Just like everyone is saying the changes show that six classes don't work, I say the fact that we switched from four classes and have been with six classes over 10 years now shows that four classes don't work. I think five classes is the right number. I think 6A and 1A should stay with 32 teams and split the middle into three classes. Set up a qualification process for the three middle classes that puts 32 teams into the postseason and the rest are eliminated in the regular season.

 

Prior to 2006, there had not been a single tweak to the playoffs in the four class system in 16 years. They went to the intra-district playoffs in the final year of four classes, and then since the move, we have had nearly constant tweaks and changes. How in the world do you think that is evidence that four classes didn't work? Longterm stability, a change that many did not want, and then nearly constant upheaval. It is evidence of a change that is not working that requires constant maintenance to try to make work.

 

Setting that aside, these would be the disparities between the smallest and largest teams in a class in any of those three systems (four classes, five classes, and current six classes), not accounting for any teams that played up or down. The percentage is the amount larger the largest team is compared to the smallest team.

 

Four Classes

A: 43 to 274 (537.21%) (56 teams)

AA: 274 to 428.3 (56.31%) (56 teams)

AAA: 430.5 to 617.5 (43.44%) (55 teams)

AAAA: 619.3 to 1344.5 (117.10%) (55 team)

 

Five Classes

1A: 43 to 191.3 (34.89%) (32 teams)

2A: 191.5 to 346.3 (80.84%) (53 teams)

3A: 346.8 to 485 (39.85%) (53 teams)

4A: 486.3 to 724.8 (49.04%) (52 teams)

5A: 727.8 to 1344.5 (84.73%) (32 teams)

 

Six Classes (Actual)

1A: 43 to 191.3 (34.89%)

2A: 191.5 to 321.5 (67.89%)

3A: 322.3 to 428.3 (32.89%)

4A: 430.5 to 552.5 (28.34%)

5A: 556.0 to 724.8 (30.36%)

6A: 727.8 to 1344.5 (84.73%)

 

People can mostly draw their own conclusions from there based on numbers alone. I will note that St. X (Average of nearly 154 larger than Trinity) and Fulton City (Average of 37.3 smaller than Fulton County) greatly skew the smallest and largest class numbers of any of those scenarios.

6 classes benefits the kids.

 

A few of you mentioned why: better competitive balance in district. There is a disparity in football in this state, and shrinking classes will result in less schools playing football.

 

Shrinking classes, or even playoffs, isn't going to wave a magic wand and make games competitive for hour enjoyment (which, uh, reminder, is not the purpose of High School sports)

 

The CFB Playoff only let 4 schools in (0.3%) and every game was a blowout.

 

The NFL lets almost half of the league in and plenty of blowouts.

 

6 classes is best for kids, and blowouts in the playoffs will happen in a 2 class system.

 

I really don't have a strong grasp of why the argument against going back to four classes always centers on that there would be fewer teams playing football. Why? Why would that be? Usually the argument was that six classes resulted in more teams going to the playoffs and giving those kids something to play for. But for a great many of those teams, that simply means one more time to get their heads kicked in. The only positive thing you can say for moving to intradistrict play in the playoffs is that it now means that they no longer have to travel as great a distance to have it happen.

 

There is no evidence to support the notion that four classes will result in schools dropping football. How many schools had outright dropped it in the decade before 2007? Not talking about consolidations, outright dropped.

 

To answer my own question here, I looked at not only the difference in the schools that were playing in 1996 and 2006, but I added 1986 as well. Now, is it possible that a school could have dropped football and then picked it back up in the interim in between those years? I suppose so. And there are some that did drop out of district play if we want to count those. But the plain fact is this: Between 1996 and 2006 the only school that dropped out of playing football was the Kentucky School for the Deaf, and I'm not even certain that they count for this. Both of the other schools that were no longer playing (Elkhorn City & Jessamine County) ceased to be. Go all the way back to 1986 and you add no one else that outright dropped football (again, Kentucky School for the Deaf is only one). Just nine other schools that no longer exist. Now, I understand that there are different times and all that, but if four classes was choking the life out of teams, why weren't teams dropping football? Why would I be led to believe it would suddenly happen now?

@DragonFire Great info. Thanks for posting all that. Looking at your data, the main thing I see is any class structure should limit 1A to the smallest 32 teams.

 

Questions for everyone.

 

How much of a factor in 6 classes is people who want private schools segregated?

 

How much is the private school issue a factor in the ongoing changes in the playoffs?

@DragonFire Great info. Thanks for posting all that. Looking at your data, the main thing I see is any class structure should limit 1A to the smallest 32 teams.

 

Questions for everyone.

 

How much of a factor in 6 classes is people who want private schools segregated?

 

How much is the private school issue a factor in the ongoing changes in the playoffs?

 

For me, private schools are a non issue. There's simply not enough, and too large of an enrollment spread to warrant giving them their own classification.

Word is Julian Tackett is going to meet with several from the Coaches Association next week to hear the concerns of the coaches.

 

I would be willing to bet they change the first two rounds to play 1 v 2, 3 v 4, 5 v 6, 7 v 8 and then do the RPI - instead of staying in districts first two rounds.

 

That would make it so much better!

 

And by the way, there's a much bigger problem here now that I have seen things out there from so many coaches and heard from others and that's how in the world did Julian and the Board of Control do this on such a short time frame and without even consulting the coaches association. Always say I'm never stunned at what the KHSAA does but this one might take the cake.

My biggest gripe with football has been that teams play 3 important games, and then 7 meaningless games when it comes to the playoffs.

 

I’m happy that the schedule matters now.

I really don’t see what the problem is with the interdistrict.

 

If you’re in a district with some hammers and you’re a nail? Or a bunch of hammers and you’re looking at cupcake city in your sister district? I’d want it changed to 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8.

 

If my “sister” district is as tough or tougher than my district (which a lot would be)- then I’m voting to keep it interdistrict.

 

It’s just that simple.

 

I think you’ll see it voted by the coaches to keep it interdistrict. There are a lot more flying under the radar in favor of that than most think IMO.

 

Nothing about “interdistrict” play is going to hurt the game in our state- that’s just a smoke screen excuse for looking out for your programs best interest if you’re against it. I wish more would just say that.

Why would you not look out for your program’s best interest?

 

Playing a team like against a Cov Cath, Fredrick Douglas, Scott Co, Trinity (though depending on how out of state RPI works that could be interesting), or any number of programs twice in three or four weeks isn’t good for most programs.

 

By playing intra district the first two rounds you punish programs that are placed in tough districts. The schools don’t have control over who is in their district. For a majority of programs it might not matter but for other programs it could be a a big deal. Dixie didn’t win a game but almost pulled off the upset in the first round of the playoffs. Things like that are things you can build on during the off-season.

 

Quick note about Trinity. I know that it’s not until rounds 3 and 4 they will use RPI. I was just making a side note about how their out of state schedule could place them as a lower seed due to how RPI may be determined. There has been mentioned out of state opponents could be treated as .500 teams.

Why would you not look out for your program’s best interest?

 

Playing a team like against a Cov Cath, Fredrick Douglas, Scott Co, Trinity (though depending on how out of state RPI works that could be interesting), or any number of programs twice in three or four weeks isn’t good for most programs.

 

By playing intra district the first two rounds you punish programs that are placed in tough districts. The schools don’t have control over who is in their district. For a majority of programs it might not matter but for other programs it could be a a big deal. Dixie didn’t win a game but almost pulled off the upset in the first round of the playoffs. Things like that are things you can build on during the off-season.

 

Quick note about Trinity. I know that it’s not until rounds 3 and 4 they will use RPI. I was just making a side note about how their out of state schedule could place them as a lower seed due to how RPI may be determined. There has been mentioned out of state opponents could be treated as .500 teams.

 

Absolutely you look out for the best interest of your program.

 

But there are those that are going to be messed over if it goes back to 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 also.

 

No matter what there are going to be many programs getting messed over.

 

“Hurting football in our state” is code for= my program is about to get the business (depending on what side of the fence you’re on).

I’d say you’re more than likely right that’s what it’s code for. If I have a weak district I want those first two games to be district. If I’m in a pretty even district I’d like to keep it in district. If I’ve got murders row I want out and I think most agree with that assessment.

 

I’m on the side that you shouldn’t be punished more for being in a tough district nor rewarded more because you’re in a weak district. I believe matching up with a different district is more fair. That’s just me.

 

The proposal that was sent over the listserv I think is great. I don’t think the state will ever do it but I like it. I like how some states limit the number of teams in the playoffs but let’s teams play an extra game if they didn’t qualify.

I’d say you’re more than likely right that’s what it’s code for. If I have a weak district I want those first two games to be district. If I’m in a pretty even district I’d like to keep it in district. If I’ve got murders row I want out and I think most agree with that assessment.

 

I’m on the side that you shouldn’t be punished more for being in a tough district nor rewarded more because you’re in a weak district. I believe matching up with a different district is more fair. That’s just me.

 

The proposal that was sent over the listserv I think is great. I don’t think the state will ever do it but I like it. I like how some states limit the number of teams in the playoffs but let’s teams play an extra game if they didn’t qualify.

 

His proposal is the only way to go. That’s what needs to be pushed and nothing else needs to even be considered or settled for.

His proposal is the only way to go. That’s what needs to be pushed and nothing else needs to even be considered or settled for.

 

If you mean Daniel Hopkin’s proposal, I agree. Most equitable and eliminates the teams that are ready to be finished. #2021!!

Anyone want to share that proposal?

Anyone want to share that proposal?

 

 

Hope this works.

 

Daniel’s plan had four basic goals:

 

1. Classify schools as close to their current enrollment as possible

2. Provide a system that assures the best teams make the playoffs and the worst do not

3. Develop a plan to keeps teams from playing the same team every postseason

4. Allow the best teams to avoid each other until the latest possible rounds, thus guaranteeing higher quality games as the playoffs progress

 

There are three key points when establishing this plan:

 

1. The idea of districts and regions as you have previously known them will no longer exist. Districts and regions will exist in a different form but will not serve the same purpose as in years past.

 

2. A point system must be designed to effectively measure the strength of each team in the state of Kentucky. Numerous states have point systems that could serve as a model, but the system must reward teams for victories and strength of schedule. In my system, the same number of teams that currently make the playoffs (192) will continue to do so, but instead of playoff berths determined by district alignment, it will be based on the point system, so teams who do not qualify will fail to do so because of their merit (or lack of), not because of being placed in a five- or six-team district while others are in a district of four.

 

3. School enrollment is the bedrock upon which this system sits. Instead of using two- or four-year average data, enrollments will be refreshed each year using only male enrollment. For the 2016 season, for example, number of boys in each school during the 2015-16 school year will be used. This data is made available each spring by the Kentucky Department of Education and the KHSAA and will be released to the schools/public immediately in ascending order from smallest to largest school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I. DISTRICTS

 

In the past, districts have always been designated by the KHSAA and placed within the class. From 1959-1986, only the district champion made the playoffs (in the earliest years, there were no districts but instead regions; region winners made the playoffs). Starting in 1987, the KHSAA invited the top two teams from each district to the playoffs. That number was upped to the top four beginning in 1991, a format that has remained the same since.

 

* - A quick note: from 1979-86 there were sub-districts in some regions. Each sub-district winner played the other within the district in a play-in game. Also, Jefferson County teams made up the largest class until 1974. Statewide schools began playing in the largest class (AAAA) starting in 1975. Two schools made the playoffs in the Jefferson County districts beginning in 1975.

 

The KHSAA has made an effort in recent years to align districts the same way in basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and soccer. This was done to develop similar rivals across each sport and to minimize travel. While using the exact alignment for football would be unrealistic due to school size, my plan will place teams of similar size from the existing all-sport regions into districts. The reasons for this are two-fold:

 

1. Continue to develop local rivalries while minimizing the amount of travel required by some current districts.

2. Make scheduling easier for all teams by locking in two to five annual district games. A scheduling grid will continue to be used.

 

Teams must play every team within their district. While a point system will be used for the playoffs, season standings will be used within the district. Whoever finishes the season with the best record in the district will be guaranteed a first round playoff game at home*. District champions will continue to be awarded championship trophies. However, just because you competed with certain teams within your district does not necessarily mean you will play in the same postseason class with those teams.

 

*-This is an adjustment from my original plan. You would notice below that my playoff brackets, using 2016 data, does not give each district winner a home game. That will be modified going forward.

 

While districts will be comprised of teams in the current all-sports regions (with the exception of Jefferson County)**, there is no specific number of teams that make up a district, although I have attempted to give each four or five teams. In some cases three or six was necessary, although I would not recommend going any higher or lower. Districts will be reassessed every four years (just as they currently are) and modified to maintain enrollment balance, while any new football schools will be placed in the alignment at the discretion of the KHSAA until official realignment takes place. Data used to realign can be two- or four-year enrollment numbers (that would be up to the discretion of the KHSAA).

 

**-Jefferson County schools participate in the 6th and 7th all-sports regions. Schools have been placed in districts with similar sized schools across the 6th and 7th region.

 

I. DISTRICTS (continued)

The following is the initial district alignment. Again, each school within the district must play each other and the team with the best district record will automatically qualify to host a first round home playoff game.

 

District 1:​Ballard Memorial, Fulton City, Fulton County, Mayfield, Murray

District 2:​Calloway County, Graves County, Marshall County, McCracken County, Paducah Tilghman

District 3:​Caldwell County, Crittenden County, Fort Campbell, Trigg County, Union County, Webster County

District 4:​Christian County, Henderson County, Hopkins County Central, Hopkinsville, Madisonville-North Hopkins

District 5:​Butler County, Edmonson County, Hancock County, McLean County, Owensboro Catholic

District 6:​Apollo, Breckinridge County, Grayson County, Owensboro

District 7:​Daviess County, Meade County, Muhlenberg County, Ohio County

District 8:​Clinton County, Glasgow, Metcalfe County, Monroe County, Russellville, Todd County Central

District 9:​Allen County-Scottsville, Barren County, Franklin-Simpson, Logan County, Russell County

District 10:​Bowling Green, Greenwood, South Warren, Warren Central, Warren East

District 11:​Bethlehem, Campbellsville, Caverna, Fort Knox

District 12:​Bardstown, Green County, Hart County, Thomas Nelson, Washington County

District 13:​Adair County, Elizabethtown, Larue County, Marion County, Taylor County

District 14:​Central Hardin, John Hardin, Nelson County, North Hardin

District 15:​Christian Academy-Louisville, DeSales, Holy Cross (Louisville), Kentucky Country Day, Shawnee

District 16:​Central, Moore, Valley, Waggener, Western

District 17:​Bullitt Central, Bullitt East, North Bullitt

District 18:​Atherton, Doss, Fairdale, Fern Creek, Iroquois, Southern

District 19:​Butler, DuPont Manual, Male, Pleasure Ridge Park, St. Xavier

District 20:​Ballard, Eastern, Jeffersontown, Seneca, Trinity

District 21:​Carroll County, Eminence, Gallatin County, Owen County, Trimble County, Walton-Verona

District 22:​Collins, Henry County, North Oldham, Shelby County, Spencer County

District 23:​Anderson County, Grant County, Oldham County, Simon Kenton, South Oldham

District 24:​Beechwood, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow

District 25:​Holy Cross (Covington), Lloyd Memorial, Newport, Newport Central Catholic

District 26:​Covington Catholic, Dixie Heights, Highlands, Holmes

District 27:​Boone County, Conner, Cooper, Ryle

District 28:​Bishop Brossart, Bracken County, Nicholas County, Paris

District 29:​Bourbon County, Harrison County, Mason County, Pendleton County

District 30:​Campbell County, George Rogers Clark, Montgomery County, Scott

District 31:​Berea, Frankfort, Lexington Christian

District 32:​Franklin County, Lexington Catholic, Madison Southern, Western Hills, Woodford County

District 33:​Bryan Station, Henry Clay, Paul Dunbar, Scott County

District 34:​Frederick Douglass, Lafayette, Madison Central, Tates Creek

District 35:​Boyle County, Casey County, Danville, Garrard County, McCreary Central, Somerset

District 36:​East Jessamine, Mercer County, Rockcastle County, Wayne County

District 37:​Lincoln County, Pulaski County, Southwestern, West Jessamine

District 38:​Harlan, Lynn Camp, Middlesboro, Pineville, Williamsburg

District 39:​Bell County, Clay County, Corbin, Jackson County, Knox Central

District 40:​Harlan County, North Laurel, South Laurel, Whitley County

District 41:​Breathitt County, Hazard, Knott County Central, Leslie County

District 42:​Estill County, Letcher County Central, Perry County Central, Powell County

District 43:​Betsy Layne, East Ridge, Jenkins, Paintsville, Phelps, Pikeville

District 44:​Floyd Central, Magoffin County, Prestonsburg, Shelby Valley, Sheldon Clark

District 45:​Belfry, Johnson Central, Lawrence County, Pike County Central

District 46:​Bath County, Fairview, Raceland, West Carter

District 47:​Fleming County, Lewis County, Morgan County, Russell

District 48:​Ashland, Boyd County, East Carter, Greenup County, Rowan County

 

 

 

II. ENROLLMENTS

 

Enrollment figures used will be from the previous school year and will count only boys enrolled in grades 9-12 at the school. For example, for the 2017 season, data from the 2016-17 school year (released by the Kentucky Department of Education in January) would be used. This keeps "classes" (we'll get to that shortly) as close to the same as possible while prohibiting any outliers (Mercer County in 2006, South Warren in 2015) from playing in a smaller class due to outdated data.

 

New schools will be dealt with in one of two ways:

 

1. If two schools consolidate, use both enrollments to establish the new enrollment:

a. Example – South Floyd (144) and Allen Central (205) combine to make Floyd Central (349).

2. If a new school is created, use the following three year plan:

a. Year One – projected male enrollment of the school

b. Year Two – previous year’s male enrollment, not counting seniors and multiplying freshman class by two

c. Year Three – previous year’s male enrollment with no modifications

 

Schools are not initially placed in a class, but rather are ranked by the total number of boys from 1 to 221 (smallest school first, largest school last). As mentioned previously, this data is made available in January and would affect classification that upcoming season. Classification will occur at the conclusion of the regular season when playoff qualifiers have been determined.

 

Listed below is the total boys’ enrollment for each school from the 2015-16 school year:

 

 

1. Fulton City 41

2. Jenkins 79

3. Fulton County 80

4. Pineville 80

5. Phelps 88

6. Williamsburg 106

7. Dayton 107

8. Caverna 113

9. Eminence 113

10. Paris 115

11. Harlan 119

12. Paintsville 125

13. Frankfort 128

14. Bellevue 138

15. Fairview 138

16. Kentucky Country Day 144

17. South Floyd 144

18. Bishop Brossart 149

19. Russellville 149

20. Louisville Holy Cross 150

21. Lynn Camp 150

22. Bethlehem 152

23. Ludlow 153

24. Hazard 156

25. Campbellsville 164

26. Raceland 171

27. Nicholas County 172

28. Berea 173

29. Betsy Layne 187

30. Trimble County 187

31. Newport Central Catholic 191

32. Pikeville 192

33. Crittenden County 193

34. Fort Knox 194

35. Bracken County 195

36. Covington Holy Cross 199

37. Middlesboro 202

38. Allen Central 205

39. Beechwood 205

40. Newport 213

41. Owensboro Catholic 215

42. Mayfield 223

43. Lexington Christian 227

44. Ballard Memorial 229

45. Murray 235

46. Clinton County 243

47. East Ridge 247

48. Carroll County 253

49. Leslie County 254

50. Walton-Verona 257

51. Gallatin County 260

52. Washington County 260

53. Danville 262

54. Green County 264

55. Monroe County 264

56. Hancock County 265

57. Prestonsburg 265

58. Metcalfe County 268

59. Fort Campbell 270

60. Todd County Central 270

61. Somerset 274

62. McLean County 277

63. Sheldon Clark 280

64. Shelby Valley 284

65. Caldwell County 293

66. Breathitt County 294

67. Edmonson County 294

68. Bath County 298

69. Butler County 302

70. Lloyd Memorial 307

71. Owen County 313

72. Shawnee 315

73. Morgan County 319

74. DeSales 320

75. Christian Academy-Louisville 323

76. Webster County 323

77. Magoffin County 326

78. West Carter 326

79. Knott County Central 334

80. Glasgow 337

81. Belfry 338

82. Hart County 340

83. Bardstown 341

84. Thomas Nelson 341

85. Russell 342

86. Trigg County 343

87. Union County 346

88. Lawrence County 352

89. Pike County Central 356

90. Estill County 362

91. Lewis County 363

92. Powell County 364

93. Fleming County 368

94. McCreary Central 369

95. Henry County 371

96. Jackson County 371

97. Casey County 378

98. Central 384

99. Elizabethtown 389

100. Paducah Tilghman 390

101. Pendleton County 391

102. Garrard County 395

103. Mason County 396

104. Larue County 402

105. Boyle County 411

106. Western Hills 412

107. Rockcastle County 416

108. Russell County 420

109. East Carter 424

110. Bell County 425

111. Greenup County 427

112. Taylor County 429

113. Ashland 433

114. Mercer County 433

115. Adair County 437

116. Nelson County 437

117. Waggener 440

118. Calloway County 450

119. Spencer County 452

120. Lexington Catholic 453

121. Holmes 459

122. Western 460

123. Breckinridge County 461

124. Franklin-Simpson 461

125. Rowan County 461

126. Boyd County 465

127. Corbin 466

128. Clay County 467

129. Bourbon County 468

130. Wayne County 469

131. Letcher County Central 470

132. Hopkins County Central 471

133. Harrison County 473

134. Allen County-Scottsville 482

135. Knox Central 483

136. Scott 485

137. Franklin County 486

138. Marion County 486

139. Perry County Central 488

140. Highlands 495

141. Warren East 501

142. John Hardin 504

143. Harlan County 522

144. Collins 524

145. Moore 527

146. North Oldham 531

147. Lincoln County 534

148. Warren Central 535

149. Madisonville-North Hopkins 541

150. Anderson County 543

151. East Jessamine 544

152. Shelby County 550

153. Valley 564

154. Logan County 565

155. Hopkinsville 567

156. Johnson Central 569

157. Atherton 572

158. Whitley County 579

159. South Warren 582

160. Southwestern 589

161. Christian County 601

162. Covington Catholic 603

163. Ohio County 603

164. Pulaski County 607

165. Doss 615

166. Woodford County 615

167. Grant County 620

168. Madison Southern 620

169. Greenwood 625

170. South Laurel 628

171. Barren County 632

172. Iroquois 633

173. West Jessamine 633

174. Bowling Green 635

175. Bullitt Central 637

176. North Bullitt 639

177. South Oldham 643

178. Owensboro 647

179. Fairdale 665

180. Grayson County 671

181. Graves County 684

182. Cooper 686

183. North Laurel 713

184. Southern 713

185. Marshall County 715

186. Montgomery County 719

187. Boone County 723

188. Conner 728

189. Seneca 732

190. Dixie Heights 740

191. Jeffersontown 741

192. Bullitt East 750

193. Apollo 751

194. Muhlenberg County 753

195. North Hardin 767

196. Campbell County 781

197. Male 785

198. DuPont Manual 793

199. Butler 802

200. Oldham County 809

201. George Rogers Clark 833

202. Bryan Station 847

203. Meade County 850

204. Daviess County 857

205. Fern Creek 874

206. Ballard 895

207. Simon Kenton 911

208. Tates Creek 923

209. Ryle 949

210. Pleasure Ridge Park 954

211. Central Hardin 979

212. Madison Central 987

213. McCracken County 994

214. Lafayette 1,022

215. Henderson County 1,029

216. Eastern 1,091

217. Paul Dunbar 1,133

218. Trinity 1,189

219. Henry Clay 1,213

220. Scott County 1,215

221. St. Xavier 1,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III. PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS

Automatic qualification bids are awarded to the 48 district champions. Each district champion will be assured of a first round home playoff game. Champions are determined by head-to-head competition. Any ties will be broken by the formula listed below.

 

As was mentioned in the beginning, the KHSAA will have to develop a computer rankings program to adequately serve the needs of the schools. Several neighboring states – including Illinois, Ohio, and West Virginia – have ranking systems that could be used as examples.

 

For the purpose of this proposal, however, I am using the Calpreps.com rankings of Kentucky schools. Calpreps includes a power rating and strength of schedule rating for each team. Should two or more teams tie for the final playoff position a three-step tiebreaker would be instituted:

 

1. TIE-BREAKER (two teams). In the case of a tie for the final playoff position, and both teams played during the regular season, the team that won the game contested between the two tied teams shall be declared the winner.

2. TIE-BREAKER (more than two teams). Should three or more teams tie for the final playoff position, and all three teams played during the regular season, if one of the teams has defeated each of the other teams tied in games contested between them, that team shall be declared to hold the highest position, and the winner of the game between the remaining teams (if less than four) shall be declared the second highest position. In the event of more than three teams being tied, where one has defeated each of the tied teams, that team shall be declared the highest position, and the tie-breaking procedure shall be re-applied for the remaining tied teams.

3. TIE-BREAKER. If the tie remains because teams involved in the tiebreaker did not play during the regular season, strength of schedule rating will be used to determine participant(s).

4. TIE-BREAKER. If the tie remains, each team tied for the position shall receive one point for each game won by any four of their defeated opponents in all games, except for the games played between any two of the tied teams. All games played shall be counted in applying the tie-breaking procedure, including out of state games, with the exception that a defeated school may be counted only once in the procedure regardless of the number of games played against that particular school. Teams awarded forfeit victories (whether or not a forfeit fee is paid) may count the defeated opponents of the forfeiting team, provided the game was not replaced on the schedule.

a. If the tie remains after application of provision (4), an additional defeated opponent’s wins will be added to the point total for each team until the tie is broken and the winner of the tied position declared, or until all games are exhausted.

b. If the tie for the position involves only three teams, and the application of (4) and (4.a.) results in one team being declared the winner of the tied position based on point totals, the highest point total from the application of (4) and (4.a.) between the two remaining tied teams shall be declared to hold the next position.

c. If the tie for the position involves more than three teams, and the application of (4) and (4.a.) results in one team being declared the winner of the tied position based on point totals, the procedure shall then be re-applied to determine the next position.

d. If the tie for the position involves more than three teams, and the application of (4) and (4.a.) results in two teams remaining tied for the position based on points, the head to head game played between them shall break the tie, and head to head competition will break any remaining ties.

e. If a tie results after application of all provisions of the above plan, the tie shall be broken by the Commissioner.

 

III. PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS (continued)

 

At the conclusion of the regular season, the 192 schools with the best computer ratings qualify for the playoffs (regardless of enrollment size) while the lowest rated 29 are eliminated from postseason contention.

 

If a school wins their district championship but is rated in the bottom 29, they would be eligible for the postseason and the next lowest rated team would be eliminated.

 

If a school fails to win a single regular season game, regardless of their power rating, they will be ineligible for the postseason and next highest rated team will be moved up.

 

The KHSAA would be responsible for generating this data immediately upon completion of games the final Friday of the regular season.

 

Below is an example of how the 2016 playoff qualifiers would have been established. I do not have their ratings listed but data can be found at (calpreps.com). I have bolded each of the schools who failed to qualify for the 2016 postseason using Calpreps.com.

 

 

1. Fulton City

2. Jenkins

3. Fulton County

4. Pineville

5. Phelps

6. Williamsburg

7. Dayton

8. Caverna

9. Eminence

10. Paris

11. Harlan

12. Paintsville

13. Frankfort

14. Bellevue

15. Fairview

16. Kentucky Country Day

17. South Floyd

18. Bishop Brossart

19. Russellville

20. Louisville Holy Cross

21. Lynn Camp

22. Bethlehem

23. Ludlow

24. Hazard

25. Campbellsville

26. Raceland

27. Nicholas County

28. Berea

29. Betsy Layne

30. Trimble County

31. Newport Central Catholic

32. Pikeville

33. Crittenden County

34. Fort Knox

35. Bracken County

36. Covington Holy Cross

37. Middlesboro

38. Allen Central

39. Beechwood

40. Newport

41. Owensboro Catholic

42. Mayfield

43. Lexington Christian

44. Ballard Memorial

45. Murray

46. Clinton County

47. East Ridge

48. Carroll County

49. Leslie County

50. Walton-Verona

51. Gallatin County

52. Washington County

53. Danville

54. Green County

55. Monroe County

56. Hancock County

57. Prestonsburg

58. Metcalfe County

59. Fort Campbell

60. Todd County Central

61. Somerset

62. McLean County

63. Sheldon Clark

64. Shelby Valley

65. Caldwell County

66. Breathitt County

67. Edmonson County

68. Bath County

69. Butler County

70. Lloyd Memorial

71. Owen County

72. Shawnee

73. Morgan County

74. DeSales

75. Christian Academy-Louisville

76. Webster County

77. Magoffin County

78. West Carter

79. Knott County Central

80. Glasgow

81. Belfry

82. Hart County

83. Bardstown

84. Thomas Nelson

85. Russell

86. Trigg County

87. Union County

88. Lawrence County

89. Pike County Central

90. Estill County

91. Lewis County

92. Powell County

93. Fleming County

94. McCreary Central

95. Henry County

96. Jackson County

97. Casey County

98. Central

99. Elizabethtown

100. Paducah Tilghman

101. Pendleton County

102. Garrard County

103. Mason County

104. Larue County

105. Boyle County

106. Western Hills

107. Rockcastle County

108. Russell County

109. East Carter

110. Bell County

111. Greenup County

112. Taylor County

113. Ashland

114. Mercer County

115. Adair County

116. Nelson County

117. Waggener

118. Calloway County

119. Spencer County

120. Lexington Catholic

121. Holmes

122. Western

123. Breckinridge County

124. Franklin-Simpson

125. Rowan County

126. Boyd County

127. Corbin

128. Clay County

129. Bourbon County

130. Wayne County

131. Letcher County Central

132. Hopkins County Central

133. Harrison County

134. Allen County-Scottsville

135. Knox Central

136. Scott

137. Franklin County

138. Marion County

139. Perry County Central

140. Highlands

141. Warren East

142. John Hardin

143. Harlan County

144. Collins

145. Moore

146. North Oldham

147. Lincoln County

148. Warren Central

149. Madisonville-North Hopkins

150. Anderson County

151. East Jessamine

152. Shelby County

153. Valley

154. Logan County

155. Hopkinsville

156. Johnson Central

157. Atherton

158. Whitley County

159. South Warren

160. Southwestern

161. Christian County

162. Covington Catholic

163. Ohio County

164. Pulaski County

165. Doss

166. Woodford County

167. Grant County

168. Madison Southern

169. Greenwood

170. South Laurel

171. Barren County

172. Iroquois

173. West Jessamine

174. Bowling Green

175. Bullitt Central

176. North Bullitt

177. South Oldham

178. Owensboro

179. Fairdale

180. Grayson County

181. Graves County

182. Cooper

183. North Laurel

184. Southern

185. Marshall County

186. Montgomery County

187. Boone County

188. Conner

189. Seneca

190. Dixie Heights

191. Jeffersontown

192. Bullitt East

193. Apollo

194. Muhlenberg County

195. North Hardin

196. Campbell County

197. Male

198. DuPont Manual

199. Butler

200. Oldham County

201. George Rogers Clark

202. Bryan Station

203. Meade County

204. Daviess County

205. Fern Creek

206. Ballard

207. Simon Kenton

208. Tates Creek

209. Ryle

210. Pleasure Ridge Park

211. Central Hardin

212. Madison Central

213. McCracken County

214. Lafayette

215. Henderson County

216. Eastern

217. Paul Dunbar

218. Trinity

219. Henry Clay

220. Scott County

221. St. Xavier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV. PLAYOFF CLASSIFICATION

 

Once playoff qualification is determined, the next step is to place teams in the appropriate playoff class. There are 192 playoff teams that will be divided into six classes of 32. The smallest 32 schools based on 2015-16 male enrollments will be placed in Class 1A, the next smallest 32 in Class 2A, and so on until all teams are exhausted throughout six classes.

 

If two or more schools have the same enrollment and are on the border between classes, their average enrollment number from the last two years will be used, with the larger playing in the higher class and lower in the smaller class. If the tie still is not broke, then proceed to a three-year average, four-year average, etc.

 

It is important to note that using a format like this could mean teams fluctuate between classes annually. A team that falls under Class 2A in one season could be Class 3A in the next season, all based on which teams qualify and their enrollment number for that year. It is also important to understand that the District assignments shown earlier in the thread have very little bearing on which class you play in during the playoffs. Finally, there is no concept of "playing up" - teams will participate in the class they fall in.

 

Using the data from the previous post about enrollment size and playoff qualifiers, the postseason class breakdown for the 2016 season would look like this:

 

 

CLASS 1A

1. Pineville

2. Williamsburg

3. Paris

4. Harlan

5. Paintsville

6. Frankfort

7. Bellevue

8. Fairview

9. Ky. Country Day

10. Bishop Brossart

11. Russellville

12. Holy Cross (Lou.)

13. Lynn Camp

14. Bethlehem

15. Ludlow

16. Hazard

17. Campbellsville

18. Raceland

19. Nicholas County

20. Newport Central Catholic

21. Pikeville

22. Crittenden County

23. Bracken County

24. Holy Cross (Cov.)

25. Middlesboro

26. Allen Central

27. Beechwood

28. Owensboro Catholic

29. Mayfield

30. Lexington Christian

31. Ballard Memorial

32. Murray

CLASS 2A

1. Leslie County

2. Walton-Verona

3. Gallatin County

4. Washington County

5. Danville

6. Green County

7. Monroe County

8. Hancock County

9. Prestonsburg

10. Metcalfe County

11. Fort Campbell

12. Somerset

13. McLean County

14. Shelby Valley

15. Caldwell County

16. Breathitt County

17. Edmonson County

18. Bath County

19. Butler County

20. Lloyd Memorial

21. Owen County

22. DeSales

23. Christian Academy-Louisville

24. West Carter

25. Glasgow

26. Belfry

27. Hart County

28. Bardstown

29. Thomas Nelson

30. Russell

31. Trigg County

32. Union County

 

CLASS 3A

1. Lawrence County

2. Pike County Central

3. Estill County

4. Powell County

5. Fleming County

6. McCreary Central

7. Henry County

8. Casey County

9. Central

10. Elizabethtown

11. Paducah Tilghman

12. Garrard County

13. Mason County

14. Larue County

15. Boyle County

16. Western Hills

17. Rockcastle County

18. Russell County

19. East Carter

20. Bell County

21. Greenup County

22. Taylor County

23. Ashland

24. Mercer County

25. Adair County

26. Waggener

27. Calloway County

28. Spencer County

29. Lexington Catholic

30. Holmes

31. Western

32. Franklin-Simpson

 

 

CLASS 4A

1. Rowan County

2. Boyd County

3. Corbin

4. Clay County

5. Bourbon County

6. Wayne County

7. Letcher Co. Central

8. Hopkins Co. Central

9. Harrison County

10. Allen County-Scottsville

11. Knox Central

12. Scott

13. Franklin County

14. Marion County

15. Perry Co. Central

16. Highlands

17. Warren East

18. John Hardin

19. Harlan County

20. Collins

21. Moore

22. North Oldham

23. Lincoln County

24. Warren Central

25. Madisonville

26. Anderson County

27. East Jessamine

28. Shelby County

29. Valley

30. Logan County

31. Hopkinsville

32. Johnson Central

 

CLASS 5A

1. Atherton

2. Whitley County

3. South Warren

4. Southwestern

5. Christian County

6. Covington Catholic

7. Ohio County

8. Pulaski County

9. Doss

10. Woodford County

11. Grant County

12. Madison Southern

13. Greenwood

14. South Laurel

15. Barren County

16. Iroquois

17. West Jessamine

18. Bowling Green

19. Bullitt Central

20. North Bullitt

21. South Oldham

22. Owensboro

23. Fairdale

24. Graves County

25. Cooper

26. North Laurel

27. Southern

28. Marshall County

29. Montgomery Co.

30. Boone County

31. Conner

32. Seneca

 

 

CLASS 6A

1. Dixie Heights

2. Jeffersontown

3. Bullitt East

4. Apollo

5. Muhlenberg County

6. North Hardin

7. Campbell County

8. Male

9. DuPont Manual

10. Butler

11. Oldham County

12. George Rogers Clark

13. Bryan Station

14. Meade County

15. Daviess County

16. Fern Creek

17. Ballard

18. Simon Kenton

19. Tates Creek

20. Ryle

21. Pleasure Ridge Park

22. Central Hardin

23. Madison Central

24. McCracken County

25. Lafayette

26. Henderson County

27. Eastern

28. Paul Dunbar

29. Trinity

30. Henry Clay

31. Scott County

32. St. Xavier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V. PLAYOFF ALIGNMENT

 

Once schools have been divided into six classes of 32 teams, then it is time to place teams on the bracket. Teams will first be placed into four regions of eight teams based solely on geography. Team placement will be administered by a committee compiled by the KHSAA. Schools placed in each geographic region will be then be ranked from 1-8 based on their power rating, with the highest rating receiving the best seed (1), second highest rating receiving the second seed (2), and so on.

 

If two or more schools in a region have the same power rating, then the tiebreaker method outlined in Section II (above) will be used to establish seeding.

 

To avoid any claims of bias or favoritism, the committee’s sole responsibility will be geographic placement as power ratings automatically establish seeds and matchups.

 

Seed modifications will only be necessary if a district champion fails to qualify for a home playoff game. If so, a district champion would be moved into the lowest host position (four seed) and all others will be moved down one position. If more than four district champions are in a single region [ex. Region A], the lowest rated of the four will be moved to the next closest region [Region B], provided that does not put more than four district champions in the new region. The school in [Region B] that is geographically closest to [Region A] will then be moved, provided they are not a district champion. If said school is a district champion, the next geographically closest school in [Region B] will be moved to [Region A]. Once a new region is determined, the district champion will be placed in their appropriate rating position. If they fail to qualify as a top four seed, they will be placed as the four seed and all other qualifiers will drop one.

 

A format similar to what exist currently will be used to place teams, with far western teams occupying Region I, moving east to Regions II and III, with far eastern teams being placed in Region IV. Due to the late determination of participants, however, traditional regional playoff boundaries can certainly be modified.

 

Shown below are each of the six classes divided into four geographic regions and ranked by their final power rating.

 

 

 

 

CLASS 1A

REGION I

1. Mayfield

2. Owensboro Catholic

3. Russellville

4. Murray

5. Ballard Memorial

6. Bethlehem

7. Campbellsville

8. Crittenden County

REGION II

1. Beechwood

2. Newport Central Catholic

3. Holy Cross (Cov.)

4. Kentucky Country Day

5. Holy Cross (Lou.)

6. Bishop Brossart

7. Ludlow

8. Bellevue

REGION III

1. Lexington Christian

2. Paintsville

3. Raceland

4. Nicholas County

5. Fairview

6. Bracken County

7. Frankfort

8. Paris

REGION IV

1. Pikeville

2. Hazard

3. Williamsburg

4. Harlan

5. Allen Central

6. Pineville

7. Lynn Camp

8. Middlesboro

 

CLASS 2A

REGION I

1. Caldwell County

2. Butler County

3. Union County

4. McLean County

5. Fort Campbell

6. Trigg County

7. Edmonson County

8. Hancock County

 

REGION II

1. Danville

2. Somerset

3. Glasgow

4. Metcalfe County

5. Monroe County

6. Washington County

7. Hart County

8. Green County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGION III

1. Christian Academy-Louisville

2. DeSales

3. Bardstown

4. Lloyd Memorial

5. Walton-Verona

6. Gallatin County

7. Thomas Nelson

8. Owen County

 

REGION IV

1. Belfry

2. Russell

3. Leslie County

4. West Carter

5. Prestonsburg

6. Bath County

7. Shelby Valley

8. Breathitt County

 

CLASS 3A

REGION I

1. Franklin-Simpson

2. Elizabethtown

3. Paducah Tilghman

4. Adair County

5. Taylor County

6. Calloway County

7. Russell County

8. Larue County

REGION II

1. Lexington Catholic

2. Central

3. Spencer County

4. Western Hills

5. Western

6. Waggener

7. Henry County

8. Holmes

 

REGION III

1. Rockcastle County

2. Boyle County

3. Casey County

4. Mercer County

5. Garrard County

6. Estill County

7. Bell County

8. McCreary Central

 

REGION IV

1. Ashland

2. Greenup County

3. Fleming County

4. Lawrence County

5. Mason County

6. Pike County Central

7. East Carter

8. Powell County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLASS 4A

REGION I

1. Hopkinsville

2. John Hardin

3. Allen County-Scottsville

4. Madisonville-North Hopkins

5. Warren East

6. Warren Central

7. Hopkins County Central

8. Logan County

 

REGION II

1. Shelby County

2. Collins

3. Anderson County

4. Franklin County

5. Moore

6. Valley

7. North Oldham

8. Marion County

 

REGION III

1. Johnson Central

2. Highlands

3. East Jessamine

4. Bourbon County

5. Boyd County

6. Harrison County

7. Scott

8. Rowan County

 

REGION IV

1. Corbin

2. Wayne County

3. Knox Central

4. Harlan County

5. Lincoln County

6. Letcher County Central

7. Clay County

8. Perry County Central

 

CLASS 5A

REGION I

1. Bowling Green

2. Christian County

3. Owensboro

4. Greenwood

5. South Warren

6. Graves County

7. Marshall County

8. Ohio County

 

REGION II

1. Doss

2. North Bullitt

3. Bullitt Central

4. Southern

5. Fairdale

6. Seneca

7. Atherton

8. Iroquois

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGION III

1. Covington Catholic

2. Conner

3. Cooper

4. South Oldham

5. Boone County

6. West Jessamine

7. Woodford County

8. Grant County

 

REGION IV

1. Pulaski County

2. Southwestern

3. Madison Southern

4. Whitley County

5. South Laurel

6. North Laurel

7. Montgomery County

8. Barren County

 

CLASS 6A

REGION I

1. McCracken County

2. Central Hardin

3. North Hardin

4. Daviess County

5. Henderson County

6. Meade County

7. Muhlenberg County

8. Apollo

 

REGION II

1. St. Xavier

2. Male

3. DuPont Manual

4. Pleasure Ridge Park

5. Fern Creek

6. Butler

7. Bullitt East

8. Jeffersontown

 

REGION III

1. Trinity

2. Ryle

3. Simon Kenton

4. Ballard

5. Dixie Heights

6. Campbell County

7. Eastern

8. Oldham County

 

REGION IV

1. Lafayette

2. Scott County

3. Madison Central

4. Tates Creek

5. Bryan Station

6. Henry Clay

7. Paul Dunbar

8. George Rogers Clark

 

 

VI. PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Once teams are placed in their geographic regions and seeded from 1-8 pairings will be announced. The first round in each region will consist of:

 

​8 seed at 1 seed

​7 seed at 2 seed

​6 seed at 3 seed

​5 seed at 4 seed

 

The second and third rounds will follow standard bracket order. The best seed will always host in the first three rounds. Regional champions will be awarded a trophy just as they currently are. It is important to note, however, that just like classes; teams could be placed in different regions each year, based on qualifiers and geography.

 

The state semifinals will be conducted the same way they have always been, with odd numbered regions hosting in odd years and even numbered regions hosting in even years. The design should assure that western and eastern teams meet in the state championship game each year, although those terms are obviously somewhat flexible.

 

Below is an example of first round pairings using all 2016 data (enrollments, ratings, geographic placement, etc.)

 

 

CLASS 1A

Region I

[8] Crittenden County at [1] Mayfield

[5] Ballard Memorial at [4] Murray

[7] Campbellsville at [2] Owensboro Catholic

[6] Bethlehem at [3] Russellville

 

Region II

[8] Bellevue at [1] Beechwood

[5] Louisville Holy Cross at [4] Kentucky Country Day

[7] Ludlow at [2] Newport Central Catholic

[6] Bishop Brossart at [3] Covington Holy Cross

 

Region III

[8] Paris at [1] Lexington Christian

[5] Fairview at [4] Nicholas County

[7] Frankfort at [2] Paintsville

[6] Bracken County at [3] Raceland

 

Region IV

[8] Middlesboro at [1] Pikeville

[5] Allen Central at [4] Harlan

[7] Lynn Camp at [2] Hazard

[6] Pineville at [3] Williamsburg

CLASS 2A

Region I

[8] Hancock County at [1] Caldwell County

[5] Fort Campbell at [4] McLean County

[7] Edmonson County at [2] Butler County

[6] Trigg County at [3] Union County

 

Region II

[8] Green County at [1] Danville

[5] Monroe County at [4] Metcalfe County

[7] Hart County at [2] Somerset

[6] Washington County at [3] Glasgow

 

Region III

[8] Owen County at [1] Christian Academy-Louisville

[5] Walton-Verona at [4] Lloyd Memorial

[7] Thomas Nelson at [2] DeSales

[6] Gallatin County at [3] Bardstown

 

Region IV

[8] Breathitt County at [1] Belfry

[5] Prestonsburg at [4] West Carter

[7] Shelby Valley at [2] Russell

[6] Bath County at [3] Leslie County

 

CLASS 3A

Region I

[8] Larue County at [1] Franklin-Simpson

[5] Taylor County at [4] Adair County

[7] Russell County at [2] Elizabethtown

[6] Calloway County at [3] Paducah Tilghman

 

Region II

[8] Holmes at [1] Lexington Catholic

[5] Western at [4] Western Hills

[7] Henry County at [2] Central

[6] Waggener at [3] Spencer County

 

Region III

[8] McCreary Central at [1] Rockcastle County

[5] Garrard County at [4] Mercer County

[7] Bell County at [2] Boyle County

[6] Estill County at [3] Casey County

 

Region IV

[8] Powell County at [1] Ashland

[5] Mason County at [4] Lawrence County

[7] East Carter at [2] Greenup County

[6] Pike County Central at [3] Fleming County

 

CLASS 4A

Region I

[8] Logan County at [1] Hopkinsville

[5] Warren East at [4] Madisonville-North Hopkins

[7] Hopkins County Central at [2] John Hardin

[6] Warren Central at [3] Allen County-Scottsville

 

Region II

[8] Marion County at [1] Shelby County

[5] Moore at [4] Franklin County

[7] North Oldham at [2] Collins

[6] Valley at [3] Anderson County

Region III

[8] Rowan County at [1] Johnson Central

[5] Boyd County at [4] Bourbon County

[7] Scott at [2] Highlands

[6] Harrison County at [3] East Jessamine

 

Region IV

[8] Perry County Central at [1] Corbin

[5] Lincoln County at [4] Harlan County

[7] Clay County at [2] Wayne County

[6] Letcher County Central at [3] Knox Central

 

CLASS 5A

Region I

[8] Ohio County at [1] Bowling Green

[5] South Warren at [4] Greenwood

[7] Marshall County at [2] Christian County

[6] Graves County at [3] Owensboro

 

Region II

[8] Iroquois at [1] Doss

[5] Fairdale at [4] Southern

[7] Atherton at [2] North Bullitt

[6] Seneca at [3] Bullitt Central

 

Region III

[8] Grant County at [1] Covington Catholic

[5] Boone County at [4] South Oldham

[7] Woodford County at [2] Conner

[6] West Jessamine at [3] Cooper

 

Region IV

[8] Barren County at [1] Pulaski County

[5] South Laurel at [4] Whitley County

[7] Montgomery County at [2] Southwestern

[6] North Laurel at [3] Madison Southern

 

CLASS 6A

Region I

[8] Apollo at [1] McCracken County

[5] Henderson County at [4] Daviess County

[7] Muhlenberg County at [2] Central Hardin

[6] Meade County at [3] North Hardin

 

Region II

[8] Jeffersontown at [1] St. Xavier

[5] Fern Creek at [4] Pleasure Ridge Park

[7] Bullitt East at [2] Male

[6] Butler at [3] DuPont Manual

 

Region III

[8] Oldham County at [1] Trinity

[5] Dixie Heights at [4] Ballard

[7] Eastern at [2] Ryle

[6] Campbell County at [3] Simon Kenton

 

Region IV

[8] George Rogers Clark at [1] Lafayette

[5] Bryan Station at [4] Tates Creek

[7] Paul Dunbar at [2] Scott County

[6] Henry Clay at [3] Madison Central

 

 

 

 

 

VII.​SUMMATION

 

I understand that this is a somewhat radical shift in the format traditionally used by Kentucky high school football. However, as seasons progress, it is becoming obvious that the playoff system is failing to function at the highest level. It is my hope that this proposal will solve many of the concerns with postseason football in Kentucky.

 

First, by using new enrollment data each year, schools will annually be classified as close to their current size as possible. Under the current system used by the KHSAA, teams will play in the 2018 postseason in a class determined, in part, by students who were enrolled in 2011. It is possible coaches on the 2018 teams are being counted as students from 2011! That isn’t effective. Teams in this new system will face schools of similar size without concerns of playing up or down or how demographic changes boosted one program at the expense of 30+ in the class.

 

Second, this provides a system that ensures the best teams make the playoffs. I understand the argument that some will make that the 192nd best team in Kentucky isn’t really that good. That is true. However, analytically, they are better than the 29 teams below them. Under the current system used by the KHSAA, some schools automatically qualify for the playoffs because they are in a four-team district while those in six-team districts have to win at least two district games to qualify. Not only that, but the current system rewards district winners but makes the other games on the schedule essentially meaningless. Unless this new system, every game would count – district games because you are playing for a home playoff game, all games because victories boost your power rating and strong opponents boost your schedule. Every win and loss, from August to October, is magnified.

 

Some may argue that the proposed system is tougher on smaller schools (traditionally 1A) and that is true. However, the KHSAA has regularly questioned the football schools about their desires for the postseason and those in Class 2A-6A have repeatedly said they want four teams per district to make the playoffs. Class 1A has been different – they’ve steadily argued for only two teams per district, in part because of the skill disparity between the higher and lower 1A schools and the geographic isolation many faced, resulting in long bus rides to assured beatings. The teams that fail to make the playoffs in the proposed system? Nearly half are programs that voted to only take two teams to the playoffs per district.

 

Third, this develops a plan that will keep teams from playing each other in the first round on an annual basis simply because of alignment. The current alignment has generated regular first round meetings between high ranked schools and minnows, something that will still happen. However, too often it has been the same schools playing each other in the first round repeatedly, with disastrous effects on attendance. This new plan will hope to avoid that repetitiveness.

 

For example, from 2011-2015, Apollo High School in Owensboro compiled a regular season record of 11-39 while Bowling Green High School compiled a record of 47-2. Apollo and Bowling Green met each year in the first round of the playoffs, with Bowling Green winning each game by an average margin of 46.6 points per game. For five consecutive years that game failed to benefit either program and fan support was certainly negligible. Under my plan, Apollo and Bowling Green would have only met once in the first round (2014) and each school would have faced five different teams in the first round during the period from 2011-2015.

 

​​​​APOLLO​​​​BOWLING GREEN

2011​​Christian County​​​Logan County

2012​​Grayson County​​​Louisville Southern

2013​​Owensboro​​​Ohio County

2014​​Bowling Green​​​Apollo

2015​​McCracken County​​​Marshall County

 

Fourth, by seeding teams within a region instead of simply by district, you allow the best teams to avoid each other until the latest possible rounds, ensuring stronger late-round matchups and higher gate receipts, while avoiding postseason blowouts that have become more prevalent.

 

High school football in Kentucky has grown tremendously in the last few decades. Some communities are playing football for the first time while others have revived long-dormant programs. More and more players are finding opportunities to play at the collegiate level – from Kentucky and Louisville to Thomas More and Union – and to receive advanced degrees in the process.

 

However, football faces threats. Injuries have slowed participation in some places while other schools are finding kids would rather spend their time in other activities. This plan is not going to fix those problems. What I do hope is that this proposal will inject life into high school football in the commonwealth and provide more fun, more opportunities, and more community involvement to grow what is already a great game.

If you mean Daniel Hopkin’s proposal, I agree. Most equitable and eliminates the teams that are ready to be finished. #2021!!

 

Yes. His. Why wait until 2021? It’s there. It’s laid out.

 

It’s the only thing that will appease.

 

People don’t want interdistrict it’s not what’s best for their program and there will be people against 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 because its not what best for their program.

 

It’s has nothing to do with what’s best best or not good for high school football in Kentucky.