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Funny as a wrestling coach we figure out how to SEED a SECTIONAL and I’m pretty sure that is IHSAA sanctioned. The fact the IHSAA won’t seed football sectionals is pure LAZINESS. A criteria could be set, just as it is in wrestling, and it would get accomplished and guess what?? It would be a helluva lot better than we have now. Would at least give SOME meaning to a good regular season.

In 50% of our 6 classes (Classes 1A-6A), there is a game being played the first round that might well have been a game that should have been played in LOS on Thanksgiving weekend per Sagarin (and I’m tired of hearing all of the bonehead b!tching about Sagarin....as if some polled Sportswriter or Coach in Angola knows ANYTHING about the relative strength of a team in Evansville or vice versa.....give me a break). 6A: Sagarin #1 Avon v. Sagarin #2 Brownsburg 3A: Sagarin #1 Chatard v. Sagarin #3 Brebeuf 2A: Sagarin #1 Lewis Cass v. Sagarin No. 2 Pioneer Rather than football fans being able to enjoy the ability to see these games live, they will as likely as not be watching some 2-7 teams pound away at each other.....with one of them actually living to play another day. While 50% of those 6 teams cited above Seniors will be turning in their gear having played their last game ever. Teams and kids that have spent years honing their skills to play at the highest levels in their class denied the chance to play in a high profile and electric Sectional, Regional, Semi-State or even State Championship game. But we would rather let ping pong balls decide....because “it’s the only fair way”. Its flatly wrong and we all know it. And don’t give me this crap about “Football Gods”, “Sh!t Happens”, etc., etc. This situation exists because WE allow it to.....not some fictional Football God. We are just too damn lazy and indifferent to do anything about it. If we really are honest to God fans of the game why do we tolerate this?

IHSAA will always do Blind Draw. In every sport. And every team will always be included in the postseason tournament. In every sport. If they seeded or decreased the tournament field based on whatever criteria, the exact same people would be bitching about the seeds anyway. END OF DISCUSSION.

I don't mind sounding like a broken record. I will remind the IHSAA of this every year until it's fixed. Tragedy #1 - Lafayette Jeff vs Merrillville Tragedy #2 - Avon vs Brownsburg No way these teams should have to meet each other in round one. The regular season has tournament implications at every level of every sport............except Indiana high school sports. Sad.

I just want folks to consider becoming a booster today

That's only because we continue to allow it to happen lol. If this were any other state in the country, Avon gets a protected seed or bye and they aren't playing the second best in the state the opening weekend. Avon/Brownsburg is only allowed to happen because we continue to allow it to happen. That's why I'm advocating change, to make the regular season actually mean something.

The blind draw cheats the fans and the kids. No other rational way to view it.

Somebody help me. I can't find the DELETE THIS TOPIC FOREVER button.

I've saw one post I like on this discussion and I agree with seeding the tournament by regionals. Only seeding the top 8 was mentioned and then random drawing the rest of the teams. You can award 2 sectional champs after 3 games (ex 1-4A) (2 games for 5/6A) still. You can have the seeded teams host the sectional games and then higher seed hosting in the 2nd/3rd sectional tournament games. Then start neutral field for regional games and semi state games. I'd classify regionals as NW, NE, SW, & SE. I'd rotate which regional champ plays each other each year. So year 1-NW vs SW & NE vs SE, Year 2-NW vs NE & SW vs SE, and Year 3-NW vs SE & NE vs SW. What I like about our current format over Ohio: All in What I dislike compared to Ohio: we don't seed Simplify/compromise: All in with half seeded & half random draw.

-add tenth regular season game -formulate a rating system that effectively cuts ~half the field in half at the conclusion of the regular season (32 teams 1A-4A; 16 in 5A-6A) -Once the field is established; split the top half into a "Northern Bracket" and the remaining half into a "Southern Bracket" and seed accordingly (1-16 1A-4A; 1-8 in 5A-6A North and South) -neutral site semi-state games played as double headers -State finals Thanksgiving weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium stays the same This not only enhances high school football in the state of Indiana, but gives the regular season actual meaning.

The biggest drawbacks with the cluster was that it could have brought an end to many traditional conferences, and only one team qualified per cluster. Poor Elkhart Central was a perfect example. They finished 9-1 both years of the cluster, but because their one loss was to the cluster champion, Penn, Elkhart did not qualify. Was it settled on the field? Yes. But did Elkhart deserve a shot at the postseason? Most definitely. Even if more teams qualify from each cluster, scheduling challenges would end most conferences. Happened in KY, TN and about to happen in IL.

I could careless if the sectionals were seeded, but because of what footballtalking said is why I don't support it. Why do you want to take another week of football away from kids? Especially in 5A and 6A? So that way only 16 teams make it per class? That sounds real fun! So since you want to use a sectional 32 team, I'll do the same. In 2010 Bosse only won 2 games during the regular season. Because they were a terrible team? No, because they play in a conference with 4A, 5A and private schools. Yet, they won their sectional, beating Memorial who had been to the State Championship the two previous seasons. So let's say we do a qualification system. If you're a team in a tougher conference or a smaller school in a conference with larger schools, are you leaving now? Why the world would you schedule a tough opponent in non-conference? No need for Brownsburg to schedule Ben Davis. What about a team with injuries? Especially one that may get that player back? So if you use a system similar to Illinois, I don't believe Center Grove is getting in this year. Tough luck I guess! In the end though, it boils down to why should you take a game away from kids, Mr. Scrooge?

Why? Big games will draw big crowds whether it’s game one or sectional championship.

You can add #2 Pioneer at #3 Cass as Tragedy #3.

Have to beat ‘em sometime.

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Probably due to the silly playoff system they have

So folks just going to ignore the fact that the IFCA put a proposal forward to IHSAA before pulling it because of obvious reasons. Folks acting like coaches/admins have not been working on this for last few years and probably still working on it today. IFCA got Mr. Cox's Mercy rule in place IFCA got Mr. Faulkens 40 sec clock in place and actually took a pilot program that got fast tracked to a NFHS standard only after 3 years. Maybe the IHSAA will get with IFCA propsal SOON on seeding of sectionals, but I do know THIS, there is NOT any conversation other than here with leaderships of IFCA and IHSAA pertaining to getting rid of ALL IN oh yea: BOOSTER TIME?? https://gridirondigest.net/clients/donations/1-2019-20-budget/

Contraction, meet literally.

I'm hoping the Huskies secret weapon they've been working on in practice pans out, though. A 6'5, 295 lb running back.

I have another suggestion: DON'T READ THE THREAD. This is the second time today you've voluntarily read and even chose to reply in a thread you've voiced your disdain for.

I'd like to see both teams seeded appropriate to their regular season success. This is a game that at a minimum should be played at the regional level, if not semi-state or the state finals.

But back to the discussion, I think Chatard has the definite advantage in this one. They have a virtual bye round 2 (assuming they beat Brebeuf a second time) while West Lafayette is going to likely face a very solid Guerin team.

Must be a boring day for DT.

Negative twins at it again.

Agreed. It’s going to happen in 5A and 6A.....under the current setup.

I'll wait to see it to before I believe it. Went 8-1 last season then got blasted by Lewis Cass in sectionals by 50+.

Typically some Shotgun spread stuff over last few years. Thing that I see is not the undefeated record, but the amount they have won by. https://www.hudl.com/team/v2/30350/Boys-Varsity-Football Bummer no stats entered for Eastern https://www.maxpreps.com/games/10-11-2019/football-fall-19/eastern-vs-sheridan.htm?c=8pov1v3c2kqNuRKyoN0lSg#tab=videos&schoolid=20970bd5-be5d-4e41-a6cb-3024520d3eca

But when there's a better option why ignore it?

Seeding a sectional in wrestling is way different than seeding a sectional in football. Wrestling gets you 30+ points of data vs 9 you would get in football. Those kids are also more likely to compete against others in their sectional, not just a mainly conference schedule all season.

Add a tenth regular season game and your problem is solved. Not that hard of a concept really.

He is to busy kicking my butt in Fantasy Football

Not old enough to remember it but sounds terrible.

you don't think that IHSAA office would assign a Sectional final / Regional/ Semi State / State level crew to these big 1st round matchups? Cmon man...... only 4 "tragedies" this year. Not bad if I say so myself. also: For our annual whine fest about the tournament proceedings, sponsored here by Gridiron Digest, don't forget to think about being a booster, where else can you find yourselves a community of folks with varied opinions, strong or otherwise all in 1 spot. 😎 https://gridirondigest.net/clients/donations/1-2019-20-budget/

I’m indifferent about this year’s draw. Should’ve known what was coming when I ran into Covington’s QB at the County Market today. He’s a great kid, by the way. Recently I’ve had some great draws. Before that, I’ve had some of the worst draws possible. In either scenario, the draw affected the tournament. That sucks and is incredibly ignorant. There is a reason why Indiana is the only state that does our play-off this way. It’s not because our blind draw is “unique”. It’s because the IHSAA is a lazy cash cow.

Playing in a conference with inferior competition doesn’t qualify as a great season necessarily. Sagarin ratings tells a big story and a 5-4 Cathedral team might just be better than a 9-0 weak conference champion.

A tragedy is typically a mistake. The IHSAA does this on purpose making it absolute stupidity!

GS should roll in this one. Sectional history, Salem has only 1 title way back in 94. GS has 3 sectional titles all since 2012 and since 2012 GS has been the marquee team south of Indy in 3A. GS will be tough to beat at GS. !!

Spot on. No one gets all the cards.

THIS P'S Me OFF. Every year the same discussion. So two top teams have to play in the first round and not for the Championship boo hoo hoo. It doesn't matter you have to play someone in the first round or you have to play them in the last round. S#!$ happens, its life.

That’s irrelevant. The current format renders the regular season meaningless.

Pioneer playing Lewis Cass in week one of this sectional should be against the f#*@ing law!!!

Yes but Knox played a lesser opponent, as did Winamac. Culver imo is a tad bit better then North Judson but Pioneer is Pioneer. Yeah LaVille's O is a bit vanilla but those Jays were playing on their home field and playing on Sr night. I didnt look to see how much LaVille was favored by but 17 point win is a win. If You thought you guys were gonna go in and beat them by 30 or 40... Might wanna pump the brakes a lil.

Stinky, Stink, Stink 1.2.3. Glad to know Coach Nowlin got my donation to #free_Z Straight Cash Homie is right when dealing with STC just don't dont smell it cause there are no guarantees!!!! BiG ReD & BlAcK @ Beech Grove - What a run for Wonderboy and that run looks to continue Friday night. Most excitement the Trojans will have this week is today when they find out their next victim in Sectional 23....or maybe we could get whatever his name is back on the grid to detail his o-line accomplishments...Was it KISS79 or whatever it was or is....STC just knows that was fun. I think we shut down the tread twice that day.....so good stuff. Would love to have some battles again this week. Anywho, take the Trojans -35. Trojans 49 - Hornets 7 Green Slime (Harrison OH) @ Chicken & Jo Joes - Jo Joes are hot right now. They have gotten some dudes back and they are rolling. However, the big boys will come over from Ohio and dismantle them. The Green Slime is no JOKE! Just ask the Bad Boyz from EC. Jo Joes are improving, just not enough fire power in this one. Green Slime 28 - Jo Joes 14 Spartan Town @ Casket Nation - Dawg town will have an easy night vs the 0-8 Spartans. Dawgs have played better down the stretch but they can play bad Friday and still win by 20+. Dawgs will be barkin and C3 & K9 will be doing body shots with Bulldog BL's afterwards. Dogs 35 - Spartans 6 Stewart Town @ Hondaburg - Hondaburg will bounce back after a butt whipping from the Trojans. Hondaburg will get the passing game going and put up 30+ Good game 9 for the Pirates. Can end the season 5-4 and have some confidence for Sectional 31. Boom City / River Rats / KFI @ Stink Town - By far the best game in Week 9. This should be a wild one. When the Boom Boys roll in, you just never know what to expect. Little early to drop a line on this one, will get some facts first before making a final line...but you can bet the following......... Will the River Rats show up on time for Warm-up's? Will Coach Boom be in his "White" pullover? Will Tigers AD park the Gator on the Paw during warm-up's Will Kona Ice be in the house? Will KFI bring the Blow Up Helmet? Will the Concession Stand run out of Walking (Boom) Tacos? Anyway...best week of the year....Boom City vs Stink Town. Let the fun begin, and just so you all know....Coach Boom is really a Tigers Fan!!!

In 1983... North Judson went 9-1... Lost 14-17 in over time to Winamac... Who won their cluster. ..at 10-0 Winamac went 9-1 in 1984 and didn't make it, they lost to North Judson 6-14...Judson won their cluster. ..at 10-0 Im glad they don't have something like that anymore.

I do not know the rules for Illinois, but I've been told that you generally have to win 5 or 6 games. So assuming that is true, UNDER ALL of them, that is not true.

I’d settle for that compromise. BNL is traveling to Jeff this week, then the bye week and then back to Floyd. You have to play the hand you are dealt but that drive 😬

Not if every team is playing at the same time thanks to the all-in format.

Yes that's me. You haven't missed it...just been very busy with a new position at work. I'm shooting to do one at the end of the regular season though. Thanks!