Indiana Native

For sure not the fault of the officials on the field. By saying I'd like to see the officials be granted some relief, that's what I was referring to. Relief from the directive.

The biggest issue with seeding is agreeing upon the logic used for it. Sagarin is what most people are familiar with, but it's far from perfect and dare I say "fair". Short of that, I like the idea. I would like to see the officials be granted relief from the microscope of knee pads, eye black and wrist / leg bands or at least have something that remotely resembles consistency. One week 5 players get sent off for knee pads, the next week players are wearing shorts - without issue. One week skinny wrist bands are forced to be removed, the next week it's perfectly fine. Sometimes a heavy dose of eye black is ok, sometimes it's not. Sometimes t-shirts hanging out is fine, other times it's not. We have games when a player signaling 1st down is flagged for it, but the next game it happens a dozen times without issue. I say let's stop being the fashion police and focus on the game. (And btw, I am very PRO official and realize we're lucky to have anyone willing to officiate.)

It just seems to me there needs to be another layer of measure that includes a look at where the players are coming from. I hate to see a program have a 2-3 year run of success, only to get stuck in a higher class for 2 years - or worse yet get stuck there for several years with only moderate success. However, if a program is constantly loading their program with non-feeder school 8th graders and/or transfers, it's an entirely different monster. Not saying it's "wrong", but it's certainly different.

I posted this a couple years ago and think it generally still rings true. SF certainly can impact kids transferring, fan support, finances and overall positive momentum in a program. Transfers: Why go here (or stay here) if we face a guaranteed buzz saw in sectionals or regionals. Fan Support: It may not be immediate, but after 2 years of early playoff losses many lose interest. Finances: Less concessions and merchandise money with less games. Less support as success diminishes. Positive Momentum: After consecutive years of deep playoff runs and/or a state title, momentum is at its peak. Lose in the 1st or 2nd round 2 years in a row and by the time it resets the positive mojo just isn't what it was. If the idea behind SF is to offset open enrollment in public schools and/or no district map in private schools, the better equation would be evaluating rosters for organic enrollment. Have AD's submit an affidavit showing where ROSTERED PLAYERS attended 7th and 8th grade, as well as any high school transfers. If more than X number or Y percent is over a threshold, have a SF policy that deals with it.

Maybe not total ruin, but it certainly can impact kids transferring, fan support, finances and overall positive momentum in a program. Transfers: Why go here (or stay here) if we face a guaranteed buzz saw in sectionals or regionals. Fan Support: It may not be immediate, but after 2 years of early playoff losses many lose interest. Finances: Less concessions and merchandise money with less games. Less support as success diminishes. Positive Momentum: After consecutive years of deep playoff runs and/or a state title, momentum is at its peak. Lose in the 1st or 2nd round 2 years in a row and by the time it resets the positive mojo just isn't what it was. If the idea behind SF is to offset open enrollment in public schools and/or no district map in private schools, the better equation would be evaluating rosters for organic enrollment. Have AD's submit an affidavit showing where ROSTERED PLAYERS attended 7th and 8th grade, as well as any high school transfers. If more than X number or Y percent is over a threshold, have a SF policy that deals with it.

Snider by 10.