No COVID, No politics, just football... and the SCHSL

[OLDFART51]

Points work, regions never have and never will. However we will always use region finish in playoff seeding because it ensures an even spread of representation throughout the state

it is what it is and the best teams usually rise to the top no matter the formula

I guess you aren’t old enough to remember when region champions were the only teams that advanced into the playoffs. They went straight to the upper state and the winner of these games went to the state championship game. The teams played a total of thirteen games. Winning the region championship meant something. I personally wish it was that way now. Just and Old Farts opinion. I guess money got more important so the SHSL added more games.

[Onion Rings]

I actually do not remember that being only 58. Sounds similar to only allowing the ACC conference basketball champion to play in the NCAA tourney. Would leave some good teams out, but I would be for anything that might stir some excitement. Really unfair for teams in loaded regions like the old region 2 4A.

[Damefan]

I like a lot of your ideas, but not this one.

Region Champions would only make the playoffs, too much time is spent rewarding failure when teams that have a losing record are rewarded. I would create in Football the opportunity for the communities to create a Bowl type game as a reward for teams that have won 8 or more games to be invited to play. Such as a Sertoma Bowl or a BMW Bowl, a Boeing Bowl, something the community and businesses can offer up support.

Here is why I don't think Region Champions only will not work, and I just picked these teams as an example, not as a prediction of the season.

1st example, only one goes?
Region 2
Byrnes ..... 5-0 : 10-0
Dorman ... 4-1 : 9-1

2nd example, a 3-8 team is REGION CHAMP
Region 4
Northwestern .. 3-1 : 3-8 and a loss to Rock Hill
Rock Hill.......... 2-2 : 8-2
Blythewood..... 2-2 : 8-2
Ridge View...... 2-2 : 7-3
Spring Valley... 1-3 : 1-9

I agree Region Champs are in, and hosting in round one; however, I think you need to go deeper than just the Region Champ. Now do we need to have 16 teams in both Upper and Lower brackets? That's another discussion. I think 12 is a better number, especially in 5 team Regions, and I'd give the Region Champs a bye week.

................................Region 1 Champion
Region 2 Runner up \ ________________
Region 3 Third Place/

................................Region 2 Champion
Region 3 Runner up \ ________________
Region 4 Third Place/

................................Region 3 Champion
Region 4 Runner up \ ________________
Region 1 Third Place/

................................Region 4 Champion
Region 1 Runner up \ ________________
Region 2 Third Place/

I understand your point but if you reward the Region Champs by letting them play for the Championship and allow the other teams to play in a Bowl format then the individual communities win too. In 1989 North Augusta went into the State Championship game with a 7-7 record after starting the season 0-6. They obviously went into the playoffs with a losing record. They became the 1989 AAAA State Champions and finished the season 8-7.