(Boone, IA) – The IHSAA has released its new approved changes from the football advisory committee. These explain how specific issues will play out with playoff hosts, forfeits, scrimmages, and other related factors for postseason football. All changes below will go into effect for the 2024 season.
New rules for postseason site assignments were agreed upon to help distribute the hosting of the IHSAA’s ranking and seeding processes for Classes 2A, 1A, A, and Eight-Player. The order for the hosting is as follows. In the round of 16, it will finish as follows: 1. District finish; 2. Head-to-head results; 3. IHSAA ranking; 4. Fewest district losses; 5. Alphabet draw. Quarterfinals: 1. Head-to-head result; 2. IHSAA ranking; 3. District finish; 4. Fewest district losses; 5. Alphabet draw.
There will be a 17-point tiebreaker in the case of a three-way tie. These will help to determine the district champion and the district runner-up in Classes 3A and 4A.
When taking a look at forfeits in the regular season, the IHSAA is changing the rules based on the lack of available players. If a team forfeits a regular season game, including week nine non-district games, they will be ineligible for the postseason.
The teams will be permitted to schedule weight room sessions outside of the preseason four-hour practice window and will be able to practice on Saturday and Sunday following the allowable scrimmage date. Teams will also choose how many teams and what teams they scrimmage with up to four teams at the same site.
For playoff games, the IHSAA will assign seven people to their officiating crews rather than just five officials on the field for the state semifinals and finals in all classes.
