(Audubon) Audubon football coach Sean Birks spoke with KSOM/KS95.7 Sports to share his reaction to the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s classification and playoff expansion.
The addition of a 5th classification was announced by the IHSAA last week. Birks points out the biggest change impacting 8-player teams is the playoff field going from 16 teams to 32 teams. “I’m not sure I’m a huge fan of it.” Birks says he likes the idea that teams really have to earn their way in. “I understand those teams that were on the fringe and got left out. That was us three years ago when we went 6-3 and missed out, but that was really good for us in our program to look in the mirror and establish what was good and what was great. I think it will be good for some of those borderline teams that are trying to develop a program and get a taste of the playoffs. There’s definitely some advantages to it.”
The move means now roughly 50% of teams in 8-Player will be playoff qualifiers. The downside is the potential for lopsided games in the postseason, but there are some benefits. “The main positive to me is if you have a key injury early in the season and dig your self a hole you can get out of it. It allows teams that are playing well at the end of the year that have figured it out a chance to get in and fight.”
8-Player football will have over 60 teams. Class 3A, 4A, and 5A will have 36 teams. Class 1A and 2A will have 48 teams. All other 11-Player schools will play in Class A. 8-Player will be comprised of all 8-Player teams. 3A, 4A, and 4A will have 16 playoff qualifiers. The remaining classes will have 32 qualifiers.
