In addition to the already announced realignment for the 2019 football season, there are other very significant changes coming to Kentucky high school football this fall. During their Board of Control meeting Wednesday, the KHSAA voted to return to intra-district play for the first two rounds of the playoffs beginning this season, which means #1 of a district will play #4 of the same district, and #2 of the district will play #3 of the same district in the opening round of the football playoffs. The two winners would then play the next week.
While that is a big change, it is one the state has seen before, back when gas prices got high, and the KHSAA was looking to save teams on travel expenses in the opening two rounds of the playoffs.
The “big change” is what comes next.
The Board of Control also voted to use a computer ratings system to seed the playoffs for the 3rd round and the 4th rounds. This marks the first time ever that the KHSAA will have involved computer ratings is setting up the course of the playoffs in a sport. According to reports, the computer rankings will involve winning percentage, opponent’s winning percentage, and opponent’s opponent’s winning percentage. There will also be modifiers to allow for difference in classes of teams when they play each other.
The rankings will then be published throughout the season on the KHSAA’s website.