NMAA needs to starting thinking outside the box
Opinion piece by Kyle Henderson the Publisher of NMPreps.com regarding the new NMAA Alignment for the 2016/2017/2018 block.
Clovis Injustice
When the NMAA released their new alignments all I could think about was parents driving from Clovis, New Mexico to Albuquerque, New Mexico, making the 438 mile round trip again and again to watch their student athletes participate in weekly events. New Mexico is a rather large state, in-fact it's the 5th biggest state land wise after: Alaska, Texas, California, and Montana, so there is going to be driving no matter how you slice up the districts. However, putting Clovis in a district along side 4 Albuquerque Pubic Schools and Santa Fe doesn't make sense, doesn't add up, and it's an injustice to the whole community of Clovis, New Mexico. Speaking with my Clovis sources, the Wildcats will not appeal to the NMAA.
District 3-6A Is the New SEC
A loaded up Southern District includes: Carlsbad, Centennial, Gadsden, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Mayfield, and Onate. The 7 team district is the largest 6A district in the new format. The Las Cruces Public Schools will now be in the same district as Carlsbad and Hobbs. While winning the district title from this 7 team power league will mean something, again the distance between some of schools is outrageous, especially for sports like Basketball, Baseball, and Softball.
5 Bad District Placements
1. Clovis in District 2-6A along side Eldorado, La Cueva, Manznao, Sandia, and Santa Fe
My Advice: Clovis join UIL
2. Piedra Vista being placed along side Rio Rancho, Cleveland, Cibola, and Volcano Vista
My Advice: Transfer to Farmington
3. Hope Christian being placed along side Moriarty, NMMI, Portales, and Ruidoso
My Advice: Hope needs to join APS
4. Escalante and Ft. Sumner being the same district (492 mile round trip)
My Advice: Lots of coffee
5. Lordsburg and Jal being in the same district (772 mile round trip)
My Advice: Rent an airplane
Where The NMAA Got It Right
Moving away from 4 team districts. Winning those 4 team district championships de-valued their merit. The larger districts make winning a district championship really something to be proud about. Class 5A looks very good across the board and now Alamogordo as well as Deming are among the largest schools within the classification, two schools to make the state playoffs in all sports more competitive. Class 4A and Class 3A were well composed well for the most part.
We Need To Think Outside The Box
While having districts is normal to New Mexico, in order to advance competition wise we need to create even more competition and stop handing out so many state championship trophies. Right now the NMAA hands out (football): 6A Title, 5A Title, 4A Title, 3A Title, 2A Title (only 7 teams), No 1A for whatever reason, 8Man Title, and 6Man Title. That is 7 state champions!
North And South Divisions Is Worth Exploring
Picture this, winning a District Division Title would be an amazing accomplishment
6A North Division - Top 4 Teams In The Division Make The Playoffs Cibola
Cleveland
Rio Rancho
Volcano Vista
Eldorado
La Cueva
Manzano
Sandia
Santa Fe
Atrisco Heritage
6A South Division - Top 4 Teams In Division Make The Playoffs
Clovis
Carlsbad
Centennial
Gadsden
Hobbs
Las Cruces
Mayfield
Onate
Alamogordo
Deming
New NMAA Alignments For 2016/2017/2018
Credit: Santa Fe New Mexican Sports
Credit: Santa Fe New Mexican Sports
Opinion piece by Kyle Henderson the Publisher of NMPreps.com regarding the new NMAA Alignment for the 2016/2017/2018 block.
Clovis Injustice
When the NMAA released their new alignments all I could think about was parents driving from Clovis, New Mexico to Albuquerque, New Mexico, making the 438 mile round trip again and again to watch their student athletes participate in weekly events. New Mexico is a rather large state, in-fact it's the 5th biggest state land wise after: Alaska, Texas, California, and Montana, so there is going to be driving no matter how you slice up the districts. However, putting Clovis in a district along side 4 Albuquerque Pubic Schools and Santa Fe doesn't make sense, doesn't add up, and it's an injustice to the whole community of Clovis, New Mexico. Speaking with my Clovis sources, the Wildcats will not appeal to the NMAA.
District 3-6A Is the New SEC
A loaded up Southern District includes: Carlsbad, Centennial, Gadsden, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Mayfield, and Onate. The 7 team district is the largest 6A district in the new format. The Las Cruces Public Schools will now be in the same district as Carlsbad and Hobbs. While winning the district title from this 7 team power league will mean something, again the distance between some of schools is outrageous, especially for sports like Basketball, Baseball, and Softball.
5 Bad District Placements
1. Clovis in District 2-6A along side Eldorado, La Cueva, Manznao, Sandia, and Santa Fe
My Advice: Clovis join UIL
2. Piedra Vista being placed along side Rio Rancho, Cleveland, Cibola, and Volcano Vista
My Advice: Transfer to Farmington
3. Hope Christian being placed along side Moriarty, NMMI, Portales, and Ruidoso
My Advice: Hope needs to join APS
4. Escalante and Ft. Sumner being the same district (492 mile round trip)
My Advice: Lots of coffee
5. Lordsburg and Jal being in the same district (772 mile round trip)
My Advice: Rent an airplane
Where The NMAA Got It Right
Moving away from 4 team districts. Winning those 4 team district championships de-valued their merit. The larger districts make winning a district championship really something to be proud about. Class 5A looks very good across the board and now Alamogordo as well as Deming are among the largest schools within the classification, two schools to make the state playoffs in all sports more competitive. Class 4A and Class 3A were well composed well for the most part.
We Need To Think Outside The Box
While having districts is normal to New Mexico, in order to advance competition wise we need to create even more competition and stop handing out so many state championship trophies. Right now the NMAA hands out (football): 6A Title, 5A Title, 4A Title, 3A Title, 2A Title (only 7 teams), No 1A for whatever reason, 8Man Title, and 6Man Title. That is 7 state champions!
North And South Divisions Is Worth Exploring
Picture this, winning a District Division Title would be an amazing accomplishment
6A North Division - Top 4 Teams In The Division Make The Playoffs Cibola
Cleveland
Rio Rancho
Volcano Vista
Eldorado
La Cueva
Manzano
Sandia
Santa Fe
Atrisco Heritage
6A South Division - Top 4 Teams In Division Make The Playoffs
Clovis
Carlsbad
Centennial
Gadsden
Hobbs
Las Cruces
Mayfield
Onate
Alamogordo
Deming
New NMAA Alignments For 2016/2017/2018
Credit: Santa Fe New Mexican Sports
Credit: Santa Fe New Mexican Sports
