An ad hoc committee is preparing to present a bylaws change to the IHSA this winter that would expand the high school football playoffs in Illinois.
Monticello Athletic Director Dan Sheehan is the President of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and explains they have an ad hoc committee that is exploring an expansion of the playoffs.
'The drive for five' is the biggest calling card in high school football. At five wins, a team qualifies for the postseason. Sheehan indicates, unlike every other sport within IHSA, not all football teams make the postseason.
According to Sheehan, the restructured playoff would add just one round to the postseason, with the top 16 seeds getting a bye in the first round. Then, instead of having scrimmages for week zero, that would be the beginning of the season.
The playoff expansion would take place next year. Sheehan notes, there are a few other proposals out there for playoff expansion. The proposal has been submitted. After a process of the proposal's review and it makes it through that process, the proposal could be in front of IHSA member schools in December for a vote.
