Nick Talbot: Tiebreaker systems put coaches in awkward spots Posted On: Sunday, Nov. 1 2009 05:02 AM Florence coach Paul Smith once said to me he just wants to have more points on the scoreboard than the other team.

It did not matter what the actual score was. It could be 50-0 or 50-49.

And that is all well and fine, but it won't get you to the playoffs. Not anymore.

For many teams just winning a game is not enough.

With less than a minute remaining Friday, Gatesville had the ball and a 23-21 lead over West. All they had to do to ensure victory was take a couple of kneel-downs.

Gatesville kneeled the ball once.

Instead of a second knee, Jake Truss faked going down and then threw out to the flat, where a wide open Cody Navarro was waiting for the pass.

The throw was little off target, but it made the Hornets intentions known. They were not satisfied with just winning. They had to do more.

West's displeasure with the move turned into two personal foul calls and made it even easier for the Hornets. But was it unsportsmanlike to run up the score like that?

No, of course not.

As it turned out Gatesville needed to win by 10 points to wrap up a playoff spot a week early. It was not a must for them, but a want.

The Hornets, who won the state title in 2000, have not been to the playoffs since 2002.

Last season, they missed the playoffs after losing the last three games of the season to Glen Rose, West and China Spring. And after a 42-7 drumming by Glen Rose last week, it looked like the Hornets might be in danger of doing it again.

That was what made going for the 10 points so crucial to this team. They had been beaten down the last seven years and were willing to do anything to get out of that funk.

Even faking the victory formation.

Having to run up the score is a growing trend as the playoffs near. In almost every district across Texas, the coaches have agreed to a point system as tiebreakers for the playoffs. Most are capped at 10 to 14 points to prevent teams from running up the score. So, if you win by 21, you only get a +14.

As it stood, West, China Spring and Gatesville were vying for two playoffs sports. Someone has to leave the dance. West had already defeated China Spring by four points.

That left Gatesville needing to win by 10 to maximize its cap when it faced the Cougars next week. So, they went for it, got it and secured a playoff spot.

Gatesville is not the only team facing a point scenario either.

With Rogers' victory over Academy on Friday, Salado not only has to defeat Rogers but it must win by four points. Winning by one, two or even three simply is not good.

So, say the game is tied at 14-14 with three seconds left in the fourth quarter and Salado has the ball on the 3-yard line. All the Eagles have to do is make a chip shot to win the game.

Too bad.

They have to go for the TD, because those three points are meaningless.

Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis' motto, "Just win, baby" is as outdated as the man himself, not to mention overly cliche.

Just winning does not matter anymore. And that is why I believe these point systems push the bounds of sportsmanship.

Let's not fool ourselves, though.

We all know why they are in place, though. Every Texas fan wishes the Big 12 had one last season instead of going by the Bowl Championship Series rankings. Maybe then Texas could have played for the title.

Something has to be in place in the event of a three-way tie. Unlike other sports, football teams are not going to suit up for another game.

The football season in Texas is long enough as it is, with the teams that win a 4A or 5A state title playing a whopping NFL-like 16 games.

And head-to-head tie breakers can only get you so far. So, with few other options, I bid you goodbye sportsmanship.

It was nice knowing you, but we have the playoffs at stake here.

Contact Nick Talbot at ntalbot@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7569.