Your review and analysis of the ‘point’ system is quite accurate and informative. For those who are unaware of how the ‘wins’ and ‘bonus’ points are applied I am sure it is helpful. However, as I pointed out the point system in this case, i.e. determining home field advantage between Southern and Line Mountain, has a flaw in as much as Southern has played not only AA and AAA teams, but teams with State rankings and playoff potential in their respective classifications. The two loses Southern experienced were to Danville and Lewisburg…two teams that have the potential of playing in Hershey. Even so, because of the ‘difficulty’ of the schedule and the relative success of those teams Southern played it has made up for its two losses to Line Mountain’s one (which was to Southern). So, while the points determine which teams get into the playoffs, when it comes to seeding/home field advantage, consideration should be given to ‘head to head’ competition if the point spread between the two teams is within a statistically significant differential…which was my point.

That’s where the bonus points come into play. At the conclusion of the regular season, bonus points are added. A team receive 10 points for every win that the team they beat has on their schedule before and after the first team defeats them. While the “win points” are related to the classification of the school and that of the opponent, the “bonus points” are not. The bonus points are not related to team classifications.

So in short, if the opponents of SCA have more wins than the opponents of Line Mountain, SCA will score more bonus points.

It seems to me that if two teams are vying for top seeding in the playoffs consideration should be given to the winner if the two met during the regular season and they are within a statistically significant point spread differential.

With regards to injuries, to lose a key player on a high school team can be significant…to lose three players can be downright devastating. Credit must be given to Coach Roth and his staff, the system, as well as the preparation and dedication of the players to have accomplished so much this year. Southern has faced adversity in the past and rose above it and pulled together to achieve greatness. The character of the team, which is a direct reflection of values instilled by coaches, school, community, and families has already demonstrated their championship caliber.

It would be shameful to have such dedication, determination, teamwork, a challenging schedule, and success on the field be negated by a point system that does not recognize head to head competition.

Once before Southern was the victim of a flawed system that was far worse…it allowed South Williamsport into the state playoffs and left SCA out in the cold. That situation led to changes in the way teams are selected for playoffs. Perhaps, once again, Southern will be involved in a situation that will be the impetus for improving upon the current system.

Regardless, knowing of Coach Roth and his leadership, he will rise above it and instill the same attitude in those around him.