RdaleBoi08
07-09-2005, 05:10 PM
ARLINGTON -- Why play it? That is the question many 7 on 7 board of directors have to ask themselves after the Arlington Lamar tournament this week. After two furious semifinal games that held the passion of Friday night, an announcement came over the speaker noting that the championship game would start in 15 minutes. Everyone knew it wasn't going to happen. Even before the Wylie and Canton coaches met, both teams were packing up and getting ready to head back to their respective counties. Both teams had hard fought wins as Canton found a way to upset Arlington Martin and two D1 receivers 28-27 and Wylie gritted out a victory in a game that saw both sides get heated. That passion makes 7 on 7 football more than just a conditioning exercise.
At the Grapevine tournament this year, 12 minutes into the game, Tyler John Tyler "forfeited" the championship game to Weatherford. Minutes before, the two fields were packed with fans watching Tyler John Tyler oust Justin Northwest and Weatherford upset North Mesquite. After the two qualifiers were won, everyone but the coaches and parents left. Championship games lack the passion that the semifinals game. They lack the fanfare. Being a champion now is like being a district champion during the regular season. There is no reward and no advantage.
Before the championship game, Little Matt and I talked to a referee who noted to us that even the consolation game was supposed to be played at 7 on 7 tournaments. But that game matters just as little as the championship itself. Risking injury or embarassment by being blown out by a superior team is finding itself less and less appealing. By not playing the championship game, both teams walk out "winners" after winning the only game that matters - the semifinal game.
I propose several ideas to fix the championship game quandry. The first idea would be to completely eliminate it whatsoever. After the semifinal game, call it a night. If the championship game needs to be played, then make it more meaningful. As of right now, there are 32 qualifying tournaments. Bump up the number to 64 and allow only 1 team to qualify at each tournament. Or, better yet - make the game for the right to go into the championship bracket. Only tournament champions can play in the championship bracket. Second place is guaranteed a trip into the consolation bracket.
Although part of the allure of college station is having 64 teams fight in a "March Madness" style shootout where everyone is guaranteed a game on Saturday, the 7 on 7 board needs to recognize there is a championship problem and rectify it. Unlike the UIL, the board of directors can act unilaterally and immediately - not requiring superintendent vote and for a biennium for change. Last year the hot button issue was no-shows and fighting. The board acted swifty to enact policies about that. This year, the board should either make the championship game more prestigeous, or completely eliminate it.
TexasPrepXtra
At the Grapevine tournament this year, 12 minutes into the game, Tyler John Tyler "forfeited" the championship game to Weatherford. Minutes before, the two fields were packed with fans watching Tyler John Tyler oust Justin Northwest and Weatherford upset North Mesquite. After the two qualifiers were won, everyone but the coaches and parents left. Championship games lack the passion that the semifinals game. They lack the fanfare. Being a champion now is like being a district champion during the regular season. There is no reward and no advantage.
Before the championship game, Little Matt and I talked to a referee who noted to us that even the consolation game was supposed to be played at 7 on 7 tournaments. But that game matters just as little as the championship itself. Risking injury or embarassment by being blown out by a superior team is finding itself less and less appealing. By not playing the championship game, both teams walk out "winners" after winning the only game that matters - the semifinal game.
I propose several ideas to fix the championship game quandry. The first idea would be to completely eliminate it whatsoever. After the semifinal game, call it a night. If the championship game needs to be played, then make it more meaningful. As of right now, there are 32 qualifying tournaments. Bump up the number to 64 and allow only 1 team to qualify at each tournament. Or, better yet - make the game for the right to go into the championship bracket. Only tournament champions can play in the championship bracket. Second place is guaranteed a trip into the consolation bracket.
Although part of the allure of college station is having 64 teams fight in a "March Madness" style shootout where everyone is guaranteed a game on Saturday, the 7 on 7 board needs to recognize there is a championship problem and rectify it. Unlike the UIL, the board of directors can act unilaterally and immediately - not requiring superintendent vote and for a biennium for change. Last year the hot button issue was no-shows and fighting. The board acted swifty to enact policies about that. This year, the board should either make the championship game more prestigeous, or completely eliminate it.
TexasPrepXtra