IHSA reversing course on football playoffs

Posted on June 23, 2022
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois High School Association is reversing course for the Class 1A through 6A football playoffs.

Last February, the association announced a format by creating one 32-team bracket for each class.

However, IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said that would no longer happen.

“I think a large part of that has to do with the increased fuel prices that were under this point of time and anticipate being in when we get to that time next school year. (We) acknowledge that it just wasn’t the time to expand the travel of our students, some of which could have been very extreme when we think of how long our state is.”

The decision would create two 16-team brackets divided by geographic regions.

“As we took a closer look along with the increased fuel prices, the board just decided this is just not the time to expand the travel, potentially expand the travel. So as you would seed 1-32, as apposed two divisions of north and south seeded 1-16,” Anderson added on the Afternoon Show.

According to Anderson, the IHSA is still looking to reverse its original reversal down the road.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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