The Virginia High School League did something this year that only the VHSL could do. Once again, it deferred one of his long time tasks to the state’s various regions. For as long as I can remember, the VHSL has computed and kept the official playoff point rankings that decide the participants in the post season.
This year, they dumped that duty off to the Regions to compute their own once again comporting to that VHSL motto that the less we do the better. They are content to basically say hey we are having a state semi-final on this date so you figure out how to get a team there. You likely won’t find a state out there that just punts the ball on who gets into the playoffs like the Virginia High School League. You don’t find that in West Virginia. The WVSSAC is the sole entity that computes the post-season playoff rankings, publishing them on a weekly basis beginning in Week 3.
Since we have no idea how the regions are going to compute their rankings, we are left to conclude that they’ll most likely stick with the VHSL’s current convoluted formula that among other things rewards teams for losing.
The playoff field is two big particularly in the smaller classifications. 8 teams in each region for a total of 32 teams just doesn’t work. The maximum should be 6 teams per region with a region option to have a regional playoff with 4 or 5 teams. That would prevent teams (on most occasions) with sub .500 records or God forbid 0-10 teams from making the post-season. If you can’t win more than you lose, you shouldn’t be in the playoffs. But, until someone on State Farm Boulevard in Charlottesville gets some common sense, we’ll be left with this bullshit system that usually works out with the best team winning but is more focused on everyone getting a participation trophy than actual merit.
So, I decided to take the VHSL’s formula and put it into action. These are very unofficial and perhaps in a lot of cases inaccurate ratings. But it’s fun to do anyway.
Region 3D – May wind up being the most fun region to track this season. After just 3 weeks, I’d say it’s a safe bet that Lord Botetourt, Magna Vista, William Byrd and Northside are going to make the postseason field. Barring some miracle, it’s a safe bet that Cave Spring, Hidden Valley, Tunstall and Christiansburg are not. With a 13-team region that leaves 5 teams battling for 4 spots: Staunton River, Abingdon, Carroll County, Pulaski County and Bassett.
| Team | Rating | Record |
| Lord Botetourt | 22.00 | 3-0 |
| Magna Vista | 21.33 | 3-0 |
| Northside | 20.66 | 3-0 |
| William Byrd | 20.00 | 3-0 |
| Staunton River | 18.33 | 2-1 |
| Abingdon | 16.66 | 2-1 |
| Carroll County | 16.66 | 2-1 |
| Pulaski County | 15.50 | 1-1 |
| Bassett | 15.33 | 1-2 |
| Tunstall | 13.66 | 1-2 |
| Cave Spring | 11.00 | 0-3 |
| Hidden Valley | 10.66 | 0-3 |
| Christiansburg | 10.33 | 0-3 |
Region 3C – With 18 teams in the region, it is likely going to take at least 7 wins to make the post season and no less than 6 wins. If the playoffs started today (and I know they don’t), Brookville would be back in the post-season after missing it last season, and consistent playoff teams Heritage, Rustburg, along with two time defending Class 3 champion Liberty Christian would not. The current standings will change as the season progresses.
| Team | Rating | Record |
| Broadway | 23.33 | 3-0 |
| Alleghany | 23.00 | 2-0 |
| Turner Ashby | 21.00 | 2-0 |
| Staunton | 20.66 | 3-0 |
| Brookville | 18.66 | 2-1 |
| East Rockingham | 17.33 | 2-1 |
| Rocktown | 17.33 | 1-2 |
| Spotswood | 17.33 | 2-1 |
| Heritage | 16.50 | 1-1 |
| Wilson Memorial | 16.50 | 1-1 |
| Monticello | 16.33 | 2-1 |
| Western Albemarle | 16.33 | 2-1 |
| Liberty Christian | 16.00 | 0-1 |
| Waynesboro | 15.00 | 1-2 |
| Fluvanna County | 13.66 | 1-2 |
| Rustburg | 12.66 | 0-3 |
| Harrisonburg | 10.50 | 0-2 |
| Rockbridge County | 10.33 | 0-3 |
Region 4D – The biggest surprise here. Out of 15 teams, Salem is 15th and the only winless team in the Region. With a trip to Dinwiddie this Friday, the Spartans are teetering on an 0-4 start and with Patrick Henry left to play in a District game, Salem might be fighting to finish .500
| Team | Rating | Record |
| Jefferson Forest | 26.00 | 3-0 |
| James Wood | 22.66 | 3-0 |
| Handley | 22.66 | 3-0 |
| Blacksburg | 21.33 | 2-1 |
| George Washington | 20.00 | 2-1 |
| Sherando | 19.66 | 2-1 |
| Charlottesville | 17.00 | 1-1 |
| Liberty-Bealton | 16.66 | 1-2 |
| Millbrook | 16.66 | 1-2 |
| E.C. Glass | 16.33 | 1-2 |
| Halifax County | 16.00 | 1-2 |
| Amherst County | 16.00 | 1-2 |
| Orange County | 15.33 | 1-2 |
| Mecklenburg County | 14.66 | 1-2 |
| Salem | 13.00 | 0-3 |
Region 1C – Through 3 weeks, the 8 playoff teams in this 12 team region are basically set. Bland County is not eligible as they don’t play a full district schedule and are playing as an independent. Galax, Eastern Montgomery, and Fort Chiswell are all winless and figure to have no post-season chance barring some miraculous turnaround
| Team | Rating | Record |
| Craig County | 18.00 | 2-0 |
| Grayson County | 16.33 | 2-1 |
| Giles | 16.00 | 2-1 |
| Parry McCluer | 15.33 | 2-1 |
| Auburn | 13.33 | 2-1 |
| Narrows | 11.66 | 1-2 |
| Bath County | 11.50 | 1-1 |
| George Wythe | 10.66 | 1-2 |
| Bland County | 9.66 | 1-2 |
| Galax | 8.66 | 0-3 |
| Eastern Montgomery | 6.00 | 0-3 |
| Fort Chiswell | 5.66 | 0-3 |
Region 2C
| Team | Rating | Record |
| Floyd County | 23.00 | 2-0 |
| Nelson County | 20.00 | 2-0 |
| Glenvar | 19.33 | 3-0 |
| Gretna | 19.00 | 2-1 |
| James River | 18.66 | 2-1 |
| Martinsville | 15.50 | 1-1 |
| Chatham | 15.00 | 1-2 |
| Dan River | 14.00 | 1-1 |
| Radford | 14.00 | 1-1 |
| Appomattox | 13.00 | 1-2 |
| Liberty-Bedford | 12.33 | 1-2 |
| Patrick County | 12.00 | 1-2 |
Region 2D
| Team | Rating | Record |
| Gate City | 20.33 | 2-1 |
| Union | 19.33 | 3-0 |
| Virginia | 19.33 | 3-0 |
| Lebanon | 18.66 | 3-0 |
| Ridgeview | 18.66 | 3-0 |
| Richlands | 12.33 | 1-2 |
| Central-Wise | 12.00 | 1-2 |
| Lee | 12.00 | 1-2 |
| Graham | 11.66 | 1-2 |
| Tazewell | 9.50 | 0-2 |
| John Battle | 9.00 | 0-3 |
| Marion | 8.33 | 0-3 |