Comparison of region strength and competitiveness

[SF Band dad]

I used MaxPreps' Freeman ranking system to compare the relatively strength and competitiveness of each region.
Below are the average team ranking, standard deviation and range (strongest to weakest) for each region.

Region # - Avg - - StDev Range
Region 1 – 12.7 – 14.1 – 38.3
Region 2 – 34.6 – 20.8 – 65.2
Region 3 – 30.3 – 16.0 – 42.8
Region 4 – 29.9 – 11.2 – 27.1
Region 5 – 34.8 – 15.0 – 38.5
Region 6 – 13.0 – 14.8 – 44.6
Region 7 – 19.8 – 14.0 – 34.9
Region 8 – 17.9 – 21.2 – 56

Strongest: Region 5 (34.8), Region 2 (34.6) is a close runner up but was pulled down by Riverside.
Weakest: Region 1 (12.7), Region 6 (13.0) is a close runner up that was pulled up by (over-rated) Carolina Forest.
Most competitive: Region 4 with the lowest standard deviation and range.
Least competitive: Tie – Region 8 with the highest standard deviation, region 2 with the largest range.

[SF Band dad]

Interesting, it seems we have some upper / lower state parity.
- Strong: 2 and 5
- Weak: 1 and 6
- Competitive: 4 and 7
- Not competitive: 2 and 8

[Damefan]

Great information! Region 1 doesn't surprise me, nor did Region 8. Look at their performance when they get to the playoffs. As a rule they have a tough time because of the lack of competition during the regular season or they luck up based on having a rested and talented team that hasn't gotten beaten up all season like a Byrnes, Dorman, or Gaffney. With that said, those teams are ready for any competition when it comes playoff time because they have already played several mini-playoff games. Teams like Fort Dorchester, Goose Creek, and others in weaker Regions would really help themselves by beefing up their non-conference schedule and worry more about winning the Region Crown and prepping for State than going 11-1 or 12-1 and losing in the first or second round of the playoffs.

[Fortd00]

Never been a fan of cross bracketing regions 7 and 8. We gain nothing playing cane bay and Wando. Rather keep goose Creek and Berkeley and schedule other teams. Anyway fort did had a different schedule when they scheduled Glynn Academy out of Georgia who unfortunately is not having a good season. I think we would been better had we were able to play Viera out of Florida

[bbrown1240]

Never been a fan of cross bracketing regions 7 and 8. We gain nothing playing cane bay and Wando. Rather keep goose Creek and Berkeley and schedule other teams. Anyway fort did had a different schedule when they scheduled Glynn Academy out of Georgia who unfortunately is not having a good season. I think we would been better had we were able to play Viera out of Florida

Over the past 10 or so years Sumter has had home and home series with Stratford (for a long time), Goose Creek, and Wando. I think we’ve scrimmaged Fort Dorchester every year for as long as I can remember. I think it’s time to take a break from the scrimmages and schedule a home and home series. Let’s see if this reaches the powers that be.

[Rebel-Fan-74]

One thing to remember when comparing Regions like this...

8 Team Regions - 5 Team Regions

To do a real comparison, only use 5 teams from the 8 team Regions.

Take Riverside, Hillcrest, and Spartanburg out of Region Two and the competitiveness numbers will look a lot different.

[Fortd00]

Never been a fan of cross bracketing regions 7 and 8. We gain nothing playing cane bay and Wando. Rather keep goose Creek and Berkeley and schedule other teams. Anyway fort did had a different schedule when they scheduled Glynn Academy out of Georgia who unfortunately is not having a good season. I think we would been better had we were able to play Viera out of Florida

Over the past 10 or so years Sumter has had home and home series with Stratford (for a long time), Goose Creek, and Wando. I think we’ve scrimmaged Fort Dorchester every year for as long as I can remember. I think it’s time to take a break from the scrimmages and schedule a home and home series. Let’s see if this reaches the powers that be.

I agree. I don't see why Sumter and Fort don't play. They won't see each other in the playoffs at all unless Sumter fall to second place in the region or however it works sending them to the lower state. The scrimmages cool but get a real game. I mean we did play Dorman one year, we should do a home and home with someone. I say drop Wando and cane bay and make it happen. Interesting to see who we schedule next season. Viera wanna play again and I think Glynn wanna make a series, dunno for sure

[Damefan]

Instead of Fort D playing Glynn who is ranked #97 in the State of Georgia why not play Lowndes #1 or Valdosta #7 currently. Even Camden Co is only a little further than Glynn and is ranked #14. Then you would get a true barometer like De La Salle did when they played St Thomas Aquinas out of Ft. Lauderdale. If you are ranked at the top 10, play someone else at least in the top 10.

[SF Band dad]

One thing to remember when comparing Regions like this...

8 Team Regions - 5 Team Regions

To do a real comparison, only use 5 teams from the 8 team Regions.

Take Riverside, Hillcrest, and Spartanburg out of Region Two and the competitiveness numbers will look a lot different.

Yes, if you throw out data points on either end of the range the numbers look different. Might as well throw out Dorman, Byrnes and Gaffney, region 2 would look a lot more competitive then.

[Chuckster]

Interesting, it seems we have some upper / lower state parity.
- Strong: 2 and 5
- Weak: 1 and 6
- Competitive: 4 and 7
- Not competitive: 2 and 8

Great info....I did not see Region 3 5A in the above numbers. Where would this Region fall in the respective listings?