BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The state high school football playoffs are getting bigger.
The Illinois High School Association announced on Tuesday that a proposal to add 16 more teams to each of the eight classes was approved.
The move makes the field in each class 48 teams, with the top 16 teams receiving byes. A total of 384 teams will now make the playoffs.
The season would start one week earlier in order to still finish the season on Thanksgiving weekend.
The proposal also called for the elimination of a five win requirement to make the playoffs.
Other proposals approved by the IHSA include the Board of Directors expanding to 15 seats from 11 for Superintendents, Presidents, or Heads of Schools, as well as moving the start of the girls’ softball and boys volleyball seasons up one week.
