Split classes expanded playoffs

Major changes are coming to Oklahoma high school football.

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association board of directors approved Wednesday three changes proposed by the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association and the Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association that will affect high school football this fall and in the future.

Initially, the OSSAA board made a motion to not pass the proposal under the recommendation of the OSSAA staff, but that failed 9-5. Then a motion was made to approve the changes, and that passed 9-5.

First, six teams from each district will now qualify for the Class 6A-I and 6A-II playoffs beginning this fall. Four teams used to qualify from each district. The first two seeds will get byes in the first round, with the third- and sixth-seeded foes squaring off in the second round while the four and five seeds match up, too. The lowest-advancing seed will face the top-seeded team in the quarterfinals. Class 6A teams will now play their semifinals on Thanksgiving week, as well.

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This was the third year the OFBCA and OIAAA unanimously approved and submitted this proposal to the OSSAA.

Secondly, in Classes 2A, A and B, teams playing in the third round will have the option to play at a neutral site instead of at one team's home field. This choice could be used if the teams have a multi-day trip or the schools aren't close to each other to alleviate travel for one of the schools. This was the second year this was unanimously approved and proposed to the board. This will also begin this fall.

Lastly, there are going to be three new classifications, meaning three new championships games. Classes 2A, A and B are going to be split down the middle, according to average daily membership, similar to Class 6A. There will be two divisions in each class. This will not take affect until the 2024 school year in the next redistricting cycle.

This was the first year splitting the lower classifications was proposed.

There are a couple major changes with the new classifications. The smallest classifications will play only 14 games instead of 15. The 2A, A and B divisions will have a playoff format similar to Classes 5A, 4A, 3A and C, meaning all championship games will be held on the same weekend starting in 2024.

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The OSSAA staff and board discussed all of the changes for about 30 minutes Wednesday morning.

The OSSAA expressed concern about other sports wanting to follow suit and possibly make more classifications. It also said there could be an issue trying to find neutral site contests.

OSSAA staff met with the OFBCA and OIAAA after this discussion was tabled at March's board meeting to try and find compromise. The OSSAA recommended every team in Class 6A make the playoffs instead of the proposed six, but the OFBCA and OIAAA rejected that.

After the motion was passed initially, another motion had to be approved to clarify the timing of these events.

This fall, the 6A playoffs will expand and there could be neutral-sites games for teams in Classes 2A, A and B. Starting in 2024, there will be 12 classifications of football.