[Orange Blaze]

Would make sense in Kentucky because there are some really, really bad fields as far as capacity and field conditions go.

The best recent example was 2 years ago when West Carter hosted Beechwood in the semifinals.  I get it it was awesome for the community but that venue had no business hosting a state semifinal game.  That game should have been held at Morehead State or KCU.

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I think it would make sense for the KHSAA to partner with all of the regional colleges across the state to host the semifinal games.

That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard. It’s called home field advantage. If you don’t like playing on the road I suggest they get the highest RPI score in the class.

My team is playing at home this week and I still will say there shouldn’t be home field advantage in the semi’s.

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My reasoning behind this is other sports don’t get home field in deep rounds of their state tournaments and football shouldn’t be any different.

[Kentuckysfinest]

Would make sense in Kentucky because there are some really, really bad fields as far as capacity and field conditions go.

The best recent example was 2 years ago when West Carter hosted Beechwood in the semifinals.  I get it it was awesome for the community but that venue had no business hosting a state semifinal game.  That game should have been held at Morehead State or KCU.

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I think it would make sense for the KHSAA to partner with all of the regional colleges across the state to host the semifinal games.

That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard. It’s called home field advantage. If you don’t like playing on the road I suggest they get the highest RPI score in the class.

My team is playing at home this week and I still will say there shouldn’t be home field advantage in the semi’s.

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My reasoning behind this is other sports don’t get home field in deep rounds of their state tournaments and football shouldn’t be any different.

And that’s the difference with high school football. Nothing like a home playoff game.

[Iam4thecats]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Orange Blaze]

Also the scenario in 2020 with Beechwood and West Carter had Beechwood with a lower RPI because they lost 2 games to strong teams and West Carter had a better record against weaker teams. RPI is a bad system because it rewards teams for beating weak teams and punishes teams for losing to strong teams.

[Hound05]

I do think the schools would lose money on neutral sites. An away playoff game for example most teams have fans that might
Drive 30m-1H, other than that, nope. So now you have 2 fan bases possibly driving over that. You lose the home field crowd and for a lot a 2hr trip down to a 1.5H isn’t going to make any difference in them going.

[plantmanky]

Well…. What if, for those who want a neutral site, consider having minimum standards put into place. As far as seating capacity? If they can’t make it, then they get to select a site, but it cannot be any further than what the traveling team was supposed to travel originally. I just like the atmosphere coming into a place like mayfields, or beechwood’s, Johnson centrals, maybe Corbin? I don’t know how intimidating it really is? But it’s got that hometown HS feel to it.  But if they were to replace the current system with a neutral site, I wouldn’t want it for the region down.

As I stated in a previous post, I think the KHSAA partnering with the regional universities would be the best option logistically.  With this you could have:
Morehead State
EKU
WKU
Murray St
NKU
UPike
The Cumberlands
Georgetown
Campbellsville

As you can see all of the major regions of the state are covered and the sites would be determined by attempting to make the travel equivalent for both schools.  You wouldn’t have NCC go to NKU or Pikeville at UPike for example.  Since those 2 teams actually meet this week, Morehead would be the best option.  This would only be for the semifinals.  I like the first 3 rounds as they are but I think the semis should be at a neutral site.  Obviously we don’t have that and may never have that but it’s still a fun discussion.

Most of those facilities would be unable to host this weekend as they have to keep their field available to host Collegiate playoff games by NCAA/NAIA rules.   This is the primary reason neutral sites wont happen on a full scale, in order to pull it off you would have to use HS fields, which you take the change of a team being selected a site, then playing in a game.

[Kentuckysfinest]

Also the scenario in 2020 with Beechwood and West Carter had Beechwood with a lower RPI because they  lost 2 games to strong teams and West Carter had a better record against weaker teams. RPI is a bad system because it rewards teams for beating weak teams and punishes teams for losing to strong teams.

Sounds like they shoulda took care of business against the two losses they had.

[Jack Lambert]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!!!

[Orange Blaze]

Also the scenario in 2020 with Beechwood and West Carter had Beechwood with a lower RPI because they  lost 2 games to strong teams and West Carter had a better record against weaker teams. RPI is a bad system because it rewards teams for beating weak teams and punishes teams for losing to strong teams.

Sounds like they shoulda took care of business against the two losses they had.

Beechwood won a state title and West Carter didn’t.  Sounds like they took care of business.

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And basically you are saying pad your schedule against weaker teams instead of playing tougher teams to test yourself. Regardless, the system is how it is and it won’t get changed by a bunch of people like us having a debate on a message board.

[Shogun]

Well…. What if, for those who want a neutral site, consider having minimum standards put into place. As far as seating capacity? If they can’t make it, then they get to select a site, but it cannot be any further than what the traveling team was supposed to travel originally. I just like the atmosphere coming into a place like mayfields, or beechwood’s, Johnson centrals, maybe Corbin? I don’t know how intimidating it really is? But it’s got that hometown HS feel to it.  But if they were to replace the current system with a neutral site, I wouldn’t want it for the region down.

As I stated in a previous post, I think the KHSAA partnering with the regional universities would be the best option logistically.  With this you could have:
Morehead State
EKU
WKU
Murray St
NKU
UPike
The Cumberlands
Georgetown
Campbellsville

As you can see all of the major regions of the state are covered and the sites would be determined by attempting to make the travel equivalent for both schools.  You wouldn’t have NCC go to NKU or Pikeville at UPike for example.  Since those 2 teams actually meet this week, Morehead would be the best option.  This would only be for the semifinals.  I like the first 3 rounds as they are but I think the semis should be at a neutral site.  Obviously we don’t have that and may never have that but it’s still a fun discussion.

Most of those facilities would be unable to host this weekend as they have to keep their field available to host Collegiate playoff games by NCAA/NAIA rules.   This is the primary reason neutral sites wont happen on a full scale, in order to pull it off you would have to use HS fields, which you take the change of a team being selected a site, then playing in a game.

Which is how it should be IMO. Keep the money in the high schools. A lot of high schools throughout the state have bigger and nicer stadiums than some of the small colleges anyways.

Neutral site games should definitely be a thing in the semifinals. We've been dangerously close a few times to semifinal games like Paducah Tilghman v. Bell County or Mayfield v. Breathitt County, which should not happen.

[cats3x]

Also the scenario in 2020 with Beechwood and West Carter had Beechwood with a lower RPI because they  lost 2 games to strong teams and West Carter had a better record against weaker teams. RPI is a bad system because it rewards teams for beating weak teams and punishes teams for losing to strong teams.

Sounds like they shoulda took care of business against the two losses they had.

Beechwood won a state title and West Carter didn’t.  Sounds like they took care of business.

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And basically you are saying pad your schedule against weaker teams instead of playing tougher teams to test yourself.  Regardless, the system is how it is and it won’t get changed by a bunch of people like us having a debate on a message board.

In 2020, West Carter’s non-district schedule was East Carter, Russell, state champion Paintsville, and 5A Boone County. That is your definition of a weak 2A schedule?  

I’m not even sure what your point is at this point. You hate West Carter’s field, something none of their players have any control over?  Raceland’s playing surface before the Bermuda wasn’t nice and wasn’t even a full 120 yards (concrete corners of the endzone). Did you ask Coach Hoof to move the playoff games from there in the early 2000s?  Of course you didn’t. 

The field was dry for that game and the game itself was a great game that came down to the final play. Field had zero impact on the outcome of the game. 

The Carter County fields hold the Battle of the Barrel which realistically is as big a crowd as either stadium will ever have. Doesn’t seem to be a problem.

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In this 2020 argument for whatever reason, you do also have to remember you’re giving Beechwood credit for playing Cov Cath and losing, West Carter had a game with Boyle County that was cancelled due to the late start from Covid. Add Boyle to that West Carter schedule and there likely would not be much difference in them at all.

[Orange Blaze]

Also the scenario in 2020 with Beechwood and West Carter had Beechwood with a lower RPI because they  lost 2 games to strong teams and West Carter had a better record against weaker teams. RPI is a bad system because it rewards teams for beating weak teams and punishes teams for losing to strong teams.

Sounds like they shoulda took care of business against the two losses they had.

Beechwood won a state title and West Carter didn’t.  Sounds like they took care of business.

---

And basically you are saying pad your schedule against weaker teams instead of playing tougher teams to test yourself.  Regardless, the system is how it is and it won’t get changed by a bunch of people like us having a debate on a message board.

In 2020, West Carter’s non-district schedule was East Carter, Russell, state champion Paintsville, and 5A Boone County. That is your definition of a weak 2A schedule?  

I’m not even sure what your point is at this point. You hate West Carter’s field, something none of their players have any control over?  Raceland’s playing surface before the Bermuda wasn’t nice and wasn’t even a full 120 yards (concrete corners of the endzone). Did you ask Coach Hoof to move the playoff games from there in the early 2000s?  Of course you didn’t. 

The field was dry for that game and the game itself was a great game that came down to the final play. Field had zero impact on the outcome of the game. 

The Carter County fields hold the Battle of the Barrel which realistically is as big a crowd as either stadium will ever have. Doesn’t seem to be a problem.

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In this 2020 argument for whatever reason, you do also have to remember you’re giving Beechwood credit for playing Cov Cath and losing, West Carter had a game with Boyle County that was cancelled due to the late start from Covid. Add Boyle to that West Carter schedule and there likely would not be much difference in them at all.

This is film from a second round playoff game held at Raceland in the early 2000’s and I will be the first to tell anyone that game shouldn’t have been played there.  My point is that neutral fields should be played on in the semifinals to provide a standard for  field conditions and to prevent teams from traveling 5+ hours and changing time zones to play a game.

[Shogun]

Also the scenario in 2020 with Beechwood and West Carter had Beechwood with a lower RPI because they  lost 2 games to strong teams and West Carter had a better record against weaker teams. RPI is a bad system because it rewards teams for beating weak teams and punishes teams for losing to strong teams.

Sounds like they shoulda took care of business against the two losses they had.

Beechwood won a state title and West Carter didn’t.  Sounds like they took care of business.

---

And basically you are saying pad your schedule against weaker teams instead of playing tougher teams to test yourself.  Regardless, the system is how it is and it won’t get changed by a bunch of people like us having a debate on a message board.

In 2020, West Carter’s non-district schedule was East Carter, Russell, state champion Paintsville, and 5A Boone County. That is your definition of a weak 2A schedule?  

I’m not even sure what your point is at this point. You hate West Carter’s field, something none of their players have any control over?  Raceland’s playing surface before the Bermuda wasn’t nice and wasn’t even a full 120 yards (concrete corners of the endzone). Did you ask Coach Hoof to move the playoff games from there in the early 2000s?  Of course you didn’t. 

The field was dry for that game and the game itself was a great game that came down to the final play. Field had zero impact on the outcome of the game. 

The Carter County fields hold the Battle of the Barrel which realistically is as big a crowd as either stadium will ever have. Doesn’t seem to be a problem.

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In this 2020 argument for whatever reason, you do also have to remember you’re giving Beechwood credit for playing Cov Cath and losing, West Carter had a game with Boyle County that was cancelled due to the late start from Covid. Add Boyle to that West Carter schedule and there likely would not be much difference in them at all.

This is film from a second round playoff game held at Raceland in the early 2000’s and I will be the first to tell anyone that game shouldn’t have been played there.  My point is that neutral fields should be played on in the semifinals to provide a standard for  field conditions and to prevent teams from traveling 5+ hours and changing time zones to play a game.

To be fair, early 2000s Newport/Newport Central Catholic's field would have been no better of an option. Playing the game in the parking lot would have been a better option than their pre-turf field. But I think that aligns with your point though and I agree.

[Real Badman]

Before the RPI, the home site was determined by if the year was even or odd. Home Field Advantage is a thing. Live with it.

[plantmanky]

Before the RPI, the home site was determined by if the year was even or odd. Home Field Advantage is a thing. Live with it.

There also was and East side bracket and West side bracket, that isnt there anymore in Semi finals.

Things have changed, Live with it. 

[DukeBoy]

Things changed for the worst. Need to make things more convent. Some people still work in Ky. Everyone isn’t on the draw.

[Kentuckysfinest]

Also the scenario in 2020 with Beechwood and West Carter had Beechwood with a lower RPI because they  lost 2 games to strong teams and West Carter had a better record against weaker teams. RPI is a bad system because it rewards teams for beating weak teams and punishes teams for losing to strong teams.

Sounds like they shoulda took care of business against the two losses they had.

Beechwood won a state title and West Carter didn’t.  Sounds like they took care of business.

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And basically you are saying pad your schedule against weaker teams instead of playing tougher teams to test yourself.  Regardless, the system is how it is and it won’t get changed by a bunch of people like us having a debate on a message 

[Hound05]

Man I thought you were joking about the concrete corners!!! WTH?? How is that even legal? Obviously it’s not safe at all!