Schools
Stoughton High Football Could See a New Playoff Format
A proposed change to the structure of high school football in Massachusetts has received support from two MIAA boards, and now needs approval from the Board of Directors. It is expected that proposed changes would not be instated until at least 2013.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament Management Committee voted 10-4 on Thursday for a plan which would dramatically change high school football in the state by adding a new playoff format with more teams qualifying and establishing a different divisional set-up, according to the Boston Herald.
Thursday's vote followed the MIAA Tournament Football Committee's 15-2 vote in favor of the plan on Wednesday.
The Board of Directors will make a final decision in June.
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Implementation for the two-year pilot program would not happen until at least the 2013 fall season, the Boston Globe reports, so the 2012 fall schedule will not be impacted.
The goal of the proposed plan is to have true state champions in all six divisions instead of just the East, and Central-West champions. The six finals would be at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Leagues will still be maintained according to the Globe, so Stoughton will still be part of the Hockomock, and still part of the Davenport Division, but the Black Knights will be part of a different playoff division.
According to the Boston Herald, Stoughton is projected to be part of Division 3 Southwest, where the Black Knights will be joined by familiar Hockomock schools Oliver Ames and North Attleboro. Soon-to-be Hockomock rival Milford will also be in the bracket along with North Quincy, Hingham, Norwood, Walpole, Hopkinton, Milton, Medfield and Bishop Feehan.
The top eight teams in Division 3 Southwest (two-thirds of the 12 team field) would earn playoff births after seven regular season games. Thanksgiving games (maintaining traditional rivalries, i.e. ) would still occur in the midst of playoff action before the State Championship games at Gillette.
For those teams not qualifying for postseason play, a scheduling committee will help these schools fill their remaining games. Those teams eliminated during the postseason will also have the rest of their schedules filled with the help of a scheduling committee, according to the Sun Chronicle.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
