New proposal, same old debate
By Sheldon Shealer
There's another proposal on the table for possible playoff expansion, and while I feel it's a stronger option than the suggested six classification model, it is not without problems and potential controversy.
The latest proposal, which came out during the football committee's playoff seeding meeting Sunday, suggests 16 teams -- four from each region -- make the playoffs in each classification, starting with two rounds of regional postseason.
The format is similar to Pennsylvania, which starts postseason on the district level then the district champions are slotted into the state playoffs at various places in the bracket. (It's a bit confusing if you are not familiar but some district title games are, in essence, state Round of 16 contests, while other district title games simply get a team into the Round of 16. The system has a staggered postseason so that it all comes together in good order.)
With this new plan, the No. 4 seed plays the No. 1 seed and the No. 3 seed plays the No. 2 seed within each region for the first round of playoffs. The first-round winners play for the region championship, then those winners advances to the state semifinals.
On the surface, this plan is acceptable -- at least 16 teams in each class move onto the playoffs. It creates regional rivalries and could mean added excitement for playoff contests that are rematches of regular-season games.
But here's the flipside -- this format merely means the first two rounds of postseason play will be full of rematches from regular-season contests and still doesn't address the issue of varying levels of competition among the regions. Under the current system, no region is guaranteed a spot in the state semifinals -- it must be earned on the field. The new proposal guarantees each region one state semifinalist per classification. Using 4A as the example, Montgomery and P.G. Counties have dominated this class in recent years. In fact, every state champion and state runner-up have hailed from these counties since 1994. It's been so long since 4A North has produced a state finalist that the last time it happened (1990), it wasn't known as 4A North -- but rather 4A, Region III. The new plan will prevent strong areas from having an all-county state final -- like PG did in 4A last year and Montgomery County in 4A the year before or even all-county state semifinals. And this isn't even a PG/Mont. Co. issue. Remember, the MVAL had an all-Washington County 1A final in 1994 when clearly those teams were the class of the 1A classification; or the 2A mega-clash between Middletown and Urbana a few years ago?
Anyway, let's get back to the new format.
One thing that confuses me, the major roadblock to a 16-team format was finding a 14th week. I was told by Jon Cox that there was no way the state would start earlier or go later to accommodate a 14th week. Now, somehow, with this proposal which also requires a 14th week, that doesn't seem to be an issue.
Also, another stumbling point was 16 teams in each class would result in 5-5 teams making the playoffs in 1A. Once again, that, too, has been smoothed out -- even though the new format would let a few four-win teams in the 1A playoffs while a couple of five-win schools in stronger regions stay at home. And it's not even just a 1A issue. 5-5 Thomas Johnson would make the 4A East playoffs while 6-3 Largo would not make the 4A South playoffs.
As many people know, I have long supported a 16-team playoff format. I like this new proposal for several reasons, but if the state committee has gone this far to potentially get 16 teams into the playoffs, then take the final step and get the right 16 into the postseason. And let's not worry about the regional playoffs. If the best two teams in the state hail from the same county or region, give them the opportunity to settle the state title in the final week -- not the second round.
POWER RATINGS
Here are the Massey rankings for the Week:
MASSEY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RATINGS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Josh Keeney, Middletown. As ESPN's Chris Berman would say, "Rumlin', bumblin' stumblin'" to describe Jerome Bettis, Keeney put on a similar show last week in between the fireworks at Walkersville. Keeney took over the state's rushing lead with a 265-yard performance in the Knights' 37-6 playoff-clinching victory over the Lions. And when I mention fireworks, I'm not talking the figurative scoreboard-type of fireworks. I mean the real thing. The national anthem was accompanied by a few crackles before a display of the U.S. flag. At halftime and then again after the game, there were more fireworks. On the field, Keeney ran wild -- a John Riggins-like 14-yard score on a fourth-and-1 and he showed some quickness, outrunning Walkersville defenders for 46- and 74-yard scores. Keeney now has over 1,900 yards and a solid showing against Glenelg should make him only the second back in the county to top 2,000 yards in a season. (Linganore's John Seymour did it twice in the early 1990s.)
IN CASE YOU WHERE WONDERING
Is it possible? A Frederick County sweep of the leaders -- a sort of statistical grand slam? Perhaps. Heading into the playoffs, based on numbers provided to me, Josh Keeney of Middletown is the state's leading rushing, Keith Ricca of St. John's-PH is the leading passer and Brandon Monroe of St. John's is the top receiver. Ricca and Monroe are finished for the year. Keeney will be playing in the 2A quarterfinals this week. The last time a county swept the categories was 1997 when Einstein's Umar Ferguson was the state's leading rusher, Seneca Valley's Brian Fleury was the top passer and teammate Duricque Taylor was the leading receiver -- all from Montgomery County.
AROUND THE STATE (Week 10 Notes)
Gilman and Georgetown Prep wrapped up perfect seasons with victories last week. A
last-minute attempt to get the two teams to play this weekend failed. ... Talk about
a tight race, seven teams in Harford County's eight-team league finished within two
games of each other. Edgewood wins the conference title with its 5-2 record. Bel
Air, Joppatowne and North Harford held the spots five through seven with 3-4 marks.
... A scheduling snafu in Howard County prevented Wilde Lake from playing Glenelg.
As fate would have it, both teams were undefeated, yet didn't and cannot play this
year. They are in difference playoff brackets. ... The new classifications have been
proposed for the next two schools years, but will not be approved until the Board
of Control meeting in December. ... This is a little segment called the Tale of Two
Halves. This year's honorees: Aberdeen, won its first four games, lost its last five;
John Carroll, lost the first five then won the last four; Friendly, started 0-2 ended
7-2; Joppatowne, started 6-1 ended 6-4; Forest Park, started 4-2 and ended 4-6.
STREAK BUSTERS
For the second straight year, Great Mills ended a lengthy losing streak with a season-ending win over Leonardtown. Great Mills had lost nine in a row. Last year, Great Mills was riding a 14-game losing streak. ... Fairmont Heights ended an eight-game drought with a 30-16 victory over Surrattsville. ... J.M. Bennett's six-game win streak was stopped in a 55-13 loss to Wicomico. ... Centennial's five-game losing sneak was snapped with a 28-20 win over Howard. ... Northern Garrett halted a five-game slide with a 24-16 win over Southern Garrett. ... Bullis' four-game win streak was ended in a 14-0 loss to Georgetown Prep.
LOOKING AHEAD
Links to the playoff previews will be posted on this site as the previews are finalized.