Rizzo, I'm in my eighth year as boys and girls CC coach at a small, rural school in PA. Over the years, our training has become a lot like the schedule you suggest. The more I opened it up with more quality aerobic days between hard workouts and racing, the more successful we've been. Like you, I can usually hold the varsity runners out of weekday meets, so I have some flexibility.
I was hoping that you could be more specific about your training cycle. Now I use a 2 week cycle alternating between 2 and 3 workouts/races per week. I've always wanted to go to 2 per week, but I'm afraid I'll rob the kids of the fitness they'll need to race well. What has your experience been?
Also, what do you do on the easy days--just mileage? Strides? What do you consider easy pace? Would you do a cut down on an "easy" day?
I wouldn't mind an email if you have time.