To schedule up or to schedule to win,,,,,

[dragonsfan24]

I don't think you know how the point system works. If the two losses were taken off and two wins were added, your point total will go up. For the umpteenth time, there is no strength of schedule in the Harbin Rankings. A loss is worth nothing!

Ok let me reword my statement and question...

Is South Point a case where "scheduling to win" is coming back to bite them in the end even though they won 7 or 8 games, but scheduled a bunch of teams that are going to finish with 2 wins or less, thus robbing them of secondary points.

I included the theoretical "what if..." statement not to bring up conversations of "do you even know how this works" but in hopes of starting a conversation along the lines of "that's an interesting probability to think about given the teams in the region."

But alas, you decided to bump your resume for the "Mr. Richard Head Award" instead.

[Crab's Brother]

I don't think you know how the point system works. If the two losses were taken off and two wins were added, your point total will go up. For the umpteenth time, there is no strength of schedule in the Harbin Rankings. A loss is worth nothing!

Ok let me reword my statement and question...

Is South Point a case where "scheduling to win" is coming back to bite them in the end even though they won 7 or 8 games, but scheduled a bunch of teams that are going to finish with 2 wins or less, thus robbing them of secondary points.

I included the theoretical "what if..." statement not to bring up conversations of "do you even know how this works" but in hopes of starting a conversation along the lines of "that's an interesting probability to think about given the teams in the region."

But alas, you decided to bump your resume for the "Mr. Richard Head Award" instead.

First, you can think I'm being a "Richard" all you want. I don't care. You asked question asking for an opinion on a situation that would be cut and dry. You asked if Fairland would be in a situation where they would be struggling to get in if they took 2 losses off their schedule and replaced them with 2 wins. Fairland has clinched even with those losses so of course they would still be in with 2 extra wins. Say what you want but your statement makes it look like you don't have an idea how the points work. If that makes me a Richard, then I'm fine with it.

[vladimir]

Dragon: Scheduling the teams Fairland did early in the year, even though they lost, they gained the experience thus preparing them for the playoffs. BTW, Congrats on making it this year!! If Fairland scheduled lets say: McDermott Northwest, Ironton St. Joe, and Franklin Furnace Green, and wins by 40-points, even though they would have more points they wouldn't have gained any experience playing those type of teams. So to answer your question, in the case of South Point, if there are teams that end up with 2-wins or less, then not only are you not gaining any experience, but you'll be struggling to making it into the playoffs. You are going to have a nice record but that's about it. In the case a team does make it in playing a weak schedule, it's been my experience, they will usually get beat in the 1st round of the playoffs.

You want to look for teams that have the ability to beat you in you non-conference schedule, so you gain experience and iron out any problem areas that only good teams will expose. Also you'll get those 2-level points coming in throughout the season, if you win. As the OVC has enough teams that are subpar to give your team a breather type game to heal everyone up before you get into the playoffs, I think Fairland is on the right track. Fairland non-conference schedule includes: Portsmouth West, Meigs, Gallia, Athens, and Wheelersburg, so those are all "good" programs that will prepare you for the post season. Also, watch scheduling two teams from the same conference (E.g., West and Wheelersburg) because they have to play each other. However, in this case it's fine as both are programs that will usually win 7 games or more during the season.

[fortdawg]

I wouldn't be as afraid to play teams that play each other later. You are guaranteed points in that game (if you beat them both). This happens in the TVC Hocking and they put teams in every year---possibly 4 this year.

[wemufans]

I applaud South Point's AD and football coach for a great schedule this year. This is the first year in over 22 years that South Point can even be mentioned as playing for a play off spot in the last game of the season. Granted we may not get in but to bring back the will to want to play and finish a season has been exceptional. In the past few years we have finished the season with barely enough kids to even field a team and it wasn't a competitive team by season's end at all. Next years schedule is a much harder but we still have some games with probably some cupcake wins as well. Look at Coal Grove this year. Their AD scheduled them up and they will be sitting at home due to not winning the tough games. It is all a crap shoot to schedule years in advance and to ensure that the same kids who have had success in the younger years will even still be playing at your school.

I myself would not want to be and AD. You can either look like a genius or and idiot, and most of it is not under your control.

Our AD did the right thing by scheduling winnable games and has gotten kids out to play who otherwise wouldn't. I think even more kids will come out next year as well.And if we do make it to the playoffs win or lose we at least made it!

[vladimir]

^ When you are trying to build a program, and get kids interested in coming out for the team then "Yes," schedule games you can win. If after 4-years and you have a good program built and if you are still scheduling games you know you can win instead of challenging yourself, then that's a problem. You have to ask yourself, "Are you padding your stats as a coach, or are you doing what it takes to move the program into the right direction as a team that can win it's league and make a deep run in the post season?"