FHSAA panel proposes changes to football playoff format

The Florida High School Athletic Association’s year-old playoff format may undergo some changes following Wednesday’s meeting of the football advisory committee in Gainesville.

The committee approved the following changes:

• Teams will receive 35 points for a loss to a Category 1 team, up from 30.

• Teams will receive a maximum of three bonus points for playing opponents in larger classifications.

• In Class 1A through 4A, six teams will qualify for the playoffs from each region rather than four. The top two seeds in each region will receive a bye in the first round.

• Postseason rosters will increase from 60 to 75 players.

• The committee also approved, in concept, a measure where both schools involved in an interrupted game must agree to finish the game the following day, or agree on a later date and notify the FHSAA by 9 a.m. the following day.

Items that expand the playoff rosters and the number of teams who qualify for the playoffs are policies that can only be changed by the FHSAA Board of Directors. Prior to going before the board, the proposals will go before the athletic directors advisory committee, which meets Jan. 10 in Gainesville.

The other items were procedures, which can be changed by the committee, and will go before the AD committee and Board of Directors for endorsement.

The Board of Directors meet Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.

Wednesday

John Lembo Staff Writer @johnlembo1878

The Florida High School Athletic Association’s year-old playoff format may undergo some changes following Wednesday’s meeting of the football advisory committee in Gainesville.

The committee approved the following changes:

• Teams will receive 35 points for a loss to a Category 1 team, up from 30.

• Teams will receive a maximum of three bonus points for playing opponents in larger classifications.

• In Class 1A through 4A, six teams will qualify for the playoffs from each region rather than four. The top two seeds in each region will receive a bye in the first round.

• Postseason rosters will increase from 60 to 75 players.

• The committee also approved, in concept, a measure where both schools involved in an interrupted game must agree to finish the game the following day, or agree on a later date and notify the FHSAA by 9 a.m. the following day.

Items that expand the playoff rosters and the number of teams who qualify for the playoffs are policies that can only be changed by the FHSAA Board of Directors. Prior to going before the board, the proposals will go before the athletic directors advisory committee, which meets Jan. 10 in Gainesville.

The other items were procedures, which can be changed by the committee, and will go before the AD committee and Board of Directors for endorsement.

The Board of Directors meet Jan. 28 and Jan. 29.

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