Section V football unveils expanded playoffs

[UNCTarheels]

All 71 Section V football teams can expect to play in the postseason, beginning this fall.

Section V has created tournaments named the Connors & Ferris Bowl Games for area high school teams that fail to qualify or advance in the Section V tournaments.

In recent seasons, non-qualifiers and teams eliminated from sectionals would move into a consolation tournament known as "pool play."

Some teams jumped into "pool play." Others were less than enthusiastic.

"Pool play was the worst," Marshall coach Jason Muhammad said. "Some schools, it's never a thought, but for some of us who have those ups and downs, it was tough."

Section V football chairman Dick Cerone said that Section V plans to hand out trophies, MVP and sportsmanship awards after the bowl finals. Participants will be invited to the sectional tournament luncheon, according to Cerone.

"We're going to hope that the guys take this a little more seriously," Cerone said.

"It may not be the one that you want, but you have something else to shoot for. I'm excited about this."

There are 31 schools that will not qualify for sectionals. Those teams are placed into brackets based on the size of schools. One of the four bowl tournaments will include Class DD and D teams eliminated during the first round of sectionals.

Cerone said that he might invite a non-sectional qualifier from outside of the area, probably a Class C team from SectionIII (Syracuse area), to have 32 participants among the four tournaments.

The bowl finals would take place on the Thursday before the Section V finals that weekend.

"When we were 1-8 it would've mattered," Muhammad said about a team's motivation to play in the bowl games. "It's not easy when you're having a tough season.

"I don't want to be in it, but if we have to be, now we have another chance."

The sponsor of the bowl games, a law firm in Rochester, will cover just about all costs connected to the tournament, according to Cerone. He would not reveal financial details.

"They are on board as long as we run it," Cerone said. "They've done some other things (with SectionV football), and are a great bunch."-D&C

JAMESJ@DemocratandChronicle.com

[UNCTarheels]

What does everyone think about this move?

[dfisch80]

I think it’s a great idea! I'm glad their doing something different other than the "pool play". Although when it boils right down, it sounds like pretty much the same thing but with a different name and some awards. Still a great idea none the less. I think it'll give the teams that didn’t have that great of a season a little something to look forward to. I like the idea of the brackets and dividing up the teams equally and even inviting schools from other sections sounds good.

[SectionVDude]

I like this move this will be interesting especially if out of section teams get invited-

[boobiemiles]

Originally Posted by dfisch80

I think it’s a great idea! I'm glad their doing something different other than the "pool play". Although when it boils right down, it sounds like pretty much the same thing but with a different name and some awards. Still a great idea none the less. I think it'll give the teams that didn’t have that great of a season a little something to look forward to. I like the idea of the brackets and dividing up the teams equally and even inviting schools from other sections sounds good.

i agree... it sounds just like pool play, just reconfigured, and giving them a reason to play

[SectionVDude]

and i like it b/c if cal-mum loses in round 1 again to letchworth we can still play more games and be placed in a bowl tourney with section III teams

[hilly]

Oh man, I read that and puked a little in my mouth. Pool Play is stupid and this is even more stupid.
If you didn't make the playoffs, your competitive season should be over. If you want to play a couple of exhibition games against other schools, that's fine. We don't need this.