FHSAA Changes Football Playoff Format

The FHSAA made format changes to this year’s high school playoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was also done as a way of working in unison with the participating school districts to provide their student-athletes with the same opportunities that would have been afforded in a normal year. 

Regions were shuffled to create balance, teams made tough decisions to opt-in or opt-out, and coaches and families made decisions to weigh the risk versus the reward of playing this year. The FHSAA then decided that any school in the state of Florida, regardless of district or classification, will earn a playoff spot and a chance to play for the state championship.

For some players this was a no-brainer opportunity to put film together in order to earn those coveted college scholarships to one day make it to the NFL.  

For some coaches this was an opportunity to return to some sort of normalcy and continue to mentor young athletes, especially during this crazy time.  

For the parents, this was about having faith not only in the school system, the coaches, or the medical staff’s ability to protect everyone involved, but more importantly having faith in the decision making of the young adults they are raising. 

This year’s playoffs will be different to say the least. The pairings are already announced, and for the first time ever the FHSAA used a random draw. This decision was made because of the effects from COVID-19. Nobody knows how the season will end, but one thing is for sure: It is sure to be way different than ever before.

Written by: Jacquez McCoy