Demons just miss playoffs

'If” is a very small word with very big possibilities.

If Washington had won another football game, they would be in the playoffs.

If Bishop Heelan had won its last game, the Demons would be in the playoffs.

If Keokuk hadn't had to forfeit a win, the Demons Ratings Percentage Index would be higher.

The RPI is used to rate non-district champions for the playoffs' wildcard slots.

'I don't know if that forfeit would've made a difference, but as close as we were, who knows,” Washington head coach James Harris said. 'We were right there.”

Ideally the top 16 RBI teams make the playoff. Washington was 16, but Carroll at 18 was a district champ and that bumped the Demons from the playoff bracket.

'I just think the RPI system seems a bit flawed,” Harris said. 'I don't think Heelan's schedule was all that good. The RPI does not take into account playing up or down the class which I think it should.”

The Demons finished with a 6-3 record after starting 0-2. Two teams made the Class 3A playoffs with a 6-3 record.

The RPI doesn't take into account playing games against a smaller-class or larger-class opponent. It just figures a team's record, the team's opponents' records and the opponents' opponets' records.

'I don't think scheduling down is the way to go,” Harris said. 'We had some easy games when we were 8-1, but then we were shell-shocked when we had to play in the district. I think the two tougher games we had this year might have rocked us a little, but they benefited us in the long run and made us a better team.”

The Solon game and the opener against Marion were two tough losses.

'If Marion's quarterback had not been hurt during the season and if they would've had him healthy, how would that have affected our RPI?” Harris wondered.

Harris reminisces about the Oskaloosa loss.

'It stinks to come up a little short. That loss to Osky is one that I would like to have back. We made some mental errors that really cost us. Marian and Solon kind of kicked our butts. We certainly could've played better, but the one I think about is Osky. One play here or there would've made such a difference.”