Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
There will be a new playoff system in place for Florida Class 1A schools next football season. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has eliminated districts. Instead the state will be divided into four regions. Madison County High School (MCHS) will be in Region 3 in Class 1A. Other schools in Region 3 include: Bell, Branford, Chiefland, Dixie County, Hamilton County, Hilliard, Lafayette, Trenton, and Union County.
Playoff berths will be based on a point system. Points are awarded not only on wins and losses, but on the strength of schedule as well. For example, if MCHS plays a team who wins 80 percent of their games during the regular season, MCHS will get 50 points for winning that game and 30 points if MCHS loses that game. Bonus points are awarded for scheduling teams that were in the playoffs last season. “Under the FHSAA's new point system, we have 21 bonus points entering the 2017 season because seven [of the] 10 teams on the 2017 schedule made the playoffs last year,” said MCHS Head Football Coach Mike Coe. At the end of the regular season, the four teams in each region with the most points accumulated will be in the playoffs.
“Based on the feedback from our membership, the majority of our constituents wanted our old playoff system changed,” said Dr. Roger Dearing, FHSAA Executive Director. “We are hopeful this change will create the most exciting high school football postseason in America.”
The MCHS 2017 football season gets underway on Friday, Aug. 18, at Boot Hill Stadium with the Kick-off Classic against Hamilton County High School.