[Ben Mitchell]

Personally I don't think that team pairings should be made with a particular algorithm - pure randomization works for me.

With regards to teams being categorized into different groups based on number - that's more than a little unfair to all teams. I would have loved to have the (purely random) opportunity to play against different teams, regardless of age or status. To stratify teams within a competition is outrageous.

Teams did not get what they paid for equally - a spot in a regional should be just that - a spot in a randomized list, the same as any other team. To be separated and segregated really is against the spirit of how the competitions have been arranged in the past - or at least, how I have seen them - a part of the competition is seeing how you due in random pairings against randomly paired opponents.

Putting an even mix of differently aged teams on the field accomplishes nothing. Rookie teams, as well as veteran teams, should be viewed as equal when on the field and when determining when and with whom they play.