An expanded playoff format is coming to Florida high school football next season, as the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to add two teams per region to the Class 1A-4A playoffs.
The action was made during a meeting on Jan. 29.
Beginning with the 2018 season, six teams will qualify from each region for football’s 1A-4A state series, increasing the playoffs from 16 to 24 teams.
In the first round the tournament’s third seed will host its sixth seed; and the fourth seed will host the fifth seed. The top two seeds will receive byes.
The change affects three schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area: Carrollwood Day School (Class 2A), Zephyrhills Christian Academy (Class 2A) and Cypress Creek Middle High School (Class 4A).
The expanded playoff format gained a green light earlier this month by the FHSAA’s Athletic Director Advisory Committee and Football Coaches Advisory Committee.
The FHSAA passed the original playoff system in September 2016, as a measure to base football postseason berths on a points system in Classes 1A-4A, rewarding teams for winning records and strength of schedule; Classes 5A-8A are still in districts and eight teams in four regions get into the playoffs.
Also of note: The board unanimously voted to make the golf season a 16-contest regular season, up from 14 contests.
