JC,
I don't think it is bumping them up because the two previous teams were good, it's because the good team the two previous years were most likely in the wrong class and benefited from it for two years. Think about the conversation on this thread alone. Most here are saying PC, Naz, and SHG could possibly be the best teams in the state last year. There are some willing to put everything on the line to stand behind there belief on which team is better. Now take a look at their true enrollment. What class would they be in based on enrollment? Look at the rest of the teams with similar enrollment (public schools), will those teams ever be able to compete in 7A or 8A? That being said, just because IHSA put something in place to help navigate the obvious issue does not guarantee that their formula is/was correct. It's obvious all three of the teams mentioned could play in 8A and compete with the best of them. To be in 5A and not be challenged at all. To be in 6A and not be challenged at all tell you that they were not in the right class. That being said if they are not in the right class to begin with, its hard to look at the success factor as punishment for kids they were not a part of the winning team.
Aye..you and bones...i want to clunk your heads together like moe!
Both of you basically allege...montini (just using them as an example) maybe is classified badly because they won 5a two years in a row...that actually, the Ihsa got it wrong, and their ability to stack titles is proof of this...so let's bump them up.
1. there is no way to defeat that argument objectively, so it is a fallacy. if montini does not win 6a next year, what does that mean? that does not mean the bones/LHT position was right - not at all, because essentially what you are saying is, "
as long as montini is not a champion, they are in the right class." because, if they win, they are in too low of a class...
2. In this example, i will use St. Viator. Using the bones/LHT argument, Viator is appropriately classed. They don't have a 5/6a title, some years they make the playoffs, other years they do not, they are 65-61 over the last 13 years. During that time, they have made 1 5a and 3 6a appearances. No way can you say they are not in the right class. Now, suppose they get a stud transfer QB akin to Mr. Treadwell. Suppose they go to the title game in 6a the next two seasons. that kid graduates. Things return to normal. In the last 7 years, a team that has not won more than 5 games in the RS and only 1 playoff win. Because of the rule...this team has to play in 7a.
How is that right? Those two years don't show anything...the rest of the history does...can't win in 5a in 6a, so let's put them in 7a. Meanwhile, WWS roles up the best 10 years in IHSA history and they are slotted appropriately.
3. In this example, I will use JCA. let's assume they get to the 5a title this year...well, in this situation you are right. the ihsa has them in the wrong class...by their own doing. the ihsa removed two of the best teams from 5a..so it is not the true 5a. Now, suppose JCA plays naz in the title game this season. next year JCA will play in a 5a sans shg, montini, and naz...Jesus. then, if by god's good will, what is expected to be a very very down year at JCA, they make the title game...which they have a much better chance of doing because shg, naz, and montini are not in 5a...they are out of 5a....and suddenly, Viator...with all their um...recent success....is a 5a power and here we go again.
The thing is. this scenario is very likely to happen. Maybe not viator...but some other team is going to compete in a 5a field, that is not really a 5a field, then get bumped up because they were too good for 5a...which we all know, was not 5a.
I'm, supposed to be working.