Prep Watch: Mead, CV may force Kansas Tiebreaker
How to break a tie?
When a state berth is at stake, is the Kansas Tiebreaker the best way to determine a qualifier? Some coaches would argue not, even if the majority in the Greater Spokane League voted yes.
As one coach told me, a fumble and field goal can basically end the playoff before it begins. Another believes teams should play a 10-minute mini-half so that all facets of the game play into the outcome.
If Mead and Central Valley get past district rivals this week, they’ll play the Kansas tiebreaker version on Oct. 30, 6 p.m. at Albi Stadium.
Teams flip a coin, and the winner usually chooses defense, then both teams start 25 yards from the end zone and attempt to score. The next team gets its crack at it, and as long as they keep matching scores (or nonscores) the playoff continues.
Thirty-plus years ago, three teams – West Valley, East Valley and Pullman – tied for first place in what was then the Frontier League, and employed a double-elimination tiebreaker to determine the outcome. If memory serves, the teams started from the 10-yard line in those days. It was dramatic: East Valley won its way into the final unscathed. West Valley had to come through the loser’s bracket and beat the Knights twice. EV, incidentally, had beaten WV 6-3 in overtime during the regular season to create the tie in the first place.
Something must have worked, because the young Eagles finished second in state that year and won it all the following season, going undefeated.
Football last week helped make more sense of the postseason for local football teams.
Greater Spokane League: Ferris and Lewis and Clark are in. Wenatchee beat Pasco in the Columbia Basin League and has the inside track to the title. That would mean a date with the GSL No. 3 finisher. Richland is in good shape for No. 2 and a game at home with LC. Moses Lake would then place third and travel against Ferris – providing none of the CBL playoff hopefuls falter this week.
Great Northern League: There could still be a three-way tie for third and a tiebreaker if West Valley beats Deer Park and Cheney beats Colville on Friday. Two of the three would advance to state play-in games against the CWAC League.
Northeast A League: Lakeside locked up the league championship last weekend and top seed for playoffs against the Caribou Trail League. Freeman will be among three other NEA participants.
Saxons win title
(Posted, Oct. 19) Ferris is assured of its first league football title in 33 seasons after rallying from a 13-7 halftime deficit to beat Central Valley 24-13 (last Thursday).
But that’s been the modus operandi of this class. These guys just figure out ways to win.
The Bears had a good plan – run right at the Saxon defense – and when Ferris burned itself with penalties, they took advantage for a touchdown and two field goals.
But the Saxons regrouped during intermission, got back to basics and scored three times by capitalizing on CV mistakes. A win next week over Rogers would give Ferris its first unbeaten regular season since the Don Matthews years in the early 1970s. Wouldn’t it be something if these guys duplicated in football what they accomplished last year in basketball?
Hall of Fame exceptional
(Posted Oct. 17) (Last Tuesday’s) Inland Northwest Hall of Fame induction and lunch was, in the opinion of many – me included – the best in a long time.
Speakers, Steve Emtman, Jeanne Helfer, Dan O’Brien, John Roskelley, Jeff Jordan and Judge Jim Murphy, offered introspection and wit. We knew when we voted this group in that they were exceptional. When you are in the company of greatness – as this year’s luncheon showed – it can be inspiring.