Seneca Valley got hosed in this playoff system - FIX IT!

[TDHelmick]

Seneca Valley - the record holding 12 time state champion - missed the Class 3A playoffs by .02 points with an 8-2 record. Rockville with a 4-6 record got in along with Blake with a 5-5 record.

There are more examples such as this. Please Seneca Valley...scream and scream loud at the MPSSAA. This idiotic system has to be changed. I know a lawyer that would file a discrimination lawsuit...that's all organizations like the MPSSAA understand.

 

[towpath94]

to add to that Seneca Valley defeated both Rockville (42-13) and Blake (42-14)

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

As the team that kept Seneca Valley out of the playoffs, I can honestly say that I do feel bad for them; however, you can also look at this way...Seneca Valley had their chances against Northwest and Damascus and couldn't get a win. Also, of their 8 wins, only 1 was against a team with a .500 record and that was 5-5 Blake. Of Linganore's 7 wins, 5 of them were against teams that were .500 or better.

Is our playoff system flawed, absolutely. Should Seneca Valley have gotten in over other teams, absolutely. But as we all know, things aren't going to change anytime soon.

 

[FHHSAHS]

The bottom line is the MPSSAA playoff system that is in place now is set up for representation from all parts of the state. It is not solely to pit the best two teams against each other in the final. The argument being that, in all honesty, the best two teams will probably have already faced each other at some point along the way if not in the semifinals or finals.

Many people argue that Allegany is the second best 1A team in the state..and I don't disagree one bit. They had at least 1, and most likely will get another, chance to prove they are number 1. If they lose both games, the rest of the playoffs are simply to find what other part of the state will be represented in the finals. Not to find the second best team to be in the finals.

Make no mistake, the MPSSAA regional format has nothing to really do with travel and distances...it has to do with representation. Period.

Regardless of the regional format being basically smoke and mirrors, is it really incorrect to say that the best team in each class doesn't ultimately win the title? I dont think it is.

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

The bottom line is the MPSSAA playoff system that is in place now is set up for representation from all parts of the state. It is not solely to pit the best two teams against each other in the final. The argument being that, in all honesty, the best two teams will probably have already faced each other at some point along the way if not in the semifinals or finals.

Many people argue that Allegany is the second best 1A team in the state..and I don't disagree one bit. They had at least 1, and most likely will get another, chance to prove they are number 1. If they lose both games, the rest of the playoffs are simply to find what other part of the state will be represented in the finals. Not to find the second best team to be in the finals.

Make no mistake, the MPSSAA regional format has nothing to really do with travel and distances...it has to do with representation. Period.

Regardless of the regional format being basically smoke and mirrors, is it really incorrect to say that the best team in each class doesn't ultimately win the title? I dont think it is.

Don't disagree with you one bit but I think it does a disservice to the student athletes, coaches and fans when the best 2 teams are not represented at the end. Maybe it hasn't, but it seems to me like the attendance has really dropped off for the finals as of late. Between going to 3 days and then having some less than desirable matchups, people just don't want to go. For those that don't have a horse in any of the races, who wants to pay $10 for admission, $10 to park and who knows how much for food and gas just to see a running clock? I know that I don't. Especially not when it is on TV and I can watch Fort Hill, Damascus, etc. get up by 3 touchdowns and change the channel.

 

[nomad974]

I cant feel to bad for the Screamin Eagles. EVERYBODY knew if you went 8-2 in 3A West there was a chance you wouldn't get in the playoffs. Especially Seneca Valley, since it happened to them 2yrs ago.

 

[nomad974]

Just for giggles here is a list of teams who have had at least 8 wins and did not make the playoffs in the past 7 years

2016 Chopticon 8-2 4A East
2016 Seneca Valley 8-2 3A West
2015 Paint Branch 8-2 4A North
2015 Perry Hall 8-2 4A North
2014 Seneca Valley 8-2 3A West
2014 Patapsco 9-1 3A North
2013 Leonardtown 8-2 4A East
2013 Digital Harbor 8-2 3A East
2012 South Hagerstown 8-2 3A West
2011 Westminster 8-2 4A North
2011 Queen Anne's 8-2 2A East
2010 Gwynn Park 8-2 2A South

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

I cant feel to bad for the Screamin Eagles. EVERYBODY knew if you went 8-2 in 3A West there was a chance you wouldn't get in the playoffs. Especially Seneca Valley, since it happened to them 2yrs ago.

I feel like a big part of MOCO's problem is that the County is extremely top heavy. You have your several very talented teams and then there is a HUGE drop off. Just comparing Frederick and Montgomery, I feel like the "middle of the pack" teams in Frederick are way ahead of the "middle of the pack" teams in Moco. Moco needs to adjust their schedules to compensate for this because the "elite" schools in the county are suffering because of it. Seneca Valley's schedule was horrid outside of Damascus and Northwest and it cost them.

 

[nomad974]

I feel like a big part of MOCO's problem is that the County is extremely top heavy. You have your several very talented teams and then there is a HUGE drop off. Just comparing Frederick and Montgomery, I feel like the "middle of the pack" teams in Frederick are way ahead of the "middle of the pack" teams in Moco. Moco needs to adjust their schedules to compensate for this because the "elite" schools in the county are suffering because of it. Seneca Valley's schedule was horrid outside of Damascus and Northwest and it cost them.

When you have 25 schools (plus 5 privates) of course its going to be top heavy compared to any other county.

SV had two open dates to work with. Gburg makes sense its a rivalry and its 4A school. Churchill was coming off a 6-4 season when the sched was made and a longtime SV assistant was named their HC, so at the time it seem like a good game. Little did we know Churchill was going to fall off the map.

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

When you have 25 schools (plus 5 privates) of course its going to be top heavy compared to any other county.

SV had two open dates to work with. Gburg makes sense its a rivalry and its 4A school. Churchill was coming off a 6-4 season when the sched was made and a longtime SV assistant was named their HC, so at the time it seem like a good game. Little did we know Churchill was going to fall off the map.

I get that the size of the County and the amount of schools is going to create a drop off but it seems like the drop off is very sharp and drastic. It's like the teams are either really good or really bad, with not a lot of in between. I'm sure it sounds like I'm bashing Moco but that's really not what I'm trying to do/say, just an observation in regards to scheduling .Seems like Moco and Frederick are starting more series with one another and I hope that continues!

 

[nomad974]

I get that the size of the County and the amount of schools is going to create a drop off but it seems like the drop off is very sharp and drastic. It's like the teams are either really good or really bad, with not a lot of in between. I'm sure it sounds like I'm bashing Moco but that's really not what I'm trying to do/say, just an observation in regards to scheduling .Seems like Moco and Frederick are starting more series with one another and I hope that continues!

The only other comparable county would be PG and Baltimore city, its pretty much the same. Assuming the new classifications shake out like we think. There will be more out of county matchups for MoCo teams

 

[TDHelmick]

Teams get zero points in Maryland for getting beat. What incentive is there for Seneca Valley playing Damascus and Northwest and then adding other 4A powers?

 

[nomad974]

Teams get zero points in Maryland for getting beat. What incentive is there for Seneca Valley playing Damascus and Northwest and then adding other 4A powers?

Northwest is a rival for Seneca. Damascus is a mandated game. Since they already play all the other 3A schools in the county, the only ones left are 4A. Unless they could get an out of county game. Which as you know, is a whole other thing.

 

[camper21502]

I just wanna see a FH ALCO State Championship Game...

 

[mccoke]

"Battle of the unbeatens! For Hill (13-0) vs. Allegany (13-0)"

That would be cool!

 

[LHSlancerFAN]

Just a quick shout out to my Lancers for playing a heck of a game against Damascus Friday night. Holding Damascus to 21 points (their lowest total of the year) is no small task and I couldn't be prouder of this team! They fought till the very end and showed that they deserved to be there.

 

[TDHelmick]

This week Keyser drives 5 hours and 17 minutes to play a WV Friday night playoff game at Mingo Central. Last week Keyser drove 3 hours 20 minutes. That's not an easy task.

Does Keyser leave Thursday and spend the night? You almost have to. It's too much to ask kids to sit on a bus for over 5 hours and then play a game. Either way these kids won't be in school Friday.

 

[WVUPride247]

This week Keyser drives 5 hours and 17 minutes to play a WV Friday night playoff game at Mingo Central. Last week Keyser drove 3 hours 20 minutes. That's not an easy task.

Does Keyser leave Thursday and spend the night? You almost have to. It's too much to ask kids to sit on a bus for over 5 hours and then play a game. Either way these kids won't be in school Friday.

Keyser is leaving on Thursday and spending the night halfway to Matewan.