2025 Proposed Playoff PlanThe MIAA FB Proposed Amendments for 2025-2026 3/26/24
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2021 Fall Playoff Plan & Power Rating Update
12/22/2020 - The full MIAA Football Committee met today to discuss new Fall 2021 Playoff proposals that have been submitted to the committee, sending a survey to member schools and modifications for the Fall II season.
Two new plans were both emailed to Richard Pearson of the MIAA who serves as the liaison to the committee. Our association also added another plan to consider after seeing these plans. These new plans continue to shorten the regular season to service the playoffs. Since our association members have clearly stated in surveys, we need a longer regular season and consolation games must be eliminated, we provided our 9-game proposal to back-up the 10-game plan. All the proposals are posted our website. Nothing has been decided yet. A final plan must be submitted to the Tournament Management Committee before March 1, 2021.
Two new plans were both emailed to Richard Pearson of the MIAA who serves as the liaison to the committee. Our association also added another plan to consider after seeing these plans. These new plans continue to shorten the regular season to service the playoffs. Since our association members have clearly stated in surveys, we need a longer regular season and consolation games must be eliminated, we provided our 9-game proposal to back-up the 10-game plan. All the proposals are posted our website. Nothing has been decided yet. A final plan must be submitted to the Tournament Management Committee before March 1, 2021.
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New Plans Submitted
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MHSFCA Plans Submitted
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The Power Rating System
Many coaches have expressed concern about the power rating system. The TMC controls this part of the plan and similar system will be used in sport. Last week the TMC met and provided a report on how they would like the power rating system to look. The report stresses transparency, simplicity, and accuracy as the three pillars. They indicate margin of victory and average of your opponent’s ratings will equal your teams PR. The TMC will set a cap on the margin of victory in each sport to avoid teams from running up the score. Examples are provided in the report, but football is no listed. It appears they will not use MaxPreps.
2021 Proposed Playoff & Divisional Alignment Information Updated 8/3/20
TMC Approves Alignment for 2021
,8/3/2020 - The MIAA Tournament Management Committee meet on Tuesday July 28th and the revised 2021-2023 Football Alignments were on the agenda.
The TMC had approved the Football Committees request for 8 divisions on May 29th but rejected the proposed alignment. The alignment was rejected because the TMC didn't want the Alignment Sub-Committee of the Football Committee to vary from the defined factors.
The Sub-Committee presented another alignment using all the factors except the co-op factor in eight balanced divisions. The co-op factor requires the school to move up one division. The argument from the presenters was that co-ops are not an advantage in football as 100% of the co-op schools offer opportunity to students of very rural or urban areas. . Since the last alignment 33 schools have grouped football. The majority of these schools compete in divisions 7 and 8 and are struggling to maintain enough players.
The TMC voted to down the alignment and then voted to add the co-op factor back and divide the eight divisions equally. Richard Pearson of the MIAA added the factor back and split the teams into eight equal divisions. A review the data had two team with equal enrollment land on the split of division 2 and 5. Both teams were placed in the lower division in situations. The full alignment is below.
Divisions 1 & 5 have 34 teams
Divisions 3, 4, 7 & 8 have 35 teams
Divisions 2 & 6 have 36 teams
Schools will be notified of their placement by the MIAA likely by September and will the opportunity to appeal their placement.
The TMC had approved the Football Committees request for 8 divisions on May 29th but rejected the proposed alignment. The alignment was rejected because the TMC didn't want the Alignment Sub-Committee of the Football Committee to vary from the defined factors.
The Sub-Committee presented another alignment using all the factors except the co-op factor in eight balanced divisions. The co-op factor requires the school to move up one division. The argument from the presenters was that co-ops are not an advantage in football as 100% of the co-op schools offer opportunity to students of very rural or urban areas. . Since the last alignment 33 schools have grouped football. The majority of these schools compete in divisions 7 and 8 and are struggling to maintain enough players.
The TMC voted to down the alignment and then voted to add the co-op factor back and divide the eight divisions equally. Richard Pearson of the MIAA added the factor back and split the teams into eight equal divisions. A review the data had two team with equal enrollment land on the split of division 2 and 5. Both teams were placed in the lower division in situations. The full alignment is below.
Divisions 1 & 5 have 34 teams
Divisions 3, 4, 7 & 8 have 35 teams
Divisions 2 & 6 have 36 teams
Schools will be notified of their placement by the MIAA likely by September and will the opportunity to appeal their placement.
Below is the proposed 2021 alignment -
the TMC approved July 28, 2020.
The YELLOW Section is recommended Division
the TMC approved July 28, 2020.
The YELLOW Section is recommended Division
Below is the MHSFCA presentation, presented May 12th to the MIAA FB Committee
Patriot Ledger - Article on 2021 Playoffs - June 10, 2020
5/12/2020 - The MIAA Football Committee met virtually to review 2021 divisional alignment and possible alternative playoff plans. The MIAA Football-Subcommittee presented the proposed alignments to the full committee. It was recommended that football continue with 8 division is 2021. Arguments for 8 divisions included; the wide disparity of enrollment, competitive balance and the fact that we tried 6 divisions from 2013 to 2015 and found that schools in D5 & D6 didn't have an equal opportunity to qualify. The change to 8 divisions has solved that problem. The MIAA Football voted 14-0-2 in favor of 8 Divisions.
The Football also voted 14-0-2 to approve the 2021 alignment presented by the sub-committee as well. However, TMC Chairman Jim O'Leary, warned that the alignment has assumptions that TMC didn't include in the factors for alignment.
The Football Committee also tabled any vote on plan proposal since this was the first meeting in which plan design was discussed. The MHSFCA's representative, Steve Dembowski, presented the Post-Season 8-Team Tournament which was voted the favorite from the recent survey (below) from MHSFCA head coaches. The Football Committee voted to form a sub-committee to study plan options.
It is important to understand that both proposals approved by the Football Committee now go the the TMC for approval. The TMC may approve them or ask for them to reworked. The TMC meets June 4th.
The Football also voted 14-0-2 to approve the 2021 alignment presented by the sub-committee as well. However, TMC Chairman Jim O'Leary, warned that the alignment has assumptions that TMC didn't include in the factors for alignment.
The Football Committee also tabled any vote on plan proposal since this was the first meeting in which plan design was discussed. The MHSFCA's representative, Steve Dembowski, presented the Post-Season 8-Team Tournament which was voted the favorite from the recent survey (below) from MHSFCA head coaches. The Football Committee voted to form a sub-committee to study plan options.
It is important to understand that both proposals approved by the Football Committee now go the the TMC for approval. The TMC may approve them or ask for them to reworked. The TMC meets June 4th.
Interview regarding the MIAA FB Meeting May 12th
2021 Football Alignment Update
The MIAA FB Committee established a sub-committee to work on 2021 statewide realignment. The Sub-committee was given the full school enrollment for each school (enrollments will be doubled for Male only schools. The Tournament Management Committee (TMC) asked that 3 factors be applied before the schools are sorted into divisions. The factors are Co-op teams (up 1 division), Private schools (up 1 division) and Vocational schools (down 2 divisions).
Realignment is an imperfect process; the formal instructions are provided from the TMC with details on Divisional Alignment and Placement, Appeals and the Alignment Committee. The Football sub-committee has already spent hours applying the factors and reviewing the data. Once the criteria are applied most schools will feel fairly placed. This is work in process. If your school qualifies as a co-op, urban or vocational school or your participation is low you should understand the all the factors and discuss them with your administration in case you wish to appeal your placement.
Number of Divisions Update
The MIAA football sub-committee has voted to recommend 8 divisions for football. Research of other New England state who play on Thanksgiving validates 8 divisions with approximately 34-36 teams per division. The only state that compares to us is Connecticut with 141 teams and 4 divisions. We have twice as many schools. The full MIAA FB Committee will need to bless the alignment and the number of divisions before it is forwarded to the TMC. Since the TMC’s Statewide Tournament Proposal was approved with 5 football divisions the MIAA FB Committee will need to present research and an argument to get more. The MHSFCA was told we would get more. How many more will depend on the argument and research provided.
2021 Playoff Plan Update
The MHSFCA believes strongly that current plan, which began in 2013 and will end in 2020, was a necessary step to help Massachusetts football create a statewide tournament. The benefits of this plan include being able to qualify without winning your league championship, being placed in the correct division by regional enrollment, home playoff games, sectional champions and a true state champion in each division. However, the plan does have some negative consequences.
When the TMC’s Statewide Tournament Proposal was approved this winter, it addressed some of the problems of the current plan. The TMC’s plan establishes statewide; criteria to qualify, enrollment-based divisions and creates an equal path to a championship. These are strong improvements but the MHSFCA believes now is the time to fix the other problems.
Surveys completed by MHSFCA head coaches, indicate the short regular season has allowed to many undeserving teams qualify for the playoffs. In fact, 80% of coaches are in favor of a longer regular season. The short regular season (7 & 8 weeks) also requires consolation games for non-qualifiers and teams eliminated before week 10. While some will argue, games played between non-qualifiers have been competitive, the majority (78%) want consolation games eliminated and 71% would be in favor of a 9-game season with 8 teams advancing to the playoffs.
The one thing we know, is the TMC did not make any special considerations for the uniqueness of the Massachusetts high school football season in its plan. The MHSFCA Executive Board feels that now is the time to fix these problems and develop a plan that can last. Remember, if we do nothing the TMC’s plan will be the default plan moving forward. The TMC plan calls for an 8-game season with 16 teams making the playoffs in likely 6 or 7 divisions. We assume non-qualifiers and teams eliminated in week 9 will be provided consolation games but nothing has been discussed with the MIAA FB Committee or put in writing.
The MIAA FB Committee established a sub-committee to work on 2021 statewide realignment. The Sub-committee was given the full school enrollment for each school (enrollments will be doubled for Male only schools. The Tournament Management Committee (TMC) asked that 3 factors be applied before the schools are sorted into divisions. The factors are Co-op teams (up 1 division), Private schools (up 1 division) and Vocational schools (down 2 divisions).
Realignment is an imperfect process; the formal instructions are provided from the TMC with details on Divisional Alignment and Placement, Appeals and the Alignment Committee. The Football sub-committee has already spent hours applying the factors and reviewing the data. Once the criteria are applied most schools will feel fairly placed. This is work in process. If your school qualifies as a co-op, urban or vocational school or your participation is low you should understand the all the factors and discuss them with your administration in case you wish to appeal your placement.
Number of Divisions Update
The MIAA football sub-committee has voted to recommend 8 divisions for football. Research of other New England state who play on Thanksgiving validates 8 divisions with approximately 34-36 teams per division. The only state that compares to us is Connecticut with 141 teams and 4 divisions. We have twice as many schools. The full MIAA FB Committee will need to bless the alignment and the number of divisions before it is forwarded to the TMC. Since the TMC’s Statewide Tournament Proposal was approved with 5 football divisions the MIAA FB Committee will need to present research and an argument to get more. The MHSFCA was told we would get more. How many more will depend on the argument and research provided.
2021 Playoff Plan Update
The MHSFCA believes strongly that current plan, which began in 2013 and will end in 2020, was a necessary step to help Massachusetts football create a statewide tournament. The benefits of this plan include being able to qualify without winning your league championship, being placed in the correct division by regional enrollment, home playoff games, sectional champions and a true state champion in each division. However, the plan does have some negative consequences.
When the TMC’s Statewide Tournament Proposal was approved this winter, it addressed some of the problems of the current plan. The TMC’s plan establishes statewide; criteria to qualify, enrollment-based divisions and creates an equal path to a championship. These are strong improvements but the MHSFCA believes now is the time to fix the other problems.
Surveys completed by MHSFCA head coaches, indicate the short regular season has allowed to many undeserving teams qualify for the playoffs. In fact, 80% of coaches are in favor of a longer regular season. The short regular season (7 & 8 weeks) also requires consolation games for non-qualifiers and teams eliminated before week 10. While some will argue, games played between non-qualifiers have been competitive, the majority (78%) want consolation games eliminated and 71% would be in favor of a 9-game season with 8 teams advancing to the playoffs.
The one thing we know, is the TMC did not make any special considerations for the uniqueness of the Massachusetts high school football season in its plan. The MHSFCA Executive Board feels that now is the time to fix these problems and develop a plan that can last. Remember, if we do nothing the TMC’s plan will be the default plan moving forward. The TMC plan calls for an 8-game season with 16 teams making the playoffs in likely 6 or 7 divisions. We assume non-qualifiers and teams eliminated in week 9 will be provided consolation games but nothing has been discussed with the MIAA FB Committee or put in writing.
The Four Plan Design Options used for the 2021 Playoff Survey are below, followed by the survey results.
The 2021 Playoff Survey Results
2016
4/8/2016 - Massachusetts high school administrators meet today at their annual spring meeting and one of topics on the agenda was the current playoff system.
After presentations for and against the current system, a vote was taken. The current system was voted in with 161 in favor and 105 against.
After presentations for and against the current system, a vote was taken. The current system was voted in with 161 in favor and 105 against.
MIAA Board of Directors Vote to Re-Vote
1/13/2016 - The MIAA Board of Directors voted today to allow the general assembly to determine the future of the current football playoff system in April. The board of directors voted 15-1 in favor of voting on the current system, after listening to the administrators and athletic directors of the Bay State Conference. The BSC athletic directors bone of contention was that there was no second vote, after the current system was passed with a "pilot program" tag in 2012.
The general assembly vote will happen April 8th at the Double Tree Hotel in Westboro. The current system will be in place for the 2016 season regardless of the outcome of the vote.
If the general assembly votes out statewide playoff system for 2017 the MIAA Football Committee will have to come up with new plan. The Football Committee will most likely will have to start from scratch. The previous system (Tuesday/Saturday) that required teams to play 3 games in 10 days will not be an option due to the health concerns. It is very unlike the MIAA Tournament Management Committee would allow any system that does not protect the safety of the athletes.
While the current system is not perfect, it has worked well and the Football Committee has made and will continue to make tweaks to improve it. If your school votes against the current plan - you are voting for the great unknown!
The general assembly vote will happen April 8th at the Double Tree Hotel in Westboro. The current system will be in place for the 2016 season regardless of the outcome of the vote.
If the general assembly votes out statewide playoff system for 2017 the MIAA Football Committee will have to come up with new plan. The Football Committee will most likely will have to start from scratch. The previous system (Tuesday/Saturday) that required teams to play 3 games in 10 days will not be an option due to the health concerns. It is very unlike the MIAA Tournament Management Committee would allow any system that does not protect the safety of the athletes.
While the current system is not perfect, it has worked well and the Football Committee has made and will continue to make tweaks to improve it. If your school votes against the current plan - you are voting for the great unknown!
MIAA Playoff System
The final playoff plan which was edited by the MIAA Football Committee along with William Gaine and Peter Smith is below.
MHSFCA Playoff ProposalPresent Situation
The proposal was approved by the MIAA member schools on October 27, 2012 by a vote of 191-131. The plan will go into effect for the 2014 and 2015 high school football seasons. The MIAA Football committee voted 15-2 to keep the plan in place through the 2016. The History On June 7th the MIAA Board of Directors will decided to put the plan to special vote in October. If the plans passes it will be in place for 2013 and it will be the first time football will play for a true State Champion. The MHSFCA has worked tirelessly to promote Massachusetts High School football and on Monday March 12th the MIAA Football Committee voted 13-6 to forward the proposal to the Tournament Management Committee. This is a critical first down on our drive to give all players and coaches a chance to compete for a State Championship. On Monday, March 19th the Tournament Management Committee voted 15-0 in favor the "concept" but wants more detailed information about the plan. The areas of concern include; scheduling after the qualification period, the effect of the revenue split to schools and the MIAA, and the rating system. Our association will continue to help the MIAA Football Committee work on these areas of the plan. From this point forward the Football Committee represents our association. Many thanks to our Sub-Committee; Greg Burke (chair), Ray Cosenza (president), Vin Joseph, Charlie Stevenson, and Steve Dembowski. The proposal is below and along with a sample schedule for the North and South sectionals. Please educate yourself on the plan and become an advocate. |
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