Is it time to adjust the BEDS cut-off number

[roosterk]

I say it's time.

The range of school size playing 8-player is about 50-115 BEDS, 2.3x ratio. Class A currently has 110ish to 164 I think, 1.5. Move the BEDS limit down to 100 it would be 2x for 8 player, 1.64x for class A, at BEDS of 90 it would be 1.8x 8-player and, 1.8 for class A.

90 should be the number.

Some of the top 8 player teams are still below 90, at least 3 of the still undefeated class A teams that could be playing 8-player with the current 115 beds are clearly competitive. So obviously it can be done with less kids.

Teams over the 90 BEDS but want to start or continue playing 8-player would just be ineligible for the playoffs.

I count about 50 teams that would be below 90 last BEDS count and a handful of others I think would choose to play down.

Nebraska's cut off is 82 BEDS for the larger 8 player class with 53 schools but with some much larger schools allowed to play but that are ineligible for the playoffs. Smaller 8 player class is 63 BEDS down to 32 with 54 teams.

 

[roosterk]

Kansas also has 2 8 player division, 1A is the class just above 8-player has schools (3 grades just like ours) 115 down to 64, 31 teams.

8-Player D1 48 teams, 99 - 63 BEDS, DII 52 teams 62-34.

They start at 6A, 32 top 32, 5A next 32, 4A next 32, 3A goes to 48, 2A - 48, 1A - 31, then the 2 8-player. To many classes IMO.

 

[roosterk]

Minnesota Classes

Largest 32 = 6A
Next 48 = Class AAAAA
Next 48 = Class AAAA
Next 54 = Class AAA
AA - Divided equally in 1/2 of the remaining schools
A - Divided equally in 1/2 (the other half)
District 9-Man = 9-Man

Break between AA and AAA is at 200, I think it's enrollment not beds.
9-man is 150 and down 8 district of 6-9 teams.( 75% of 150 = 112.5).

 

[roosterk]

South Dakota

3 9 player classes, male enrollment of 56 and down are broke into thirds. I thinks its a BEDS count so 112.

Each class only has about 27 schools, seems like too many classes, 2 at 40 would be better.

 

[Smokinfr1blue7]

I totally agree, either lower it or split it. Teams with 35 to 45 on a team with 5 or 6 coaches against teams with 16 to 20 and 2 or 3 coaches? We need to make a change.

 

[Smokinfr1blue7]

When was the last time the beds number was changed or adjusted?

 

[roosterk]

Not aware of it ever being adjusted, but only been following 8 player for about 10 years since my kids school moved down.

I'm not in favor of splitting 8-player yet, I don't think 30 teams is enough to call a class and award state championship, probably why they didn't have playoffs when 8-player started. I think class A is at 55 teams I'm only aware of 1 the is planning on coming down but there is 4-5 others that I think could.

They could raise the beds number to increase the number of 8 player teams but that would take away from class A, and would end up like Kanas with only 31 teams in smallest 11 player class. At that point, might as well change class A to a 8 player class and have 8A & 8B. The BEDS split would be somewhere in the 90's.

I suppose they could just eliminate the BEDS cut off and just split every one below class 1A equally, top half are 11 player, bottom half 8 player. Giving bottom half the ability to play up if they want. Top half to play down but not eligible for playoffs. That actually might make the most sense.

I read that I in Minnesota when 9-player schools share football, they have some with even 3 schools they allow them a higher BEDS count than non-sharing schools. I think when you share I think you have even less kids going out from the traveling school so I think they are taking that into account.

 

[fbfan05]

Have not watched much 8 man football, but have seen how it has grown and been good for small schools.

Less freshmen are having to play varsity in 8 man than would if their team was playing 11 man football, and from a safety standpoint that is good.

If the state would raise the 8 man beds limit, then more teams could move to 8 man, and with another 20 schools or so they could form 2 classes of 8 man.

Class A (now at 52 schools) will eventually probably be dissolved if numbers get too low and then 3A-2A and 1A will have have to absorb the remaining 11 man teams (possibly moving to 64 teams per class)

 

[Voicefromthestands]

When 8 man started BEDS was higher. 135 if memory serves me right.. Lowering the BEDS limit would be a bad move. Was it last year that the there was a school in 2A that played only JV games. No varsity football.

 

[Voicefromthestands]

I say it's time.

The range of school size playing 8-player is about 50-115 BEDS, 2.3x ratio. Class A currently has 110ish to 164 I think, 1.5. Move the BEDS limit down to 100 it would be 2x for 8 player, 1.64x for class A, at BEDS of 90 it would be 1.8x 8-player and, 1.8 for class A.

90 should be the number.

Some of the top 8 player teams are still below 90, at least 3 of the still undefeated class A teams that could be playing 8-player with the current 115 beds are clearly competitive. So obviously it can be done with less kids.

Teams over the 90 BEDS but want to start or continue playing 8-player would just be ineligible for the playoffs.

I count about 50 teams that would be below 90 last BEDS count and a handful of others I think would choose to play down.

Nebraska's cut off is 82 BEDS for the larger 8 player class with 53 schools but with some much larger schools allowed to play but that are ineligible for the playoffs. Smaller 8 player class is 63 BEDS down to 32 with 54 teams.

Never compare Iowa to Nebraska. Never. Some things you leave out: Nebraska has 2(that is 2 levels of 8 man) They also have a 6 player division consisting of 26 schools.

 

[warriors dad]

why do they use beds anyway? If a 8man team have 30 or more on roster they should not be allowed to play 8man, and rest of classes made up on participation #s. Beds are misleading cause if you have 150 beds ct. and only 25 out for fball they should beallowed to play 8man.

 

[Lonetreehawk]

why do they use beds anyway? If a 8man team have 30 or more on roster they should not be allowed to play 8man, and rest of classes made up on participation #s. Beds are misleading cause if you have 150 beds ct. and only 25 out for fball they should beallowed to play 8man.

So teams cut players to stay under 30? I don't think so. To me, Beds counts are still the most fair way to determine classification. I don't think schools that have built a culture that encourages a higher percentage of boys to participate should be punished.

 

[roosterk]

Heard from 2 different sources that BEDS might be is going up to 120. Plus for struggling schools have a better chance of sharing with close school without bumping them up a class. Negative for every other struggling school facing even bigger competition.

MN increases the BEDS cutoff of sharing schools by 38(150 to 200 enrollment), I think based on kids that won't play when they are the traveling team, should Iowa adopt a similar rule. 120/115 vs 155/150 for sharing schools.

I also feel the reason for 8-player football as been lost, teams with 30+ on the roster shouldn't be playing but some schools won't don't care so IMO only way to protect the small schools(schools that have FR starting regulary) is to reduce the BEDS number to 90ish. Also the Union should allow any team regardless of enrollment to play 8 player as long as they know they aren't playoff eligible.

 

[cjm3260]

I heard something about the state going to 2 levels of 8-Man. One for "bigger" 8-Man schools and one smaller.

 

[Smokinfr1blue7]

I would hope they aren't considering raising the beds number without splitting to a couple divisions.

 

[roosterk]

According to the A thread 0 talk of 2 8-player classes.

 

[Voicefromthestands]

120 yes