The end result of the faculty soccer season arrives with the playoff sequence, showcasing the nation’s high groups vying for the nationwide championship title. These pivotal contests, occurring inside an outlined weekly timeframe, decide which applications will advance to the ultimate stage of competitors. Usually held in late December or early January, these video games are a major occasion within the sports activities calendar.
The significance of those contests lies of their direct affect on figuring out the nationwide champion and the status related to participation and victory. These video games usually appeal to substantial media consideration, generate appreciable income for taking part establishments and host cities, and contribute considerably to the general reputation of school soccer. The historic context reveals an evolution from bowl recreation alternatives to a structured playoff format, enhancing competitiveness and fan engagement.
The next sections will element the specifics of the upcoming contests, together with crew matchups, broadcast schedules, key gamers to observe, and pre-game evaluation. Moreover, examination of potential outcomes and their affect on the nationwide championship image can be offered.
1. Groups Competing
The phrase “school soccer playoff video games this week” is intrinsically tied to the identification of the groups taking part. Absent the groups, the occasion ceases to exist. Their presence is the very basis upon which the playoff construction is constructed. The choice course of, usually fraught with controversy and debate, culminates within the unveiling of the choose few that can compete for the nationwide championship. Every crew carries its personal narrative – a season of triumphs and tribulations, star gamers, and training methods. These tales converge on the playoff stage, amplifying the importance of every recreation.
Take into account the instance of a perennial powerhouse program constantly incomes a playoff berth. Their repeated success contributes to the general status and visibility of the contests. Conversely, a Cinderella story, the place an underdog crew unexpectedly qualifies, injects pleasure and unpredictability into the sequence. No matter their pedigree, every crew’s journey all through the season instantly impacts its preparedness and psychological fortitude when dealing with elite competitors. An harm to a key participant, an in depth loss late within the season, or a dominant victory towards a rival – these are all elements that affect a crew’s efficiency and narrative inside the context of the playoff video games.
In essence, understanding the “school soccer playoff video games this week” requires a radical understanding of the groups competing. Their strengths, weaknesses, histories, and particular person tales intertwine to create the drama and pleasure that outline these high-stakes contests. Predicting the result of those video games necessitates a deep dive into the particular attributes and circumstances surrounding every taking part crew. The absence of robust groups would make the playoffs meaningless.
2. Recreation Areas
The collection of recreation areas for “school soccer playoff video games this week” shouldn’t be a matter of mere logistical comfort; it’s a calculated choice impacting ambiance, aggressive benefit, and total occasion status. The chosen venues, usually iconic stadiums steeped in school soccer historical past, turn out to be non permanent battlegrounds, their significance amplified by the stakes of the competitors. A geographically advantageous location can favor a specific crew, galvanizing their fanbase and probably intimidating the opposition. Conversely, a impartial website goals to mitigate such biases, theoretically fostering a degree taking part in area. Take into account, for instance, a situation the place a crew from a warm-weather local weather should compete in a playoff recreation held in a stadium recognized for frigid temperatures. The inherent climatic drawback might considerably impede their efficiency, highlighting the substantial affect of location.
Past the fast aggressive elements, recreation areas play an important position within the broader narrative of the playoffs. The financial affect on the host metropolis is substantial, with tourism income surging resulting from inflow of followers, media personnel, and associated help workers. Moreover, the chosen stadiums usually turn out to be symbols of the playoff sequence itself, their picture indelibly linked to the recollections and highlights related to these video games. Consider the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, or the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana venues synonymous with school soccer custom and status. Their presence elevates the perceived significance of the matchups, attracting a wider viewers and reinforcing the cultural significance of the game.
In the end, the selection of recreation areas represents a cautious balancing act between aggressive equity, logistical concerns, and the need to reinforce the general spectacle of “school soccer playoff video games this week.” The chosen venues should not merely stadiums; they’re integral parts of the occasion, shaping the expertise for gamers, followers, and viewers alike. The areas are greater than only a background; they’re an energetic participant in shaping the drama and legacy of the playoffs. The placement usually influences the group, climate, and total expertise.
3. Broadcast Schedule
The nationwide obsession with school soccer finds its crescendo within the playoff sequence, however the video games themselves are merely half the story. The printed schedule, the fastidiously orchestrated dissemination of those contests to tens of millions of houses, is the lifeblood that sustains the phenomenon. With no meticulously deliberate broadcast technique, the “school soccer playoff video games this week” would exist in a vacuum, their affect severely diminished. The networks, the printed occasions, the pre- and post-game evaluation these parts converge to create a shared expertise, binding followers collectively in collective anticipation and communal celebration or despair.
Take into account the implications of a poorly conceived broadcast schedule. A recreation relegated to a lesser-known community, or slotted right into a time slot that clashes with competing occasions, dangers shedding viewership and income. The ripple impact extends past the fast broadcast, impacting future sponsorship offers, recruiting prospects, and total program notion. Conversely, a well-executed broadcast technique elevates the occasion, attracting bigger audiences, producing larger promoting charges, and solidifying the playoff sequence as a cultural touchstone. The collection of commentators, the standard of the manufacturing, the seamless integration of commercials these all contribute to the viewing expertise and finally affect the perceived worth of the video games. A traditional instance is the constant airing of playoff video games on main networks like ESPN and ABC, making certain most visibility and entry for followers throughout the nation. This strategic placement has undeniably fueled the expansion and recognition of the faculty soccer playoffs.
In essence, the printed schedule shouldn’t be merely a logistical element; it’s an integral element of the “school soccer playoff video games this week,” shaping their attain, affect, and total legacy. Understanding the intricate relationship between the video games themselves and their broadcast distribution is important for appreciating the total scope of this nationwide spectacle. With no broad and interesting broadcast, the thrill of the playoffs can’t be unfold all through the nation, making the schedule the vessel for spreading the information and video games all through the viewing public. The schedule, due to this fact, have to be properly organized.
4. Participant Matchups
Within the theater of “school soccer playoff video games this week,” the grand spectacle is underpinned by a sequence of intimate duels: the participant matchups. These aren’t mere statistical comparisons; they’re clashes of will, talent, and technique that dictate the narrative of every contest. Each snap, each block, each throw is a consequence of those particular person confrontations, moments that collectively decide victory or defeat. The essence of the playoffs resides in these battles inside the battle, the place reputations are cast and legacies are cemented.
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Quarterback vs. Defensive Coordinator
The chess match between a quarterback and the opposing defensive coordinator is paramount. A seasoned quarterback, armed with a deep understanding of his offense and the flexibility to learn defenses, faces off towards a defensive mastermind whose sole function is to disrupt the quarterback’s rhythm and exploit weaknesses. The coordinator deploys blitzes, coverages, and misleading schemes, testing the quarterback’s decision-making underneath immense stress. If the quarterback falters, the offense sputters. If the coordinator’s technique is ineffective, the quarterback carves up the protection. All the recreation might properly hinge on this significant confrontation.
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Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line
The trenches, usually missed, are the proving floor the place video games are gained and misplaced. The offensive line, a cohesive unit tasked with defending the quarterback and creating operating lanes, locks horns with a relentless line of defense whose mission is to penetrate the backfield and wreak havoc. Every battle between a lineman is a check of power, approach, and sheer will. A dominant offensive line can neutralize a fearsome cross rush and open up the bottom recreation, whereas a disruptive line of defense can collapse pockets and generate turnovers. The end result of this battle invariably dictates the tempo and management of the sport.
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Huge Receiver vs. Cornerback
The aerial duel between a large receiver and a cornerback is a spectacle of athleticism and precision. A fleet-footed receiver, with blazing pace and impeccable route-running, challenges a cornerback tasked with shadowing his each transfer and disrupting the cross. The cornerback should possess distinctive instincts, agility, and physicality to contest catches and forestall deep performs. This matchup usually showcases highlight-reel moments: acrobatic catches, contested interceptions, and game-changing performs that swing momentum. A cornerback able to shutting down a star receiver can considerably restrict the opposing offense’s potential.
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Operating Again vs. Linebacker
The collision between a robust operating again and a hard-hitting linebacker is a check of endurance and brute drive. A bruising operating again, decided to grind out powerful yards, meets a linebacker whose mission is to fulfill him head-on and halt his progress. The linebacker should possess distinctive tackling capacity, a eager sense of anticipation, and the power to face up to punishing blows. A operating again able to breaking tackles and gaining yards after contact can put on down a protection and management the clock, whereas a dominant linebacker can stifle the run and drive the opposing offense to turn out to be one-dimensional.
These participant matchups, woven into the material of “school soccer playoff video games this week,” transcend particular person performances. They symbolize a microcosm of the bigger strategic battles, revealing the strengths and weaknesses of every crew. Every contest is a narrative of those clashes, usually defining the result. The crew that wins probably the most particular person battles usually claims victory within the conflict. That is the essence of playoff soccer.
5. Teaching Methods
The narrative of “school soccer playoff video games this week” is incomplete with out acknowledging the profound affect of teaching methods. These should not merely ideas scribbled on a whiteboard; they’re the blueprints meticulously crafted and relentlessly drilled, the mental artillery dropped at bear on the gridiron battleground. Teaching methods function the rudder steering every crew via the turbulent waters of high-stakes competitors. When a crew executes a recreation plan flawlessly, it’s a testomony to the strategic acumen of the teaching workers, and the gamers’ adherence. A well-devised scheme anticipates the opponent’s tendencies, exploits their weaknesses, and maximizes a crew’s strengths, remodeling potential into tangible outcomes. Take into account, for instance, the 2018 Nationwide Championship recreation, the place Alabama, underneath the path of Coach Nick Saban, famously benched their beginning quarterback at halftime in favor of freshman Tua Tagovailoa. This daring strategic maneuver, a response to Georgia’s stifling protection, ignited Alabama’s offense and finally secured their victory.
The significance of adaptable teaching methods escalates exponentially inside the stress cooker of the playoffs. Pre-game evaluation, whereas essential, usually proves inadequate towards the unpredictability of reside competitors. It’s the capacity to make astute in-game changes, to acknowledge evolving patterns, and to counter sudden challenges that separates profitable coaches from their less-adept counterparts. A profitable coach can acknowledge momentum shifts and capitalize on them with well timed play calls, strategic timeouts, and calculated dangers. Consider a defensive coordinator who, recognizing an opponent’s reliance on a specific operating play, adjusts his formation to constantly disrupt the blocking scheme, forcing the opposition to desert their established technique. Such selections should not born of luck; they’re the product of meticulous preparation, eager statement, and decisive management. The coach is an mental counter puncher in a bodily battle.
In the end, the teaching methods employed throughout “school soccer playoff video games this week” go away an indelible mark on the historical past of the game. These contests are extra than simply shows of athletic prowess; they’re showcases of strategic brilliance, the place the tactical selections made on the sidelines form the result of the sport and affect the careers of gamers and coaches alike. The problem lies in constantly innovating, adapting, and anticipating the ever-evolving panorama of school soccer, making certain that the strategic playbook stays one step forward of the competitors. To be caught flat-footed strategically is to courtroom defeat in a discussion board the place technique reigns supreme.
6. Impression on Rankings
The narrative surrounding “school soccer playoff video games this week” invariably converges on the consequential affect these contests have on the nationwide rankings. It’s a system the place victories and defeats should not merely recorded however meticulously weighed, dissected, and finally, translated right into a numerical hierarchy dictating perceptions of superiority. The common season serves as a protracted prelude, a sequence of trials designed to winnow the contenders, however the playoff video games themselves are the final word crucible, the forge the place reputations are solidified or shattered. The rankings, in flip, turn out to be the historic document, a testomony to the achievements or failures performed out underneath the intense lights of those essential matchups. For the groups concerned, the stakes are immense: a single victory can catapult a program to unprecedented heights, whereas a crushing defeat can erase years of collected goodwill. A climb within the rankings opens doorways to recruiting benefits, elevated alumni donations, and amplified media publicity. The inverse can also be true; a fall within the rankings can set off a cascade of destructive penalties, affecting morale, funding, and the general trajectory of this system.
The affect on rankings extends past the fast members. A seemingly insignificant upset throughout the common season can reverberate all through the playoff image, creating ripple results that alter the aggressive panorama and finally affect the ultimate standings. Convention affiliations turn out to be a key issue, with power of schedule and inter-conference information taking part in a major position in figuring out playoff eligibility and seeding. The subjective factor inherent within the rating course of, significantly the affect of the choice committee, usually invitations scrutiny and debate, additional highlighting the complicated interaction between efficiency, notion, and energy inside the school soccer ecosystem. Recalling the 2017 season, the College of Central Florida completed undefeated however have been excluded from the playoff resulting from perceived weak spot of schedule within the American Athletic Convention. Regardless of claiming a nationwide championship, their ultimate rating mirrored the committee’s notion, underscoring the nuanced and infrequently contentious nature of the rating system.
The hyperlink between “school soccer playoff video games this week” and the next affect on rankings is, due to this fact, a symbiotic one. The video games present the definitive knowledge factors, the empirical proof upon which judgments are made, whereas the rankings function the historic narrative, the enduring legacy of those high-stakes contests. Understanding this relationship is essential for anybody in search of to decipher the complexities of school soccer, to understand the facility of notion, and to acknowledge that the search for nationwide supremacy shouldn’t be merely about profitable video games; it’s about mastering the artwork of affect inside a extremely subjective and infrequently unpredictable system. In the end, school soccer is a enterprise, and the rankings usually correlate to TV viewership, which frequently interprets to extra commercial cash.
7. Historic Context
The fashionable spectacle of “school soccer playoff video games this week” shouldn’t be a spontaneous creation, however reasonably the end result of a long time of evolution, debate, and compromise. Understanding its genesis requires a journey via the annals of school soccer historical past, a story marked by shifting priorities, evolving fan expectations, and the persistent quest for a good and definitive nationwide champion.
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The Period of Bowl Dominance
Previous to the arrival of the playoff system, bowl video games reigned supreme. These postseason matchups, steeped in custom and regional rivalries, decided the perceived nationwide champion via a fancy net of polls and subjective evaluations. The Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl held immense sway, however their inherent limitations sparked limitless debate. Totally different polls usually topped completely different champions, resulting in fragmented claims and lingering questions of legitimacy. For instance, in 1990, Georgia Tech was the UPI nationwide champion, whereas Colorado was the AP nationwide champion. These outcomes meant a scarcity of consensus, and a transparent victor couldn’t be decided on the sphere.
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The Beginning of the Bowl Coalition/Alliance
Pushed by a want to create a extra definitive championship recreation, the Bowl Coalition and later the Bowl Alliance emerged within the Nineties. These alliances sought to ensure a matchup between the highest two groups in a delegated bowl recreation, however these programs suffered from restricted participation and continued reliance on bowl tie-ins. These bowl tie-ins meant that the true primary and two groups might not have been taking part within the championship recreation. Groups might miss the championship recreation as a result of their convention might not have been a part of the alliance.
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The BCS Period: A Step Ahead, But Nonetheless Flawed
The Bowl Championship Sequence (BCS) was launched in 1998, using a method that mixed polls and pc rankings to pick out the 2 members for the nationwide championship recreation. Whereas a major enchancment over earlier programs, the BCS confronted persistent criticism for its subjective parts, its potential for excluding deserving groups, and the notion of bias in the direction of sure conferences. The BCS was nonetheless not a real playoff as solely two groups have been taking part in a championship recreation. Some years, groups with related information, however from completely different conferences, have been neglected of the championship. This usually precipitated anger and discontentment from fanbases of groups neglected of the BCS championship recreation.
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The CFP: A Playoff at Final
The Faculty Soccer Playoff (CFP), carried out in 2014, represented a decisive break from the previous. That includes a four-team playoff format, the CFP offered a extra inclusive and clear technique of figuring out the nationwide champion. Whereas debates persist concerning the optimum variety of playoff members, the CFP has undeniably injected higher pleasure and legitimacy into the postseason. The debates now heart on increasing the playoffs to eight or 12 groups, as 4 groups might exclude deserving convention champions. Nonetheless, a playoff system is an enormous step up from the previous bowl system.
The “school soccer playoff video games this week” should not merely remoted contests; they’re the newest chapter in a protracted and evolving story. From the period of bowl dominance to the daybreak of the CFP, every part has formed the present panorama, informing the principles, the expectations, and the enduring quest for a good and definitive nationwide champion. Because the playoff system continues to evolve, understanding its historic context stays important for appreciating the complexities and the enduring enchantment of school soccer.
8. Climate forecast
The anticipation surrounding “school soccer playoff video games this week” is palpable, a crescendo of athletic prowess and strategic maneuvering. But, amidst the meticulous recreation plans and fervent fan help, an unpredictable factor looms: the climate forecast. This seemingly mundane prediction holds the facility to reshape the very material of those high-stakes contests. Take into account a situation the place a crew famend for its passing assault is slated to play in sub-freezing temperatures with swirling winds. The aerial assault, sometimes a supply of dominance, turns into a legal responsibility, inclined to errant throws and dropped passes. Conversely, a crew constructed on an influence operating recreation might discover an sudden benefit, their capacity to grind out yards on the bottom amplified by the hostile situations.
The affect extends past mere gameplay. The climate forecast informs strategic selections: play calling, tools decisions, and even pre-game warm-up routines are all influenced by the expected situations. A crew dealing with heavy rainfall may go for a extra conservative offensive method, emphasizing quick passes and operating performs to attenuate turnovers. Particular groups turn out to be much more essential, with area purpose makes an attempt and punt returns taking up added threat. In a tightly contested recreation, a single miscue attributable to inclement climate could be the distinction between victory and defeat. The 2014 Rose Bowl, performed in a downpour, noticed Oregon defeat Florida State in a recreation marked by turnovers and particular groups gaffes instantly attributable to the moist situations. The crew ready for the situations greatest was the victor, and the climate performed a terrific half.
In conclusion, the climate forecast transcends a easy advisory; it’s an integral element of “school soccer playoff video games this week,” influencing technique, dictating efficiency, and shaping the narrative of the competition. Acknowledging its significance shouldn’t be merely about understanding the weather, however about appreciating the unpredictable forces that may remodel a meticulously deliberate recreation right into a check of adaptability and resilience. Groups who fastidiously comply with and put together for the climate will most frequently be the winner, given the adjustments climate may cause in gameplay. Climate should at all times be thought-about.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Because the season culminates within the Faculty Soccer Playoff Video games, a number of recurring questions come up amongst followers and analysts alike. Addressing these frequent inquiries gives readability and perspective on this pivotal occasion.
Query 1: How are groups chosen for the Faculty Soccer Playoff?
The choice course of rests with a committee comprised of people with intensive soccer experience. This committee evaluates groups primarily based on a wide range of elements, together with win-loss document, power of schedule, head-to-head outcomes, and comparative outcomes towards frequent opponents. There isn’t a mathematical method or single metric that ensures inclusion; the committee workouts subjective judgment in making its alternatives, in search of the 4 most deserving groups.
Query 2: What position does convention championship video games play in playoff choice?
Convention championship video games usually function a vital ultimate audition for groups on the fringes of playoff rivalry. A decisive victory in a convention championship can solidify a crew’s resume and sway the committee’s opinion. Conversely, an sudden loss can sprint playoff hopes, no matter prior accomplishments. The committee views convention championships as high-stakes contests that present helpful insights right into a crew’s efficiency underneath stress.
Query 3: Does power of schedule considerably affect playoff consideration?
Power of schedule is an element fastidiously weighed by the choice committee. Going through a gauntlet of formidable opponents demonstrates a crew’s capacity to compete on the highest degree. Nevertheless, a crew with a weaker schedule can nonetheless earn a playoff berth by dominating its competitors and showcasing spectacular metrics. The committee seeks a stability between high quality of opponents and dominance in victories.
Query 4: What occurs if a crew suffers a key harm previous to the playoff video games?
Accidents are an unlucky actuality in soccer, and their potential affect on playoff video games is simple. The choice committee takes into consideration the affect of great accidents when evaluating groups, however doesn’t mechanically penalize a crew solely primarily based on accidents. A crew’s capacity to adapt and overcome adversity within the face of accidents can really strengthen their case for inclusion.
Query 5: How does the committee deal with tiebreakers between groups with related information and resumes?
Tiebreakers are addressed on a case-by-case foundation, contemplating a large number of things. Head-to-head outcomes, document towards frequent opponents, and comparative outcomes are all fastidiously scrutinized. The committee seeks to distinguish between groups via a holistic evaluation of their efficiency and potential.
Query 6: Is there a geographic bias within the playoff choice course of?
The choice committee strives to stay goal and neutral, no matter geographic location. Whereas convention affiliations and regional rivalries inherently affect crew schedules and perceptions, the committee’s main focus is on figuring out the 4 most deserving groups, regardless of their geographical origins.
In abstract, the choice and subsequent video games create many questions on the method and that means. The video games themselves will quickly present the solutions that may solely be decided by profitable and shedding.
Subsequent, an examination of the person playoff recreation previews can be offered, diving into crew matchups and recreation predictions.
Strategic Observations for the Faculty Soccer Playoff Video games This Week
The approaching contests symbolize the end result of months of relentless effort, strategic planning, and unwavering dedication. To method these pivotal video games armed with perception is to reinforce the viewing expertise and admire the nuanced layers of competitors.
Commentary 1: Perceive the Teaching Chess Match
The Faculty Soccer Playoff video games should not nearly participant athleticism; they’re mental duels between teaching staffs. Analysis the offensive and defensive tendencies of every crew, paying shut consideration to how they adapt their methods primarily based on opponent strengths and weaknesses. The crew that wins the teaching battle usually wins the sport.
Commentary 2: Scrutinize the Quarterback’s Beneath Strain
The quarterback’s capacity to carry out underneath stress is paramount. Analyze previous performances in high-stakes video games, searching for indicators of composure, decision-making, and flexibility. A quarterback who falters underneath duress can unravel a complete crew’s efforts. Test their completion share when blitzed.
Commentary 3: Pay Consideration to the Trench Warfare
The offensive and defensive traces usually decide the circulate of the sport. Study their capacity to guard the quarterback, create operating lanes, and generate stress on the opposing passer. A dominant efficiency within the trenches can neutralize even probably the most proficient talent gamers.
Commentary 4: Particular Groups Can not Be Ignored
In carefully contested video games, particular groups could be the decisive issue. Consider the reliability of kickers, punters, and return specialists. A blocked punt, a missed area purpose, or a protracted return can swing momentum and alter the result.
Commentary 5: Establish Key Matchups and Exploit Them
Pinpoint particular person matchups the place one crew has a transparent benefit. This might be a star huge receiver towards an inexperienced cornerback, or a dominant defensive lineman towards a susceptible offensive deal with. Exploiting these mismatches can generate vital scoring alternatives.
Commentary 6: The Harm Report is Very important
Carefully monitor the harm stories main as much as the video games. A big harm to a key participant can drastically alter a crew’s prospects. Assess how every crew has carried out within the absence of injured gamers and the way they could alter their technique to compensate.
Commentary 7: Historic Efficiency is an Indicator
Analysis the historic efficiency of every crew in playoff settings. Have they got a monitor document of success in high-pressure video games, or do they have a tendency to falter on the massive stage? Previous experiences can usually form future outcomes.
Cautious consideration of those strategic observations will improve understanding of the dynamics at play throughout the contests. These video games symbolize the apex of school soccer, demanding meticulous evaluation and a deep appreciation for the nuances of competitors.
Subsequent, the article will current game-by-game previews, together with predictions and evaluation, providing a complete overview of “school soccer playoff video games this week”.
The Unfolding Drama of Championship Desires
The previous evaluation dissected the multifaceted nature of “school soccer playoff video games this week,” exploring their choice processes, strategic nuances, historic context, and potential affect. From the risky climate forecasts to the intricate teaching chess matches, every factor contributes to the drama that captivates a nation.
Because the groups take the sphere, the pre-game evaluation fades into the background, changed by the uncooked depth of reside competitors. The unfolding tales, etched in each snap and deal with, will quickly turn out to be the historical past upon which future champions are constructed. The video games can be performed, and legacy can be made, win or lose. All eyes can be on “school soccer playoff video games this week”.
