The more the merrier in state football playoffs
The proposal still has to be approved as a final reading, but it looks like the state 5A and 4A football playoffs will continue to be 12-team tournaments.
The 5A and 4A playoffs were increased from eight to 12 teams on a trial basis in the 2014 and ’15 seasons. North Idaho coaches, tired of seeing good teams from the North left out in favor of the fourth- or fifth-best teams from the Boise area, pushed for the expanded playoffs.
Next fall, as in the past two years, the top two teams from the 5A Inland Empire League will make the playoffs, and the third-place team will be in the running for a wild-card berth. Two years ago, Coeur d’Alene made it in as the wild card, and won a first-round game on the road.
Next fall, the 5A IEL champ will draw a first-round bye, then host a quarterfinal game. The 5A IEL runner-up will host one of the two third-place teams from the 5A Southern Idaho Conference in the first round.
In 4A, the 4A IEL champ will draw a first-round bye, then host a quarterfinal game. The 4A IEL runner-up will travel to the third-place team from District 3 in the first round. Last year, the 4A IEL runner-up (Lakeland) hosted a first-round game.
If it receives final approval, the state 3A football playoffs would be reduced from 16 teams to 12. Up north, the Intermountain League champ would earn a first-round bye, then host a quarterfinal game. The IML runner-up would host the second-place team from the Snake River Valley Conference in the first round.
In 2A, all three teams in the Central Idaho League would again make the 16-team playoffs, with the CIL champ hosting a first-round game, and the second- and third-place teams on the road.
The 1A Division I playoffs would be reduced from 16 teams to eight, with three teams from the north making the field.
The 1A Division II playoffs would remain at 12 teams, with the top two teams from North Idaho qualifying.
THE UNIVERSITY of Idaho volleyball program recently announced the signing of five players, including a pair of Coeur d’Alene High standouts, setter/hitter Megan Ramseyer and libero Maura Donovan.
The 5-foot-11 Ramseyer missed most of her senior season at Coeur d’Alene with a torn ACL, and according to the Vandals, is expected to make a full recovery for the start of the 2016 season. The 5-6 Donovan was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the 5A Inland Empire League.
Here’s what Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan, a former St. Maries standout who knows what it’s like to try to play college volleyball after suffering a torn ACL in high school, had to say about the two Viking recruits:
“Megan is one of the best setters to come out of the region and the state of Idaho,” Buchanan said of Ramseyer. “She will be able to help us out as either a setter in a 5-1 offense or on the outside in a 6-2.”
“Maura is another very athletic recruit out of Idaho,” Buchanan said of Donovan. “She can move and cover the court. Maura played for one of the top high school teams and has been recognized multiple times for her defensive display.”
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.