Intensive Playoff Margin of Victory Comparison over Past 20 Years

[OldSchoolLion]

Below is a comparison of average margins of victory in playoff games over the past 20 years. For example, last year’s 8 semifinal games in Classes 1A-4A were decided by point totals of 40, 35, 41, 46, 21, 38, 20, and 18, for an average point differential of 32 points per game. 

 I grouped classes into "upper" and "lower" in order to highlight differences.  I have bolded some of the more profound numbers.

Observations:

• Margins of victory are substantially higher today than in years there were 5 and 6 classes.  For example, the average margins of victory in region finals and state semifinals in the upper classes this year were approximately double those of 20 years ago.  And average margins of victory in region semifinals and finals in the lower classes this year were approximately 1.5 times those of 20 years ago.
• Average margins of victory in the "20's" have become more common this season and last.  
• Margins of victory in region semifinals and finals in the lower classes are as high as ever.
• It appears last year's extreme numbers in the 1A-4A semifinals were likely an outlier.  

 

2018

Semifinals (1A-4A=15) (5A-8A=20)  

Regional finals (1A-4A=25) (5A-8A=22)

Regional semifinals (1A-4A=26) (5A-8A=17)

 

2017

Semifinals (1A-4A=32) (5A-8A=16)  

Regional finals (1A-4A=28) (5A-8A=18)

Regional semifinals (1A-4A=29) (5A-8A=13)

 

2016

Semifinals (1A-4A=14) (5A-8A=21)

Regional finals (1A-4A=11) (5A-8A=17)

Regional semifinals (1A-4A=30) (5A-8A=16)

 

2015

Semifinals (1A-4A=17) (5A-8A=19)

Regional finals (1A-4A=20) (5A-8A=21)

Regional semifinals (1A-4A=26) (5A-8A=18)

 

2006 (8 classes)

Semifinals (1B-2A=23) (3A-6A=14)

Regional finals (1A-4A=27) (5A-8A=15)

Regional semifinals (1A-4A=29) (5A-8A=18)

 

2001 (6 classes)

Semifinals (1A-3A=14) (4A-6A=16)

Regional finals (1A-3A=18) (4A-6A=16)

Regional semifinals (1A-3A=25) (4A-6A=15)

 

2000 (6 classes)

Semifinals (1A-3A=20) (4A-6A=10)

Regional finals (1A-3A=13) (4A-8A=14)

Regional semifinals (1A-3A=15) (4A-6A=17)

 

1998 (5 classes)

Semifinals (2A-4A=14) (5A-6A=9)

Regional finals (2A-4A=16) (5A-8A=11)

Regional semifinals (1A-4A=19) (5A-8A=16)

*Note-terminology of playoff games was different then, ie state semifinals were called "region finals", so I adjusted for this to allow for apples-to-apples comparison; due to the fact there were only 5 classes, I used personal discretion to make the cut between upper and lower