Playoff Travel Distances (round 1)

[bulldoghistorian]

Prairie Grove to Lonoke 3 hours 11 minutes 208 miles
Pottsville to Robinson 1 hour 9 minutes 72 miles
Lincoln to Hamburg 4 hours 50 minutes 310 miles
Fountain Lake to Rivercrest 3 hours 5 minutes 207 miles
Pocahontas to Heber 2 hours 6 minutes 102 miles
Batesville Southside to Dumas 2 hours 43 minutes 174 miles
Helena West Helena to Pea Ridge 5 hours 7 minutes 328 miles
Jonesboro Westside to Dardanelle 2 hours 49 minutes 174 miles
CAC to Warren 1 hour 37 minutes 97 miles
Gosnell to Arkadelphia 3 hours 51 minutes 257 miles
Star City to Shiloh 3 hours 58 minutes 262 miles
Gentry to Mena 2 hours 48 minutes 169 miles
Elkins to Nashville 3 hours 58 minutes 215 miles
Bauxite to Trumann 2 hours 33 minutes 154 miles

[moneyminers]

That HWH to PR drive just sounds crucial.

[SUGARTOWN]

That HWH to PR drive just sounds crucial.

Yep, it' seems definitely crucial that HWH makes the drive to PR. Otherwise they have to forfeit. 

[moneyminers]

Yep, it' seems definitely crucial that HWH makes the drive to PR. Otherwise they have to forfeit. 

haha I mean't crucial in terms of killer, horrible, anything along those lines. you got me there tho sugar lemme rephrase that one. That HWH to PR drive just sounds HORRIBLE  who you got in this game??

[SUGARTOWN]

haha I mean't crucial in terms of killer, horrible, anything along those lines. you got me there tho sugar lemme rephrase that one. That HWH to PR drive just sounds HORRIBLE  who you got in this game??

Yes, that trip is brutal. Should be a close game, it's tough to win on the road in the playoffs. IF HWH plays a clean game, no fumbles, limits penalties, they can win.

[Dogpound2010]

yea If they was still in last years conference they would've had a bye week...

[beach bum]

Always good to be a team in a corner of the state come playoff time when you are the home team

[DuckGuide22]

Hwh was always a 3 or 4 seed in their previous conference.

Note: HWH is undefeated on the road

[bigchief72455]

And most of Northern Arkansas is going to have lows that night below freezing. This November is supposed to be much colder than the past few so trips up North may be on the cold side.

[JoeWho]

Gosnell to Arkadelphia 3 hours 51 minutes 257 miles

Glad they are coming here.  We made that drive a few years ago.  So, now its there turn.

[bulldoghistorian]

Those HWH busses have logged some miles in the past few weeks
To Star City 105 miles
To Crossett 164 miles
To Warren 134 miles
To Pea Ridge 328 miles
That's an average of 183 miles per trip

[bulldoghistorian]

Prairie Grove to Lonoke 3 hours 11 minutes 208 miles
Pottsville to Robinson 1 hour 9 minutes 72 miles
Lincoln to Hamburg 4 hours 50 minutes 310 miles
Fountain Lake to Rivercrest 3 hours 5 minutes 207 miles
Pocahontas to Heber 2 hours 6 minutes 102 miles
Batesville Southside to Dumas 2 hours 43 minutes 174 miles
Helena West Helena to Pea Ridge 5 hours 7 minutes 328 miles
Jonesboro Westside to Dardanelle 2 hours 49 minutes 174 miles
CAC to Warren 1 hour 37 minutes 97 miles
Gosnell to Arkadelphia 3 hours 51 minutes 257 miles
Star City to Shiloh 3 hours 58 minutes 262 miles
Gentry to Mena 2 hours 48 minutes 169 miles
Elkins to Nashville 3 hours 58 minutes 215 miles
Bauxite to Trumann 2 hours 33 minutes 154 miles

Total mileage: 2729
Average mileage: 195

[justafan33]

Average mileage: 195

Seems like regions would make sense

[DuckGuide22]

That probably seems like a good idea to people in a weak region. It sounds ludicrous to people in a tough one

[hogfan10]

Average mileage: 195

Seems like regions would make sense

How bout neutral site games.

[SwingTheAxe]

How bout neutral site games.

I get the appeal there, especially in the matchup of 3 seeds, but when you are talking about 1 or 2 seeds, those kids have earned the right to play at home.

[hogfan10]

I get the appeal there, especially in the matchup of 3 seeds, but when you are talking about 1 or 2 seeds, those kids have earned the right to play at home.

If they're a true 1 or 2 seed, their fans will turn out for neutral site games. The neutral site doesn't have to be a true 50/50 split in travel, but could alleviate some of the strain put on athletic/family budgets.

[Hog Lefty]

Will the travel teams for the longer trips travel on Thursday or Friday?  3-4 hours on a yellow school bus is tough and are at a big disadvantage. 

[Mulerider4Life]

I get the appeal there, especially in the matchup of 3 seeds, but when you are talking about 1 or 2 seeds, those kids have earned the right to play at home.

But does it really matter if they play at home? Earn the right for what? We may earn things, but we don't deserve anything. If you are the best team, you will win anywhere.

[SUGARTOWN]

But does it really matter if they play at home? Earn the right for what? We may earn things, but we don't deserve anything. If you are the best team, you will win anywhere.

So you think the whole "home field advantage" thing is a myth?

[Gray lizard]

How bout neutral site games.

The AAA takes all the gate.  What neutral site school would want to do that for popcorn sales.

[FF Secretary of Defense Flap_Jack48]

This is one of the dumbest arguments I've heard.  Be thankful you made the play-offs, if you have to travel, get on the dang bus and travel.  If you're the host school, be kind and courteous to your visitors and everyone play a clean football game.

How is it that hard to understand?  All this crying for neutral site games is ridiculous.  It won't happen, so it's time to give that notion up.  If you've EARNED home field advantage, that's awesome.  If you didn't, play better in conference games that matter. 

Stop bringing up neutral site games every single play-off season, it's not going to happen and in my opinion, SHOULDN'T happen.  Traveling is part of the play-offs, like it or not.  Like I said, if the team doesn't want to travel--play better next season and earn a home game. 

That is all!

-Kyle

[Maynard G Krebs]

Those HWH Cougars will get to see some beautiful fall colors as they travel

[AirWarren]

This is one of the dumbest arguments I've heard.  Be thankful you made the play-offs, if you have to travel, get on the dang bus and travel.  If you're the host school, be kind and courteous to your visitors and everyone play a clean football game.

How is it that hard to understand?  All this crying for neutral site games is ridiculous.  It won't happen, so it's time to give that notion up.  If you've EARNED home field advantage, that's awesome.  If you didn't, play better in conference games that matter. 

Stop bringing up neutral site games every single play-off season, it's not going to happen and in my opinion, SHOULDN'T happen.  Traveling is part of the play-offs, like it or not.  Like I said, if the team doesn't want to travel--play better next season and earn a home game. 

That is all!

-Kyle

Traveling is tough, but it is one of the more exciting things about the playoffs. Win or lose, I have had some great times at away playoff games. You get to see other towns, other facilities, other fan bases. Kyle, I know you remember traveling to Lonoke and Harrisburg together. Warren has had the opportunity to go to NWA to play Shiloh several times, Prairie Grove, Dardanelle, Ozark(miserably cold AND we got railed). My most recent away playoff game was at Joe T Robinson last year....I can't express to you how amazing the atmosphere was. Combine that with the facility and it was a great time.

As a host school, take it as an opportunity to show off your facilities and courteousness to the visiting team.

I don't understand all this "unfair" business related to travel and distance. You're in the ARKANSAS 4A state playoffs....you're going to travel more than likely. Suck it up and get behind your team.

[Mulerider4Life]

This is one of the dumbest arguments I've heard.  Be thankful you made the play-offs, if you have to travel, get on the dang bus and travel.  If you're the host school, be kind and courteous to your visitors and everyone play a clean football game.

How is it that hard to understand?  All this crying for neutral site games is ridiculous.  It won't happen, so it's time to give that notion up.  If you've EARNED home field advantage, that's awesome.  If you didn't, play better in conference games that matter. 

Stop bringing up neutral site games every single play-off season, it's not going to happen and in my opinion, SHOULDN'T happen.  Traveling is part of the play-offs, like it or not.  Like I said, if the team doesn't want to travel--play better next season and earn a home game. 

That is all!


TRIGGERED

-Kyle

[AirWarren]

Those HWH Cougars will get to see some beautiful fall colors as they travel

Man, we have had one of best falls in recent memory with the colors.

[RyanLR]

Man, we have had one of best falls in recent memory with the colors.

When it ain't raining lol.

[Gray lizard]

My favorite playoff trip was the year Dardanelle went down to Nashville.  Left early that day and stopped at Narrows darn and caught the heck out of trout. My young son and daughter caught and released over 30 fish each.  Stopped at a nice place to eat just before Nashville. Ran into my old high school coach there and he told my son about my touchdown catch to win homecoming game in detail.  That was special as he has altimerzers and did not remember many things. Then we on to see one of the best catches I have seen in high school football in Thompson to Kershner for the TD.  That was a great trip.

Make the the best of your travels and be thankful you get the chance.

[RZback]

This is one of the dumbest arguments I've heard.  Be thankful you made the play-offs, if you have to travel, get on the dang bus and travel.  If you're the host school, be kind and courteous to your visitors and everyone play a clean football game.

How is it that hard to understand?  All this crying for neutral site games is ridiculous.  It won't happen, so it's time to give that notion up.  If you've EARNED home field advantage, that's awesome.  If you didn't, play better in conference games that matter. 

Stop bringing up neutral site games every single play-off season, it's not going to happen and in my opinion, SHOULDN'T happen.  Traveling is part of the play-offs, like it or not.  Like I said, if the team doesn't want to travel--play better next season and earn a home game. 
-Kyle

Some of the arguments have a bit of merit, Why does the AAA get all the gate? 
In reality the playoff travel is just part of it, you win during the season and you get an advantage in the playoffs with home games.  Neutral sites would be a financially bad idea.  Most schools fan's don't travel well and particularly when the distance is very far.  We all know the distances are often 3-5 hours.  Neutral sites would lessen that but in those case of 4-5 hours the travel is still going to be 2-3 hours depending on where the game is held and who plays who. Now both teams have to travel.  Most fans will not make the trip.

[bulldoghistorian]

Will the travel teams for the longer trips travel on Thursday or Friday?  3-4 hours on a yellow school bus is tough and are at a big disadvantage. 

Star City will be traveling Friday.

[Coltfan2005]

The AAA takes all the gate.  What neutral site school would want to do that for popcorn sales.

could have sworn visiting teams get a large chunk of the gate in playoff games.

[bigchief72455]

Shoot. I am going up to Pea Ridge and selling hand warmers outside the gate. Lol.

[ea cat]

5% to each schools conference. 20% to host, 40% to visitor, 30% to AAA.

[GRN R H-2 X-Deep Over]

This is one of the dumbest arguments I've heard.  Be thankful you made the play-offs, if you have to travel, get on the dang bus and travel.  If you're the host school, be kind and courteous to your visitors and everyone play a clean football game.

How is it that hard to understand?  All this crying for neutral site games is ridiculous.  It won't happen, so it's time to give that notion up.  If you've EARNED home field advantage, that's awesome.  If you didn't, play better in conference games that matter. 

Stop bringing up neutral site games every single play-off season, it's not going to happen and in my opinion, SHOULDN'T happen.  Traveling is part of the play-offs, like it or not.  Like I said, if the team doesn't want to travel--play better next season and earn a home game. 

That is all!

-Kyle

Traveling is one of those great memories you have as a ballplayer. When my team travelled across state we made it a whole-day affair leaving school as soon as it started and eating out halfway. One time we got to do a walkthrough at another school's field because the coaches knew each other.
It also serves as a great way to build next year's team off of the current team with the freshmen coming along and seeing how the team meshes. It's like a retreat. And TRUST ME the kids don't mind skipping class. 

[Coltfan2005]

The AAA takes all the gate.  What neutral site school would want to do that for popcorn sales.

5% to each schools conference. 20% to host, 40% to visitor, 30% to AAA.

hmm

[Da Truff]

hmm

Is that the break down for every round or does the distribution change each round?

[Gray lizard]

5% to each schools conference. 20% to host, 40% to visitor, 30% to AAA.

That does not add up to 100%.

[changeisgood]

That does not add up to 100%.

5% x 2 = 10%

[DuckGuide22]

Hahahaha

[Hawk4L]

Pea Ridge fan base may be the most well traveled in 4A.  We usually pack the visiting stands.  It also helps that we have 70 kids on the team lol

[Mulerider4Life]

Pea Ridge fan base may be the most well traveled in 4A.  We usually pack the visiting stands.  It also helps that we have 70 kids on the team lol

Dang, and you guys are a 4A School? Sounds like a 6A squad.

[RZback]

Pea Ridge fan base may be the most well traveled in 4A.  We usually pack the visiting stands.  It also helps that we have 70 kids on the team lol

There is usually a huge difference between the home field stands and the visiter stands.  Doesn't take many fans to fill up most visiter bleechers.

[prHOG13]

Man, we have had one of best falls in recent memory with the colors.

It's insane just south of Fayetteville right now going through the mountains

[DQLeopard83]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2687712847909227&set=a.193426637337873&type=3&theater

[Busman]

Neutral sites were the norm in the 70's but other than arranging for ticket takers, keys and turning the lights on, the games were relatively easy for the host. It's a different world now. Security costs have skyrocketed. Media coverage places demands on press boxes. And many times high school facilities often exceed those of the D2 schools that were the primary hosts.

[KASH dba The Lumberjack]

My take on traveling is I believe it's a part of sports. There are so many kids who don't have the opportunity to get up and go places like some of us can. For them to travel on a bus with friends and teammates is something they'll never forget. My son missed traveling on the bus up to PG in '16 because he had a knee brace fitting in LR that morning. He still mentions missing out on that trip every now and then.

[DuckGuide22]

I agree

[Busman]

Eight home teams lost. By quick estimate, five lost to teams that traveled more than two miles.

[bulldoghistorian]

I will do the distances for round 2 sometime tomorrow.