Neutral Site Playoff Games

[ncwingman]

General discussion question - are there neutral site playoff games in your state, and if so how many rounds? If it was up to you, would you change how it's done?

When I was in high school (Pennsylvania), there were at least 4 rounds of playoff games at neutral sites*, but here in NC it's only the state championship. I'm sure there's lots of reasons why (most of those being money), but those seem like the two extreme ends and I'm wondering where most states end up.

*It might have been 5 of 6 rounds at neutral sites, and only the first round was a home game for the higher seeded team. Now, I think it's the last 4 with some teams getting first round byes, so they'd get the second round home game.

[Rich]

Wisconsin has 5 rounds, including the state finals.

The state semifinal (4th round) is on neutral site and must be on turf.  First 3 rounds are at the highest seed.

[bama_stripes]

Only the championship games in Alabama.  There’s been some talk of using neutral sites for the semis, but there doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming push for that.  Personally, I’d rather cut back from five rounds to four, but that ain’t gonna happen.

[bossman72]

In PA (at least western PA), the first district playoff game is a home game.  Everything else is neutral site.  It's also recommended that your home playoff game be on turf.  Some teams will move their home playoff games to a neighboring turf field.
Everything in the state playoffs is neutral site.

Fans always get angry about the playoff game being too far for one team.  People don't realize that not every school is willing or able to host a playoff game.

[ElvisLives]

In Texas, the schools mutually agree on playoff sites. Since early round games are, quite often, top teams playing teams with losing records, the ‘top’ team will host. Many times, they’ll agree to do a “home & home” thing, after a coin toss. The winner of the toss gets to choose which school hosts this game, then, if they meet in playoffs again in the coming years, the other school will host. But, many schools will, indeed, agree to meet at a more centralized site, more due to travel distances than ‘home field advantage’ issues.
It takes 5 playoff games for 11-player teams to reach their championship game (5 classes x 2 divisions each = 10 games), 4 playoff games for 6-player (1 class x 2 divisions = 2 games; they get an extra week off before the championship games). All 12 championship games are played at Jerry World (‘affectionate’ name for Cowboys Stadium). 3 games per day x 4 days (Wednesday thru Saturday), in mid-December. Temporary boundary lines, hash marks, and goals are set up (on the NFL field) for the 6-player games, both of which are played first on the Wednesday. Then a ‘cleanup’ crew eradicates the 6-player markings, and removes the temporary goals, and the first 11-player game is played that evening. Then the rest of the games are played Thursday thru Saturday.
Quite an operation.

[refjeff]

Ohio, six rounds.  First three are hosted by higher seed.  Rounds 4 & 5 at neutral sites with turf.  All state finals, (7 divisions, just over 700 schools) are at the pro football hall of fame stadium in Canton, which is also the home field of the McKinley HS Bulldogs.

[lawdog]

MN 6 rounds first 2 high seed, next four all neutral sites and must be turf fields.

[toma]

In Mass Quarter finals at high seed teams
Semifinals are at neutral sites.
Finals are held at Gillette Stadium

[NVFOA_Ump]

In MA:
Round of 16 is at high seed teams
Quarter finals at high seed teams
Semifinals are at neutral sites.
Finals are held at Gillette Stadium

[Ralph Damren]

In Maine, we have 4 11-man classes and 2 8-man classes. In post season ,the games are played at the home of the higher seed UNTIL the regional championship ;which is played as directed by the league. Most leagues try to secure field-turf sites. The state championships are state controled and set prior to the season.

The assigned on field officials are 5 per game until the regionals where we use 7. The pay is 150% regular season. In the championship game, we have:
                   7 on the field
                   4 on the chains
                   2 on clock/scoreboard

Zebra Math : 13 per game X 10 games = 130 officials
    MFBOA Members : 260 = 50% can be working
    Climate : played up to Saturday prior to Thanksgiving.
     Suggestion : Invest in LL Bean longjohns and ear muffs                 

[riffraft]

In Maine, we have 4 11-man classes and 2 8-man classes. In post season ,the games are played at the home of the higher seed UNTIL the regional championship ;which is played as directed by the league. Most leagues try to secure field-turf sites. The state championships are state controled and set prior to the season.

The assigned on field officials are 5 per game until the regionals where we use 7. The pay is 150% regular season. In the championship game, we have:
                   7 on the field
                   4 on the chains
                   2 on clock/scoreboard

Zebra Math : 13 per game X 10 games = 130 officials
    MFBOA Members : 260 = 50% can be working
    Climate : played up to Saturday prior to Thanksgiving.
     Suggestion : Invest in LL Bean longjohns and ear muffs               

Bought myself a beach condo in Maine, so going to be in Maine for next season, going to have to dig out my winter gear.  I have it somewhere

[Ralph Damren]

Bought myself a beach condo in Maine, so going to be in Maine for next season, going to have to dig out my winter gear.  I have it somewhere

Let me know if plan to officate next fall in Maine. We have a chapter in Portland, and I can put you in contact them. The first half of the season (to mid-October) is usually fine. The second half is usually not. . The anchor store for LL Bean is located in Freeport -10 miles north of Portland -which is open 24/7 365 days per year. Take the wife along, there are dozens of other brand name stores that surround Bean.

[riffraft]

Let me know if plan to officate next fall in Maine. We have a chapter in Portland, and I can put you in contact them. The first half of the season (to mid-October) is usually fine. The second half is usually not. . The anchor store for LL Bean is located in Freeport -10 miles north of Portland -which is open 24/7 365 days per year. Take the wife along, there are dozens of other brand name stores that surround Bean.

The plan is to officiate in Maine next season. Wife would love me to retire from officiating, but not ready.

[ElvisLives]

The plan is to officiate in Maine next season. Wife would love me to retire from officiating, but not ready.

Can’t understand why, but my wife (rest her soul, 5/23, after 42 years married) liked me being gone - especially in those years I was working FBS football. She and our son would go to restaurants I would never set foot in . But, she liked it when I got home (with the check, and for company after our son left the nest).
I miss her.
Enjoy it as long as it is still enjoyable.

[riffraft]

Can’t understand why, but my wife (rest her soul, 5/23, after 42 years married) liked me being gone - especially in those years I was working FBS football. She and our son would go to restaurants I would never set foot in . But, she liked it when I got home (with the check, and for company after our son left the nest).
I miss her.
Enjoy it as long as it is still enjoyable.

I work as a U and she is afraid I am going to get seriously hurt.  Her late husband was in a wheelchair for 6 years before he died and she spent that time taking care of him.

[ElvisLives]

I work as a U and she is afraid I am going to get seriously hurt.  Her late husband was in a wheelchair for 6 years before he died and she spent that time taking care of him.

May God bless you all.🙏🏻