If the season ended today and top 16 were taken

[NG Huskies Fan]

I know this is somewhat beating a dead horse, but this is how the 1A playoffs would look if the season ended today and we used a 1-16 format. 1A West has 4 of the top 7 overall spots and would have 5 teams in. Ridiculous that if records and standings stays as is 2 of the top 7 teams in the state won't advance past round 1 of the playoffs when they could all conceivably be final 4 or final 8 material. I know the MPSSAA for some reason loves this regional set up, but 1-16 would be the best format, and the longest drive in 1A would be Southern to Snow Hill that is only 5.5 hours and how many times a decade would we have that match up?

1. Alco 8.17
2. Reginald F Lewis 7.18
3. Ft Hill 7.17
4. Havre de Grace 6.83
5. Northern Garrett 6.8
6. Cambridge S-D 6.55
7. Boonsboro 5.83
8. Surratsville 5.33
9. Bohemia Manor 5.0
10. Edmonson/Westside 4.83
11. Kent County 3.53
12 FAET 3.02
Tie NAF 3.02
14. Perryville 2.33
Tie Southern Garrett 2.33
16 NEA 2.02

1A West and 1A south would have 5, 1A East 4 teams and 1A north 2 teams with a 1-16 format

 

[wvuguy43]

I know this is somewhat beating a dead horse, but this is how the 1A playoffs would look if the season ended today and we used a 1-16 format. 1A West has 4 of the top 7 overall spots and would have 5 teams in. Ridiculous that if records and standings stays as is 2 of the top 7 teams in the state won't advance past round 1 of the playoffs when they could all conceivably be final 4 or final 8 material. I know the MPSSAA for some reason loves this regional set up, but 1-16 would be the best format, and the longest drive in 1A would be Southern to Snow Hill that is only 5.5 hours and how many times a decade would we have that match up?

1. Alco 8.17
2. Reginald F Lewis 7.18
3. Ft Hill 7.17
4. Havre de Grace 6.83
5. Northern Garrett 6.8
6. Cambridge S-D 6.55
7. Boonsboro 5.83
8. Surratsville 5.33
9. Bohemia Manor 5.0
10. Edmonson/Westside 4.83
11. Kent County 3.53
12 FAET 3.02
Tie NAF 3.02
14. Perryville 2.33
Tie Southern Garrett 2.33
16 NEA 2.02

1A West and 1A south would have 5, 1A East 4 teams and 1A north 2 teams with a 1-16 format

Your post says it all Northern!!! Its the most sensable format, to bad the idiots that control the playoff format cannot realize it. And like you stated, there is one game that might be a driving distance of 5 hours. If you look at WV playoffs, there are numerous teams come playoffs that drive even further and they dont complain. The MPSSAA always says the reason for the regional format is so each region can represent. Well the way the 16 team format stands, each region still represents. I know this post, like you said Northern, is like beating a dead horse. But in my opinion its the best and only way to show the best 2 teams at the end,

 

[glamourbyjim]

I would love to see Fort HIll play Perryville again .... especially this year

 

[bleedred]

Same ole same ole.....

No matter how much you sugar coat it, the 1-16 seeding still rewards teams for playing soft schedules. PA does it right, have Regional playoffs and force the Regional teams to play each other.

I like the concept of having a nine game season, and seeding the top eight teams in each region. Regional play wouldn't matter as much under this system as almost every team would get a shot at the post season.

Maryland will never get away from the Regional format.

 

[TDHelmick]

If you look at the point standings for all classes in Maryland, you quickly realize 1A is not the problem. There are so many regions that have one loss teams currently sitting out of the playoffs. If my team went 8-2 (like South Hagerstown could do) and got left out while some team in another region went 5-5 and got in I would sue somebody. That is the only way the MPSSAA will listen and give a damn is through lawsuit.

The 1-16 format does not fix PLAYOFFITIS.
PLAYOFFITIS is described as coaches/programs that fear not making the playoffs. Their self worth and success is defined by making the playoffs despite knowing full well they have no shot at winning a championship. So they will schedule lesser opponents in such a way that they can manipulate the system in their favor to make the playoffs. And if your team is not in a league/regional set up that guarantees games (such as what exists in all of Western Maryland and this part of West Virginia) then this PLAYOFFITIS gets enlarged by a large exponential degree.

I will repeat to those of you who still think the 1-16 format settles this scheduling issue...go see Keyser and Frankfort. It doesn't alleviate the problem.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO MAKE THE POST SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLAYOFFITIS

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

If you look at the point standings for all classes in Maryland, you quickly realize 1A is not the problem. There are so many regions that have one and two loss teams currently sitting out of the playoffs. If my team went 8-2 (like South Hagerstown could do) and got left out while some team in another region went 5-5 and got in I would sue somebody. That is the only way the MPSSAA will listen and give a damn is through lawsuit.

The 1-16 format does not fix PLAYOFFITIS.
PLAYOFFITIS is described as coaches/programs that fear not making the playoffs. Their self worth and success is defined by making the playoffs despite knowing full well they have no shot at winning a championship. So they will schedule lesser opponents in such a way that they can manipulate the system in their favor to make the playoffs. And if your team is not in a league/regional set up that guarantees games (such as what exists in all of Western Maryland and this part of West Virginia) then this PLAYOFFITIS gets enlarged by a large exponential degree.

I will repeat to those of you who still think the 1-16 format settles this scheduling issue...go see Keyser and Frankfort. It doesn't alleviate the problem.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO MAKE THE POST SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLAYOFFITIS

I'm ok with every team making the playoffs, but it doesnt solve my biggest issue, which is the regional format. Being a fan of a team in the 3A West, I see year in and year out, lesser teams make it to the state semi-finals and finals because of the regional concept. There is no doubt in my mind that the top 6 teams in the 3A West last year were better than the 3A East Champion. Teams should not be penalized for playing in a tough region. If the Final 4 is 4 teams from the 3A West, then so be it. If Allegany and Fort Hill play for the 1A State Title every year, so be it. The only way you are going to get the best teams in the State Title games is to throw out the regional format. I know, teams are going to have to travel. Well if you dont want to travel, then win your games in the regular season and get home field!

 

[FHHSAHS]

The only way a regional format works in any sport, in any league, at any tier of athletics from high school up to professional is if those regional foes play each other. However, the caveat is the state is not looking at it as a competitive issue...only we are.

The state only set up the regional format to make sure that each region is represented in the final 4. They are not looking at scholastic sports as a competitive venture, nor are they interested in getting the best two teams in the finals every year.

In all honesty, the old 8 team playoff system was better when there were 4 regional champs and 4 at large teams from any region.

 

[theprocessworks]

its like the nfc in 2014. the eagles went 10-6 and didn't get in and the panthers went 7-8-1 and got in b/c they won the south. same mindset with the Maryland playoff system.

 

[FHHSAHS]

I wouldn't even mind the regional format if they took the top 4 teams from each region and THEN reseeded them 1-16. At least the state gets all regions represented, but they are ranked in a way that keeps the better teams at the top. Allowing for the better teams to still have a shot at the title.

There's no perfect system, and in all honesty...will we ever see it changed? I dont think so.

 

[LinemenWinGames]

its like the nfc in 2014. the eagles went 10-6 and didn't get in and the panthers went 7-8-1 and got in b/c they won the south. same mindset with the Maryland playoff system.

But way different in that in the NFL you are required to play the teams in your division and and then 6 other opponents in your conference based on your previous year record. The NFL system is good. If you win your division at 7-8-1 then so be it, you earned it by having a better record than your division opponents that you must play twice.

In Maryland you are not required to play a single team from your region/division.

 

[FHHSAHS]

Using JMT's predictions for week 10 points from his Baltimore Sun posts, a 1-16 of the top 4 regional teams reseeded would be:

1. Fort Hill
2. Reginald F Lewis
3. Alco
4. Cambridge
5. Boonsboro
6. Havre De Grace
7. Northern G
8. EW
9. Bo Manor
10. FAET
11. Surrattsville
12. Perryville
13. Kent County
14. National Academy
15 Fairmont Heights
16. Joppatowne

Joppa and Fairmont would be the only teams making the playoffs with a losing record.

 

[FHHSAHS]

Who wouldn't want to see Edmonson Westside coming to Accident, MD for a first round game?

 

[theprocessworks]

great point LWG but I'd still bepissed if I was an eagles fan

 

[Seasoned Lettuce]

Edmonson Westside at Northern Garrett would be fantastic......Maryland, America in Miniature.

 

[Seasoned Lettuce]

Funny thing with the 1-16 seed system Is that # 1 seed Fort Hill would have a much tougher draw than # 3 Allegany throughout the playoffs. # 2 Reginald Lewis would have an impossibly tougher draw than # 3 Allegany.

Fort Hill: Joppatowne, Edmonson/Westside, Cambridge, Allegany

Allegany: National Academy, Havre de Grace, Reginald Lewis, Fort Hill

Reginald Lewis: Fairmont Heights, Northern, Allegany, Fort Hill

This is all based on personal opinion, and highest seeds winning out.

 

[FHHSAHS]

The matchups for the reseeded/regional 1-16 are actually kind of intriguing.

I goofed though, #7 Northern would host #10 FAET, not EW. But still.

And how about that draw for Reginald Lewis. You're right, tough. Hosting Northern, then Alco, then possibly playing FH in the final. A hefty dose of 1A west in that scenario.

With the possibility of either a very well tested Lewis in the final. OR...(fanfare) an Alco vs FH final. We can dream.

 

[TDHelmick]

The MPSSAA isn't doing away with the regional set up. They may tinker the regional set up but any 1-16 format is just a fantasy no matter how loud anyone screams. So work accordingly. Meaning if you want change, do it through a regional setup.

 

[NG Huskies Fan]

For years we had a 1-8 set up that was not regional except the region champ got in. There was nothing wrong with that system other than only 8 teams got in and a lot of deserving teams were let out. I don't see why now all of a sudden there is a desire at the MPSSAA to just have regional playoffs, maybe its money but I don't buy that, being WV which is much larger geographically and much poorer has a 1-16 set up. Maybe Gov Hogan can issue an exec order on this? LOL.
I especially don't see why the Cumberland folks wouldn't want a non-regional format, as it is now either Alco or FH can't advance past the regional final, if we had a 1-16 format they could play for the state title, when a year such as this, it is a possibility. Wouldn't that be better than playing homecoming week then 2 weeks later?
While playing 9 games and letting top 8 in each region or letting everyone in might solve some problems, it still creates this regional issue. This year in 1A west is a perfect example why we need a straight 1-16. I know there are other regions in other classes that have it worse than 1A west but I just think there is a better format out there, yeah the MPSSAA may never consider it, but doesn't mean we should not even try to get a better format, it won't help things this year, but maybe a couple years from now maybe.

 

[bigdawgrefwmd]

For years we had a 1-8 set up that was not regional except the region champ got in. There was nothing wrong with that system other than only 8 teams got in and a lot of deserving teams were let out. I don't see why now all of a sudden there is a desire at the MPSSAA to just have regional playoffs, maybe its money but I don't buy that, being WV which is much larger geographically and much poorer has a 1-16 set up. Maybe Gov Hogan can issue an exec order on this? LOL.
I especially don't see why the Cumberland folks wouldn't want a non-regional format, as it is now either Alco or FH can't advance past the regional final, if we had a 1-16 format they could play for the state title, when a year such as this, it is a possibility. Wouldn't that be better than playing homecoming week then 2 weeks later?
While playing 9 games and letting top 8 in each region or letting everyone in might solve some problems, it still creates this regional issue. This year in 1A west is a perfect example why we need a straight 1-16. I know there are other regions in other classes that have it worse than 1A west but I just think there is a better format out there, yeah the MPSSAA may never consider it, but doesn't mean we should not even try to get a better format, it won't help things this year, but maybe a couple years from now maybe.

I think the same way, 1-16 is the way to go and the state saying it cost money for travel is just dumb when many other states do it and especially WV.
The Teams could also pretty much schedule anyone and 5 wins would get you in the playoffs. Maryland High School Sports is just ass backwards, bad enough that they allow all teams in the playoffs in other sports. It's trickled down to youth sports as well, everyone makes the playoffs,everyone gets a trophy.

 

[eaglesinsider]

I made a mock-up of an expanded playoff system that included the private schools (grouped by competitiveness instead of enrollment) and had everyone make the playoffs last year and play within their region.

To do this, I expanded the MPSSAA to 7 classes. Classes 1A-6A had 32 teams. Class 7A had 24 teams (14 of the best currently 4A public schools, 10 MIAA A/WCAC private schools). It would only add one round to the playoffs.

This is what 1A (Allegany's classification) and 2A (FH's classification) looked like:

1A
North
- Edmondson
- FAET
- Forest Park
- Reginald Lewis
- Friends Baltimore
- Bluford Drew Jemison
- Concordia Prep
- MATHS
South
- National Academy
- Ben Franklin
- Fairmont Heights
- Lake Clifton
- SEED
- Surrattsville
- New Era
- Maritime Academy
East
- Havre de Grace
- Kent County
- Bohemia Manor
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Colonel Richardson
- Joppatowne
- Washington
- Snow Hill
West
- Allegany
- Northern Garrett
- National Christian
- Clear Spring
- Hancock
- Silver Oak
- Southern Garrett
- Brunswick

2A
North
- Patterson
- Dunbar
- Saint John's Catholic Prep
- Western Tech
- Maryland School for the Deaf
- Southwestern
- Sparrows Point
- Carver Vo-Tech
South
- Douglass (Prince George's)
- Cambridge-South Dorchester
- Friendly
- Lackey
- Annapolis Area Christian
- Forestville Military
- Southwestern
- Maurice J. McDonough
East
- New Town
- Overlea
- Owings Mills
- Perryville
- Randallstown
- Loch Raven
- Patterson Mill
- Pikesville
West
- Fort Hill
- Boonsboro
- Smithsburg
- Catoctin
- Mountain Ridge
- Williamsport
- Saint James
- Francis Scott Key

FWIW, CalPreps projections had Allegany as 1A state champs and FH as 2A state champs last year in this set up.

Allegany's path to a title: Brunswick (52-0), Clear Spring (38-3), Northern Garrett (22-12), Havre de Grace (21-13), Edmondson (21-13)

Fort Hill's path to a title: Francis Scott Key (56-6), Mountain Ridge (46-10), Boonsboro (34-20), Owings Mills (49-6), Douglass (Prince George's) (34-21)

I plan on redoing this proposal when the new enrollment numbers come out.