News Summary

California high school football is experiencing significant changes as HSRatings, previously known as CalPreps, introduces a subscription model after nearly 25 years. The new paywall affects accessibility for coaches, players, and fans, raising concerns about playoff seeding accuracy. With subscriptions priced at $15 for limited access and $140 for unlimited, the implications on team preparation and competition fairness remain uncertain. Coaches are expressing worries over how restricted access to crucial data could impact their strategies and the overall quality of the upcoming season.

Confusion Reigns in California High School Football as HSRatings Introduces Paywall

San Francisco, CA – Big changes are buzzing in the California high school football scene as the beloved resource HSRatings, formerly known as CalPreps, rolls out a subscription model for the first time in its nearly 25 years of existence. This move has left many coaches, players, and fans scratching their heads on how it might impact playoff seeding.

The Subscription Breakdown

Rolling out a tiered subscription model means dedicated fans and coaches will now need to open their wallets for access to game-changing data. The pricing is set at $15 per year for someone looking to peek at up to five page views a day. For those needing a little more, there’s a $40 per year option that grants access to 20 page views daily. For the hardcore fans or coaches who need all the data they can get, an unlimited access plan is available for $140 per year.

Previously, CalPreps was a free resource thanks to a contract with CBS, which owned the popular MaxPreps platform. However, due to shifting ownership and lack of funding, CalPreps was forced to shut down briefly last fall before announcing plans to sue CBS for damages. After CBS sold MaxPreps to PlayOn in April, it discontinued the contract protection that had allowed CalPreps to operate smoothly.

Impact on Playoff Seeding

The timing of these changes couldn’t be more critical, as high school football practices are gearing up, with the season kick-off just around the corner. The Central Coast Section (CCS), which leans heavily on HSRatings data for their playoff seeding processes, is particularly concerned. They use a points system that awards extra points to teams facing higher-ranked opponents, plus bonus points for teams finishing in the top 150 of HSRatings’ final rankings. With the paywall now in place, there isn’t a backup plan to manage these changes in the playoff seeding process.

The North Coast Section (NCS) is facing a cloud of uncertainty too, as they utilize MaxPreps rankings, which had incorporated data from HSRatings. This has left many coaches across the Bay Area wondering about the accuracy and consistency of their playoff rankings moving forward.

Coaches Weigh In

High school coaches from schools across the Bay Area, including those at Los Gatos and Adrian Wilcox, are feeling the crunch. Many have openly expressed that they frequently rely on HSRatings for everything from crafting schedules to shaping game strategies. Although some coaches indicate they’re willing to pay for access to HSRatings data, the broader implications are causing unease. The fear is that restricted access could result in inconsistency in the playoff seeding, making it tougher for teams striving for success.

As the countdown to the new season begins and practices ramp up, the high school football community is buzzing with questions. How will the overall quality of teams and fair competition be impacted by this subscription model? Can the CCS and NCS adapt, or will teams face a rocky road ahead in terms of playoff positioning? One thing is for sure, high school football in California is entering a new era, and everyone is waiting to see how this storyline unfolds.

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