Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
December 1, 2000, Washington Post

Overdoing it on the Season

It happens every December and it makes me mad.

Virginia and Maryland high school football teams battle for their state titles. The championships are being played this weekend. The games are listed in today's
Washington Post sports section.

So why am I so mad?

Take a close look at the records of some of the contenders: Centreville 11-2; Park View 12-1; Gaithersburg 12-0; Urbana 12-0; Deep Creek 13-0.

Notice anything? All these teams are playing in their 13th and sometimes 14th game of the season. That means that these high school kids have played in as many football games as the Redskins.

And remember, this is not some sport that kids can play every day. This is football, complete with injury lists and bone-rattling tackles.

Now, I like football and I'll admit that winner-take-all games are exciting. But is it that important to keep running kids out onto the gridiron until we find out who is the best team in the state? Why not stop the season at 10 games? Or even 12?

And it is not just high school football that has become playoff happy and championship crazy.

A friend's son, Tommy, played fall baseball in Northern Virginia with the Travelers. The team has had a dream year, finishing the regular season at 14-0. But the season wasn't over. The Travelers had to triumph in three straight playoff games before this 17-0 team could be declared the champions.

Tommy and his teammates are 9 to 11 years old.

I don't want to be a spoilsport. Sports are great. Kids love their games. But do we always have to have playoffs to enjoy playing a sport? And do we always have to have a Super Bowl to have a super season?

© 2000 The Washington Post Company