As late October approached and the Mount Carmel intramural football season neared its close, one teacher offered a very controversial change to the postseason format. English teacher and House system coordinator, Mr. Dan Haggerty, proposed that all twenty-four teams from every Studium should be allowed into the playoffs. This sparked immediate controversy between every player and all five of the students who actually watch the games.
Last year, only the all-stars from each Studium were allowed to participate in the three possible playoff games. With the new format, there would be a total of twenty-three games, and all of the teams would get a chance to play in the playoffs, as opposed to just four. This change would mean games starting at 6 am, players having to miss lunch, and games well into November and December.
Students have come out strongly against this expansion for various reasons.
“What’s the point of the regular season if 0-10 teams are making the playoffs?” said Heisman favorite senior Nate Killeen, who is in his seventh season of eligibility. “I wouldn’t even have entered the transfer portal if I knew every team could’ve played in the postseason. It’s my last year of eligibility too!”.
Mr. Haggerty responded to students' concerns, arguing that everyone should have the opportunity to tell their grandkids about the 11AM high school intramural playoff atmosphere and what it was like to play in it. However, it isn’t just the students who are voicing their criticisms.
“Many of my students have had to miss some of my lectures, which are far more engaging, to attend these games,” said English teacher and soccer coach Mr. Manuel Medina.
This is actually one of the effects of the expansion that no students have a problem with.
“I don’t really know how these playoffs work,” said passionate stadium football watcher Santiago Clavier. “But I do get to skip class.”
Despite all of the complaints, little is being done by the faculty or students, which could be a result of the newly implemented NIL program. Some coaches/teachers are receiving bonus pay for their teams' wins. Many students even receive school lunch credit for receiving touchdowns.