one who doesn't get it. The system works the way it is and NSAA agrees.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

Apparently you are the one who doesn't get it. The system works the way it is and NSAA agrees.

Thanks for making my point

 

[Football2274]

Thanks for making my point

Nice try

 

[northeastNebraska]

Apparently you are the one who doesn't get it. The system works the way it is and NSAA agrees.

The system is in place because the NSAA is too lazy to do anything about it.

 

[runningback43]

The system is in place because the NSAA is too lazy to do anything about it.

So what you are saying is that the schools that make up the NSAA are lazy.

 

[northeastNebraska]

So what you are saying is that the schools that make up the NSAA are lazy.

Correct.

 

[runningback43]

Evidently the member schools don't have a problem with how it is now. There were two proposals last year to change the enrollment number and both failed.

 

[runningback43]

Evidently the member schools don't have a problem with how it is now. There were two proposals last year to change the enrollment number and both failed.

 

[Antone13]

I agree with Runnback 43 if the schools want it change enough of them will step forward and get it changed if not they will not change it. As far as the playoffs I would rather take too many teams to the playoffs than leave one out with a small chance. If a team gets blown out in the first round that is part of football. every week teams are getting blown out so maybe the state should step in and say you two teams dont play because it will be a blowout then each week someone would have a forfeit.

 

[northeastNebraska]

Evidently the member schools don't have a problem with how it is now. There were two proposals last year to change the enrollment number and both failed.

Which is sad. Something needs to be changed in 8 man football in my opinion.

 

[highschoolfootballnut]

I agree with Runnback 43 if the schools want it change enough of them will step forward and get it changed if not they will not change it. As far as the playoffs I would rather take too many teams to the playoffs than leave one out with a small chance. If a team gets blown out in the first round that is part of football. every week teams are getting blown out so maybe the state should step in and say you two teams dont play because it will be a blowout then each week someone would have a forfeit.

I do agree with not wanting to see a 6-2 or 7-2 team left out and that may happen in C2 this year But some change is needed because as many teams as I heard going 8-man that will be over the enrollment you may have a D-1 class with 58 in it but 18 teams not eligible for the playoffs. Which would mean that 32 of the 40 teams get in Its all about being proactive and not waiting tell it happens and then say oh crap what now. I still say all is fixed with 90 to 96 for cutoff and NO opting down