Unusual forfeit creates bye week for No. 1-ranked L-S

Contributions by Sage Zylstra and Elijah Collins

L-S Newspaper Students

The Lynnville-Sully football team has a lot to be excited about. The Hawks are currently rated No. 1 in Class A, according to the Radio Iowa High School Football Poll. They earned the title of outright district champions for the first time since 2003, and they have secured a home game for the first round of playoffs on Oct. 27.

In the midst of an exciting 7-0 streak, however, the Hawks had an odd Friday night last week where they didn’t play anyone. At the beginning of the season, the L-S boys were informed they would have a bye in week eight when they were supposed to play a home game against Danville. Danville had to forfeit the whole season due to not having enough players to field a team in the 2017 football season.

Having a bye week has its drawbacks and benefits. Losing one of their four home games this year was one of the downfalls of the bye week. It also means the Hawks only have eight games in the regular season, and only three of those were at home. The challenge last week was having enough competition in practice to simulate game situations.

On the other hand, keeping everyone from injury could definitely be a positive for the Hawks. Another positive is the extra rest and having two weeks to prepare for their week-nine game against the Montezuma Braves. Last year, a similar situation occurred in week eight with the Hawks having a bye week. After going 8-0, the L-S boys then lost their only game of the regular season to the Braves in week nine.

Even if the Hawks lost to Montezuma in week nine, the Hawks are the 2017 Class A District 6 champions. The Hawks were runner-up last year while also earning a playoff berth, where they played the winner of their sister district, Gladbrook-Reinbeck. This year, since the Hawks won the district, they will be playing the second seed, or possibly third seed, of their sister district, which is not yet determined.

With the district system changing every two years, the playoff system may also change. Two seasons ago, the top four teams in the district earned a playoff berth. Since then, only the top two teams can make it to the playoffs, along with two wild card teams in each class. The wild card teams are determined by how many points each third seed has scored throughout the season. The second seed will play the first seed of their sister district.

“I feel like they should keep the playoff format as it is right now. This way, the teams that make it into the playoffs earn their spot,” said junior linebacker Grant Wehrle.

When the top four teams from each district made the playoffs, a team had to win three playoff games before punching a ticket to the Dome. Now, there are only two games before making it to the Dome. Teams are guaranteed two games in the Dome – the semi-finals and either the championship or the consolation game.

The Hawks are currently 7-0 and looking to finish their regular season 8-0 after playing Montezuma this Friday, Oct. 20. The Hawks will find out who their first-round playoff opponent is Saturday morning after their Montezuma game.

Those who can’t make it to the game at Montezuma can tune in online at thecube.com/e/741431.

 

Class A Ratings by Radio Iowa

(Released Oct. 16)

Team       Record

  1. Lynnville-Sully 7-0
  2. West Sioux 8-0
  3. Hudson 8-0
  4. Algona Garrigan 8-0
  5. Wapsie Valley 8-0
  6. Saint Ansgar 8-0
  7. Southwest Valley 8-0
  8. Council Bluffs St. Albert 7-1
  9. Gladbrook-Reinbeck 7-1
  10. East Buchanan 7-1

 

 

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