The Shadow
Way back in 1970, the Virginia High School League decided it was time to organize a high school football playoff system.
That’s when a rating system was born and teams competed for state titles in three categories – Group A, Group AA and Group AAA.
Things have been tweaked many times since then, including a major change in 1986 when each group was divided into divisions resulting in six state champions. And certainly it’s much, much easier now to earn a playoff berth.
In the 70’s, 80’s and even in the 90’s, winning a district championship would get you a postseason spot, but wild card berths were very limited and even non-existent in some regions.
This year, six of 10 schools earn playoff berths in Region III, Division 3, while in the Eastern Section of Group A, Division 1, 16 of 22 teams will compete in the playoffs.
Just for fun, let’s look at the playoff history of the three local schools.
Bath County has competed in the playoffs 16 times, winning state championships in both 1995 and 2001.
The Chargers all-time playoff record is 26-14 and over the last 11 seasons, the Hot Springs boys have missed the playoffs just once – 2006.
Covington has played in the postseason 18 times, winning the school’s lone state championship in 1984.
The Cougars sport a 17-17 playoff record, including a 5-4 mark on the Group AA level, before dropping to single-A after the 1983 season.
Covington, who missed the postseason five straight years – 2000 to 2005, looks to be in great shape for a third consecutive playoff trip.
Alleghany has seven playoff appearances, since Alleghany County and Clifton Forge consolidated before the 1983 season.
The Mountaineers own a 2-7 record during that time, with their lone wins coming in 1986 against Buckingham County and last year against R.E. Lee of Staunton.
This week, it was both Covington and Bath County making moves in the point ratings with wins.
The Cougars jumped from 7th to 5th with their exciting 50-48 win over James River, while the Chargers leaped four spots from 17th to 13th, with a 20-14 victory at Parry McCluer.
Alleghany remains in 7th in Region III after Friday’s 41-25 loss to William Byrd.
