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Points-based Florida high school football playoff format moves forward

 
Published June 14, 2016

GAINESVILLE — The Florida High School Athletics Association moved one step closer to a radical new postseason format for football by presenting a proposal to the board of directors for a points-based system instead of having district champions and runners up determine playoff spots.

Tuesday's discussion was to provide feedback and alleviate any concerns. There was no vote. The next step is for the proposal to be presented at an athletic directors advisory committee in September, where it will be determined if there should be a vote — most likely at another meeting in November — for the suggested changes to become a reality.

If passed, the points-based playoff system would start during the 2017 season.

"This was the first step," said FHSAA director of athletics Frank Beasley, who oversees football. "We got some great feedback and some great questions that we will answer and make sure that everybody understands the system we're trying to put in place."

Under the proposal, the state's high school sports governing body plans to seed teams in each region based on a points system. Teams would still be placed in one of eight classifications determined by school enrollment.

The association sent out questionnaires to athletic directors and coaches of its 522 member schools that currently play football, including 73 independent teams. More than 70 percent wanted to a move toward new playoff system.

There was disparity among the classifications in how the system should be implemented.

Based on the questionnaires, the proposal would have Classes 5A-8A still implementing districts with the champion automatically making the playoffs and seeded among the top four in each region. The rest of the playoff field in each region would be determined by a points system.

Classes 1A-4A would have all playoff spots determined by a points system. No districts — or built-in opponents.

In the new format, independents also would be allowed to qualify for the state playoff series for the first time. There were more than 30 independent schools that have expressed interest in being back in the postseason.

Teams would now be responsible for scheduling all 10 regular-season matchups on their own. The tougher the game, the better the odds are of making the playoffs considering a significant amount of points would be based on strength of schedule.

Among the factors that led to the proposed changes:

• The disparity among the number of teams in each district. In Class 7A, District 16, for example, nine teams vie for two playoff spots. Florida A&M High and North Florida Christian, meanwhile, are the only schools in Class 2A, District 1, giving them guaranteed playoff spots even before the regular season starts.

• Last season, there were 16 teams with losing records that made the playoffs. There were 35 teams with winning records that failed to make the playoffs.

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• Lopsided playoff games. Last year, the average margin of victory in each playoff game was 21 points.

• A flawed district schedule. Champions and runners up are decided in the ninth game of the regular season under the current format, rendering the finale meaningless.

Under the proposed format, the FHSAA would require teams to play a minimum of eight games to be eligible for a playoff seed. The new system also awards points for teams playing up in classification.

Pinellas and Hillsborough County public school teams expressed some initial concerns about traveling to find tough opponents. Both counties have centralized funding, which tries to create a level playing field by distributing athletic funds evenly and making schedules that force teams to play mostly against county opponents.

Pinellas County athletic director Nick Grasso attended the meeting and said one solution could be to set up a radius where teams from a few counties could schedule one another.

Another concern, particularly for smaller schools, is finding 10 games without a certain number of built-in opponents that come from playing in a district. Clearwater Central Catholic had two opponents cancel games this season. The Marauders are still scrambling to fill out their regular season schedule.

CCC athletic director John Gerdes said the school would consider moving up from Class 3A to 5A to be in a district and have a number of guaranteed opponents.

"I'm happy they're starting the conversation," said Gerdes, who attended the meeting. "The devil is in the details. My biggest concern is not having a district schedule. It's very difficult to get six to seven games, much less 10. And I don't know if it's fair to force schools to play up. But that's something we'd have to consider if it passes as is."

The football playoff proposal was among many topics addressed at the meeting.

• The board of directors voted in favor of a dual-meet state tournament in wrestling that would be implemented in the 2017-18 season. The dual-meet tournament will be in addition to the individual state tournament that is already held at the end of the season.

• FHSAA executive director Roger Dearing formally announced his retirement. The state association will post the opening for 60 days starting Wednesday.

• The FHSAA announced it will reduce live contact in football to 80 minutes per week during the season in response to the growing concern about concussions.