Proposed VHSL 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

 

[CRF4Dan]

I would like to know more about the playoff structure and if the number of teams that currently get in remain that way or if there is a move to decrease the number of teams that make the playoffs.

I also find it interesting that Patrick Henry(Ashland) and Atlee have appealed to move to the "Central" region. Patrick Henry currently plays in 5A North as opposed to the South with their other regional counterparts and Atlee had played in the South in 2013 and 2014 but elected to move to the North for 2015 and 2016 & now they want to come back with their regional counterparts.

 

[VaPrepsRod]

My GUESS regarding the postseason would be that the top eight from each region make the playoffs and they play down until they send one representative to the state playoffs where the final four will play to determine a state champion.

IF that is the case, congratulations to the 6A Region 2 programs!

 

[dringtuoti]

It's my understanding & I may be wrong but the playoff format for football will remain basically the same as many regions had already went to sub-regions. In all other sports, each region will decide how to get its representative to the state-semis or quarters depending on the sport based on whatever point system they adopt and if they have all-in tournaments, number of teams etc. As you can see, some of the schools have decided to be in larger groupings based on geography making it much more difficult for them 17 teams (6a REGION 3) vs. a region with 8 teams (6a REGION 2) - not a single classification has the same number of teams in each of its regions.
I, unlike some, applaud the VHSL for allowing regions to determine what is best for themselves and if the population of 6A Region 3 is o.k. with it than why should I complain.

 

[TIDEPRIDE01]

1. 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

 

[GilliamRatings]

Probably the only sport it decreases travel in (and then only by a little bit) is football; it doesn't make travel better as now you have potentially farther first round trips than you did in the conference set up. Other than football all sports will still be all in (though I'm hearing some disturbing things track--only qualifying for regionals based on times, making the racing part of track irrelevant for most of the season).

Despite them not understanding why this system is better than what we have now, I think it will be a lot better. They just need to come up with ways kids can qualify to advance into regionals in track and swimming, and I'd be much happier with this proposed set up.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

My GUESS regarding the postseason would be that the top eight from each region make the playoffs and they play down until they send one representative to the state playoffs where the final four will play to determine a state champion.

IF that is the case, congratulations to the 6A Region 2 programs!

I assume you say this because only 8 teams?

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I wonder if this realignment will be the catalysis that leads to a less rigid scheduling of district football games?

On a related topic:
I realize this is premature and purely speculative, but with the impending change in top leadership of the VHSL, could we be on the threshold of a shift in autonomous encouragement from Charlottesville?