In visiting with a number of coaches, it seems to affect the 3A teams, as I have not heard of any schools 2A or smaller having to "cut" players for the playoffs. BHS as an example had to tell 20+ of their kids that they are no longer part of the team for the playoffs. Same kids that went to camp, practiced in the heat, the cold, ran the same sprints, and generally gave the same team effort as those that get to dress for the playoffs. Century "cut" a number of kids and I was told by a high school friend that Minot also had to "cut" kids from the playoff team. My guess is that there is probably a couple of East teams that "cut" as well. All do to the NDHSAA regulations. NDHSAA hardly seems very team supportive to me.
The limits are in place for simple business decisions. Costs associated to the playoffs, trophies hotel rooms busing ETC. While most schools don't have the numbers to reach the limits there are some that could. BHS CHS Minot West Fargo and maybe a couple of others.
Bismarck Public Schools have a NO CUT policy for outdoor sports, meaning everyone that wants to participate can. BHS and CHS numbers are always huge and that drives their continued success. BUT when it comes playoff time they do need to trim the numbers. I do find it strange a School the size of Minot does not have the same problems, they only had 55 on their roster to begin with!!!!!
Neither BHS or CHS carry Freshman on their regular season rosters normally unless they have a superstar.
BHS Listed 80 on the regular season Roster. Sr18 Jr26 Sophomore 36 (Freshman 31)
CHS Listed 83 on the regular season Roster. Sr33 Jr19 Sophomore 31 ( Freshman 37)
CHS listed NO Freshman on the Playoff Roster
BHS listed 5 or 6 Freshman on their Playoff Roster
My guess is the coaches had to trim Sophomore classes the most. But the sad part is the BHS brought up the Freshman to fill the slots. Now I know that some kids quit, get injured, failing grades, or are simply tired of not getting to play at the end of the season.
It is a tough pill to swallow when you have been a part of the team all season and you get "Cut" or "Trimmed" off the Roster for the playoffs(especially if they make room for Freshman). I highly doubt the coaches "trimmed" the better players in each of their respective programs.
I am guessing the Velvas and the Bishop Ryans that all choose to play UP a class would love to have these problems......
Bismarck Public Schools creates their own issues here....cut at the start of the season or cut at the end. I like the fact they allow everyone to participate, they get to see more kids in action.