Another Critic of the UIL Football Playoff System in Texas

Several years ago, I wrote on this blog about being frustrated with the Texas high school football playoff system. It turns out that I'm not alone. My former little league baseball coach and local sports writer, for the Athens Daily Review in Athens, Texas, Benny Rogers, has his own bone to pick with the system & the University Interscholastic League. My complaint was more personal - based on the childhood experience of seeing my heroes get so close and to fall short - because the rules then only allowed 1 representative from the district to advance into the playoffs. Benny was one of my heroes and he experienced the frustration of getting so close to achieving the goal of reaching the playoffs, but to be denied by the system. He's also covered sports practically every year since his graduation from Malakoff High School in 1977. His complaint is more principled and less personal than my own. Here's the story in its entirity:

THE ROGERS REPORT: Playoff format still needs fixing

By Benny Rogers Sports Editor

If you’ve checked in with me from time to time through the years, you no doubt know I am not a fan of the current playoff format the University Interscholastic League uses for football. Four playoff teams from each district in the top two classifications (there are three from the districts in the lower ones) are too many. I’ve always thought that, always will and don’t apologize for it.

But the watered-down playoff format doesn’t stop there. Oh, goodness no. Here in the Lone Star State, where we believe high school football is the best played anywhere (and it is), we crown two state champions in each classification. Yes, that’s 12 state champions in football each year, if you’re keeping score.

When a second playoff team from each district was added over 20 years ago, it made sense. There were some really good teams being left behind come playoff time and just one state champion from each classification was being crowned.

But now with the way things are, it’s gotten so out of whack that we have schools losing games on purpose to affect which playoff bracket in which they’ll compete because of the perceived strength of another school. Folks, something is terribly, terribly wrong when that happens and, to me, goes against the values athletics is supposed to help teach the young men (and women) who participate in high school football.

Surely, at some point before the UIL allows every school in each district to make the playoffs, someone will see the need to improve the system. But don’t hold your breath, not as long as there’s a dollar to be made.

The solution is really quite simple.

Basketball, baseball and softball have it right, where three teams from each district make the playoffs. The district champion is rewarded with a first-round bye and one state champion in each classification is crowned.

That makes absolute sense, which is another reason not to expect the UIL to ever use it where football is concerned.

Hey, I’m all for more kids getting to experience the playoffs, which is the argument the UIL makes to shield itself from dollar signs. But I suggest to you the experience is far more rewarding if it has truly been earned and not as a result of circumstance.

OK, I’ve said all that again for the umpteenth time. For now, I feel better.

I have to say it feels good not to be alone in the same sentiment. Thanks, Benny.