Season tickets/playoffs

[FHHSAHS]

I feel like this conversation gets rehashed every year, and I can never seem to remember the MPSSAA's policy. I feel like the MPSSAA policy states (or maybe used to state) that season tickets or special regular season passes are not recognized for MPSSAA events (playoffs). I noticed that FH is opening gates early for season ticket holders, not sure if they are being given their assigned seating.

Is this okay for them to do that?

 

[RedPride97]

I feel like this conversation gets rehashed every year, and I can never seem to remember the MPSSAA's policy. I feel like the MPSSAA policy states (or maybe used to state) that season tickets or special regular season passes are not recognized for MPSSAA events (playoffs). I noticed that FH is opening gates early for season ticket holders, not sure if they are being given their assigned seating.

Is this okay for them to do that?

My opinion playoffs seat should be first come first served

 

[TDHelmick]

Based on the JV size crowds at all the playoff games there is no need for reserved seating. Just sit wherever you want. Literally.

The cold weather just reaffirms the amount of senior citizens that attend games and live here - or should we say don't attend games when the weather does not permit it. On top of that, outside of the band/cheerleaders you won't see hardly any students at games anymore.

 

[bigdawgrefwmd]

I feel like this conversation gets rehashed every year, and I can never seem to remember the MPSSAA's policy. I feel like the MPSSAA policy states (or maybe used to state) that season tickets or special regular season passes are not recognized for MPSSAA events (playoffs). I noticed that FH is opening gates early for season ticket holders, not sure if they are being given their assigned seating.

Is this okay for them to do that?

according what I read a few years ago when this came up, it's not okay but they do it anyways. They also blow a train horn which is against policy of the MPSSAA.
The seats will be half empty anyways but not sure why they do this kind of stuff when they aren't supposed to.

I can Guarantee this one will be broken again on Friday Night. lol

4. Raffles, 50/50 drawings, or any other games of chance may not be conducted in connection with any
MPSSAA playoff contest.

 

[Lagmeister]

according what I read a few years ago when this came up, it's not okay but they do it anyways. They also blow a train horn which is against policy of the MPSSAA.
The seats will be half empty anyways but not sure why they do this kind of stuff when they aren't supposed to.

I can Guarantee this one will be broken again on Friday Night. lol

4. Raffles, 50/50 drawings, or any other games of chance may not be conducted in connection with any
MPSSAA playoff contest.

And.... adding in the student issue... I saw students, who cared to attend a game, chased out of empty seats in the reserve area.

 

[Tony54]

I loved the atmosphere at Sherando with the horse coming on to the field and the mascot with a bow and arrow. In North Carolina the Games are played with great music extremely loud and I’ve noticed that the students are really into the games. Is none of this allowed in Maryland?

 

[novaunicorn]

Based on the JV size crowds at all the playoff games there is no need for reserved seating. Just sit wherever you want. Literally.

The cold weather just reaffirms the amount of senior citizens that attend games and live here - or should we say don't attend games when the weather does not permit it. On top of that, outside of the band/cheerleaders you won't see hardly any students at games anymore.

Yet many still argue if you bring the right teams in the crowds will be big. You would think a playoff game that is win or lose would bring the crowds...but the last two weeks have shown FH fans are either saving their money for Annapolis or they are simply uninterested in supporting this team. Even if the family/friends of the players/band/cheerleaders were the only ones to show up I think there would be more people than we've seen the last two weeks.

 

[Lagmeister]

Yet many still argue if you bring the right teams in the crowds will be big. You would think a playoff game that is win or lose would bring the crowds...but the last two weeks have shown FH fans are either saving their money for Annapolis or they are simply uninterested in supporting this team. Even if the family/friends of the players/band/cheerleaders were the only ones to show up I think there would be more people than we've seen the last two weeks.

Just a random thought on the subject.... but, I was interested in Cumberland, high school football regardless of the consistent Allegany losses. But now, even the general aura of local football cannot be viewed without the image of Alco's ugly demise. Consider the impact on the aging Fort Hill fan base. The rivalry has been half the glory of FH's self image. It would be Allegany's as well if things were different.

I don't think you can replace that with playoff home games, especially when they project to be just another lopsided win. I think a successful Fort Hill is dependent upon a competitive rival across town... it is not dependent on win or lose. Without blue against red, Cumberland is just another town with a high school successful in football. Hell, even NFL films saw its importance.... boy is that gone.

 

[TDHelmick]

Just a random thought on the subject.... but, I was interested in Cumberland, high school football regardless of the consistent Allegany losses. But now, even the general aura of local football cannot be viewed without the image of Alco's ugly demise. Consider the impact on the aging Fort Hill fan base. The rivalry has been half the glory of FH's self image. It would be Allegany's as well if things were different.

I don't think you can replace that with playoff home games, especially when they project to be just another lopsided win. I think a successful Fort Hill is dependent upon a competitive rival across town... it is not dependent on win or lose. Without blue against red, Cumberland is just another town with a high school successful in football. Hell, even NFL films saw its importance.... boy is that gone.

If I read your post correctly, a competitive Allegany football team would be great, but it has no bearing on fannies in the seats. Maybe Homecoming to a small degree at best. In no way, shape or form is FH dependent upon a competitive rival when it comes to fannies in a playoff seat. Captain Obvious repeatedly...few live here now. Few go to school here now. Few go to games now. There is nothing Cumberland can do to resurrect something that once was regardless of sport, education, facilities, shops, jobs, etc. The sooner people stop playing denial and dismay about it the faster the town can move forward and cherish the small town we do have.

 

[novaunicorn]

If I read your post correctly, a competitive Allegany football team would be great, but it has no bearing on fannies in the seats. Maybe Homecoming to a small degree at best. In no way, shape or form is FH dependent upon a competitive rival. Captain Obvious repeatedly...few live here now. Few go to school here now. Few go to games now. There is nothing Cumberland can do to resurrect something that once was regardless of sport, education, facilities, shops, jobs, etc. The sooner people stop playing denial and dismay about it the faster the town can move forward and cherish the small town we do have.

I thought the whole reason for scheduling ECP even though there was no chance of winning thus getting 0 points toward playoff seeding was that it would put people in the stands...so many posters on here said they would only go to games that were of this caliber and all the others were gimme/sleepers/boring and there wasn't any sense in going. Is it your opinion now that the Melbournes/ECPs/or anybody else is never going to fill the stands again?

 

[TDHelmick]

I thought the whole reason for scheduling ECP even though there was no chance of winning thus getting 0 points toward playoff seeding was that it would put people in the stands...so many posters on here said they would only go to games that were of this caliber and all the others were gimme/sleepers/boring and there wasn't any sense in going. Is it your opinion now that the Melbournes/ECPs/or anybody else is never going to fill the stands again?

The answer is somewhere in between. Games are never picked up to put people in the stands, they are picked up to try and give the team' schedule a competitive balance. Or in the past with the old playoff system to just make sure your ability to make the playoffs is not jeopardized. But when you have a stretch of 4 to 5 games where everyone knows there is going to be a running clock, for sure people don't want to see that including myself. When we are dealing with a large chunk of paid attendance coming from senior citizens, the weather is going to wreak havoc at the gate. I came to this realization last year when FH had Morgantown at home. It rained that day (not so much at kickoff) and there was like 800 people there. That was an eye opener.

What many fail to realize is that the Melbourne CC game and the ECP game were played on a Saturday and a Thursday when other local teams don't have games.When it's a huge opponent like Melbourne CC, I would estimate that 40% of that crowd would have been elsewhere had the game been on Friday night when all the other teams had games.

The level of the opponent seems to matter less and less based on the fact the population died. Silver Oak had more people than did any of these playoff games. Some believe if FH plays competitive teams every week the stands will get full. Maybe a few more but it won't fill stands. Now Keyser on the other hand...well a good chunk of that crowd is Keyser people, which only supports why playing on Saturday night draws more fans from other schools.

 

[MCsoccerplex]

The realty is this...

As recent as the early 1980s there were just under 20,000 students in grades 1 - 12 in the ACPS.

Today, there are just under 8,000 students in grades pre-K - 12.

Logic says that crowds are going to be on average about 50-60% smaller than at one time. Also, the unfortunate reality is the true “die-hards” are literally dying off with each passing year.

Another factor is the availability of folks outside of Cumberland being able to listen to and/or watch the game online.

In the past, one could only pick up AM stations in and around the Queen City, so those who lived 10-15 miles away would come to Greenway to watch the game.

There are multiple reasons why people choose not to attend games, and most of it has nothing to do with the level of competition.

 

[novaunicorn]

The answer is somewhere in between. Games are never picked up to put people in the stands, they are picked up to try and give the team' schedule a competitive balance. Or in the past with the old playoff system to just make sure your ability to make the playoffs is not jeopardized. But when you have a stretch of 4 to 5 games where everyone knows there is going to be a running clock, for sure people don't want to see that including myself. When we are dealing with a large chunk of paid attendance coming from senior citizens, the weather is going to wreak havoc at the gate. I came to this realization last year when FH had Morgantown at home. It rained that day (not so much at kickoff) and there was like 800 people there. That was an eye opener.

What many fail to realize is that the Melbourne CC game and the ECP game were played on a Saturday and a Thursday when other local teams don't have games.When it's a huge opponent like Melbourne CC, I would estimate that 40% of that crowd would have been elsewhere had the game been on Friday night when all the other teams had games.

The level of the opponent seems to matter less and less based on the fact the population died. Silver Oak had more people than did any of these playoff games. Some believe if FH plays competitive teams every week the stands will get full. Maybe a few more but it won't fill stands. Now Keyser on the other hand...well a good chunk of that crowd is Keyser people, which only supports why playing on Saturday night draws more fans from other schools.

I'll say this again, I see nothing to be gained by scheduling an ECP. Go ahead and play the Silver Oaks and at least get some points. I know most people are saying it doesn't matter if FH has to play at Catoctin because they are so much better but after the last two weeks those people may want to reconsider. FH has made it to the past 6 finals without ever playing a road game. Road playoff games are very different. I don't see this FH team going to Catoctin in front of an overflow raucous crowd and beating them let alone put a running clock on them as one poster has absurdly predicted. If you struggle with Brunswick you aren't blowing out Catoctin on the road. If we get by Randallstown and Catoctin gets by Fairmont, we'll see, and I hope I'm wrong. I just don't see the benefit of playing a game you know you have no chance at, getting 0 points, and falling a couple points shy of the #2 seed because of it. I also understand the flip side of all the teams that say why play FH when they can't beat them. The difference is those teams are almost guaranteed to have to go thru FH in the playoffs whereas FH doesn't have to go thru an ECP.

 

[Tony54]

I'll say this again, I see nothing to be gained by scheduling an ECP. Go ahead and play the Silver Oaks and at least get some points. I know most people are saying it doesn't matter if FH has to play at Catoctin because they are so much better but after the last two weeks those people may want to reconsider. FH has made it to the past 6 finals without ever playing a road game. Road playoff games are very different. I don't see this FH team going to Catoctin in front of an overflow raucous crowd and beating them let alone put a running clock on them as one poster has absurdly predicted. If you struggle with Brunswick you aren't blowing out Catoctin on the road. If we get by Randallstown and Catoctin gets by Fairmont, we'll see, and I hope I'm wrong. I just don't see the benefit of playing a game you know you have no chance at, getting 0 points, and falling a couple points shy of the #2 seed because of it. I also understand the flip side of all the teams that say why play FH when they can't beat them. The difference is those teams are almost guaranteed to have to go thru FH in the playoffs whereas FH doesn't have to go thru an ECP.

 

[Tony54]

When you play teams as bad as Fort Hill does, it makes the whole town lose interest. Who wants to get dressed travel up to the stadium and watch a game in 40° weather when you already know that this team is so bad that they have a hard time lining up in the correct Position and getting the ball snapped. I can understand maybe having one game on your schedule like that but what can you possibly learn about Fort Hill football or hope to get better as a team by playing bottom of the barrel football teams. It’s true the town is getting smaller and there were a lot of great points made however no one wants to see games that are over by the end of the first-quarter. I would even go out on a limb and say if The university of Alabama played college teams week in and week out that they could put a 35 point lead on them by halftime. within 2 to 3 years half of the people would not come to those games either.

 

[TDHelmick]

I'll say this again, I see nothing to be gained by scheduling an ECP. Go ahead and play the Silver Oaks and at least get some points. I know most people are saying it doesn't matter if FH has to play at Catoctin because they are so much better but after the last two weeks those people may want to reconsider. FH has made it to the past 6 finals without ever playing a road game. Road playoff games are very different. I don't see this FH team going to Catoctin in front of an overflow raucous crowd and beating them let alone put a running clock on them as one poster has absurdly predicted. If you struggle with Brunswick you aren't blowing out Catoctin on the road. If we get by Randallstown and Catoctin gets by Fairmont, we'll see, and I hope I'm wrong. I just don't see the benefit of playing a game you know you have no chance at, getting 0 points, and falling a couple points shy of the #2 seed because of it. I also understand the flip side of all the teams that say why play FH when they can't beat them. The difference is those teams are almost guaranteed to have to go thru FH in the playoffs whereas FH doesn't have to go thru an ECP.

For those that complain about having to play ECP (including any coaches), my reply is this...Catoctin didn't have to play Walkersville, Dunbar didn't have to play Mervo. Nobody went undefeated in 1A. The ECP loss didn't hurt FH. The fact all the FH opponents didn't win games crushed them. Any other year and FH is still the No. 1 seed because Morgantown, Hedgesville, Alco all win at least 5 games. So if you want to go back to FH not playing ECP, then Catoctin can drop Walkersville, Dunbar can drop Mervo and we go back to nobody plays anybody. It's OK when FH puts a whipping on 8 opponents but when it happens to you it's not OK.

 

[CumberlandHSFB]

There's a happy medium to be found in that whole situation with the schedule. Should Fort Hill be playing a team like ECP? Absolutely F***ing Not. On the flip side should they go 5 weeks straight without a respectable opponent? Also no. They had a good thing going a few years ago with teams like Sherando and South High, but once FH beat them those teams backed out. I'd love to see an FH schedule with 3, 4, maybe 5 teams like that. Then find the rest of your games aside from MR and Alco elsewhere.

 

[novaunicorn]

There's a happy medium to be found in that whole situation with the schedule. Should Fort Hill be playing a team like ECP? Absolutely F***ing Not. On the flip side should they go 5 weeks straight without a respectable opponent? Also no. They had a good thing going a few years ago with teams like Sherando and South High, but once FH beat them those teams backed out. I'd love to see an FH schedule with 3, 4, maybe 5 teams like that. Then find the rest of your games aside from MR and Alco elsewhere.

I like the happy medium idea!

 

[Lagmeister]

If I read your post correctly, a competitive Allegany football team would be great, but it has no bearing on fannies in the seats. Maybe Homecoming to a small degree at best. In no way, shape or form is FH dependent upon a competitive rival. Captain Obvious repeatedly...few live here now. Few go to school here now. Few go to games now. There is nothing Cumberland can do to resurrect something that once was regardless of sport, education, facilities, shops, jobs, etc. The sooner people stop playing denial and dismay about it the faster the town can move forward and cherish the small town we do have.

As you posted later... Silver Oak had more people than did any of these playoff games... I contend that the turnout was the result of how badly they beat Allegany. Folks had an interest. I have always agreed with the fact that a smaller population affects everything. Yet, more folks do attend the games when there is an interest. So, what is the interest. Again, I submit that the historic aura of a football town is still there. I see it in the stands when I go. If the rivalry is once and forever over then the attendance will shrink disproportionate to the shrinking population. Ask yourself how many older red-jackets have actually died since the Robinette days. Then ask yourself why 'bigdawg' missed the last homecoming game.

Enough folks are still around to put up a reasonable showing at games. You can't blame every degree of failure on a shrinking town. In reality, you can't really move forward if you are in denial to all of the factors.

 

[novaunicorn]

For those that complain about having to play ECP (including any coaches), my reply is this...Catoctin didn't have to play Middletown, Dunbar didn't have to play Mervo. Nobody went undefeated in 1A. The ECP loss didn't hurt FH. The fact all the FH opponents didn't win games crushed them. Any other year and FH is still the No. 1 seed because Morgantown, Hedgesville, Alco all win at least 5 games. So if you want to go back to FH not playing ECP, then Catoctin can drop Middletown, Dunbar can drop Mervo and we go back to nobody plays anybody. It's OK when FH puts a whipping on 8 opponents but when it happens to you it's not OK.

I don't think Catoctin did play Middletown...maybe you meant walkersville??
Walkersville 34 Catoctin 31 in OT
Mervo 20 Dunbar 14
ECP 48 FH 14
I don't think the numbers show these games are comparable.
I'd be fine with FH playing Walkersville or Mervo but it seems like ECP is a completely different level than those two teams.

 

[Tony54]

As you posted later... Silver Oak had more people than did any of these playoff games... I contend that the turnout was the result of how badly they beat Allegany. Folks had an interest. I have always agreed with the fact that a smaller population affects everything. Yet, more folks do attend the games when there is an interest. So, what is the interest. Again, I submit that the historic aura of a football town is still there. I see it in the stands when I go. If the rivalry is once and forever over then the attendance will shrink disproportionate to the shrinking population. Ask yourself how many older red-jackets have actually died since the Robinette days. Then ask yourself why 'bigdawg' missed the last homecoming game.

Enough folks are still around to put up a reasonable showing at games. You can't blame every degree of failure on a shrinking town. In reality, you can't really move forward if you are in denial to all of the factors.

I agree. That’s why Fort Hill people showed up for the Silver Oak game. Also if you continuously play low level talented football games people lose so much interest that they are not as excited when a good football team comes to town

 

[TDHelmick]

As you posted later... Silver Oak had more people than did any of these playoff games... I contend that the turnout was the result of how badly they beat Allegany. Folks had an interest. I have always agreed with the fact that a smaller population affects everything. Yet, more folks do attend the games when there is an interest. So, what is the interest. Again, I submit that the historic aura of a football town is still there. I see it in the stands when I go. If the rivalry is once and forever over then the attendance will shrink disproportionate to the shrinking population. Ask yourself how many older red-jackets have actually died since the Robinette days. Then ask yourself why 'bigdawg' missed the last homecoming game.

Enough folks are still around to put up a reasonable showing at games. You can't blame every degree of failure on a shrinking town. In reality, you can't really move forward if you are in denial to all of the factors.

Silver Oak was Youth League Night for FH. All feeder system kids get in free. FH has done this for years. It's always a better crowd. Always!

Yes, you can absolutely blame the lack of people in the stands on a shrinking town. This is a very simple deduction. Watching people say otherwise is laughable. To infer the lack of people at the Brunswick and Williamsport playoff games has to do with Alco not being competitive is, well nevermind. Not sure why I even respond to such a thing.

 

[TDHelmick]

I don't think Catoctin did play Middletown...maybe you meant walkersville??
Walkersville 34 Catoctin 31 in OT
Mervo 20 Dunbar 14
ECP 48 FH 14
I don't think the numbers show these games are comparable.
I'd be fine with FH playing Walkersville or Mervo but it seems like ECP is a completely different level than those two teams.

Yes, thank you. I meant Walkersville.

What people don't understand about ECP was the timing. Realize this game was picked up the first week of August. I literally told Coach Appel at the time it was either ECP or one less game for the kids. He could have rolled the dice and held out 3 more weeks to see if something else popped up. Nothing did for that week. So again, it was either ECP or 8 games.

If we could rewind the clock back to the winter, yes there were other high quality teams out there FH could have picked up instead of ECP. Deciding to wait for the best option is not always going to work out. Fortunately, it usually has in the past.

I've done this for a while now. If I could pick my own perfect schedule for FH it would not include ECP and it would not include a stretch of charter school beat downs. I would like to see FH keep one of those charter schools and add two Middletown and Walkersivlle types on top of a game with a decent region 1A West team. That's the perfect region schedule for FH. Although I have no problem playing Southern, Northern and Hedgesville regardless of when they have bad seasons. People may not like playing Garrett County schools because they usually are blow outs. How is that any different than playing Mountain Ridge and Alco? You have to play these games in every sport regardless of the scoreboard. And FH has taken a beating on the scoreboard in other sports from these same teams.

 

[bigdawgrefwmd]

FH's Schedule wasn't as bad as it seems, some of those Teams just had bad years and it wasn't expected.

Mountain Ridge
Southern
Northern
Allegany
Hollidaysburg
Hedgesville
Silver Oak or Green St. Academy just Not Both
and Play Two Teams like from Below
Sherando, Martinsburg or Middletown South Hagerstown or North Hagerstown

9 out of 10 Years FH would Win 7 of the 9 for sure. 7-2, 8-1, 9-0

 

[TDHelmick]

Allow me to explain why long term deals with teams like Middletown and Walkersville make sense. Rivalry games have disappeared from this area. There has to be some form of competitive balance for rivalry games to exist. I felt Keyser and FH were on that path but you know that drill. People like Seasoned Lettuce hint at things like why doesn't FH pick up Bridgeport (or in his case Paw Paw during their better years).

If one does the math, what makes the most sense is a long term deal with the aforementioned Maryland type teams. All in close proximity. All with descent sized fan bases who will drive the 90 minutes or less. These games would be competitive most every year, the pay out at the gate would be good every year. Maryland schools share the same start dates, the same end dates, the same scrimmage dates, no bye weeks. It's just a better football situation for Cumberland to be shaking hands with Washington and Frederick County as opposed to WV. No disrespect meant to our southern neighbor...we all play by Maryland rules and logistics. It just makes too much sense.

And while this may sound harsh (I don't mean it to disrespect anyone) but I personally feel Allegany County is better off combining youth football programs with Washington and Frederick County and leaving the CAYFL behind. There are many reasons why that can't happen, mostly self interest, but Maryland teams should be shaking hands with other Maryland teams. The WV football ship has sailed.

How many people here would be excited to hear that FH, Catoctin, Middletown, Walkersville (or any other similar Western Maryland school) worked out a 6 year deal? The whole aspect would be beneficial to everyone involved. Again, it just makes too much sense. And there will be coaches who don't like it because it may mean losing from time to time. Sigh...this is why I fully support this new playoff system. Make it happen.

 

[cumbfanatic]

I agree with everything TDHelmick said. It would also help Washington County if they were in a youth league with Western MD. Currently Washington County youth football is very weak. The couple years when Braddock only one won game, it was the the one game they played against a Washington County Team. This CAYFL beat Washington County All Stars 46-0. I think Washington County joining Allegany and Garrett County at the youth level will help them become much more competitive.

 

[TDHelmick]

I agree with everything TDHelmick said. It would also help Washington County if they were in a youth league with Western MD. Currently Washington County youth football is very weak. The couple years when Braddock only one won game, it was the the one game they played against a Washington County Team. This CAYFL beat Washington County All Stars 46-0. I think Washington County joining Allegany and Garrett County at the youth level will help them become much more competitive.

There was some chatter just a year ago that talked about combining the Patriots, Warriors and Miners with the Washington County League and forming two divisions. That would be a great partnership. One of the arguments I got was that some self-interest people would just start a Cumberland team to stay in the CAYFL making the fight for available kids too thin. I actually believe you could include the Garrett County youth programs if they split this into 2 divisions to avoid the cost of travel, which would pretty much just sign the death warrant for the long time CAYFL.

And again, I get some gruff from this concept with the Keyser and Ridgeley people but I truly believe they would rather not have to be tied in to Maryland schools anyway when it comes to football. All one has to do is look where high school games with WV has headed.

 

[Lagmeister]

Silver Oak was Youth League Night for FH. All feeder system kids get in free. FH has done this for years. It's always a better crowd. Always!

Yes, you can absolutely blame the lack of people in the stands on a shrinking town. This is a very simple deduction. Watching people say otherwise is laughable. To infer the lack of people at the Brunswick and Williamsport playoff games has to do with Alco not being competitive is, well nevermind. Not sure why I even respond to such a thing.

To deny that Cumberland has gone from a football town to, "Meh, whose playing FH?" is laughable. I used to see a significant number of red-jackets attend Allegany games when FH wasn't playing that day. There was a general interest. I never said the failure of Allegany was the only impact, which apparently you are suggesting.

My point is that there is a general disinterest spreading in attending local high school football... and it ain't just population. The lack of a rival and how each team is doing during the season is gone. Whoosh! Hell, during the Robinette years I used to see more red-jackets at an Allegany game than Alco fans.

 

[TDHelmick]

To deny that Cumberland has gone from a football town to, "Meh, whose playing FH?" is laughable. I used to see a significant number of red-jackets attend Allegany games when FH wasn't playing that day. There was a general interest. I never said the failure of Allegany was the only impact, which apparently you are suggesting.

My point is that there is a general disinterest spreading in attending local high school football... and it ain't just population. The lack of a rival and how each team is doing during the season is gone. Whoosh! Hell, during the Robinette years I used to see more red-jackets at an Allegany game than Alco fans.

It a'int just population. But it's the gest of it.
Again, I use the fact that lacking attendance at all these playoff games has zero tie in with what Alco or anyone on the FH schedule has done.

Although in supporting your argument...football disinterest in attending games isn't isolated to just this side of the Maryland tracks. Here are a few good pieces of info I received:

- The MPSSAA made $100,000 less in gate money last year at the Naval Academy then it did in years past. Ouch, that is a large chunk of change to lose. I have heard several reasons including the drive to Annapolis in a stadium that is hard on traffic getting in and out - of which I don't buy. But if people think streaming or broadcasting games live has no bearing on attendance, they are not paying attention. And I'm not just talking about the high school level.

- 30 years ago the payout for both Alco and FH from the Homecoming game was $40K each. Now it is between $8K and $11K.

 

[Lagmeister]

It a'int just population. But it's the gest of it.

Although in supporting your argument...football disinterest in attending games isn't isolated to just this side of the Maryland tracks. Here are a few good pieces of info I received:

- The MPSSAA made $100,000 less in gate money last year at the Naval Academy then it did in years past. Ouch, that is a large chunk of change to lose. I have heard several reasons including the drive to Annapolis in a stadium that is hard on traffic getting in and out - of which I don't buy. But if people think streaming or broadcasting games live has no bearing on attendance, they are not paying attention. And I'm not just talking about the high school level.

- 30 years ago the payout for both Alco and FH from the Homecoming game was $40K each. Now it is between $8K and $11K.

You also mentioned 'feeder system' kids getting in free. Great! Parents pay but the kids get in free. Like I posted: give folks a reason. As for Annapolis... it ain't terribly bad... you're right. Again, Cumberland was a great football town. I think it has lost its spirit as well as its population.

 

[novaunicorn]

For those that complain about having to play ECP (including any coaches), my reply is this...Catoctin didn't have to play Walkersville, Dunbar didn't have to play Mervo. Nobody went undefeated in 1A. The ECP loss didn't hurt FH. The fact all the FH opponents didn't win games crushed them. Any other year and FH is still the No. 1 seed because Morgantown, Hedgesville, Alco all win at least 5 games. So if you want to go back to FH not playing ECP, then Catoctin can drop Walkersville, Dunbar can drop Mervo and we go back to nobody plays anybody. It's OK when FH puts a whipping on 8 opponents but when it happens to you it's not OK.

"The ECP loss didn't hurt FH". At the very least it cost them a home game next week. Beyond that...well we'll see how this team handles a playoff game on the road.

 

[BrianH1974]

"The ECP loss didn't hurt FH". At the very least it cost them a home game next week. Beyond that...well we'll see how this team handles a playoff game on the road.

He already told you everyone lost a game in 1A. It was the horrible records of the team FH played that is sending them on the road next week. This whole I don't want to play anyone is bullshit. Stop it.

 

[PowerRamRight]

For those interested, no state title for ECP. Lost tonight 21-13 to Thomas Jefferson.

 

[novaunicorn]

He already told you everyone lost a game in 1A. It was the horrible records of the team FH played that is sending them on the road next week. This whole I don't want to play anyone is bullshit. Stop it.

When you make statements like that you are just validating everything the alco posters say about you.

 

[OneRing]

To infer the lack of people at the Brunswick and Williamsport playoff games has to do with Alco not being competitive is, well nevermind. Not sure why I even respond to such a thing.

I couldn't agree more. I'm still trying to figure out how someone comes to that conclusion using anything but emotion and feelings.
"Hey, hon. You wanna go watch FH play Morgantown tonight? Nah... Alco really isnt that good, so why bother?"

 

[TDHelmick]

"The ECP loss didn't hurt FH". At the very least it cost them a home game next week. Beyond that...well we'll see how this team handles a playoff game on the road.

I'm on board with ECP being overload. On the same token you can't put a complete blow out on 8 or 9 opponents just to assure home field through the playoffs.

 

[novaunicorn]

I'm on board with ECP being overload. On the same token you can't put a complete blow out on 8 or 9 opponents just to assure home field through the playoffs.

What you do for FH is above and beyond, and I'm not in any way criticizing your efforts. I'm way more interested in finding long term solutions to having to schedule an ECP at the last minute just to have 9 games.
I have another idea. Let's just not put a running clock on every team, blow people out, keep starters in late in the 4th quarter. When we get a big lead start working on the passing game....that will guarantee some quick three and outs and at least let the other team feel like they are in a game and not a beating. The other thing is when there is a running clock the game is over so quickly that all the subs get very little playing time so the little hope they have of playing at all is gone in minutes along with the experience you need to return to next years team.
FH has made it's scheduling woes themselves, you can't blame teams, even good ones, like Keyser, for dropping them when you embarrass them. I've heard the arguments about if you don't want slaughtered get better".
Now we're going to hear all week about what horrible conditions and facilities Catoctin has and how it's all the MPSSAA's fault and FH fans shouldn't have to fight for parking or seats and it's not like that at Greenway and to those people I say "get more points and be the second seed and you wouldn't have anything to complain about"!

 

[cumbfanatic]

It wasn’t FH fault that schools they usually get points from didn’t have any points. It just happened that Allegany, Mountain Ridge, Southern, all had terrible years. If Allegany won a couple games they normally and could have won, FH would be playing at home. The reason FH didn’t get the points wasn’t the fault of their own.

 

[Lagmeister]

What you do for FH is above and beyond, and I'm not in any way criticizing your efforts. I'm way more interested in finding long term solutions to having to schedule an ECP at the last minute just to have 9 games.
I have another idea. Let's just not put a running clock on every team, blow people out, keep starters in late in the 4th quarter. When we get a big lead start working on the passing game....that will guarantee some quick three and outs and at least let the other team feel like they are in a game and not a beating. The other thing is when there is a running clock the game is over so quickly that all the subs get very little playing time so the little hope they have of playing at all is gone in minutes along with the experience you need to return to next years team.
FH has made it's scheduling woes themselves, you can't blame teams, even good ones, like Keyser, for dropping them when you embarrass them. I've heard the arguments about if you don't want slaughtered get better".
Now we're going to hear all week about what horrible conditions and facilities Catoctin has and how it's all the MPSSAA's fault and FH fans shouldn't have to fight for parking or seats and it's not like that at Greenway and to those people I say "get more points and be the second seed and you wouldn't have anything to complain about"!

Having your starters in condition to play a full game is important for the championship game... so, there's that. Scheduling teams you can beat is important for playoff home field advantage ... so, there's that. It's all about the playoffs, not competition and surely not about attracting a few more fans to the seats.

Having Alco drop to nothingness hurts FH's home field advantage because Allegany becomes just one more patsy. Maybe FH can help themselves by dropping Allegany and picking up a team that can win a few more games. It's all about the playoffs after all. What we need is a new metric: schedule teams that win over half their games - patsies beating patsier patsies - whereby FH wins shy of a running clock. After all, when your this good you can massage your success.

 

[LinemenWinGames]

What you do for FH is above and beyond, and I'm not in any way criticizing your efforts. I'm way more interested in finding long term solutions to having to schedule an ECP at the last minute just to have 9 games.
I have another idea. Let's just not put a running clock on every team, blow people out, keep starters in late in the 4th quarter. When we get a big lead start working on the passing game....that will guarantee some quick three and outs and at least let the other team feel like they are in a game and not a beating. The other thing is when there is a running clock the game is over so quickly that all the subs get very little playing time so the little hope they have of playing at all is gone in minutes along with the experience you need to return to next years team.
FH has made it's scheduling woes themselves, you can't blame teams, even good ones, like Keyser, for dropping them when you embarrass them. I've heard the arguments about if you don't want slaughtered get better".
Now we're going to hear all week about what horrible conditions and facilities Catoctin has and how it's all the MPSSAA's fault and FH fans shouldn't have to fight for parking or seats and it's not like that at Greenway and to those people I say "get more points and be the second seed and you wouldn't have anything to complain about"!

I haven’t heard anyone say Catoctin’s stadium is horrible, just limited on its capacities. It is important for fans to know this prior. I travel with someone who would not be able to sit or stand on a bank so we will need to be prepared and make a good time of it.