N.C. football playoff format flawed, penalizes Mecklenburg County teams

There has always been some contention about the N.C. high school football playoff format.

Over the years, some who follow the sport felt too few teams earned playoff berths, as when deserving 8-3 teams would be left out.

Under the current sub-divided system, where each of the state’s four classes are split in two, probably too many teams make the playoffs. Each season, there are plenty of 3-8 teams spending money on buses, food and time to absorb lopsided loses to a 11-0 super power. Upsets are few.

For Mecklenburg County teams, the split playoffs often has them playing each other early into the playoffs. This season, that system forced South Mecklenburg and Ardrey Kell to play a regular-season finale and a first-round game on back-to-back weeks.

Butler and Mallard Creek, perennial heavyweight title contenders, played in the second round. It’s not the first time that’s happened, and Butler and Mallard Creek have won five of the past six 4AA state titles.

It just doesn’t feel right to have such a powerhouse match up in the second round. And, for winning 35-30 last week over Butler, Mallard Creek gets to play Friday at Hough, Mecklenburg County’s hottest team. Meantime, the other side of the bracket appears much easier for top-seed East Forsyth.

Some coaches believe the playoffs should be seeded using a power ranking with only the conference champions having automatic bids and automatic home playoff games in Week 1. That might work, but the current system, which penalizes teams for regular-season losses, is making coaches think twice about scheduling tough nonconference road games. But for now, scheduling tough regular-season games is the right thing to do, coaches say.

“We always want to have good competitive games out of conference because it does get you ready for the playoffs,” Butler coach Brian Hales said. “End of the day, only one team will come out on top. You want to test yourself by playing as many big games as you can. You don’t get anything out of 63-0 games or 73-7. That’s not good for anybody.”

Mallard Creek’s Mike Palmieri said his team hasn’t received a good playoff draw in six seasons.

“It’s the luck of the draw,” said Palmieri, whose Mavericks have won the past two N.C. 4AA titles. “It’s not much fun playing Butler every year in the second round, but I don’t see any other way. The way we do it makes you think about your schedule. It has to, but we will still play tough competition.

“The regular season is fun and we are trying to prepare for the playoffs. We could take the easy way out and schedule games we can handle, but I don’t think that will help our kids. It doesn’t matter if we lose two games during the year. We should be able to win playoff games no matter where we play.”

▪ One of the most highly anticipated potential matchups in the state, in any class, was East Lincoln at Monroe in the N.C. 2AA regional final next week. Monroe (13-0) will be favored to get there playing Franklin (10-3) on Friday. But last week East Lincoln quarterback Chazz Surratt suffered ligament damage to his elbow that will require surgery. He will skip basketball season and enroll early at North Carolina, where he committed last summer.

Surratt has been cleared to play Friday against East Burke, but it will probably be in a greatly reduced role. The Mustangs’ offense will likely be in the hands of freshman quarterback Marcus Graham, who was 10-for-13 for 153 yards and a score in last week’s 47-6 win over Wilkes Central. East Lincoln (13-0) will be favored at home against East Burke (8-5), but if the Cavaliers and Monroe win, that semifinal won’t have nearly the anticipation people expected.

▪ Two traditional powers meet Friday in Belmont, where West Rowan (10-3) visits South Point (11-2). West Rowan rolled West Henderson 41-19 last week to win its second straight game. South Point started 1-2 with losses to Shelby and Crest -- two teams still playing -- but has since won 10 straight. The Red Raiders’ defense has allowed 9.6 points per game during the win streak and has shut out three of its past five opponents.

This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 12:20 PM with the headline "N.C. football playoff format flawed, penalizes Mecklenburg County teams."