HOW BAD IS THE MPSSAA?

[TDHelmick]

A few things to chew on.

As of now Westinghouse is worth more points in the MPSSAA system than: Melbourne Central Catholic, Friendship Collegiate, Allegany, Dunbar and are only .70 off a point from St. Frances - the nation's 13th ranked team.

These teams now have this September 29 date open: Fort Hill, Northern Garrett (the current No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the 1A West Region), Dunbar, Steel Valley (2016 PA State Champs) and Gilman. All would like to play a game (other than Northern Garrett). Yet the MPSSAA will not allow its member teams to add a game once the first play date has taken place. Steel Valley, another Pittsburgh team, would have played FH this weekend in all likelihood. PA allows teams to add a game at any point. MD does not.

 

[FHHSAHS]

While I recognize the inconvenience of the rule, I can understand the spirit of it. At least, what I think it is.

By not allowing late add on games, there are two issues to consider - schedule manipulation and the spirit of competition. The competition piece is the weakest argument, but consider - if FH were able to add a team, they would have very little time to prepare, scout, game plan, etc...I'm not even sure that would bode well. But again, that would be the team's decision to do so.

But schedule manipulation is the more pressing issue. Let's say that it's week 8. A MD team is in a tight race for the last spot in their respective region. They have 3 games left, the most unwinnable is against FH. The other two games are regional, more desirable matchups. What's to stop the other team from foregoing their game against FH, for a lesser opponent to preserve their playoff hopes?

A blanket rule does cause issues when it's a legit forfeit and desire for a new game. But you can't have a rule that has a bunch of different exceptions. It has to be all or nothing.

JMO

 

[beall02]

While I recognize the inconvenience of the rule, I can understand the spirit of it. At least, what I think it is.

By not allowing late add on games, there are two issues to consider - schedule manipulation and the spirit of competition. The competition piece is the weakest argument, but consider - if FH were able to add a team, they would have very little time to prepare, scout, game plan, etc...I'm not even sure that would bode well. But again, that would be the team's decision to do so.

But schedule manipulation is the more pressing issue. Let's say that it's week 8. A MD team is in a tight race for the last spot in their respective region. They have 3 games left, the most unwinnable is against FH. The other two games are regional, more desirable matchups. What's to stop the other team from foregoing their game against FH, for a lesser opponent to preserve their playoff hopes?

A blanket rule does cause issues when it's a legit forfeit and desire for a new game. But you can't have a rule that has a bunch of different exceptions. It has to be all or nothing.

JMO

Excellent point as always

 

[mccoke]

Maybe Steel Valley is a good lead for next season!

I remember when Alco played Red Lion out of Bear, DE. More than couple teams decided to not play Red Lion and forfeited the game. Kudos to Alco for making the trip knowing the could get clobbered...and they did.

Some teams see FH putting up 70+ points on teams and the same thing can happen. That doubled edged sword type of situation.

The mpssaa should allow in season schedule changes on a case by case basis.

 

[beall02]

Maybe Steel Valley is a good lead for next season!

I remember when Alco played Red Lion out of Bear, DE. More than couple teams decided to not play Red Lion and forfeited the game. Kudos to Alco for making the trip knowing the could get clobbered...and they did.

Some teams see FH putting up 70+ points on teams and the same thing can happen. That doubled edged sword type of situation.

The mpssaa should allow in season schedule changes on a case by case basis.

It is hard when you do that because it then becomes well why did you do it here and not here? Just opens up another can of worms.

 

[TDHelmick]

While I recognize the inconvenience of the rule, I can understand the spirit of it. At least, what I think it is.

By not allowing late add on games, there are two issues to consider - schedule manipulation and the spirit of competition. The competition piece is the weakest argument, but consider - if FH were able to add a team, they would have very little time to prepare, scout, game plan, etc...I'm not even sure that would bode well. But again, that would be the team's decision to do so.

But schedule manipulation is the more pressing issue. Let's say that it's week 8. A MD team is in a tight race for the last spot in their respective region. They have 3 games left, the most unwinnable is against FH. The other two games are regional, more desirable matchups. What's to stop the other team from foregoing their game against FH, for a lesser opponent to preserve their playoff hopes?

A blanket rule does cause issues when it's a legit forfeit and desire for a new game. But you can't have a rule that has a bunch of different exceptions. It has to be all or nothing.

JMO

These are valid points. Even if two teams agree to play on Tuesday for a Friday game in a situation such as this, it's not something coaches on either side care for in regards to the lack of preparation and film study.

I would say the MPSSAA should consider special situations like an opponent folding or if some one started the season with 9 games they can still add someone later. But yes, you don't want to see teams dropping each other to pick up other teams to circumnavigate the points process. These things would work better if the MPSSAA actually put a contract system together that was honored. MPSSAA contracts are worthless and a waste of time.

Just expand the regional playoffs to 8 teams and no one cares anymore. Add a game, don't play teams, play teams, play DeMatha 5 times. If this would happen FH would play a murderer's row schedule. Trust me. Some people just can't be expected to understand playoff logistics and analytical problem solving. When I hear someone doesn't want an 8 game regional set up I lose respect for them for also saying they don't want to see watered down schedules. One or the other is going to happen with everyone involved. What is it...you don't want to see the first round of the playoffs get watered down? But that is what we are getting on a regular basis during the season. Pretzel Logic.

The system is stupid. The result is the schedules are stupid. It has nothing to do with guts or no guts. If it was, based on the schedules I see around the state FH has probably more guts than most (see schedule rankings). Oh yea, those dad gum schedule rankings again

 

[eaglesinsider]

Florida has a good compromise for adding teams late I think.You can add a game any time after Week 1 but it doesn't count for playoff points. That allows teams to still get that 10th game without having to worry about redoing the whole points system or approving an out of state opponent.

Some schools in Southwest Florida (I just moved down here in July... great timing) have lost 4 of their 5 scheduled games this season. 3 to Irma and the other either to flooding the previous week or lightning two weeks prior. One school is playing 4 games in 14 days since they've only gotten one game in so far. They'd kill to just be down one game.

 

[beall02]

Florida has a good compromise for adding teams late I think.You can add a game any time after Week 1 but it doesn't count for playoff points. That allows teams to still get that 10th game without having to worry about redoing the whole points system or approving an out of state opponent.

Some schools in Southwest Florida (I just moved down here in July... great timing) have lost 4 of their 5 scheduled games this season. 3 to Irma and the other either to flooding the previous week or lightning two weeks prior. One school is playing 4 games in 14 days since they've only gotten one game in so far. They'd kill to just be down one game.

That is a nice compromise. But I would think a team would rather take the forfeit then lose out on those points just to play a game. If you don't want something like this to happen you should schedule team's that this won't happen to.

 

[Waggle Pass]

A few things to chew on.

As of now Westinghouse is worth more points in the MPSSAA system than: Melbourne Central Catholic, Friendship Collegiate, Allegany, Dunbar and are only .70 off a point from St. Frances - the nation's 13th ranked team.

These teams now have this September 29 date open: Fort Hill, Northern Garrett (the current No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the 1A West Region), Dunbar, Steel Valley (2016 PA State Champs) and Gilman. All would like to play a game (other than Northern Garrett). Yet the MPSSAA will not allow its member teams to add a game once the first play date has taken place. Steel Valley, another Pittsburgh team, would have played FH this weekend in all likelihood. PA allows teams to add a game at any point. MD does not.

Steel Valley would be a GREAT pick up for FH next year. Tradition is rich, as TH pointed out PA 2A champs last year, 3-0 so far this season. Charlie Batch former Steeler QB is a Steel Valley allum.

 

[ed r forshey]

In WV you can add a game if a teams forfeits to you but it doesn't count in the ratings.
You already have 10 that count with the forfeit,
Its so a school can get the gate money and concussion money.

You can also add a game if you have less than 10 and it counts if you get the CONTRACT, KEY WORD, signed by both schools before midnight on Sept. 30th.

Why does MPSSAA not have or honor contracts?

 

[beall02]

In WV you can add a game if a teams forfeits to you but it doesn't count in the ratings.
You already have 10 that count with the forfeit,
Its so a school can get the gate money and concussion money.

You can also add a game if you have less than 10 and it counts if you get the CONTRACT, KEY WORD, signed by both schools before midnight on Sept. 30th.

Why does MPSSAA not have or honor contracts?

Because the MPSSAA are far behind times in everything that they do. It honestly is a travesty if you ask me.

 

[mccoke]

And to think we always blamed Ned Sparks! He retired and they got worse!