Yes, the criticism of officiating does raise its ugly head from time to time on this board an on another board that I frequent, and, as stated by Waggle, there does consistently appear to be one common denominator in the perpetuation of this myth.
The myth that Fort Hill benefits from officials at Greenway Avenue Stadium was busted several years ago. With that being said, I keep the document saved because, inevitably, it comes back to this message board. There's also a dig on the "then" and current playoff system. These are the same arguments - different day.
September 22, 2009
The age-old argument that Fort Hill gets favorable treatment from officials is just that - it is old.
I posted this info. on this board and on the rivals' board some time ago. Bottom line: When one looks at the stats. any objective person can honestly say the "home cookin'" myth, as it relates to Fort Hill, has been busted.
I checked the at home record from 2000-2008 for FH, and this is what I found:
Overall home record (including playoff games and "away" games vs. Allegany - FH's cross town rival) = 55 - 12
Total points scored by FH = 2010
Total points scored by opponents = 517
Average score per home game from 2000 - 2008 = FH 36+ - Opponent 9+
Last year, FH averaged 24 points a game at home and gave up 13 points (this does not count the 1-0 forfeit win over Dunbar, DC).
Bottom line: Unless the officials in Cumberland are worth 25 points (score differential of averages) per game for FH, and a poster can explain how FH lost 18% of its home games from 2000-2008, the "home cookin'" myth is BUSTED!
Oh...I almost forgot to mention - FH's record in away games over the same time period (not counting away games against Allegany and playoff games) is 26 - 8...76% of FH's games on the road resulted in wins and three of the losses came in 2001 when FH went 3 - 7.
September 23, 2009
So the stats aren't good enough for you, SuperSid?
The 35 - 0 pounding Boonsboro took last year in the first round of the playoffs is just an example of how bad the state of Maryland playoff system is. Mountain Ridge, the 5th seed in the 1A West, would have given FH a much, much better game but did not make the playoffs due to the 1-4 regional seedings.
As far as Southern goes, they beat FH in 2001, 29-13. FH turned around the next year and beat them 40-0. Southern also beat FH in 1996 - one year prior to Fort Hill winning the state championship in '97. Are you saying FH shouldn't play any 1A teams in their own backyard (Garrett County)?
As mentioned in my last post, FH's margin of victory in away games from 2000-2008 has been almost by the same margin as in home games (23 points).
A few more notable facts: FH lost at home by an average score of 25-9 (point differential = 14) and lost on the road by an average score of 24-11 (point differential = 13) from 2000 - 2008.
Bottom line: The myth about FH having an advantage at home games due to officiating has been busted. Accept it!