THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610040240
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: 65 lines
Maybe the scheduling process used by the National Football League could be used for local high school football.
Wilson athletic director Terrence Green says he would be in favor of it. Green feels it might provide a boost in attendance for teams who are scrambling for victories, such as his Presidents.
``We are locked into seven games in our district,'' pointed out Green. ``But the other three games might be changed to make more competitive games and that will bring more people out.''
This year, and again next year, Wilson will open against Deep Creek and Western Branch. Both are perennial powers in the Southeastern District.
Green would like to see those games replaced with ones against teams who field talent similar to that of the Presidents.
``This year, if we were playing Great Bridge and Hickory, those games would be about even,'' he said. Wilson, Great Bridge and Hickory all are winless. And it would provide an opportunity for somebody to crack the win column and likely would produce exciting games.
The Washington Redskins have no drawing problems. But the NFL scheduling system, which makes the top teams play tougher schedules, already is working wonders for Washington in fan appeal and prestige.
With an about-average team, Washington has won four of its first five games and leads its division.
Those games were against Philadelphia, Chicago, the New York Giants, St. Louis and the New York Jets. Combined, the five opponents have totaled eight victories while losing 16. Philadelphia, a winner over Washington, has three of the eight wins. The Redskins' victims stand at 5-14.
If Washington had to open against two of the better teams, as Wilson did, the Redskins might be 2-3 at this point.
Using the previous season's finish among the 26 Southside Hampton Roads AAA teams, here's one way the teams might have been ranked for 1996 scheduling:
1. Deep Creek, 2. Green Run, 3. Indian River, 4. Western Branch, 5. Tallwood, 6. Booker T. Washington, 7. Granby, 8. Kempsville, 9. Lakeland, 10. Nansemond River, 11. Salem, 12. Churchland, 13. Cox, 14. Ocean Lakes, 15. Oscar Smith, 16. Norcom, 17. Lake Taylor, 18. Norview, 19. Princess Anne, 20. Bayside, 21. Maury, 22. First Colonial, 23. Kellam, 24. Great Bridge, 25. Wilson and 26. Hickory.
With a best-against-the-best and worst-against-the-worst format for nonconference games, Wilson would have faced Great Bridge, Oscar Smith and Nansemond River (or newcomer Hickory) for its three nonconference games against Southeastern teams.
Needless to say, that would have been better for the Presidents than the slate it had - Deep Creek, Western Branch and Nansemond River.
As Green reasons, more Wilson fans likely would turn out to see the Presidents in competitive games rather than blowouts. Wilson lost to Deep Creek, 57-0, and to Western Branch, 42-7. A Wilson-Hickory or Wilson-Great Bridge game might have been a nail-biter down to the wire.
Hickory lost its three nondistrict games by a 138-27 margin, including a 62-0 slamming from Norcom. Wouldn't Hickory fans have preferred games against three tailenders instead of Ocean Lakes, Norcom and Lake Taylor?
The Nansemond River-Wilson game was 15-12 in favor of the Warriors. This is definitely the kind of game fans prefer.
Before a new two-year schedule is drawn up starting in 1998, it might be wise for principals and athletic directors to get together and study the NFL process.
Nobody wants to watch 50-0 games if something can be done to prevent them from happening.
Having a chance to win works wonders in building the morale of losing teams. And it just might bring more fans through the gates. by CNB