25-2A coaches protesting UIL playoff decision
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 17 2009 05:20 AM
By Nick Talbot
Killeen Daily HeraldIf a recent proposal goes through, roughly 1,000 more players' football seasons could end earlier next season.
Back in October, the University Interscholastic League announced the Class 2A superintendents voted 121 to 75 to divide the classification into two divisions based on enrollment starting with the 2010-12 realignment that will be released in February.
However, some coaches and superintendents, including those from Salado and Florence in 25-2A, are protesting the move.
The biggest problem coaches and administrators have with the proposal, as its currently laid out, is it will cut the number of playoff teams per 2A district from three to two.
"Our superintendents drafted a letter to the UIL and asked them to take three teams in the playoffs instead of two. This was pretty consistent with several others in the state that are doing the same," said Salado athletic director and head football coach Jeff Cheatham.
Under the UIL's proposed plan, the 205 schools currently playing football in 2A will be divided into two divisions with 16 districts. Division I will consist of the largest schools in the classification, while Division II will contain the bottom half with smaller enrollments. For football, the two top teams in each district will advance to the playoffs, while other sports will stay at three.
If the UIL does not increase the number playoff teams and just divides the divisions into 16 districts, 29 fewer teams will make the playoffs in 2010 than in 2009 (from 93 this past season to 64). Currently, 2A enrollment numbers range from 200 at the lowest end to 429 at the high end.
"They have not increased the number of districts," said Florence athletic director and football coach Paul Smith. "… but they are going to cut the number of playoff teams from three to two. Now you are cutting about 900 to 1,000 kids out of the playoffs."
The plan approved for Class 2A is similar to one approved previously by Class A superintendents.
Last year, like classes 3A through 5A, 2A had split playoff divisions within each district. However, the 4A and 5A classes took four playoff teams.
Smith and Cheatham both said they like the idea of splitting 2A into two divisions, but not in the format the UIL has proposed.
"I do like the idea of having a split conference because it makes it more equitable … they just need to get the number of playoff teams right," Smith said.
Smith believes the plan would be better if they either increased the number of playoff teams to three or had 32 districts in each division. He said he would even consider increasing the number of playoff teams to four, just like 4A and 5A has done in the last few years.
"That is the thing," Smith said. "The UIL is trying to say we will be kept to five or six team districts," Smith said. "Well, that is not realistic because they have not changed the number of districts. There are not five or six team districts now."
If the UIL even takes the protest under consideration, a decision on the matter could take until February – when the UIL realigns the districts – leaving some 2A coaches guessing as to what will happen.
"I have not been informed as if the UIL would even act on it, it was just a matter of consideration," Cheatham said.
"... As far as I know, no actions have been brought about."
Smith said the move could even set back his efforts to rebuild the football program at Florence.
"I am trying to build a program, turn it around and get it going," Smith said. "If there is a chance they take four teams in seven or an eight team district I can get us to that point a lot quicker than the top-two.
"It gives kids the incentive to work. They can say 'well, coach is busting our butt, but man we made the playoffs this year. Let's work a little harder.' I think it is better for the kids."
"It gives them a goal they can attain."
Both Cheatham and Smith said the reason they are now objecting to the UIL proposal is because it is detrimental to the players.
"The bottom line is there may be a few teams that go up or down (in the realignment)
… so you are roughly going to have the same number of teams," Smith said. "How do you justify (cutting the playoff teams)? It just does not make good sense."
Contact Nick Talbot at
ntalbot@kdhnews.com or at (254) 501-7569.