Playoff format: What is the new set up?

[icu81222]

Sorry if it already been discussed. After a quick glance, I didn't see where it was discussed. What is the new format?

Are they taking the top 3 teams in each district and giving #1 a bye and having #2 and #3 from opposing districts play each other to get to play #1?

I thought I saw something about a wild card.

Someone please explain the new format. I don't see anything on the IAHSAA site that explains it.

 

[paxregis]

4A & 8-man have 8 districts and will just take the top two from each. With the round of 16 on Fridays now, they eliminated the 125 mile travel limit so no intra-district first round games. 3A-A all have 7 districts. Top two qualify for 14 teams and two wild cards will be selected. First priority will be given to teams that finished in a three-way tie for first. Also, all playoff fields will be bracketed right from the start, so teams will know what game they need to scout.

 

[icu81222]

So quite a difference from the past.

In 3A-A, Instead of 4 per district qualifying, only 2 automatically qualify per district. Then out of all the districts in the class, only 2 teams are wild cards.

Seems that will be tough to pick those last 2 teams. I anticipate a few very unhappy coaches (and fans).

 

[KidSilverhair]

As mentioned, in classes other than 4A and 8-player, the top two in each district automatically qualify (making 14 teams). The final two will be chosen based on the following criteria:

1. Any district champion (in other words, a district with a three-way tie for first)
2. District record
3. Head-to-head (including both district and non-district games)
4. Point differential (with a 17-point system rather than the old 13-point one)
5. Alphabetical, with the starting letter determined by a random draw