Just free thinking, maybe we should consider a team's history combined with their record? IF a team had a 3-7 record or worse & the previous year, they had a similar record which resulted in a running clock playoff game, they wouldn't be eligible for post season games?
There are plenty of area codes that have diverse classifications in their district which makes it tough during the regular season to come out with only 3-5 losses. Giving a 4-6 team a spot in the playoffs isn't an issue for me. 4-6 Riverbend in 2015 beat a 9-2 Colonial Forge team. That district was very tough that year too. Even a very young but talented 3-7 team could be considered for a spot. Lakeland, as a Class 3 team in the Southeastern District, had the following success in the playoffs with poor regular season records:
2014 3-7 Lost to Lake Taylor 0-28 (LT State Championship)
2015 1-9 Beat Park View Lost to Poquoson 0-28
2016 3-7 Beat Poquoson & Tabb Lost to Phoebus 0-21
IMHO, a 4-6 team from the SouthEastern District likely should be playing after the regular season. Nansemond River, 4-5 (3-5 District), is still playing and I give them a decent chance vs Woodside on Friday, too!