Playoffs

[Perspective]

So, did anyone else see the FHSAA announcement regarding the playoffs?   We already knew that any and all teams that 'stayed in' (i.e., did not opt out) would "make the playoffs" this season.  That's still the case.    The FHSAA previously announced that it might need to reclassify teams.  Apparently, they ended up keeping every team in the classification that they already were in, but adjusted some of the regions to better even out the number of teams in each of the four regions within each classification.  

Regional quarterfinals will start on Nov. 20th for the large-classification schools (5A-8A).  Typically, this would involve the top 8 teams in each of the four regions (in each classification) playing in a regional tournament to produce 4 regional champs.  Those 4 regional champions would then compete in the state semifinals and finals.   However, with the new system (that, in all likelihood, will only be used this year) in every case for these schools, there are more than 8 schools in each of the 4 regions.  So, on Nov. 13th, there will be a bunch of "play-in games" a la March Madness.     For example, in 8A Region 1, there are 11 teams.  Five of those teams essentially will get a bye, while the other six will play against each other to fill out the 8-team regional tournament bracket.   And, they reiterated today that seeding will be determined by blind draw (which could be done as early as next week). 

If I've done my math right, if a region has 16 teams, that means that all 16 teams will be playing a "play-in game" on Nov. 13th.   Might as well call it the first round of the playoffs.   Class 7A, Region 3 is an example of a region that has exactly 16 teams in it, including:  Armwood, Bloomingdale (who already has beaten Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech this season), Lakeland, Plant City and Tampa Bay Tech.  In theory, and if it truly is a blind draw, Armwood could be matched up against Lakeland in the opening round play-in game.   Wow.  That would be crazy. 

Now, here's where I get confused.   In Class 6A, each of the four regions has either 18 or 19 teams in it.   Assuming no Covid issues prevent any of the teams from playing, how do you fit 18 or 19 teams into a 16-team bracket?   What am I missing?    Josh, any thoughts? 

[Jesse]

14 minutes ago, Perspective said:

So, did anyone else see the FHSAA announcement regarding the playoffs?   We already knew that any and all teams that 'stayed in' (i.e., did not opt out) would "make the playoffs" this season.  That's still the case.    The FHSAA previously announced that it might need to reclassify teams.  Apparently, they ended up keeping every team in the classification that they already were in, but adjusted some of the regions to better even out the number of teams in each of the four regions within each classification.  

Regional quarterfinals will start on Nov. 20th for the large-classification schools (5A-8A).  Typically, this would involve the top 8 teams in each of the four regions (in each classification) playing in a regional tournament to produce 4 regional champs.  Those 4 regional champions would then compete in the state semifinals and finals.   However, with the new system (that, in all likelihood, will only be used this year) in every case for these schools, there are more than 8 schools in each of the 4 regions.  So, on Nov. 13th, there will be a bunch of "play-in games" a la March Madness.     For example, in 8A Region 1, there are 11 teams.  Five of those teams essentially will get a bye, while the other six will play against each other to fill out the 8-team regional tournament bracket.   And, they reiterated today that seeding will be determined by blind draw (which could be done as early as next week). 

If I've done my math right, if a region has 16 teams, that means that all 16 teams will be playing a "play-in game" on Nov. 13th.   Might as well call it the first round of the playoffs.   Class 7A, Region 3 is an example of a region that has exactly 16 teams in it, including:  Armwood, Bloomingdale (who already has beaten Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech this season), Lakeland, Plant City and Tampa Bay Tech.  In theory, and if it truly is a blind draw, Armwood could be matched up against Lakeland in the opening round play-in game.   Wow.  That would be crazy. 

Now, here's where I get confused.   In Class 6A, each of the four regions has either 18 or 19 teams in it.   Assuming no Covid issues prevent any of the teams from playing, how do you fit 18 or 19 teams into a 16-team bracket?   What am I missing?    Josh, any thoughts? 

How does 1a work does everyone get in .

[Perspective]

31 minutes ago, Jesse said:

How does 1a work does everyone get in .

No playoffs for 1A.  They just decided Madison County was the champ. 

All jokes aside, 1A through 4A will be done the same way.  Per this website:  "every team listed on this list will qualify for the playoffs with Class 1A-4A having Regional Quarterfinal playoff games starting on November 13, with any play-in games on November 6."  Madison County is in Region 3, which has 9 teams in it.  So, there's a chance that MadCo could have to play in the play-in game on Nov. 6th, as two of the nine teams will play to decide the 8th team in the bracket. 

[OldSchoolLion]

Did anyone else think of this when they read the title of the thread?

 

[Perspective]

1 minute ago, OldSchoolLion said:

Did anyone else think of this when they read the title of the thread?

 

I almost titled this "Playoffs (using my Jim Mora voice)."   LOL.

[Perspective]

38 minutes ago, Perspective said:

Now, here's where I get confused.   In Class 6A, each of the four regions has either 18 or 19 teams in it.   Assuming no Covid issues prevent any of the teams from playing, how do you fit 18 or 19 teams into a 16-team bracket?   What am I missing?    Josh, any thoughts? 

Well, it looks like I already have an answer.   For those regions that have more than 16 teams in them, there will be another round of play-in games the week of Nov. 6th to determine the 16 teams that will play in the play-in games on Nov. 13th. 

[KeemD321]

I was hoping they were going to actually reclassify some teams.

[Perspective]

Just now, KeemD321 said:

I was hoping they were going to actually reclassify some teams.

As I understand it, they wanted to reclassify Madison County to 3A, but Jesse wouldn't let them. 

[XDC]

“TCPalm asked the FHSAA last week what will happen if a team is forced to quarantine during the postseason because of a COVID-19 related issue.

The response was short. 

"We are not able to provide answers to a hypothetical situation without having all the facts surrounding the situation," FHSAA public relations specialist Ashton Moseley said in an email.” -Jon Santucci (TCPalm)

 

[XDC]

So, what happens if my team has to enter quarantine a day before the first round of the playoffs? How about the day before the state championship? Forfeit? Push the entire bracket back two weeks?

Hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see it.

[OldSchoolLion]

12 minutes ago, XDC said:

“TCPalm asked the FHSAA last week what will happen if a team is forced to quarantine during the postseason because of a COVID-19 related issue.

The response was short. 

"We are not able to provide answers to a hypothetical situation without having all the facts surrounding the situation," FHSAA public relations specialist Ashton Moseley said in an email.” -Jon Santucci (TCPalm)

 

translation...we have not thought that far yet

[Jesse]

56 minutes ago, Perspective said:

As I understand it, they wanted to reclassify Madison County to 3A, but Jesse wouldn't let them. 

Who wanted madison moved up??

[skyway]

52 minutes ago, XDC said:

So, what happens if my team has to enter quarantine a day before the first round of the playoffs? How about the day before the state championship? Forfeit? Push the entire bracket back two weeks?

Hope I’m wrong, but I just don’t see it.

This has been an obvious concern for me as well. And, the biggest issue is the inconsistency with how different counties and schools manage this. Some places will be VERY strict on this and shut a team down over one or two cases. Other places may have figured out how to avoid being Corona'd, regardless of how many kids may or may not be positive. I've said that I think a team like Venice that has already been able to play FOUR (4) games, while schools in Dade/Broward etc haven't played ANY games is revealing. Is Venice testing its players? Who has access to those results? What threshold is being used to determine whether to shut them down or not? Is the answer to that question the same for every school in the state? There are issues we are dealing with that we've never had to deal with before.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, OldSchoolLion said:

translation...we have not thought that far yet

Exactly....Crazy that they don't have a concrete plan on something that is likely to happen. Kinda disrespectful that they gave the we don't respond to hypotheticals answer. Given the current situation of the last 6 months I don't think that was a well thought out response by the FHSAA. 

[Perspective]

13 hours ago, XDC said:

“TCPalm asked the FHSAA last week what will happen if a team is forced to quarantine during the postseason because of a COVID-19 related issue.

The response was short. 

"We are not able to provide answers to a hypothetical situation without having all the facts surrounding the situation," FHSAA public relations specialist Ashton Moseley said in an email.” -Jon Santucci (TCPalm)

 

So, when I first saw this, my response was similar to some of the other responses:  how can the FHSAA not have thought about this possibility, whether they consider it a hypothetical situation or not?   I'm still leaning this way.  However, when I re-read the answer, it occurs to me that the FHSAA simply does not want to announce a bright-line rule at this point.   Instead, they want to be able to deal with each situation on a case-by-case basis.   If a single player on a team's active roster tests positive, should it matter whether the kid was a starter or a kid who's coming off an injury who really wasn't around most of the team?  If you have a bright-line rule that a positive test equals a forfeit no matter what, would that prevent a parents' club from raising the money to have every kid on team tested on Wednesday or Thursday of their next game week to see whether that team has any other positive test results?  If not, then the game could go on.  I suspect I could come up with at least 20 or 30 different scenarios and my guess is that the FHSAA simply doesn't want to lock itself into an answer for each and every scenario that is presented at this point. 

Again, I see both sides.   A bright-line rule announced ahead of time takes all the potential politics out of the decision-making process, but it might also take away common sense solutions.  It might also inadvertently encourage schools to be less than forthright with the state if they happen to get some positive news of the negative variety. 

[Perspective]

13 hours ago, Jesse said:

Who wanted madison moved up??

Every other team in 1A.  

[skyway]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

So, when I first saw this, my response was similar to some of the other responses:  how can the FHSAA not have thought about this possibility, whether they consider it a hypothetical situation or not?   I'm still leaning this way.  However, when I re-read the answer, it occurs to me that the FHSAA simply does not want to announce a bright-line rule at this point.   Instead, they want to be able to deal with each situation on a case-by-case basis.   If a single player on a team's active roster tests positive, should it matter whether the kid was a starter or a kid who's coming off an injury who really wasn't around most of the team?  If you have a bright-line rule that a positive test equals a forfeit no matter what, would that prevent a parents' club from raising the money to have every kid on team tested on Wednesday or Thursday of their next game week to see whether that team has any other positive test results?  If not, then the game could go on.  I suspect I could come up with at least 20 or 30 different scenarios and my guess is that the FHSAA simply doesn't want to lock itself into an answer for each and every scenario that is presented at this point. 

Again, I see both sides.   A bright-line rule announced ahead of time takes all the potential politics out of the decision-making process, but it might also take away common sense solutions.  It might also inadvertently encourage schools to be less than forthright with the state if they happen to get some positive news of the negative variety. 

This.

[Hwy17]

18 hours ago, Perspective said:

So, did anyone else see the FHSAA announcement regarding the playoffs?   We already knew that any and all teams that 'stayed in' (i.e., did not opt out) would "make the playoffs" this season.  That's still the case.    The FHSAA previously announced that it might need to reclassify teams.  Apparently, they ended up keeping every team in the classification that they already were in, but adjusted some of the regions to better even out the number of teams in each of the four regions within each classification.  

Regional quarterfinals will start on Nov. 20th for the large-classification schools (5A-8A).  Typically, this would involve the top 8 teams in each of the four regions (in each classification) playing in a regional tournament to produce 4 regional champs.  Those 4 regional champions would then compete in the state semifinals and finals.   However, with the new system (that, in all likelihood, will only be used this year) in every case for these schools, there are more than 8 schools in each of the 4 regions.  So, on Nov. 13th, there will be a bunch of "play-in games" a la March Madness.     For example, in 8A Region 1, there are 11 teams.  Five of those teams essentially will get a bye, while the other six will play against each other to fill out the 8-team regional tournament bracket.   And, they reiterated today that seeding will be determined by blind draw (which could be done as early as next week). 

If I've done my math right, if a region has 16 teams, that means that all 16 teams will be playing a "play-in game" on Nov. 13th.   Might as well call it the first round of the playoffs.   Class 7A, Region 3 is an example of a region that has exactly 16 teams in it, including:  Armwood, Bloomingdale (who already has beaten Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech this season), Lakeland, Plant City and Tampa Bay Tech.  In theory, and if it truly is a blind draw, Armwood could be matched up against Lakeland in the opening round play-in game.   Wow.  That would be crazy. 

Now, here's where I get confused.   In Class 6A, each of the four regions has either 18 or 19 teams in it.   Assuming no Covid issues prevent any of the teams from playing, how do you fit 18 or 19 teams into a 16-team bracket?   What am I missing?    Josh, any thoughts? 

I was thinking how crazy it would be if in 5a Region 4 the blind draw results in Miami Northwestern vs American Heritage Plantation for the play-in. 

[HornetFan]

20 hours ago, Jesse said:

How does 1a work does everyone get in .

All except the elementary schools; they moved up to 2A.

[OldSchoolLion]

10 hours ago, Perspective said:

So, when I first saw this, my response was similar to some of the other responses:  how can the FHSAA not have thought about this possibility, whether they consider it a hypothetical situation or not?   I'm still leaning this way.  However, when I re-read the answer, it occurs to me that the FHSAA simply does not want to announce a bright-line rule at this point.   Instead, they want to be able to deal with each situation on a case-by-case basis.   If a single player on a team's active roster tests positive, should it matter whether the kid was a starter or a kid who's coming off an injury who really wasn't around most of the team?  If you have a bright-line rule that a positive test equals a forfeit no matter what, would that prevent a parents' club from raising the money to have every kid on team tested on Wednesday or Thursday of their next game week to see whether that team has any other positive test results?  If not, then the game could go on.  I suspect I could come up with at least 20 or 30 different scenarios and my guess is that the FHSAA simply doesn't want to lock itself into an answer for each and every scenario that is presented at this point. 

Again, I see both sides.   A bright-line rule announced ahead of time takes all the potential politics out of the decision-making process, but it might also take away common sense solutions.  It might also inadvertently encourage schools to be less than forthright with the state if they happen to get some positive news of the negative variety. 

It was just the way they worded it...implying they could/would/might answer the question if they had all the facts.  If they have no intention of answering any such questions at this time, just be transparent and say so.

[Perspective]

13 hours ago, OldSchoolLion said:

It was just the way they worded it...implying they could/would/might answer the question if they had all the facts.  If they have no intention of answering any such questions at this time, just be transparent and say so.

So, you're asking the organization that didn't even want to televise their last board meeting (arguably, the most important meeting they've ever had) to be transparent?  

[KeemD321]

4A south could get interesting Brevard teams are back in region 3 so heavy hitters for 4A south are Cocoa, Lakewood,  American Heritage, Cardinal Gibbons and Gulliver Prep.

[Jesse]

6 hours ago, KeemD321 said:

4A south could get interesting Brevard teams are back in region 3 so heavy hitters for 4A south are Cocoa, Lakewood,  American Heritage, Cardinal Gibbons and Gulliver Prep.

All them would beat madison big time.  Last year toss up. Madison sadly has been infected by the 1a poison they gotten weaker . Talent not the same.  

 

[Proseteye]

3 hours ago, Jesse said:

All them would beat madison big time.  Last year toss up. Madison sadly has been infected by the 1a poison they gotten weaker . Talent not the same.  

 

Why do you feel that Madison is not the same team as in the past? Specifics if you will.

[KeemD321]

10 hours ago, Jesse said:

All them would beat madison big time.  Last year toss up. Madison sadly has been infected by the 1a poison they gotten weaker . Talent not the same.  

 

I forgot to add in Tampa Catholic as well