To the editor,
On the 18th of October the Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the pairings for Class 2A, 1A, A and 8-player games. Class 5A, 4A, and 3A still had another regular season game to play.
Well, each of the four bottom classes have 32 teams each that advance to the playoffs set up by the IHSAA. Looking at the records of all these teams, we have 18 teams with four wins and four losses. We have 14 teams with three wins and five losses, and believe it or not, we have two teams that have two wins and six losses make the playoffs.
How humiliating and embarrassing that IHSAA rewards these teams that don’t have winning records with a playoff berth. These teams that have break even or losing records should give each kid a green participation ribbon and your season is finished.
What are we teaching these kids? Sorry, not all teams make it to the next level. Put your “big boy pants” on and accept the fact.
Oh, I forget it is all about the money for the IHSAA, the school districts, and the city of Cedar Falls where the championship games are played. How silly of me!
Folks, we now have seven classes with 329 schools sporting football programs. Jefferson is in the 3A class. Don’t be surprised if the IHSAA adds another class called “6 man” football, because there are 69 teams playing “8 man” football. We have too many teams in that class, so it will be broken down.
States that already have 6-man football are Kansas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Texas, Idaho and North Dakota.
Spectators, enjoy your diluted IHSAA playoff games!
Denny Lautner, Jefferson
