HS football notes: Ready for 72 playoff teams?
Nov. 1—A deeper dive into the recent proposal that may yield significant changes to next season's high school football schedule:
The baseline changes include a statewide scheduling model in which schools would play in their own playoff divisions (based on enrollment and other factors), not traditional conferences. There would be an earlier start date to the season, more playoff teams, an earlier start and end to the playoffs and a pending conversation on whether to keep Thanksgiving football.
The suggested earlier start date of the Sept. 6-7 weekend and a nine-game regular season schedule would end the regular season on the weekend of Nov. 1-2. The playoffs would begin the following weekend.
The proposal calls for 12 teams to qualify in six smaller divisions, meaning the current number of playoff teams (48) would swell to 72. The top four teams in each division would earn a first-round playoff bye (the weekend of Nov. 7-8), followed by quarterfinals, semifinals and the championships on Thanksgiving weekend.
Earlier this week, The Day reported details of the proposal, which would expand the number of factors used to classify schools in their respective divisions.
"It is much easier to compare rankings in a class and then set a schedule," the proposal read. "Empirical data such as records, playoff appearances, but also squad size and starters/returning lettermen have become an important source of information as you compare teams. No longer would teams, because they play in a certain league, be forced to have to play non‐competitive games for the sake of filling out a league schedule."
Representatives from each league would be responsible for sharing information — graduation numbers, transfers, injuries, coaching changes — about each program to help find the appropriate division.
If this proposal is adopted, there would be no more traditional league games. All would be played in a school's like-sized, like-minded division. If Thanksgiving Day games are eliminated, the proposal suggested moving traditional rivalry games to Columbus Day weekend.
Ledyard High School assistant principal/athletic director Jim Buonocore and Southern Connecticut Conference Commissioner Al Carbone, who work in the Alliance, reiterated this week that these are merely suggestions at the moment and fodder for productive conversations.
'The best middle linebacker in the state'
Windham assistant coach Francisco Cruz, who pinch hit for head coach Randall Prose (illness) last week, did not mince words about his feelings on the topic of junior middle linebacker Malachi Fowler.
"Mally's no secret," Cruz said. "He put his stamp on this game. He's the best middle linebacker in the state of Connecticut."
Fowler, in addition to leading the Whips in tackles, intercepted a pass in the second half that led to a crucial score in Windham's 20-13 win over previously unbeaten Stonington.
Playoff picture
Windham played its way into the playoff picture last week (currently No. 1 in Class SS), while East Lyme hurt its chances in Class M.
Fitch moved to No. 5 in Class MM and is likely in line for a quarterfinal home game if the Falcons defeat Woodstock, East Lyme and Ledyard. East Lyme fell to No. 10 in Class M and would need to finish 7-3 (and get help) to qualify.
Windham has an excellent chance to qualify in Class SS. Two teams in contention have four losses already and two others have three. So the Whips have room for error.
The biggest game in the region this weekend (and among the biggest in the state) is Griswold/Wheeler at Stonington. Both teams have one loss in a competitive Class S. The loser of the game isn't eliminated, but would complicate its path.
This and that
Watertown, Hamden, Glastonbury and the Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic tri-op all have four losses (3-4 records) but would qualify for the playoffs if they began today. ... Killingly senior Soren Rief's 431 rushing yards last week is the most by an ECC player since Woodstock Academy's Kameron Janice ran for 529 against Quinebaug Valley on Oct. 27, 2017. The only other ECC player to eclipse Rief's 431 yards is Montville's Jeremiah Crowley, who ran for 526 against Stonington on Sept. 27, 2013.
This Week's Schedule
Thursday's Games
Windham at New London, 6 p.m.
Ledyard at Killingly, 6:30 p.m.
Friday's Games
Woodstock at Fitch, 6 p.m.
Waterford at Weaver, 6 p.m.
Plainfield at Montville, 6 p.m.
Griswold/Wheeler at Stonington, 6:30 p.m.
Bacon Academy at NFA, 6:30 p.m.
Valley/Old Lyme at SMSA co-op, 6:30 p.m.
East Lyme at Guilford, 7 p.m.
Saturday's Game
Thames River at Prince Tech/Innovation, noon
