Two things to add. The first being, that as it's written in the handbook, there is no reference whatsoever to flip the conferences in the second year. Unless there is a vote to add this provision, it can't happen.
And secondly, I think what drove the format change was the thinking that the probability of much larger gates if you get teams that have some existing rivalry, and travel is less lengthy. I'll pick out just two games as an example. And these are kind of extreme and maybe exaggerated examples. I.C.Norcom hosting Dinwiddie last year. The game hardly covered expenses. Not because the game was not a quality matchup, because it was. There was just very little history, and the travel distance, (especially when you figure heading back to Dinwiddie relatively late.
Two quick points on this game. You know IC Norcom wanted revenge from 2013. And the the outcome was anything but predictable last year. And yet, the attendance was abysmal.
Flip this around. Hanover and Dinwiddie. A packed house at previous meetings. If they meet in the playoffs this year, you will be fortunate to get a seat. The gate will be tremendous. They meet in the regular season and one team or the other will be out to avenge an upset loss, should they meet in the playoffs.
You don't have to like the fact that money enters the equation, but it does. More than many realize. Along those lines, the odds are better you will have much higher grossing games with this change in format.
Personally, I don't like it. I liked the old format. A lot. I would not have voted for the change. But, since not only do I not get a vote, nobody really gives a rip about what I think.
As a die hard fan, I'll travel almost anywhere to watch a game. Not just Dinwiddie, but virtually any high school game. But I have been severely chastised by one member of the Dinwiddie community for my intention to miss ONE Dinwiddie game this year. I will be on my first week long vacation since 1973 on the Friday night of the Dinwiddie at Caroline game. I have been threatened with permant disbarment from loyal fan status. All because I won't make the 6 1/2 hour, (each way), trip. I'm also dealing with the additional matter of being promised with immediate divorce if I even consider coming back for the game. So I am stuck in the middle.
I'm going to miss being married!