Bracketology-- Texas 5a football.

[Firebird]

OK ya'll, as promised, here is my 64 team hypothetical bracket for 2005 5-a football, roughly based on the NCAA procedures. Before we start, the ground rules, impelmented for the sake of realism and to simplify things a bit.

1. All 32 District Champs automatically receive a seed in the playoffs.

2. The District Champs are seeded first, 1-8, by region. Too many people would scream if a district champ got seeded lower than a second place finisher.

3. After the district champs are seeded 1-8, the remaining 8 (9-16) bids per region are given out at large, the seeding determined by the selection commitee.

4. In the event of a tie for district champ, the best overall record carries the day.

5. In the event that the overall record is tied also, the selection comittee makes the call for No.1, and the other team MUST recieve a playoff bid.

6. Teams do not travel outside of their region until the final 4. The school districts will never allow teams to travel across the state in the opening rounds of the playoffs.

7. The bracket is set up like the NCAA Basketball bracket ie, in Region I Seed 1 plays seed 16, seed 2 plays seed 15, and so on.

8. No team with an overall losing record is allowed to make the playoffs, unless by some fluke they are a district champion.

9. Hindsight is not allowed. I tried to forget about my knowledge of how the playoffs actually turned out, and used only the info I had at the end of the 2005 regular season. Don't criticize me on the basis of how a team later actually did in the playoffs, you would not have had that knowledge.

Now, coming up, my bracket. I welcome CONSTRUCTIVE feedback and criticism, I freely admit that I do not know all of these teams equally well. Remember that controversy will always be part of any selection process, there is no perfect formula for determing these things.

[Firebird]

Region 1

Southlake Carroll (1)-- Duncanville (16): The obvious No. 1 seed squares off with against Duncanville, who got in over Grapevine

Abilene (2)- Arlington (15): Abilene comes in flying high off of a 10-0 record and preseason rankings, Arlington is one of three 7-5a teams to make the dance.

Plano (3)- Midland (14): An undefeated season and name recognition got Plano the No. 3 seed, Midland’s 8-2 record impresses committee voters

Euless Trinity (4)- Denton Ryan (13): Trinity gets a No. 4 seed thanks to a late season loss, voters like Ryan’s talent and the fact that they come from 5-5a

North Crowley (5) --Allen (12): The committee rewards N. Crowley with a No. 5 seed thanks to memories of a 4a championship and a tough district schedule, voters like Allen thanks to a 8-2 record in the Plano district.

EP Franklin (6) - South Grand Prarie (11): EP Franklin, the El Paso champ, takes on a South Grand Prarie team that gets love for a 9-1 record in a district with three 9-1 teams.


Cedar Hill (7)- Mansfield Summit (10) A 7-3 overall record (worst among district champs from Region 1) earns Cedar Hill a berth against Mansfield Summit, who lost the top seed from district 4 thanks to a non-conference loss.

Amarillo (8) - Irving MaArthur (9): Amarillo as the worst district champ there is Never any respect for teams from district 2-5a, Irving MacArthur’s 9-1 record makes them the top seed not to get an automatic berth.

Possible Snubs: El Paso Coronado, Grapevine, Weatherford

[Firebird]

Region 2

Lufkin (1)-- Mesquite (16) Lufkin get the top seed (barely) over Longview, Mesquite scrapes inlargely due to the prestige of district 12-5a.

Longview (2)-- Lake Highlands (15): Controversy as Longview loses the No. 1 seed, voters liked Lake Highland’s 6-1 district mark.

Dallas Carter (3) –A&M Consolidated (14) Name recognition earns Dallas Carter the No. 3 seed over Copperas Cove, they meet A&M Consolidated whose weak district is only good enough for a 14 seed.





Copperas Cove (4)-- Garland Rowlett (13): Cove at 10-0 feels snubbed by the committee, Garland Rowlett gets points for an 8-2 record and for being a Metroplex team.

Garland (5)-- Klein Forest (12) Though at 8-2 they do not have as good a record as Hays Consolidated, Leander, or Richardson Berkener, Garland’s playoff history and status as Metroplex team get them the 5 seed, Klein Forest is a tough third place team from district 14-5a

Richardson Berkner (6)-- The Woodlands (11): More controversy, as 10-0 Berkner is penalized for a weak district slate, The Woodlands gets 11 for their tough district and non-conf. slate.

Leander (7)-- Hays Consolidated (10): Leander squares off against a Hays Consolidated team that won recognition thanks to a 9-1 overall record.

Westlake (8)-- Tyler John Tyler (9): Coming out of one of the weaker districts in region 2, Westlake plays John Tyler, ranked the best non-automatic seed.

Possible snubs: Killeen Harker Heights and Shoemaker, South Garland, Dallas Skyline, Bastrop

[Firebird]

Region 3

Spring Westfield (1)-- Cy Creek (16): Spring Westfield rides a wave of voter support to a 1 seed, Cy Creek’s two district losses are good enough only for a 16 seed

GP North Shore (2)– Aldine MacArthur (15): North Shore wanted the No. 1 seed, Aldine MacArthur is just glad to be in at 7-3, but a 6-1 district mark impressed voters.

Katy (3) – Humble (14): Katy feels overlooked, but North Shore and Westfield were more glamourous picks. Humble is a surprise pick at 5-3, but they finished well in district.

Pearland (4)-- Houston Madison (13): Just too many deserving 10-0 teams in region 3, Pearland only gets a 4 seed. Madison impressed the committee at 9-1.

FB Marshall (5)-- Beaumont West Brook (12) : Yet another undefeated team, good enough only for a 5 seed in loaded region 3. Beaumot West Brook gets high marks for finishing with only 1 loss in a brutal district 22-5a.

Houston Lamar (6)-- Galveston Ball (11): The undefeated champ of Region 3's weakest district faces a talented, 8-2 Galveston Ball team with 1 district loss.

Cy-Fair (7)-- La Porte (10): Finally, a district champ with some losses. 8-2 Cy-Fair catches a good La Porte team, also at 8-2.

Houston Memorial (8)- Strake Jesuit (9): A weak district champ, 7-3 Memorial gets Strake Jesuit, who likely would have won district in 18-5a.

Possible snubs: Pasadena Dobie, Aldine Nimitz, Fort Bend Clements, Fort Bend Kempner

[Firebird]

Region 4

Smithson Valley (1)-- Seguin (16): Some controversy, as SV earns the top seed even with a loss. But they are coming out of 26-5a as royalty, and get a Seguin team that comes in with three losses, at number 3 in their district.

Schertz Clemens (2) – Los Fresnos (15): Undefeated Clemens is furious that they were passed over for the top seed, Los Fresnos is a surprise coming out of the valley, but an 8-2 overall record impresses.

SA Jay (3) -SA Reagan (14): Jay gets seed No. 3 and SA Reagan isfurious that they only got a 14 seed after finishing tied for third in district 26-5a.

CC Carroll (4)-- San Marcos (13): Though undefeated, Carroll played in a terrible district, San Marcos is 8-2, yet some question their seeding as too high.

Harlingen (5)- SA O’Connor (12): Traditionally the best team from the border and the RGV, 32-5a champ Harlingen is still overmatched against a very good O’Connor team that finished 6-1 in district 27-5a.

PSJA (6) – Converse Judson (11): The second best team from the RGV, 31-5a champ PSJA faces Judson, one of four teams from 26-5a. Many question their No 12 seed, as they finished 6-4 overall.

La Joya (7)-- SA Clark (10): La Joya won one of the state’s worst districts, SA Clark is rewarded for an 8-2, 6-1 mark out of district 27-5a. They still feel they should have gotten 27-5a’s automatic seed.

Laredo Nixon (8) SA Madison (9) : Nixon finished 8-2 and played in the state’s worst district, Madison finished 8-2 and lost one game in the state’s best district. Madison earns the top at large seed.

Possible snubs: Laredo United, SA Marshall, Sharyland, Brownsville Pace, McAllen Memorial, Eagle Pass

[Mad Hatter]

guess that made judson a cinderlla story :)

[lonny23]

Region 4

Smithson Valley (1)-- Seguin (16): Some controversy, as SV earns the top seed even with a loss. But they are coming out of 26-5a as royalty, and get a Seguin team that comes in with three losses, at number 3 in their district.

Schertz Clemens (2) – Los Fresnos (15): Undefeated Clemens is furious that they were passed over for the top seed, Los Fresnos is a surprise coming out of the valley, but an 8-2 overall record impresses.

SA Jay (3) -SA Reagan (14): Jay gets seed No. 3 and SA Reagan isfurious that they only got a 14 seed after finishing tied for third in district 26-5a.

CC Carroll (4)-- San Marcos (13): Though undefeated, Carroll played in a terrible district, San Marcos is 8-2, yet some question their seeding as too high.

Harlingen (5)- SA O’Connor (12): Traditionally the best team from the border and the RGV, 32-5a champ Harlingen is still overmatched against a very good O’Connor team that finished 6-1 in district 27-5a.

PSJA (6) – Converse Judson (11): The second best team from the RGV, 31-5a champ PSJA faces Judson, one of four teams from 26-5a. Many question their No 12 seed, as they finished 6-4 overall.

La Joya (7)-- SA Clark (10): La Joya won one of the state’s worst districts, SA Clark is rewarded for an 8-2, 6-1 mark out of district 27-5a. They still feel they should have gotten 27-5a’s automatic seed.

Laredo Nixon (8) SA Madison (9) : Nixon finished 8-2 and played in the state’s worst district, Madison finished 8-2 and lost one game in the state’s best district. Madison earns the top at large seed.

Possible snubs: Laredo United, SA Marshall, Sharyland, Brownsville Pace, McAllen Memorial, Eagle Pass
This was your best region as far as which teams made the playoffs. That's to be expected. Instead of giving the district champs the top 8 seeds, I would just give them a bid. Some of the top 8 seeds would hold down 14-16's if they were seeded correctly. At the end of the day #11 Judson would beat #6 PSJA, #3 Jay, and #2 Clemens before squaring off with SV again.

[dragonsdaddy]

This was your best region as far as which teams made the playoffs. That's to be expected. Instead of giving the district champs the top 8 seeds, I would just give them a bid. Some of the top 8 seeds would hold down 14-16's if they were seeded correctly. At the end of the day #11 Judson would beat #6 PSJA, #3 Jay, and #2 Clemens before squaring off with SV again.
lonny, i assume your ranking this as the best region was based on how the teams were paired and not the strength of the teams selected.

[Firebird]

I agree that just giving the district champs the top 8 seeds does not accurately reflect their actual strength. But I believe it solves a number of problems.

The most important one is less politics. The less of this there is the better, and if this was to be realistic, you would have to do this.

I believe that my system would solve some more basic issues as well. We all know that geographically, the weaker teams are clumped together El Paso, RGV, Laredo, Panhandle. Here is how my system helps that



1. Strong teams from weak districts play second tier teams from strong districts: More intriguing matchups, eliminates boring Laredo vs RGV or RGV v. RGV playoff games.

2. Second tier teams from weak districts don't clutter up the playoffs.

3. Sets up better match ups than the current format. Valley teams do not skate through 2 or three rounds and then get killed, instead they have to prove themselves by beating a decent team first. If you take a close look at the way my brackets are set up, especially Region 4, the later games would be pretty good matchups, and the weaker teams would get weeded out earlier.

[Firebird]

I just think that a district champ should not have to face another district champ in the first round. In fact, this is one of my big problems with the current format. No matter how weak the district they played in, they earned the right to get a shot against a team that didn't come up big when it counted. It is a delicate balance between taking into account strength of schedule while avoiding handicapping deserving teams because of accidents of geography. The automatic 1-8 bids were the only way I saw of doing that. This system leaves room to adjust for strength of schedule and district strength, but isn't ruled by it.

[SeguinMatadors]

I can tell ya' one thing.... region 4 would be upset city.

[Firebird]

All the regions would have "upsets." The bracket is still designed to do as much as possible to ensure the best teams the easiest routes to the next round.

[SeguinMatadors]

All the regions would have "upsets." The bracket is still designed to do as much as possible to ensure the best teams the easiest routes to the next round.

You can't be serious?

CC Carrol a 4? San Marcos would roll over them with ease.

Harlingen a 5? O'Connor would roll through that game with ease.

PSJA a 6? Judson would roll through that game with ease.

La Joya a 7? Clark would roll through that one with ease.

Laredo Nixon an 8 and Madison a 9? Madison would roll through that game with ease.

I do not see how you figure that it is set up so that the higher seeds can advance.... the way I see it 5 of your 8 higher seeds have no chance of advancing.

[SeguinMatadors]

Also, in region 4, the trip to the final 4 would be much easier being a 2 seed than a 1 seed and that doesn't make sense. Wouldn't most of us agree that Smithson Valley as a number one seed would have a tougher first two games playing Seguin and Madison then our # 2 seed Clemens would have playing Los Fresnos and Clark?

[dragonsdaddy]

the rules require that the dist champs be 1-8, so when you have 4 very weak districts, and one phenomenally strong one, you are likely to have several teams bracketted who would be dead last in the power district, and several from the power dist sitting home.

[SeguinMatadors]

the rules require that the dist champs be 1-8, so when you have 4 very weak districts, and one phenomenally strong one, you are likely to have several teams bracketted who would be dead last in the power district, and several from the power dist sitting home.

I understand that.. that is why region 4's brackett is a complete mess.

[SeguinMatadors]

I understand that.. that is why region 4's brackett is a complete mess.

Which is why I think that district champs should only be awarded automatic bids and not automatic top 8 bids.... as of now region 4 would be a complete mess with no real order to it.

[CoveFan05]

You can't be serious?

CC Carrol a 4? San Marcos would roll over them with ease.

Harlingen a 5? O'Connor would roll through that game with ease.

PSJA a 6? Judson would roll through that game with ease.

La Joya a 7? Clark would roll through that one with ease.

Laredo Nixon an 8 and Madison a 9? Madison would roll through that game with ease.

I do not see how you figure that it is set up so that the higher seeds can advance.... the way I see it 5 of your 8 higher seeds have no chance of advancing.

That is true but these teams that are seeded lower than the top 8 didnt win their district just like firebird said. Its like a mountain valley conf champ winning their conference and takin on north carolina who finished second to duke

[Firebird]

OK, though I still feel quite strongly that a district champ should not have to take on another district champ in the first round of the playoffs, I will reseed the teams without the rule that district champs have to be seeded 1-8 automatically. I've been outvoted. I will not, hwoever, seed it so that one district gets four of five seeds while the district champ of another district sits at home. That just isn't going to work.

First up--
Region IV

[Firebird]

Smithson Valley (1) vs. Los Fresonos (16)
Schertz Clemens (2) vs. Laredo Nixon (15)
San Antonio Jay (3) vs. La Joya (14)
San Antonio Madison (4) vs. Seguin (13)
San Antonio Clark (5) vs. PSJA (12)
Converse Judson (6) vs. Harlingen (11)
San Antonio Reagan (7) vs. CC Carroll (10)
San Antonio O'Connor (8) vs. San Marcos (9)

[Firebird]

Region 2

Spring Westfield (1) vs. Cy Creek (16)
GP North Shore (2) vs. Humble (15)
Katy (3) vs. Houston Madison (14)
Pearland (4) vs. Aldine MacArthur (13)
FB Marshall (5) vs. Beaumont Westbrook (12)
Houston Lamar (6) vs. Cy-Fair (11)
La Porte (7) vs. Houton Memorial (10)
Strake Jesuit (8) vs.Galveston Ball (9)

[SeguinMatadors]

Smithson Valley (1) vs. Los Fresonos (16)
Schertz Clemens (2) vs. Laredo Nixon (15)
San Antonio Jay (3) vs. La Joya (14)
San Antonio Madison (4) vs. Seguin (13)
San Antonio Clark (5) vs. PSJA (12)
Converse Judson (6) vs. Harlingen (11)
San Antonio Reagan (7) vs. CC Carroll (10)
San Antonio O'Connor (8) vs. San Marcos (9)

Although I am insulted by some of the teams ranked ahead of the Matadors.... this bracket is head and shoulders above the last one. We would probably be the only chance at a cinderela as far as teams ranked above ten in this region.

I wont edit where I think the Matadors should be ranked because I really don't feel like getting into that argument but I will offer some other changes amongst the middle of the bracket.......

I would move O'Connor to 6... San Marcos to 7, Judson to 8, and Reagan to 9.

[Firebird]

I've gotta go, but I'll finsh this later. If I am the selection comittee, SA Reagan and Judson are staying put. 26-5a is to 5a football what the ACC is to NCAA hoops. Teams move up one or two seeds just because of their conferece.

[Primetime536]

Region 2

Lufkin (1)-- Mesquite (16) Lufkin get the top seed (barely) over Longview, Mesquite scrapes inlargely due to the prestige of district 12-5a.

Longview (2)-- Lake Highlands (15): Controversy as Longview loses the No. 1 seed, voters liked Lake Highland’s 6-1 district mark.

Dallas Carter (3) –A&M Consolidated (14) Name recognition earns Dallas Carter the No. 3 seed over Copperas Cove, they meet A&M Consolidated whose weak district is only good enough for a 14 seed.


Copperas Cove (4)-- Garland Rowlett (13): Cove at 10-0 feels snubbed by the committee, Garland Rowlett gets points for an 8-2 record and for being a Metroplex team.

Garland (5)-- Klein Forest (12) Though at 8-2 they do not have as good a record as Hays Consolidated, Leander, or Richardson Berkener, Garland’s playoff history and status as Metroplex team get them the 5 seed, Klein Forest is a tough third place team from district 14-5a

Richardson Berkner (6)-- The Woodlands (11): More controversy, as 10-0 Berkner is penalized for a weak district slate, The Woodlands gets 11 for their tough district and non-conf. slate.

Leander (7)-- Hays Consolidated (10): Leander squares off against a Hays Consolidated team that won recognition thanks to a 9-1 overall record.

Westlake (8)-- Tyler John Tyler (9): Coming out of one of the weaker districts in region 2, Westlake plays John Tyler, ranked the best non-automatic seed.

Possible snubs: Killeen Harker Heights and Shoemaker, South Garland, Dallas Skyline, Bastrop
AMC in a weak district. What the hell are you thinking? AMC when to the semis and Cove when to the quarter, and HH gave Lufkin a hell of a game. Know your facts before you talk again.

[SeguinMatadors]

AMC in a weak district. What the hell are you thinking? AMC when to the semis and Cove when to the quarter, and HH gave Lufkin a hell of a game. Know your facts before you talk again.

lol... this coming from the board idiot.

[Primetime536]

lol... this coming from the board idiot.
Seguin, I know so much more about sports than you its ridiculous.

[Firebird]

You didn't read the rules, Primetime. Hindsight isn't allowed in forming these brackets, you can't go back and use the actual playoff success of the teams involved as justificationf for their seeding. Look at this website's final top ten from region two, neither A&M consolidated or Harker Heights are inculded. At the end of the season, Copperas Cove was viewed as the class of a fairly weak district. What you are wanting is to go back and put "Cinderella" teams into their proper seeds after the tournament has concluded. At best, you could make a case for A&M consolidated recieving a 12 seed based on the end of regular season results.

[t00 playa]

You didn't read the rules, Primetime. Hindsight isn't allowed in forming these brackets, you can't go back and use the actual playoff success of the teams involved as justificationf for their seeding. Look at this website's final top ten from region two, neither A&M consolidated or Harker Heights are inculded. At the end of the season, Copperas Cove was viewed as the class of a fairly weak district. What you are wanting is to go back and put "Cinderella" teams into their proper seeds after the tournament has concluded. At best, you could make a case for A&M consolidated recieving a 12 seed based on the end of regular season results.

so cy falls would be considered a cinderella?:eek:

[Firebird]

Region 3

Lufkin (1) vs. Mesquite (16)
Longview (2) vs. Lake Highlands (15)
Dallas Carter (3) vs. A&M Consolidated (14)
Copperas Cove (4) vs. Garland Rowlett (13)
Garland (5) vs. Klein Forest (12)
Leander (6) vs. The Woodlands (11)
Hays Consolidated (7) vs. Richardson Berknet (10)
Austin Wesltlake (8) vs. Tyler John Tyler (9)

[Firebird]

Cy-Falls, at 6-4 and with 3 district losses, likely would not have gotten in with this bracket.

[t00 playa]

Cy-Falls, at 6-4 and with 3 district losses, likely would not have gotten in with this bracket.


thats probably true. was just checking.:eek:

[Firebird]

Region 1
Southlake Carroll (1) vs. Duncanville (16)
Abilene (2) vs. Arlington (15)
Plano (3) vs. Amarillo (14)
Euless Trinity (4) vs. EP Franklin (13)
South Grand Prarie (5) vs. Cedar Hill (12)
Irving MacArthur (6) vs. Denton Ryan (11)
Allen (7) vs. Midland (10)
North Crowley (8) vs. Mansfield Summit (9)

[CoveFan05]

I've gotta go, but I'll finsh this later. If I am the selection comittee, SA Reagan and Judson are staying put. 26-5a is to 5a football what the ACC is to NCAA hoops. Teams move up one or two seeds just because of their conferece.

I would put it their the BIG EAST of basketball. That conference put in a record 8 teams this year and their was debate on a ninth team

[CoveFan05]

You didn't read the rules, Primetime. Hindsight isn't allowed in forming these brackets, you can't go back and use the actual playoff success of the teams involved as justificationf for their seeding. Look at this website's final top ten from region two, neither A&M consolidated or Harker Heights are inculded. At the end of the season, Copperas Cove was viewed as the class of a fairly weak district. What you are wanting is to go back and put "Cinderella" teams into their proper seeds after the tournament has concluded. At best, you could make a case for A&M consolidated recieving a 12 seed based on the end of regular season results.

I agree with how people see 13-5A as a weak district but its not. I agree with AMC and Copperas Cove on the success they had in and out of district play

[Jtate862003]

Only thing is you have no tyler lee in there...lee will make the playoffs this year those players didnt like the taste of sitting at home last yr watching football on tv...

[Firebird]

This is a post dated bracket based on last season's results, ie., what would the 2005 playoffs have looked like if we used a NCAA-type seeding system. Lee would not have made it into a bracket based on last year's performance.