If it’s the football playoffs, it’s time for North Tama vs. Mason City Newman. This is the third year in a row, but it keeps moving earlier, from the semifinals in 2009 to the quarterfinals in 2010 to the second round in 2011.
The “second round,” prior to 2008, was the first round. Now 32 teams are in each district’s postseason, and a substantial portion of them had losing or 5-4 records. Three games take place in 15 10 to 12 days. If the IHSAA is determined to keep this setup, there’s a compromise option: Take 24 teams — the top three in each district — and give the district champion a bye. It makes winning the district worth something. (Full disclosure: I remember what it’s like not to get in the playoffs at 7-2.)
For the first time, an NT-Newman matchup is at a non-neutral site, in Mason City. This includes the 2002 state baseball 1A championship, in which the Knights thumped the Redhawks 18-5 in Carroll.
EDIT: Fixed span between early games. It used to be every Friday.