High School Split Playoffs..No More

[RiverRanchMan]

Acadiana HS seems to do just fine. Multiple state football championships. On the flip side, STM has never won a state championship. There are a lot more factors than just public/private.

Acadiana High has benefited from "Minority-Majority", which allows students to attend schools outside their zoned school districts if their zoned school is over 50% minority. Carencro was notorious for "recruiting" kids during Mac Barousse's tenure. Northside High has trouble keeping good football players because of this. Neville high in Monroe gets kids from Wossman & Carroll. If you think some public schools don't recruit or also have an advantage, you're fooling yourself. Lewis Cook's "Metro-Rural" proposal should have recieved more consideration because the advantage/disadvantage discussion is more a Metro school issue than a Private school issue.

[RiverRanchMan]

This happened after the Evangels weren't allowed to play in 5A or 4A any longer and then them and John Curtis were forced to play down. I think it was a few bad apples. This is were most of the ____ hit the fan. Small public schools were fine (for the most part) with the way things were until John Curtis, Evangel and Calvery came along. Now no one wants to play them. In my opinion let them play 5A if they want, tweek and inforce the rules like they do here in Texas. They need to find a way to make everyone play by the same rules not just "level the playing field"

In the past, John Curtis didn't play in a classification they can't dominate. Until the heat was really turned up on them, John Curtis only played in the top class last year. If I am not mistaken, Texas forces all private schools to play in the highest classification.

[Duckster]

If you follow these continuous minor and major rule and structural changes every LHSAA meeting, you come away with the feeling of just how amazingly short sighted everyone involved in this is. They throw out 10 types of almost the same proposals and there is no general scope or plan that the state is trying to move towards. If one plan just happens to tickle their fancy, they vote for it. And when people submit proposals to go in, they get modified by the LHSAA to be different than the original scope. They make so many changes every year just depending on whatever. Oh, let's restrict this or allow this. Next year it's a modification to that or reversal. Just constant tinkering with no overall plan.

That's because the principals are spending other people's money. There's no financial consequence to these government employees individually, who most likely have little business experience, for making these short sighted decisions.

[CajunJack55]

John Curtis will not play in a classification they can't dominate. Until the heat was really turned up on them, John Curtis only played up in class last year. If I am not mistaken, Texas forces all private schools to play in the highest classification.

Comparing private schools in Louisiana and Texas is apples/oranges. It's a totally different beast here. But zones are very strictly enforced here for public schools and they all play by the same rules for the most part.

[RiverRanchMan]

Comparing private schools in Louisiana and Texas is apples/oranges. It's a totally different beast here. But zones are very strictly enforced here for public schools and they all play by the same rules for the most part.

I am not comparing them. I was just pointing out how Texas levels the playing field. Louisiana has far more private school (per capita) than Texas. The reason for this is another story. Regardless, the public schools are far better in Texas than Louisiana and they don’t have to contend so much with losing talent to private schools.

[Duggie35]

Can someone please tell me why a split is such a bad idea? Is it so wrong to have a level playing field for the schools that can't afford to pay the best coaches or have the best facilities to develop players? Evangel is a perfect example. The school didn't exist and two, three years later they're winning state championships. I know coaching is a big reason why but it takes athletes too. How can a public school compete with that? Answer- They can't! Not unless they have boosters to pay for great coaches and facilities. Most small schools don't have the resources to do that. Anyway, I would like to hear the downside of a split format. Thanks.

Mitch,

I'm sure you realize that in the real world, not everything in life is fair and we are not all equal due to various reasons. If that were true, I'd certainly be making more money and be living a far different life style.

Education is about getting students prepared for life, not athletics. Many lessons (probably more) can be taught from losses as opposed to winning IF handled correctly. In the real world, not everyone gets a trophy or is entitled to one!

FYI, my kids attended both public and private schools so I've seen both sides of the education systems in this State.

[cjr3888]

Acadiana HS seems to do just fine. Multiple state football championships. On the flip side, STM has never won a state championship. There are a lot more factors than just public/private.

The public / private schools in the upper classifications are on a more level playing field than the lower classes. Forcing Evangel, JC, & Calvary to play in 2A is where the playing field is one sided.

Now that they've split other sports (without actually thinking it through), they really need to drop to 4 classifications. Also need to drop playoff teams to 16 in all classes. With the new changes to the baseball playoffs, round 1 would be 1 game. Then they could do round 2 as a 3 game series with the next 2 rounds at the state tournament.

[Cajun90]

Just go to a promotion/relegation concept like what is used in soccer. Problem solved for all involved. Forget about size of the school or public/private. Best teams go to highest division while weaker teams get moved down.

[Mitch]

Thanks for the explanation. IMO, that sounds like a great idea! I wonder if an idea similar to that was brought up by anyone? Anyway, sounds like you put a lot of thought into it. Thanks again for your response.

[Mitch]

Mitch,

I'm sure you realize that in the real world, not everything in life is fair and we are not all equal due to various reasons. If that were true, I'd certainly be making more money and be living a far different life style.

Education is about getting students prepared for life, not athletics. Many lessons (probably more) can be taught from losses as opposed to winning IF handled correctly. In the real world, not everyone gets a trophy or is entitled to one!

FYI, my kids attended both public and private schools so I've seen both sides of the education systems in this State.

I understand where you're coming from, I do. You think half the athletes, maybe even more than that, go to these private schools for the great education they provide? LOL! I don't think so! The go for the opportunity to win championships and play at the next level. Lets be real here and not simply state its a better academic environment that lures these stand-out athletes to these powerhouse programs. With all due respect, its the same song and dance that for years has been used to justify having multiple, legitimate college football players on one team. But lets not forget, they're here for the education! I'm sorry I just don't buy it. I appreciate your response and hope one day we can have a system that benefits us all.

[barchief]

Acadiana HS seems to do just fine. Multiple state football championships. On the flip side, STM has never won a state championship. There are a lot more factors than just public/private.

EXACTLY... over the past 25 years, TWENTY 5A state championships have been won by public schools! TWENTY!!!

Hahnville, Acadiana, Destrehan, West Monroe, etc... you think that any of these schools are afraid to play Curtis or Evangel?

[CajunRed]

EXACTLY... over the past 25 years, TWENTY 5A state championships have been won by public schools! TWENTY!!!

Hahnville, Acadiana, Destrehan, West Monroe, etc... you think that any of these schools are afraid to play Curtis or Evangel?

Exactly.