IHSA Football Amendments
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2018-19 Proposal #21
Amend By-law 5.073 - Boys Football Contest Limitation
Submitted by: John Catalano, Official Representative – Northbrook (Glenbrook North) and Jon
Baffico, Principal – Chicago (St. Patrick)
Summary of Proposed Changes
Reduces the length of the football regular season to 8 weeks, in anticipation of implementing a 384-
team football playoff system.
Allows schools that do not qualify for the playoffs to schedule a game during the ninth week.
Rationale of Submitters:
The change in By-Law 5.073 would allow for the expansion of the state Football playoffs, from two hundred
fifty-six (256) schools to three hundred eighty-four (384) schools – giving 50% more schools an opportunity
to make the playoffs and keeping the calendar intact
Pros:
The qualifying of 50% more Football playing schools in Illinois for the state series would bring Football
closer to the qualifying standards as used for all other sports supported by the membership of the Illinois
High School Association.
384 schools would play a nine-game schedule as is currently defined – with the preliminary round of
the playoffs replacing the ninth date.
The expansion of the playoff system could allow conferences to remain intact. It will lessen the pressure
for coaches and administrators to win and lessen the focus on the “drive for 5.”
Cons:
The potential loss of a non-conference Football contest at the beginning of the season because of the
new eight-week schedule.
The potential loss of revenue from a home contest because of the eight-week schedule.
Additional Data
1. The selection of the 384 schools would take place on the Saturday of Week 15 in the IHSA Standardized
Calendar. (523 total Football playing schools). Preliminary round (newly instituted) would take place
on Week 16 in the IHSA Standardized Calendar. Higher seeds would be guaranteed the host for the
first two contests.
2. The selection of 384 schools and seeding of the eight classes would remain the same as currently
formatted. We would have 8 classes of 48 teams, broken up into two brackets of 24, thus seeding the
1-24 brackets, the top 8 schools would get a bye week 9, and schools 9-24 would play week 9, with the
winners advancing to week 10 against the week 9 bye schools.
3. Selection of playoff teams, and the sorting of the playoff teams will remain the same as in the current
by-laws with the addition of more teams qualifying.
4. The above recommendations will maintain the date parameters as previously identified for the Boys
Playoff structure for the length of the season.
Amend By-law 5.073 - Boys Football Contest Limitation
Submitted by: John Catalano, Official Representative – Northbrook (Glenbrook North) and Jon
Baffico, Principal – Chicago (St. Patrick)
Summary of Proposed Changes
Reduces the length of the football regular season to 8 weeks, in anticipation of implementing a 384-
team football playoff system.
Allows schools that do not qualify for the playoffs to schedule a game during the ninth week.
Rationale of Submitters:
The change in By-Law 5.073 would allow for the expansion of the state Football playoffs, from two hundred
fifty-six (256) schools to three hundred eighty-four (384) schools – giving 50% more schools an opportunity
to make the playoffs and keeping the calendar intact
Pros:
The qualifying of 50% more Football playing schools in Illinois for the state series would bring Football
closer to the qualifying standards as used for all other sports supported by the membership of the Illinois
High School Association.
384 schools would play a nine-game schedule as is currently defined – with the preliminary round of
the playoffs replacing the ninth date.
The expansion of the playoff system could allow conferences to remain intact. It will lessen the pressure
for coaches and administrators to win and lessen the focus on the “drive for 5.”
Cons:
The potential loss of a non-conference Football contest at the beginning of the season because of the
new eight-week schedule.
The potential loss of revenue from a home contest because of the eight-week schedule.
Additional Data
1. The selection of the 384 schools would take place on the Saturday of Week 15 in the IHSA Standardized
Calendar. (523 total Football playing schools). Preliminary round (newly instituted) would take place
on Week 16 in the IHSA Standardized Calendar. Higher seeds would be guaranteed the host for the
first two contests.
2. The selection of 384 schools and seeding of the eight classes would remain the same as currently
formatted. We would have 8 classes of 48 teams, broken up into two brackets of 24, thus seeding the
1-24 brackets, the top 8 schools would get a bye week 9, and schools 9-24 would play week 9, with the
winners advancing to week 10 against the week 9 bye schools.
3. Selection of playoff teams, and the sorting of the playoff teams will remain the same as in the current
by-laws with the addition of more teams qualifying.
4. The above recommendations will maintain the date parameters as previously identified for the Boys
Playoff structure for the length of the season.
2018-19 Proposal #23
Add By-law 5.074 – Football Scheduling
Submitted by: Andrew Lutzenkirchen, Official Representative – Naperville (Central); Travis Heinz,
Principal – Forreston and on behalf of the Football Advisory Committee.
Summary of Proposed Changes
Directs the IHSA to implement a football scheduling system for regular-season varsity games that would
involve the following:
A 9-week regular season.
Playoff classes determined in advance of the season.
Schools from each class placed into 8 geographic groups by the IHSA office to play a round-robin
schedule (probably 8 teams in each group yielding a schedule of 7 games).
The remaining games on the regular season schedule to be arranged by the individual schools at
their discretion.
The top 4 teams in each of the 8 groups qualify for the playoffs.
Rationale of Submitters:
To avoid scheduling conflicts and the search to win 5 games to be playoff eligible. Non regional wins and
losses will have no effect on playoff eligibility.
Pros:
Schools will still be able to schedule natural rivals during non-regional play.
Travel for some regions could be less then what some current conferences are experiencing.
IHSA scheduled games could bring conferences back together for all other sports.
Cons:
Travel for some schools could increase compared to their current schedule.
Add By-law 5.074 – Football Scheduling
Submitted by: Andrew Lutzenkirchen, Official Representative – Naperville (Central); Travis Heinz,
Principal – Forreston and on behalf of the Football Advisory Committee.
Summary of Proposed Changes
Directs the IHSA to implement a football scheduling system for regular-season varsity games that would
involve the following:
A 9-week regular season.
Playoff classes determined in advance of the season.
Schools from each class placed into 8 geographic groups by the IHSA office to play a round-robin
schedule (probably 8 teams in each group yielding a schedule of 7 games).
The remaining games on the regular season schedule to be arranged by the individual schools at
their discretion.
The top 4 teams in each of the 8 groups qualify for the playoffs.
Rationale of Submitters:
To avoid scheduling conflicts and the search to win 5 games to be playoff eligible. Non regional wins and
losses will have no effect on playoff eligibility.
Pros:
Schools will still be able to schedule natural rivals during non-regional play.
Travel for some regions could be less then what some current conferences are experiencing.
IHSA scheduled games could bring conferences back together for all other sports.
Cons:
Travel for some schools could increase compared to their current schedule.
So we can watch 9-0 and 8-1 teams feast on 3-6 and 4-5 teams?
No, those 8-1 and 9-0 teams would have a bye. I still don't like it, but those matchups would likely not happen.
How can they vote on a bylaw that doesnt have a complete listing of what that 8 team district will look like?
Now I see it. The top 16 teams in each 48 team class don't play in week 9 so that 2-6 and 3-5 teams can be rewarded for their stellar seasons. Instead, we will see 6-2 teams facing off against 2-6 teams and 5-3 teams against 3-5 in the football "playoffs."
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And you will get to keep you plan and your doctor!“Trust us”. And the districts will be “provided” at a later date
No one is going to vote for that unless they get to see what it looks like first. Afraid it’s DOA without a test drive for prospective buyers/voters!
No, it's 8 top seeded teams per 24 team bracket, of which there are two in each 48 team class. So, that's 16 top seeded teams per class with a week 9 bye.
How easy is it to get a proposal on these ballots? These both seem about as thought out as some of the message board material seen here.
With no offense to my fellow edgy prognosticators...that ain’t a good thing...
With no offense to my fellow edgy prognosticators...that ain’t a good thing...
I hate anything that shortens the season by a game! I don’t care if you take more teams but still have a full 9 week regular season for all. The teams getting a bye lose a game. Even if they win the state title it’s 13 games instead of 14. If you lose in first round it’s 9 instead of 10. I’d rather lengthen the season than shorten it. It’s already the sport with the least games and no reason to shorten it. Start a week earlier if need be.... and if you don’t care about playing thanksgiving week (some states like Iowa are adamant about being done before thanksgiving) then what’s one week more beyond and finishing on December 1 instead of Nov 24.
Probably waiting to see how Naz fairs in 7A first.
Not if those 8-1 & 9-0 teams are from the CPS & 3-6 & 4-5 teams are from Burbs,Catholic,DownstateSo we can watch 9-0 and 8-1 teams feast on 3-6 and 4-5 teams?
Thanks for the correction. That makes it even worse with more teams sitting Round 1 with its advantages!
Wait the fox valley guys said the only 9A team is the university of Huntley. LWE running clocks them. Skip 9A and go directly to 10A.
Scrap the playoffs entirely. Go to bowl games. Have Beth Long announce the AP or UPI national champion.
Unless you draft up the districts ahead of time how can you properly vote on this. The other proposal with expanded playoffs is a terrible idea. How about we just leave it how it is.
The guy spearheading this is an AD at a DVC school and is also on the IHSA Advisory Board. It seems as if his school doesn't believe in Boundaries/districts anyway with all the neighboring community transfers they get every week. This guy Advises the IHSA?
ITS A FOX AND HENHOUSE THING...errr....Redhawk.
ITS A FOX AND HENHOUSE THING...errr....Redhawk.
I'm sorry. Were YOU just complaining about kids transferring???
I get the feeling that we learn to like one of these proposals or Districts are coming-like em or not.
Also-Let's say you go 1-7. You can schedule another game v. another non-qualifier.
Or you could send your seniors on their way and play a game with your returning kids or have a scrimmage. Whatever-get started on next season.
Also-Let's say you go 1-7. You can schedule another game v. another non-qualifier.
Or you could send your seniors on their way and play a game with your returning kids or have a scrimmage. Whatever-get started on next season.
Districts are the exact wrong remedy for IL. Most of our population surrounds one city. Beyond that, there are very few 6A-8A schools. Just schedule 8 games, put the top 512 teams in and be done with it. Yes, some 0-8s will be out, yes some 1-7s will face 8-0s the first round. So what? That happens in EVERY seeded tournament. It's the reward for winning games. I'd even be willing to sacrifice the strength-of-schedule component of the seeding, as someone somewhere will whine about it. This hiding behind the bushes thing is pathetic.
Is the district movement losing momentum? It seemed to be forgone conclusion a few years back but after the most recent round of conference shuffling it seems like a lot of the schools that would have voted for it before are in better situations. I don’t know much about conferences outside of the Chicago area but it seems like outside of the DVC every other Chicago area conference is in a better spot today.
It's not football but there is a proposal to move softball from the spring to the fall? So girls would have to choose between volleyball and softball? Hopefully this gets shot down.
It's not football but there is a proposal to move softball from the spring to the fall? So girls would have to choose between volleyball and softball? Hopefully this gets shot down.
Maybe because right now girls have to choose between softball and soccer?
It's not football but there is a proposal to move softball from the spring to the fall? So girls would have to choose between volleyball and softball? Hopefully this gets shot down.
Softball has become about the most year round sport i currently see.... there seems to be a lot more serious fall softball these days than fall baseball. All of the serious softball players are playing spring, summer, and fall ball and then winter indoor training obviously but even some winter indoor games in the dome in rosemont.
It's not football but there is a proposal to move softball from the spring to the fall? So girls would have to choose between volleyball and softball? Hopefully this gets shot down.
I kind of always thought Boys Soccer should move to the spring. Less wear and tear on grass fields in the fall. Less taxing on place kickers that play soccer.
Girls Soccer, Boys Lax, Girls Lax... even rugby is increasing in popularity. Where they gonna find the field time? Right now boys soccer only competes with football. Seems appropriately placed to me.
I guess at huge schools who offer lax and rugby it might be an issue but in a lot of those cases they have the space anyway especially with the football practice fields being unused in spring. but in the vast majority of cases boys soccer would just be sharing with girls soccer if boys moved to spring .