If The Playoffs Started Today 3A/4A
- Thread starter encflatlander
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You left out playing Andrews, but you make a good point. And scheduling Lexington is a must in Thomasville because of the rivalry and tradition. Most people thought Lexington was on the way up.
I truly believe that most of Thomasville’s previous coaches would have been 8-2 each of the last two years. And, with a brand new coach coming in this year, I also understand being conservative on scheduling.
I do, however, stand by my statement about the weakness of Thomasville’s conference.
I should have specified that I was only talking about the wins Thomasville had. Yes, playing Andrews helps the RPI in the OWP, as they are 7-1 and should finish 9-1. However, Andrews was the only good team OOC this year that Thomasville played. Everyone else was down. Western Guilford should also be swapped for someone better if possible.
I agree that the conference top to bottom is not good. Each conference, however has a bottom feeder or two. There's just no way around that as someone has to lose. Hopefully for Thomasville, West Davidson continues to improve and PG continues to win the 7 - 8 games that they have in most recent years.
Like you said, Lexington looked like they were on the rise based on last few years being at least .500+ during the regular season. Cummings has a rough year last year, but the previous four years before that they had 8+ win seasons. Same with North Moore, last year was rough but before that they were 7-6, 10-3, 13-1, 10-2.
Not sure the best way to ensure a decent OOC schedule to boost RPI as we never know how good teams are going to be in the next few years.
I agree completely. That’s why I believe the opponent’s opponent factor should be deleted from the formula. Hard enough to predict the strength of your opponent.
I’m not one of those fans who thinks my team should win a state championship every year. And no system is foolproof. But I do believe that the path to the championship plays a huge role in who wins, or how far a team advances. And that home field advantage is big in the playoffs.
Wonder what it might show to make a play off bracket using each of the rpi values for three bracket total. See how the rpi values compares with the actual playoff bracket. Using the current formula would the accuracy be 40,40,20 for the three? I oowp more a measure of conference strength or and individual teams strength.
If form holds it looks like Otis and the West Craven faithful will get a revenge matchup in Vanceboro against the Reidsville Rams in a few weeks.
We can’t take ED lightly.If form holds it looks like Otis and the West Craven faithful will get a revenge matchup in Vanceboro against the Reidsville Rams in a few weeks.
Indeed. ED can make it hard to perform well
2026 NCHSAA Football Playoff Projections: 1A–8A | NNS
Explore NNS's 2026 NCHSAA football playoff projections for all eight classes, including predicted records, East and West seeds, first-round matchups and byes.
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This is interesting as it has projections based off of how they think the remaining two weeks will go and how that would reflect on RPI.
This has Maiden playing Newton Conover 2 weeks in a row!2026 NCHSAA Football Playoff Projections: 1A–8A | NNS
Explore NNS's 2026 NCHSAA football playoff projections for all eight classes, including predicted records, East and West seeds, first-round matchups and byes.
This is interesting as it has projections based off of how they think the remaining two weeks will go and how that would reflect on RPI.
UGH!!!
I'll try to explain why OOWP is needed and pulls in the strength of schedule argument.
If we have two teams that are 10-0 (Team A and Team B) but those two teams have played two very different schedules, how do we know which team is better? We look at their opponents. Lets say team A has played and beat teams that are all 9-1 but Team B, who is also 10-0, has played teams that are 0-10. It would be safe to assume that Team A is better than Team B, based on their opponents. Team A has played the tougher schedule. Teams need to be rewarded for playing good teams, and good teams are not only their record but also how good their opponents are...
So when Thomasville plays Team A and beats them, they are going to be rewarded in the OOWP column as Team A has played a tough schedule. When Thomasville plays Team B, the OOWP is going to go down as Team B has only beaten bad teams. Not all undefeated teams (or "good" teams) are created equal and that is why OOWP is important.
It didn't but we did win it all the very next year, so its all good. I also think you could have interpreted what he said wrong, cause it looks like the rams could be the 5 seed and West Craven the 4 seed.
Yeah a week ago it had us playing East Gaston back to back weeks and we didn’t want that either. Just not fun, especially for them.
I’ve always understood the argument for it. I just disagree. Your opponents’ winning percentage is enough in my mind. Maybe, somewhere out there, AD’s and coaches are plotting out their schedule based on all these factors. But I seriously doubt it Is anywhere near the norm. I just feel like including OOWP is doubly rewarding or penalizing teams for the same thing.
Yeah, East Duplin fans would just have to wait another week to host the winner of West Craven vs Reidsville. But a little "beware what you wish for" humility might be in order.
It's gonna be really close between Burns and Mt Pleasant for that 4 & 5 seed.
All good brother. Be whatever it isYeah, East Duplin fans would just have to wait another week to host the winner of West Craven vs Reidsville. But a little "beware what you wish for" humility might be in order.
What was that running backs name that helped you beat Reidsville that year? Where is he now?
What I remember that stands out from that game was a blocked field goal and the Reidsville guy picked it up and just stood there like the play was over. An ED kid run up and took the ball away from him and ran for a TD.
That player ended up being Dionte Neal. That running back from Ed was a beast, that had at least 3 good running backs.
Dionte more than made up for that mistake.
His name is Avery Gabby. He got a scholarship to play football and run track at Barton. Ended up coming home in his first year don't know the reason. Hes around the area somewhere now. Some of the others are still playing in college. One is the starting TE for wingate. I think 4 are still playing at different schools.
I saw Harrison the other day playing for Oregon. He even looked big on that collage field. Neal was one of the Quickest players I have ever seen.
The 5 and 6 Seed in the West is up for grabs and will come down to a small % of gain or loss between SD and EC. EC could be 3-7 with two pretty good games left to go.2026 NCHSAA Football Playoff Projections: 1A–8A | NNS
Explore NNS's 2026 NCHSAA football playoff projections for all eight classes, including predicted records, East and West seeds, first-round matchups and byes.
This is interesting as it has projections based off of how they think the remaining two weeks will go and how that would reflect on RPI.
Keep in mind, this is same group that picked South Lenoir "by multiple touchdowns" over Pender last week (loss 60-14), had Midway "finding a way to win" in the game with Rosewood (found a way to winning 56-21), and even better South Lenoir beating Clinton two weeks ago (Clinton won 37-6). Many, many others that have given be a chuckle all year.
You want a definition of a "homer" podcast? Check it out. They definitely play up to their coverage area which is one of the weakest areas in the state for high school football with Kinston being the exception.
You want a definition of a "homer" podcast? Check it out. They definitely play up to their coverage area which is one of the weakest areas in the state for high school football with Kinston being the exception.
