The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football playoffs are a highly anticipated event each year, drawing attention from students, parents, faculty, and sports enthusiasts across the state. Understanding the structure, rules, and intricacies of this playoff system can greatly enhance your appreciation of high school football in Illinois. Here is everything you need to know about the IHSA football playoffs.
**Structure of the Playoffs**
The IHSA football playoffs are divided into eight different classes, ranging from 1A to 8A. These classes are determined based on school enrollment numbers, with 1A being the smallest schools and 8A the largest. Schools are assigned to these classes at the beginning of the season, allowing teams to compete against others of similar size.
**Qualifying for the Playoffs**
To qualify for the IHSA football playoffs, teams must first compete in a regular season consisting of nine games. A key aspect in the qualification process is the win-loss record. Typically, a team must secure at least five victories to be eligible for the playoffs. However, this threshold can sometimes vary depending on the overall performance of all teams within the state. In addition to the win-loss record, a team’s strength of schedule and opponents’ records are also