Perspective

Apparently not.  

Or I could throw these scores out at you:
38-24
42-17
38-10
27-17
39-31
41-21
31-14
Average point differential 17.4 points.
And, yeah, you probably recognize these scores . . . they are indeed the scores of the first seven games of this years College Football Playoffs.   One single-digit point difference game  (the instant classic game between Texas and Arizona State).  Three of the games had a point differential of 20 or more.  And, in theory, these are games being played between the top 12 teams in all of college football. 
Or I could throw out these scores:
34-7
48-21
43-8
31-9
These are all final Super Bowl scores from games played since 2001.  You know, that game played between the two best teams in the NFL. 
Point is, point differential doesn't always tell the whole story, but I understand the argument being made that it is reflective of Florida high school football playoff games not being as competitive as most people would think they would or should be. 

It is correct that drawing observations from a small sample size of 4-8 games may suggest some trends, but that sample size would not provide statistically meaningful conclusions.  What is more interesting in this discussion is the mention of the NFL and the NCAA, and the lessons they might provide.
The NFL does everything it can to promote parity -- inverse draft order, salary cap, revenue sharing, inverse order scheduling, roster limits, etc.  With good management and a little luck, a team can go from worst to first in their division.  The NFL is by far the most popular, highest rated, and most financially successful of all professional leagues. 
In the NCAA, the Big 10 and SEC are doing everything they can to separate themselves, financially and otherwise, from the rest of the FBS, i.e. the rich getting richer.  If they are successful, they will always attract the hard core fans, but when the casual fans who support Kennesaw St, Middle Tennessee St, South Alabama, etc. start to tune out because of lack of interest, the TV revenue will eventually dry up, and the big boys will be left with a big financial problem. 
Maybe the "level playing field" that the NFL tries to promote is the better business model, and maybe the better model to follow in promoting high school football in Florida.  Or, hope that the "survival of the fittest" approach that some espouse will do the trick.  

Or I could throw these scores out at you:
38-24
42-17
38-10
27-17
39-31
41-21
31-14
Average point differential 17.4 points.
And, yeah, you probably recognize these scores . . . they are indeed the scores of the first seven games of this years College Football Playoffs.   One single-digit point difference game  (the instant classic game between Texas and Arizona State).  Three of the games had a point differential of 20 or more.  And, in theory, these are games being played between the top 12 teams in all of college football. 
Or I could throw out these scores:
34-7
48-21
43-8
31-9
These are all final Super Bowl scores from games played since 2001.  You know, that game played between the two best teams in the NFL. 
Point is, point differential doesn't always tell the whole story, but I understand the argument being made that it is reflective of Florida high school football playoff games not being as competitive as most people would think they would or should be. 

I was actually surprised that some states have a mercy rule instead of running clock. 

Or I could throw these scores out at you:
38-24
42-17
38-10
27-17
39-31
41-21
31-14
Average point differential 17.4 points.
And, yeah, you probably recognize these scores . . . they are indeed the scores of the first seven games of this years College Football Playoffs.   One single-digit point difference game  (the instant classic game between Texas and Arizona State).  Three of the games had a point differential of 20 or more.  And, in theory, these are games being played between the top 12 teams in all of college football. 
Or I could throw out these scores:
34-7
48-21
43-8
31-9
These are all final Super Bowl scores from games played since 2001.  You know, that game played between the two best teams in the NFL. 
Point is, point differential doesn't always tell the whole story, but I understand the argument being made that it is reflective of Florida high school football playoff games not being as competitive as most people would think they would or should be. 

Throwing this out for purposes of comparison.   Here are some of the results of the high school football championship games (with point differential in parentheses):
STATE A:
6A  38-24  (14)
5A  56-35  (21)
4A 14-7   (7)
3A 20-7  (13)
2A 52-14  (38)
1AI  38-18   (20)
1AII  34-14  (20)
Private 3A-A  49-28  (21)
Average point differential for State A:  19.25
 
STATE B:
6A D1  50-21  (29)
5A D1 32-20  (12)
6A D2  24-17  (7)
5A D2 38-35  (3)
4A D1   55-21  (34)
4A D2  28-14 (14)
3A D1 48-14 (34)
3A D2  28-0  (28)
2A D1  30-28 (3 OT)   (2)
2A D2  36-29  (7)
1A D1   70-24 (mercy rule 3rd quarter)  (46)
1A D2  54-8 (mercy rule at halftime)   (46)
Average point differential for State B: 22.42
 
STATE C:
1AA  28-26   (2)
2AA  35-28  (7)
3AA  18-14   (4)
4AA  25-23  (2)
5AA  48-7  (41)
6AA  27-21 ()T)  (6)
7AA  42-8   (34)
1A  21-14   (7)
2A  55-19  (36)
3A  42-41  (OT)   (1)
4A  52-34  (18)
5A  68-47  (21)
6A  38-21  (17)
7A  55-27   (28)
OPEN  37-15  (22)
Average point differential for State C:  16.4
 
By the way, State A is Georgia, State B is Texas and State C is California. 

Depends on how good the kids are.   

Well-summarized.  And not only were state title games more competitive under Metro-Suburban classes, but the numbers also confirm that the earlier round games were more competitive as well.  Sadly, fact-based decision-making does not seem to factor into FHSAA deliberations, nor does it seem to have an impact on this board.  Why do games have to be competitive, as long as my teams win?  Can't compete in the current environment?  Drop out of the FHSAA or just drop football altogether.  And when hundreds of teams leave the FHSAA, how is that going to promote high school football in Florida?  The 25 teams left can play one another while the rest of the state yawns.
Here's what's not happening in Florida... 1) end of transfers, 2) promotion and relegation, 3) separate public-private classifications.  None of these are happening.  Period.  But when the FHSAA tries to apply a commonsense adjustment like Metro-Suburban, all the sudden, "it's not fair".  Open Division?  You can't force Chaminade to play Venice in the playoffs!  But you can force Indian Rocks Christian (nothing personal) to play in the same class as Chaminade?  (Oh wait, they could just quit football.  So much for the life lessons of perseverance and commitment that football teaches).
I hope my pessimism for the future of Florida high school is misplaced.  Maybe someone will start looking at the big picture rather than trying to protect their self-interests.  Maybe. 
My last rant of 2024.  Sorry.  
 

RVs, NIL and Lakeland football attracting players? Does this ever involve getting a competent passing game coordinator, too? 

Having lived in Texas for 5 years, I can attest that there are some meaningful differences from Florida.  To begin with, property taxes are significantly higher, so there is more money available for public school kinds of things.  My wife's pay and benefits as a public-school teacher there were very good.  Some would argue that you get what you pay for.
In terms of football culture, it is definitely a different level in terms of community support.  In larger cities, a school district may have 8-12 high schools, but every high school does not have its own stadium.  The school district may have 2-3 multi-use stadiums seating 10-15,000 and shared on Thursday-Saturday nights.  Attendance for a regular season game may be 8-10,000, and I attended one regional playoff game in the University of Texas stadium with 40,000 in attendance.  In small communities with one high school, the sky is the limit with what financial resources that particular community might have.  The bands, dance teams, and cheerleaders dwarf in size what I have seen in Florida.  
I will say that in the panhandle, I have seen excellent game-day atmospheres at Niceville, Choctaw, Crestview, Pace, Tate, and Navarre.  I think this is because these are primarily "one community, one high school" types of settings.  On a larger level, you cannot just infuse "culture" into a state such as Florida by waving a magic wand.  I'm afraid I don't have the single answer to improve the status of high school football in Florida.  

I always hate it when the high school playoffs end.   I can still get my football fix with the college and pro games, but I know the end of the high school football season tends to result in less traffic to this site, fewer posts, fewer good conversations, etc.   With that in mind, and constantly reminding myself that with one or two exceptions I've never personally met any of the folks who post on this site, I feel a sense of community here.  So, I just wanted to take a minute or two out of my hectic, last-minute shopping/wrapping day and wish everyone here a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! 
Just remember, when things get a little crazy over the holidays, just try to keep everything in Perspective. 

Changed my reaction.  You are the definition of a shameless plug, lol.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the entire FHSF family.

I always hate it when the high school playoffs end.   I can still get my football fix with the college and pro games, but I know the end of the high school football season tends to result in less traffic to this site, fewer posts, fewer good conversations, etc.   With that in mind, and constantly reminding myself that with one or two exceptions I've never personally met any of the folks who post on this site, I feel a sense of community here.  So, I just wanted to take a minute or two out of my hectic, last-minute shopping/wrapping day and wish everyone here a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! 
Just remember, when things get a little crazy over the holidays, just try to keep everything in Perspective. 

I always hate it when the high school playoffs end.   I can still get my football fix with the college and pro games, but I know the end of the high school football season tends to result in less traffic to this site, fewer posts, fewer good conversations, etc.   With that in mind, and constantly reminding myself that with one or two exceptions I've never personally met any of the folks who post on this site, I feel a sense of community here.  So, I just wanted to take a minute or two out of my hectic, last-minute shopping/wrapping day and wish everyone here a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! 
Just remember, when things get a little crazy over the holidays, just try to keep everything in Perspective. 

Depends on how good the kids are.   

Depends on how good the kids are.   

Depends on how good the kids are.   

Well said!  In watching and listening to the BoD meeting last December, you could tell by the discussion who the target of this plan was.  One member essentially said, "we know who they are", in reference to those schools perceived to be ruining it for everyone else.  Although never explicitly said, you could read between the lines and infer that Chaminade, and to a lesser extent, STA, were on their minds.  I believe that if Chaminade was in 7A instead of 1A, this whole Open Division concept might never have come up.  
The irony of the whole plan is that relying on the goofy MaxPreps rankings to identify the top 8 teams could exclude the very teams that they are trying to include, while sweeping up teams that had a single unprecedented year.  The teams this year would have been:
Nease (6A) Venice (7A) Gadsden County (2A) West Boca Raton (6A) American Heritage (4A) Chaminade (1A) Jones (4A) Cardinal Newman (1A) Not a bad list, but no Lakeland, no STA, no Cocoa, no MNW -- teams who would at least be worthy of discussion.  But absent the human element, this is what you would get.
 

I guess you have a higher opinion of honor and integrity in high school football than I do (good for you).  Maybe that will be enough to seal the deal on participation in the Open Division.  I just think the FHSAA will make it mandatory to avoid any loose ends.
One other thing to consider is that this 8-team Open Division format as currently planned applies to all FHSAA team sports, not just football.  It's double-elimination until the state semifinals and finals.  So I think it will be necessary to limit it to 8 teams max, as no one is going to want football, volleyball, softball teams, etc. criss-crossing the state for 5 or 6 rounds.  Could they run the football playoffs differently?  Perhaps, but again I'm not sure I'd count on creative thinking from the FHSAA.  Might just have to be content with the 8-team format if it comes to fruition.  

I did not watch the BoD meeting where this issue was discussed.   Thank you for enlightening me.  If I can reframe what you have said, it goes like this:
We are the FHSAA. 
We are the governing body for high school sports, including football.  Therefore, we make all the rules and are responsible for making sure the member schools follow those rules. 
A number of the member schools are not following the rules and, as a result, now dominate the high school football scene. 
We can't figure out how to do our job to prevent these schools from breaking the rules and continuing to dominate the high school football scene.
So, instead of figuring out how to do our job, we'll just come up with a way to make all those teams play each other at the end of the year . . . and if a few rule-following teams that have a once-in-a-generation season get caught up in the net when we cast it out, well, sorry.  Such is life and you know we're all about teaching life lessons. 

I did not watch the BoD meeting where this issue was discussed.   Thank you for enlightening me.  If I can reframe what you have said, it goes like this:
We are the FHSAA. 
We are the governing body for high school sports, including football.  Therefore, we make all the rules and are responsible for making sure the member schools follow those rules. 
A number of the member schools are not following the rules and, as a result, now dominate the high school football scene. 
We can't figure out how to do our job to prevent these schools from breaking the rules and continuing to dominate the high school football scene.
So, instead of figuring out how to do our job, we'll just come up with a way to make all those teams play each other at the end of the year . . . and if a few rule-following teams that have a once-in-a-generation season get caught up in the net when we cast it out, well, sorry.  Such is life and you know we're all about teaching life lessons. 

Pride.  The right to claim yourself the indisputable best team in the State, which could lead down a path to a national championship.  The "recruiting advantage"/ability to attract transfers if you can hold yourself out as one of the dozen or so elite teams in the state.  The advantage it might give you to get kids scholarship opportunities. 
I understand your question.  If there were a way to reach out to every coach (or athletic director or school administrator) of every team that I mentioned to ask them whether they'd be willing to play in such a group, I'd do it, but I don't think that's realistic. 
I've suggested in the past that you might have to dangle a carrot out there to attract 12 teams.  Perhaps let those schools actively recruit as long as they stay in the division (heck, most of those teams do it anyway in one form or another). 
Finally, yes, money could be a factor.   I've got to think that the championship game would be a pretty good draw and might even warrant a TV contract.  The FHSAA could do a little revenue sharing with the top team, the top two teams or even all the teams in that division (not that I particularly like that idea, but in this NIL day and age, I could easily see it happening). 
As for a game this year, I suspect there might be some folks at STA or West Boca (or even AHP or NW) that would not be in favor of simply letting Chaminade and Venice play in the championship game. 
 

Pride.  The right to claim yourself the indisputable best team in the State, which could lead down a path to a national championship.  The "recruiting advantage"/ability to attract transfers if you can hold yourself out as one of the dozen or so elite teams in the state.  The advantage it might give you to get kids scholarship opportunities. 
I understand your question.  If there were a way to reach out to every coach (or athletic director or school administrator) of every team that I mentioned to ask them whether they'd be willing to play in such a group, I'd do it, but I don't think that's realistic. 
I've suggested in the past that you might have to dangle a carrot out there to attract 12 teams.  Perhaps let those schools actively recruit as long as they stay in the division (heck, most of those teams do it anyway in one form or another). 
Finally, yes, money could be a factor.   I've got to think that the championship game would be a pretty good draw and might even warrant a TV contract.  The FHSAA could do a little revenue sharing with the top team, the top two teams or even all the teams in that division (not that I particularly like that idea, but in this NIL day and age, I could easily see it happening). 
As for a game this year, I suspect there might be some folks at STA or West Boca (or even AHP or NW) that would not be in favor of simply letting Chaminade and Venice play in the championship game. 
 

There is certainly a side of me that would not have wanted to see either Lakeland or STA win a blowout game like the one last night.   Then, again, there's also a side of me that may have secretly enjoyed seeing either Lakeland or STA lose  a blowout game like the one last night.