Readers tackle playoff issue from both sides

In these times of divisiveness and partisanship, it doesn't feel politically correct to look at two sides of an issue and actually agree that each view holds its share of good points.

So call me politically incorrect -- from both sides of the aisle.

I launched a discussion here several weeks ago, opining in favor of the IHSA's expanded state football playoffs. Adopted in 2001, the new format broadened the field from six classes and 192 teams to the current eight-class system that invites 256 teams.

I stomped on my soapbox in favor of the expanded setup because it assures nearly all teams with a 6-3 record get into the post-season and opens the door for numerous teams with a 5-4 record. The other side countered that adding 64 more teams to the mix dilutes the entire playoff system.

That's true to a degree, but in numbers only. Besides, the excitement that it generates for all those "on the bubble" schools statewide is well worth the trade-off. Beyond the additional 64 that qualified, Week 9 featured a playoff atmosphere for dozens more schools that would have simply been playing out the season under the old system.

Football dad Mike Landreth of Batavia agreed, writing:

"You hit this one right on the head! I too, like you, was against the expanded playoff field. I felt as though if you didn't win conference, then you didn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

"I was completely wrong. The regular season absolutely flies by. And it seems as though four years of high school fly by even faster. The expanded field gives these kids one more shot -- one more opportunity to play the game that most will never play again. I guarantee you that any playoff experience will create a life long memory for all these kids."

Thanks, Mike. It's not often we media types hear from somebody who's in agreement. Usually, it's because they have a bone to pick with you.

Which brings me to my old friend, a fellow Batavia alum and longtime Tri-Cities football afficionado, Bill Tait.

Bill sits on the other side of the fence with a sizable but shrinking crowd. One of his gripes is that the expanded format requires a five-week playoff schedule that works backward from Thanksgiving (championship weekend).

That means teams open practice on Aug. 8 -- way too early if you ask me. I'll let Bill take it from here. He writes:

"Jeff, I'm afraid I must disagree with your position on expanded playoffs. Everyone loses one week off their summer vacation. This includes all freshman and sophomore football players at every school that plays football. It also includes the varsity players from 0-9, 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5, some of the 5-4 and all the 6-3, 7-2, 8-1 and 9-0 squads.

"All of this so a few more teams can get into the playoffs. Then you end up with a 5-4 team playing at a 9-0 team -- frequently a huge mismatch. As a coach, I would rather end up with a winning record (5-4) and possibly end the last game with a win, rather than end up .500 with possibly a humiliating loss to finish the season. It would be a rallying point for next season -- 'We must go 6-3 to ensure we get in.' "

Excellent points. But I countered Bill's argument using West Aurora as an example. West entered Week 9 with a 4-4 record and a playoff berth within its grasp. But a narrow defeat to Glenbard North -- which was also 4-4 at the time -- dashed those dreams.

Under the old format, it would have been a meaningless game. It was anything but. Glenbard North has since gone on to reach the Class 8A quarterfinals. West came this close to being that team. It would have provided a huge boost to the program. But the experience will also serve to energize and motivate next year. The expanded format gives teams like West and Glenbard North a chance.

Bill also noted that no 5-4 team has gone on to win a title or even play in the championship game, for that matter. He's correct. In fact, only two teams -- out of the 96 that have played in the title game since 2001 -- ended with more than 2 losses: Stevenson (Class 8A) in 2001 and Breese Mater Dei (4A) in 2006. Both teams finished 11-3.

Otherwise, we're talking 12-2, 13-1 and 14-0 for all the rest of those teams that competed in the championship game.

But allowing 5-4 teams isn't so much about looking for the next Cinderella. The best teams almost always win out. Instead, it's a philosophy of "the more, the merrier." It spreads the excitement to a wider audience of participants and spectators alike, without having an adverse effect.

Thanks for your input, Mike and Bill. The check is in the mail. I think.