“Second” season set to begin
First seven games mean nothing to State Playoff standings
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Seven weeks of high school football are complete and yet every team presently posses a 0 – 0 ledger – in the eyes of the State Playoffs. A process called, at best, a “necessary evil,” and at worst, “completely worthless,” the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s District playoffs are scheduled to begin though out the State this Friday.
Each district is assigned four teams. Over the next three weeks those four teams will play in a round robin format; at the end of three weeks the team with the most victories in each district will advance to sectional play, usually. It is not uncommon for two, or sometimes even three teams to end up with a 2-1 district record. When this occurs there is a rather simple tie-breaking system that takes over. The tiebreaker has to do with points scored and points allowed – up to 26 points. For example, in Class 2A, District 4, where Orchard Farm, Wright City, Winfield and Lutheran – SC are assigned, it seems the district is wide open. Entering district play all four teams have identical records of 2-5. Lets say Orchard Farm, Winfield and Lutheran SC all end up with 2-1 district records, and Wright City finishes 0-3. The team that scored the most points would be declared District Champion – sort of.
In an attempt to prevent teams from running the score up, the most points the state will recognize (for tie breaking purposes) is 26. The entire process is less than equitable, as exhibited be above-mentioned district. One of those four teams will advance to the next level with a record of 5-5; possibly 4-6. The process is far better than its predecessor, yet years behind the Illinois State Playoffs format.
Below are the St. Charles City attendance area schools, including their current and overall records:
Class 6A; District 5
Team Overall District
Howell N. 6-1 0-0
DeSmet 5-2 0-0
Howell C. 4-3 0-0
Zumwalt S. 1-6 0-0
Class 4A; District 7
Team Overall District
Duchesne 5-2 0-0
West 5-2 0-0
St. Charles 3-4 0-0
Parkway N. 3-4 0-0 Class 2A; District 4
Team Overall District
Luth. SC 2-5 0-0
Wright C. 2-5 0-0
Winfield 2-5 0-0
Orchard F. 2-5 0-0
ttt
