[laker20]

Take the current Laker Seniors playoff experience:

In 2009, as a 4 seed had to travel to Lone Oak (State Finalist) for the 1st round match up. The Lakers kept the game reasonable until a LO score just before half time. We went on to score 27 points against an undefeated team that had only allowed that many points to LexCath. The only other team to score that many points was Boyle Co who defeated Lone Oak 42-39 in double OT in the state championship game.

In 2010, as a 3 seed the Lakers went to Hop Central and defeated the 2 seed 29-7. In the second round we were hosted by ACS and had a very tight contest where ACS pulled away and won 24-15. ACS went on to the state Championship game and lost to Boyle Co 21-14.

Then in 2011, as a 2 seed (resulting from a 3-way tie-breaker), the heavily favored Lakers lost to a Mercer Co squad who came in with nothing to loose.

These four playoff games have provided the Lakers with the prospective that the seed # next to the name means nothing. It's one and done, and the first round games shape the remainder of the playoffs. Coming in as a 4-seed and a 3-seed they had opportunities to gauge themselves against the ultimate state runner ups. As a 2-seed the gained the experience that you can't overlook a weaker seeded team.

As far as injuries go, they could happen just as easily in week 1 as they could in week 11 or 12. You don't not play to avoid injuries as a D1 prospect, you play the game to become the D1 prospect. How many 4-seeds have college prospects? I'd think several, and the 1st round gives several kids the opportunity to be seen on a bigger stage against a quality opponent.