New "proposed" alignment plan for 2017-2018 & 2018-2019

[VolNation85]

Check out the new proposed alignment plan beginning with the 2017 season. The alignment eliminates conferences and creates 24 regions (4 in each classification, similar to how it was before). The idea is it refocus the importance of district and local rivalries.

This plan is the initial proposal that was released by the VHSl today. There probably will be a few changes before it is finalized, as noted by the fine print under each section. Also, member schools have until Friday, January 8, 2016 to appeal their placement. The VHSL will then post the schedule of appeals on their website on Monday, January 11, 2016. The appeals will be heard on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

Let the debates, complaints, and conversations begin!

http://www.vhsl.org/doc/upload/alignment-2017-19-initial-proposed-24-region-alignment-plan.pdf

 

[ClarkeFan83]

Looks like 2A Central would be pretty small! Especially if the suspected changes happen!

 

[Keith_Stone33]

Check out the new proposed alignment plan beginning with the 2017 season. The alignment eliminates conferences and creates 24 regions (4 in each classification, similar to how it was before). The idea is it refocus the importance of district and local rivalries.

This plan is the initial proposal that was released by the VHSl today. There probably will be a few changes before it is finalized, as noted by the fine print under each section. Also, member schools have until Friday, January 8, 2016 to appeal their placement. The VHSL will then post the schedule of appeals on their website on Monday, January 11, 2016. The appeals will be heard on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

Let the debates, complaints, and conversations begin!

http://www.vhsl.org/doc/upload/alignment-2017-19-initial-proposed-24-region-alignment-plan.pdf

Any idea what the playoff structure will look like in football? Reason I ask is because I like the current setup for football. I'm hoping it's something along the lines of 12-16 teams from the North/South and 12-16 teams from Central/West, ranked by power points, which would be exactly what we have now. I did not like the old setup that was in place before the one we currently have.

I am hoping to see Riverheads back in 2A with the rest of the Augusta County schools, to make those local games even more interesting than they already are.

 

[Keith_Stone33]

I REALLY hope the new proposed plan doesn't go back to the old playoff structure (which is what it looks like may happen, since there are 4 regions), as you would sometimes have the two best teams playing each other in round 2.

Take girls basketball from last year as an example, you had 2 teams from the same conference/district facing off in the state championship for 3A. Being able to do that says a lot about your area/conference/district, and the old system prevented those types of things from happening. I know folks in SWVA were hoping to get a SWVA state championship featuring Union/Richlands, and that would have been huge for their area. I just feel the current system does a better job at allowing the two best teams to face off in the state championship than the old one.

 

[VolNation85]

Any idea what the playoff structure will look like in football? Reason I ask is because I like the current setup for football. I'm hoping it's something along the lines of 12-16 teams from the North/South and 12-16 teams from Central/West, ranked by power points, which would be exactly what we have now. I did not like the old setup that was in place before the one we currently have.

I am hoping to see Riverheads back in 2A with the rest of the Augusta County schools, to make those local games even more interesting than they already are.

Unfortunately, I don't know what the playoff structure will look like at the moment. If I had to speculate, I would say that the members of each region will decide the setup for each region tournament. What that means at this point, I am not sure. Once I hear more on the subject I will post it.

 

[TIDEPRIDE01]

I like the change and going back to old system of 4 regions...think each region should have 6 team playoff w/#1 and #2 seeds getting bye...then cross bracket the region champs like 1A and 2A did...if the two best teams in the division come from same area then so be it...hate seeing the real state championship played the week before in state semifinals....give automatic berth back to district champs too...gives yah something to fight for again and makes district play relevant again...I wish VA would take page out of IL football playoff pairings...don't give final enrollment until playoffs and fill all brackets with district champions and teams with at least a 6-4 winning record...then take "bubble teams" w/5-5 records...until you fill up required # of teams to fill 6 divisions w/24 teams per...then take top 24 teams enrollment wise and that is 6A then separate into 4 regions ...then you continue w5A-1A....very rarely do you get a "losing" team in playoffs unless they barely make it because they played a very tough schedule....they also base off of "football enrollment" aka the # of boys in each school...IL lets private play w/public schools but add a multiplier to private boys enrollment to determine classification...not a big fan of public vs private but w/recent addition of LCA I feel it's only in due time before it happens in VA....in IL they have a "Playoff Show" where IHSA posts the brackets according to class...teams,players,parents,coaches host playoff selection parties until they find out who and what classification they play in...most of time based on enrollment you probably know what class you will play at but every now and then you might fluctuate based on changes in enrollment

 

[maroons1]

Regions will determine how many teams make playoffs. In football, the 4 region champions will advance to semifinals. In all other sports, the top 2 teams in each region will advance to the state tournament.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

It is totally stupid for ANY team to get a bye in playoffs. Also, the VHSL should not allow regions to determine how many teams make playoffs. Every Region should be the same, from 1A-6A. Giving a team a bye gives them too much of an advantage. The VHSL needs one person running it, instead of 325.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Interesting? Giles and Glenvar in with Appomattox? Giles is like 3 hours away? Glenvar is 2? Does that mean the A.D. has to schedule them. Friday nights will be rough with rides like that.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

It's going to be interesting to see if they looked at a map of the state when they realign this time.

 

[maroons1]

Interesting? Giles and Glenvar in with Appomattox? Giles is like 3 hours away? Glenvar is 2? Does that mean the A.D. has to schedule them. Friday nights will be rough with rides like that.

Only if you schedule them as a non-district game.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Try to never schedule a game vs someone you may meet in playoffs.

 

[RichlandsRyan]

Try to never schedule a game vs someone you may meet in playoffs.

If we lived by that rule in SWVA, we would be playing games 4 hours away every week.....

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

What is the farthest 2a school if u drive east?

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Try to never schedule a game vs someone you may meet in playoffs.

Speak for yaself. NOTHING gonna stop the BATTLE OF THE AXE RIVALRY. That game is 1st game of season for appo and buckingham, brings in mad money for both schools. A.D. (bucktown) says he gets more fans for that game than playoff games. I believe that because i saw bucktown play martinsville this year and was like huh? Fans didnt show up and they had home field advantage.

 

[RichlandsRyan]

Richlands plays Gate City first and Union second. Has been that way for 6 years now. You set the tone for the season from the whistle on night 1. And I love it that way.

In all seriousness, if we went by the never schedule someone you could meet in the playoffs, the closest game to us in 2A west would be Giles, and Lee to Giles is a solid 3 hours. Richlands to Giles is about 1.5 on a bus. Radford and Ft Chiswell would be next, FC is 1.5 from Richlands on bus and Raddy is probably about 2 hours. Why play those games when you can play a school 30 minutes down the road?

 

[longtimerhsfan]

As crazy as 1-A looks, I hope that Riverheads and the rest really DO move up to 2-A. There would be more natural rivalry and less travel for playoffs.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

I just wish RH would go 1A or 2A and stay there instead of jumping every 2 years, Along with other schools.

 

[VolNation85]

What is the farthest 2a school if u drive east?

Arcadia High. They are on the northern end of the Eastern Shore!

 

[shauntclair]

It is totally stupid for ANY team to get a bye in playoffs. Also, the VHSL should not allow regions to determine how many teams make playoffs. Every Region should be the same, from 1A-6A. Giving a team a bye gives them too much of an advantage. The VHSL needs one person running it, instead of 325.

Disagree. I believe in first round bys. Avoids multiple embarassments by many teams that have no business being in the playoffs in the place. At least there's some chance of a bottom seed winning against a 4 - 8 seed. Makes all playoff games, from start to finish, far more competitive.

However I do tend to agree, all the playoffs should be unified in format but I would be willing to entertain knowledgable and opposing arguments to this.

 

[RichlandsRyan]

I would bet we go to 8 teams. Play 3 rounds to determine your region champ, then send them to the semis.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

I just wish RH would go 1A or 2A and stay there instead of jumping every 2 years, Along with other schools.

What are talking about HR6? You say some things often without research! STOP!!! They have near 700 students? By the VHSL Reference page, they have been Div 2/2A for past 10+ years?

R.H. have always been around 700 students. When did they ever go down?

I actually think we should be playing them more, they are right down the street from Appo?

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Arcadia High. They are on the northern end of the Eastern Shore!

So there are no 757 (Chesapeake area) teams in 2A?

 

[Keith_Stone33]

What are talking about HR6? You say some things often without research! STOP!!! They have near 700 students? By the VHSL Reference page, they have been Div 2/2A for past 10+ years?

R.H. have always been around 700 students. When did they ever go down?

I actually think we should be playing them more, they are right down the street from Appo?

Hes talking about Riverheads I believe

 

[dringtuoti]

You can't have a uniform playoff system b/c the schools that make up the vhsl (voting members, it's not an autocracy) chose to create regions that best fit their circumstance. This creates an unbalanced situation with regions having more teams than others. The schools in regions with more teams have chosen geography in most cases over an easier road to reaching state competition and have stated that their member schools are ok with that sacrifice. If they are ok with it than why should I argue against them doing what is best for their region? Without the member schools than there isn't a vhsl and those member schools and regions aren't going to give up any of their power or autonomy nor should they.

 

[VolNation85]

So there are no 757 (Chesapeake area) teams in 2A?[/
No traditional 757 teams (Chesapeake, beach, norfolk, or hampton) but, technically Arcadia is a 757 team. Their town's area code is 757 but they are closer to Maryland than they are the 757." It's crazy where they are located. Google "Arcadia High School Va" and look at the map.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

I have always maintained the VHSL should have a Commissioner running things instead of voting members. Too many individuals influence decisions that aid their school at the expense of screwing other schools.

 

[Olduvatechmason]

Bruton (williamsburg) and all Eastern Shore teams are all probably 757 area code teams in 2a.

 

[shauntclair]

I have always maintained the VHSL should have a Commissioner running things instead of voting members. Too many individuals influence decisions that aid their school at the expense of screwing other schools.

Where has your head been lately HR6? Even the Commisioners of the NFL and MLB do not have the power of classification and playoff format changes without committees and owner approvals.

I know you put a lot of stuff out there just to spur discussion but you need to return from Oz because, for the last few months, that's been your primary residence. Please come home.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

The VHSL grants too much power to regions. every region in state should play by same rules.

 

[shauntclair]

The VHSL grants too much power to regions. every region in state should play by same rules.

Again, the assumption that the VHSL can do anything about this is incorrect. That would take a change to the VHSL laws and bylaws, which the VHSL Can propose. Of course, the Regional Reps would be required to vote an approval of such a change. And we're back to square one.

Come home from Oz.

 

[badtobone]

Interesting? Giles and Glenvar in with Appomattox? Giles is like 3 hours away? Glenvar is 2? Does that mean the A.D. has to schedule them. Friday nights will be rough with rides like that.

does not make sense. Travel cost will go up alot and attendance at games will decrease. I guess that makes sense.LOL What about students missing class time to leave school for a game 2 to 3 hours away?

 

[RichlandsRyan]

does not make sense. Travel cost will go up alot and attendance at games will decrease. I guess that makes sense.LOL What about students missing class time to leave school for a game 2 to 3 hours away?

It makes more sense than a second round game between Richlands and Buckingham.

 

[badtobone]

It makes more sense than a second round game between Richlands and Buckingham.

that was good either. My point is VHSL and its group of principals /Ad come up with . It seems that VHSL does not care about the schools in SWVA and its fans. They want their money. I have seen attendance at playoff games go down to next to nothing because of the travel distance.

 

[RichlandsRyan]

that was good either. My point is VHSL and its group of principals /Ad come up with . It seems that VHSL does not care about the schools in SWVA and its fans. They want their money. I have seen attendance at playoff games go down to next to nothing because of the travel distance.

I could have told you the VHSL doesn't give a rats ass about SWVA. Lol.

 

[dringtuoti]

If

that was good either. My point is VHSL and its group of principals /Ad come up with . It seems that VHSL does not care about the schools in SWVA and its fans. They want their money. I have seen attendance at playoff games go down to next to nothing because of the travel distance.

If you don't like it, come up with a plan and send it to your AD. Your AD then needs to send it to the regional representative on the alignment committee and voice any concerns. The new proposed regions were created by the regions themselves and NOT THE VHSL. The proposed regional plan for each classification was sent back to each region (again created by their own regional committees) for discussion and approval. Each regional plan was approved by the schools in that region with very few schools and I mean very few schools within those regions voting against their plan. File your complaint at the proper place, chances are your school was in agreement with the plan (the number of schools across the state that voted against their regions plan was less than 20 for the whole state according to my source with a couple of regions unanimously approving). Schools can appeal their individual placement next Wednesday and then another appeal later when official ADM numbers and placement comes out in the spring. I doubt any appeals concerning the regional changes and placement will be heard until those numbers are official and the only appeals to be heard next Wednesday will be for next year only as many issues may take care of themselves when the official numbers come out. I hope this clarifies some items and gets rid of the notion that the VHSL doesn't care about ... B/c if that was the case then they wouldn't have allowed the regions and classifications to create their own plans.

 

[VaPrepsRod]

How would a SWVA-friendly alignment look?

Disregarding the current proposal, can someone draw up, from scratch, a good proposal for the SWVA?

 

[VolNation85]

Keep in mind folks that this new alignment is for regional play only. Which means that teams can still schedule who ever they would like for non district games. So if a SWVA team wanted to schedule another non-district team from SWVA, guess what, they can. The new alignment does not mean that you have to play the teams in your region during the regular season. It simply means that you could potentially play them in the playoffs. So, Giles, Glenvar, Radford, etc, doesn't have to play Appomattox, Dan River, Martinsville, etc, in the regular season unless both schools agree to do so. @badtobone

 

[RichlandsRyan]

Keep in mind folks that this new alignment is for regional play only. Which means that teams can still schedule who ever they would like for non district games. So if a SWVA team wanted to schedule another non-district team from SWVA, guess what, they can. The new alignment does not mean that you have to play the teams in your region during the regular season. It simply means that you could potentially play them in the playoffs. So, Giles, Glenvar, Radford, etc, doesn't have to play Appomattox, Dan River, Martinsville, etc, in the regular season unless both schools agree to do so. @badtobone

Exactly.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Most all VHSL meetings are dominated by a "select few" members present. Somehow the seize control of the meeting, and get a couple others to support their agenda ahead of time. Then they manage to get what they want "for their school" most of the time. I have talked with folks who were in these meetings.