NMAA tweaks postseason selections

Did you know: The NMAA has upped the ante for district play. No longer will the second-place team in each district automatically qualify for state tournaments. Instead, only each district champ will get an automatic berth, and the rest of the teams will be selected with at-large bids.

I think this is a smart move, but I'd hate to be the NMAA making all those at-large selections. That's a ton of headaches just waiting to happen.

We saw this a little bit during the state softball tournament last spring. Each of the five District 1-4A teams made it to state, and even though Shiprock finished fifth in 1-4A, the Lady Chiefs were giving fits to other clubs from lesser leagues. Thus, the new rule, by eliminating two guaranteed berths from each district, should provide for the absolute best 12 or 16 teams.

In volleyball and basketball, the two sports that offer district tournaments, teams that finish second during the regular season still can tally an automatic berth to state by winning those league playoffs.

If nothing else, the new policy should increase the intensity of regular-season games. It will be interesting what additional impact it has this school year.

You can check Wednesday's paper for a short piece on the change.

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Also, it's hard to believe, but the prep season gets underway locally this Friday with Farmington High's girls soccer tournament. That same day, the FHS boys start their campaign with a bang when St. Pius comes to town. That will be a huge match before the calendar flips to September. We'll start cranking out preview stories this week, with boys and girls soccer. Volleyball will come next week, along with football.

Where did the summer go?