Semi-Final Home Teams

[SUNDOWN]

For years on this board there has been many complaints about higher seeded teams having to play their semi-final games on the road. Obviously, this is happening because the higher seeded teams accumulate home games in the earlier rounds at a higher rate. I looked at all 16 matchups for this weekends games. Here is the complete list of higher seeded teams that are on the road this weekend:

Mount Carmel

Shockingly, 15 of the 16 higher seeded teams have the home game this year.

 

[eagles2k3]

I don’t know who the seeding committee is but they got it right this year…

 

[SOUTHSIDECFD]

I don’t know who the seeding committee is but they got it right this year…

A Dell computer.

 

[FBFever7]

Years ago it was said the IHSA screwed up(don’t know the story) & sent the last good Stagg team to Edwardsville where they got hosed

 

[WSC_FootballFan]

I like the idea of a team getting to host if they upset a higher seeded team in 1st round.

However in my opinion, once you reach the Semis, the highest seeded team should host regardless of how many games each team has hosted. Reward them for regular season.

 

[eagles2k3]

A Dell computer.

It was sarcasm.

 

[SOUTHSIDECFD]

It was sarcasm.

SO WAS MY RESPONCE..... No Pension, No 401K, No golden parachute, No television contract.....

 

[TigerforFlyers]

I like the idea of a team getting to host if they upset a higher seeded team in 1st round.

However in my opinion, once you reach the Semis, the highest seeded team should host regardless of how many games each team has hosted. Reward them for regular season.

I was hesitant to agree in my first thought, strictly because of strength of schedule. But if a 9-0 team were only 9-0 because of a weak schedule, it’s highly unlikely that they would make it to the Semi-finals.

 

[McCaravan]

I know this will sound like sour grapes from the fan of the school that’s the higher seed that has to travel for the semis, but I truly think the higher seed should get the home game for the semi final. Really by being the #1 seed affords you a probable round 1 win and a tie breaker if both teams have had the same.
That being said, I’m not a big believer that home field in high school really matters. Despite the bigger home stands the fans normally even out for these type games. MC to Rita is a 15 minute ride. The travel time is the biggest advantage or if the game is played on grass.

 

[corey90]

I know this will sound like sour grapes from the fan of the school that’s the higher seed that has to travel for the semis, but I truly think the higher seed should get the home game for the semi final. Really by being the #1 seed affords you a probable round 1 win and a tie breaker if both teams have had the same.
That being said, I’m not a big believer that home field in high school really matters. Despite the bigger home stands the fans normally even out for these type games. MC to Rita is a 15 minute ride. The travel time is the biggest advantage or if the game is played on grass.

Totally disagree home field does matter. IMO

 

[McCaravan]

Totally disagree home field does matter. IMO

For bus travel yes, I know LWE had a longer ride to LA a few years ago but do you think from a crowd wise it does? It’s not like your playing in the Big House with 100K fans. I guarantee there will be as many MC fans as SR fans on Saturday. Grass field vs Turf would be a big deal but that’s rare nowadays

 

[corey90]

For bus travel yes, I know LWE had a longer ride to LA a few years ago but do you think from a crowd wise it does? It’s not like your playing in the Big House with 100K fans. I guarantee there will be as many MC fans as SR fans on Saturday. Grass field vs Turf would be a big deal but that’s rare nowadays

I think the team responds to the home fans. You can definitely feel and hear the fans at East. I just commented to my wife how loud the East fans were when they made a big play. It definitely feels different than sitting on the visitor side which I also have done in the last two games.

 

[SOUTHSIDECFD]

29 degrees and the game is going to be on free tv if you have the right cable package. The stands will be half empty. After the first hit in the game these kids will be in a zone. If this was natural grass that would be an advantage.

 

[MalleusMaleficarum]

I believe playing at home is a often a BIGGER advantage to the host than it is necessarily a disadvantage to the visitor. There are many teams who just play better at home. Call it familiarity with the stadium and/or playing surface, the local home team fan support, not having to board a bus or coach (sometimes for a LONG ride), etc..

As far as who should host the semifinal, I am not sure. The system we have now is what it is. Has the IHSA ever taken up a discussion of alternatives?

 

[McEvergreen]

I have never been a fan of the top seed going on the road in the Semis just because of the way the bracket played out. Maybe having this option could help?

Round One: Top 16 seeds in 1-32 have the option to go on the road. Top 8 teams in 1-16 have that same option.

Help or hurt?

 

[DeanOfSelection]

MC has now been the road team 6 times in their last 7 semi's.

 

[SUNDOWN]

JCA has been the road team in 5 of their last 7 semi's. Overall they have 11 home (10-1) and 12 road (9-3) games in the semi's.

 

[MC63]

I hope that the winner of the MC/SR game doesn't find the buzz so great that final game is a letdown.