no love for D5?!

[joe.reali]

One of my friends at the Gazette just told me one of Carlisle's writers did a story about Bedford and Districts 5 and 8 not belonging in the playoffs. Maybe true, but it is what it is. http://www.cumberlink.com

[joe.reali]

New Link... the story was removed from the main sports page.

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2009 ... 182917.txt

[TheAnalyst]

If I recall correctly, Bedford last won an interdistrict game around 1992 and advanced to the final 8 with a win over FH. The year before a 6-6 Bedford team nearly upset a good FH team in interdistricts.

And in the first two years of state playoffs, Bedford compiled a record of 22-1 and didn't qualify. In 1988 (11-1) they were ranked 4th and their only loss was to 3rd ranked Bellwood 28-22. In 1989 (11-0), they were ranked second and their closest game was with 5th ranked BM by two scores, if my memory is correct. A three loss team from out west qualified ahead of them. Maybe this year is just a little karma coming around for Bedford.

In either situation, now or then, all Bedford can do is play the games in front of them and play within the rules by the PIAA. Is Bedford a top 8 team? NO. But this is how the state playoffs are set up at this time. Given the rough patch Bedford football has been through the last couple of years, it is quite a turnaround even if some of the competition is sub-par. I hope this bodes well for the Bisons in the near future.

I also recall D6 posters on this board complaining about district 5 taking away district 6 spots in the AA football playoffs when the two were combined. Bedford usually always qualified and sometimes Ridge. Then it was always 'why are they in d6? They are taking spots away from other d6 teams. They should have their own playoffs.' Now they do. You can't have it both ways.

[boxer156]

I really don't understand all the fuss about this----I mean the NFL is set up pretty much like this, with the conference champions getting into the playoffs regardless of their records. It was just last year that an 11-5 Patriot team did not qualify, but an 8-8 Charger team DID, and even won their first round game.

The rules are the rules, and Bedford is making the most out of what was put in front of them. Are they not winning? Its not like they were 'awarded' wins--they went out and earned them.

[Head Roadie]

Shouldn't the District 6 people start a thread bashing Districts 8 or 9 instead of District 5? After all, our mediocre champion beat both of theirs.

In "AA" it appears that District 6 is the third best District in the West (behind 7 and 10) and District 5 is right behind them at #4.

And in "A" let's keep in mind that Karns City (who lost to Bedford) beat 9-A Champ Clarion 35-7. Anyone think Bedford would beat 5-A Champ Conemaugh Twp 35-7???

[salemforpresident]

Shouldn't the District 6 people start a thread bashing Districts 8 or 9 instead of District 5? After all, our mediocre champion beat both of theirs.

In "AA" it appears that District 6 is the third best District in the West (behind 7 and 10) and District 5 is right behind them at #4.

And in "A" let's keep in mind that Karns City (who lost to Bedford) beat 9-A Champ Clarion 35-7. Anyone think Bedford would beat 5-A Champ Conemaugh Twp 35-7???

YES

[usatf oldguy]

Read the article wasn't really impressed with the logic.I get sick of hearing they beat teams with losing records etc etc.Thats what good teams are supposed to do win the ones you are supposed to win against teams with losing records.If you break down almost any teams regular season schedule over half of the teams would be about .500 or less.Just a fact. In the article this guy ripped karns city at 10-2 saying who did they beat.This crap is starting to sound more and more like the college rankings system.The team that wins the state title will be the one that won out period end of story.It will take care of it's self.

[Dep]

It is not how you start, but how you finish. Bedford was young team that grew up along the way and turned in some solid games at the end.

[southpaw]

San Diego made the NFL playoffs at 8-8 and New England didn't at 11-5. Where was the national outrage?

[southpaw]

I sent an email to this guy here is the a copy...

I found your article bashing Bedford and District 5 to be very disheartening. The PIAA sets up the brackets not Bedford or District 5 nor District 8 for that matter. Instead of bashing and belittling a small rural district maybe you should petition the PIAA to redistrict the whole state if you think the current system is unfair. I have seen such travesties in other sports where District 5 kids were left home for the state track meet because they only get one qualifier and lo and behold at the state meet there are athletes from other “larger” districts that have more automatic qualifiers with times and distances that were inferior to the kids were left out from District 5. It cuts both ways and to pick on poor Bedford and District 5 does not show much class on your part or that of your publication. I do not work for Bedford school district but I do teach, coach, and direct athletics at a neighboring school.



To solidify my point…in the NFL last year San Diego made the playoffs with an 8-8 record and New England didn’t with a record of 11-5. Was that fair? Were you outraged over that?



Thank you for your time