Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993 TAG: 9311170011
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Jack Bogaczyk
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
You have to give the Virginia High School League credit. It certainly knows how to attract attention to the state playoffs.
Last year, the VHSL muddied a football championship with its wimpy decision on the Richlands' cleat-cheat controversy and coach Dennis Vaught, who was exiled by his employer after the VHSL proved it was a toothless organization.
This year, the VHSL didn't wait until the games were played to prove it could confuse even itself on a ruling. Defending state champion Pulaski County's opening Group AAA playoff game will begin in court today, after the VHSL upheld the appeal by C.D. Hylton to declare an uncompleted regular-season game in West Virginia as no contest, after a board of control member from that state made an erroneous ruling according to National Federation rules.
So, the Cougars' first-round game moves from the VHSL offices in Charlottesville to a Pittsylvania County courtroom this afternoon. And after the legal eagles are through, Pulaski might play the GW-Danville Eagles. Hylton, a Woodbridge school that has done nothing but what it should in this mess, could lose without taking the field.
Welcome to the Virginia High School Litigation playoffs. The VHSL held a process called a "super appeal" Tuesday on the matter. This went into executive session. The VHSL behind closed doors? The VHSL has a difficult enough time in public, without cutting off some of the oxygen. The next time the VHSL goes behind closed doors, will someone on the outside get a padlock?
This is an organization that takes its direction from executive director Earl Gillespie. He went out the side door, avoiding questions, moments after the Richlands decision. This time, Gillespie wasn't available when a reporter called about the Hylton decision. One of his assistants said Gillespie went to prepare for today's court date.
How long will it take to be on the receiving end of an injunction?
At least GW-Danville, with its 9-1 record, is playoff worthy. That's more than can be said for some of the 96 teams that will begin the VHSL playoffs in six divisions this weekend. And until the VSHL restructures some of its regions, there will be less-than-mediocre teams undeservedly in the playoffs.
This will happen when 35 percent of a state's football-playing schools are allowed into the playoffs. In 1992, there were three teams with losing records and another seven with 5-5 records. The three sub-.500 clubs last year lost first-round games by a combined score of 127-18.
This year, it's worse - eight at 4-6 and three others at .500. Playoffs are supposed to be a reward for a good season. The best way to make the VHSL playoffs? Join the New River District.
Of the four New River teams, Blacksburg (5-5), Carroll County (4-6) and Radford (4-6) made the playoffs. Christiansburg (3-7) only missed by one game, and that record got the Blue Demons in last season. Six of the eight Group AA, Region IV qualifiers had records of 6-4 or worse.
That's because only 14 schools are in that region, and Richlands (7-3) was barred from the playoffs because Vaught was caught last season. In the Region IV, Division 4 semifinals, Grundy (6-4) has the best record.
Radford coach Norm Lineburg is in the playoffs with four wins while son Mark, head coach at Brookville, is finished after a 7-3 year. Norm made it as a wild card. Mark didn't. Nice system.
The best record in the Group AAA, Division 5 Northwest Regional is Patrick Henry's playoff-deserving 7-3. William Fleming barely missed at 5-5. Can Cave Spring (0-10) be far behind?
Yes, very far. With a .500 record or worse, however, the only way you should be able to get into the playoffs is with an injunction.
When you're talking about the VHSL - and let's not forget Altavista's play-for-pay basketball incident last season - the state slogan should be revised. How about "Virginia is for Lawyers."
by CNB