From the Notebook……
With five weeks remaining until the opening kickoff of the 2009 football season it’s easy to get excited. With that excitement comes the quest for interesting facts and observations as August 20th approaches. Here is a small sampling…….
If one were to compare 2009 football schedules with those just three or four years ago it wouldn’t take long to notice one glaring fact……the common practice of having an “open” date is quickly disappearing. Most teams at one time cherished the week off in order to prepare for the homestretch and to heal the wounded. Nearly half (37) of all MPSA teams have elected to play eleven games in 2009. I’ve questioned the risk that teams contending for a state championship take by not opting for an open date. If you’re a squad with decent depth and see the open date as an opportunity to get lazy I can see the advantage, but for those marginal teams with limited numbers it can be a risky move if not a down right season killer.
Here is a breakdown of schools without open dates in 2009:
*There are 80 MPSA schools participating in 11-man football in 2009.
*In AAA classification 9 of the 14 teams have no open date.
*In AA classification 11 of the 28 teams have no open date.
*In A classification 17 of the 38 teams have no open date.
While the “open date” aspect of football appears to be eroding another facet has entered MPSA football, independent competition is on the rise. In 2009 alone 31 games against independent schools will take place. Of those 31 contests, 16 include MPSA single A teams, 7 MPSA AA, and 8 MPSA AAA. Interestingly enough the Immanuel Rams (single A) of Steen, MS have the most matchups against independents with five.
See ya somewhere………….
With five weeks remaining until the opening kickoff of the 2009 football season it’s easy to get excited. With that excitement comes the quest for interesting facts and observations as August 20th approaches. Here is a small sampling…….
If one were to compare 2009 football schedules with those just three or four years ago it wouldn’t take long to notice one glaring fact……the common practice of having an “open” date is quickly disappearing. Most teams at one time cherished the week off in order to prepare for the homestretch and to heal the wounded. Nearly half (37) of all MPSA teams have elected to play eleven games in 2009. I’ve questioned the risk that teams contending for a state championship take by not opting for an open date. If you’re a squad with decent depth and see the open date as an opportunity to get lazy I can see the advantage, but for those marginal teams with limited numbers it can be a risky move if not a down right season killer.
Here is a breakdown of schools without open dates in 2009:
*There are 80 MPSA schools participating in 11-man football in 2009.
*In AAA classification 9 of the 14 teams have no open date.
*In AA classification 11 of the 28 teams have no open date.
*In A classification 17 of the 38 teams have no open date.
While the “open date” aspect of football appears to be eroding another facet has entered MPSA football, independent competition is on the rise. In 2009 alone 31 games against independent schools will take place. Of those 31 contests, 16 include MPSA single A teams, 7 MPSA AA, and 8 MPSA AAA. Interestingly enough the Immanuel Rams (single A) of Steen, MS have the most matchups against independents with five.
See ya somewhere………….
