District scheduling for football rescinded by IHSA membership

Posted on December 17, 2019
Football
The IHSA said 374 schools voted against the districting system and 274 in favor of districts. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – High school football regular season scheduling and the playoff format will remain unchanged.

The IHSA announced Tuesday that schools voted 374-241-87 against a shift from conferences to districts, which would have started in 2021.

Last year, schools approved the district scheduling format.  Playoff classifications would have been determined before the season. Under the district format, schools would be organized in eight geographic districts in each of the eight classes with each district playing a round-robin schedule.

“There is incredible passion for high school football in our state, and the subject of football district scheduling has been no exception,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson in a news release. “Many coaches and communities were excited about the prospect of district scheduling when the vote passed a year ago, just like many are excited today that it will ultimately not occur in 2021.”

Anderson said the IHSA doesn’t expect the discussion surrounding football regular-season scheduling and the playoff structure to dissipate.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

 

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