When it comes to conference affiliation it seems like football is taking over. It has ended good conferences across the state and made it difficult for some schools like Fatima or Rolla to find a home.
Using a format similar to Texas of 6, 7 or 8 teams districts (which would end conferences for football) would more flexibility in forming conferences that are more travel friendly and not strictly based on football and enrollment.
One thing MSHSAA could capitalize on is creating East and West Championships similar to what Mississippi does with its North and South championships.
There wouldn’t even need to be a lot of changes made to implement this. Class 6 at 42 teams, 5 through 2 at 56 teams. And class 1 is the catch all. Class 1 and 6 would have 6 districts and class 2-5 would have 8. Top 4 district teams make the playoffs. So you would have 24 in each class 1 and 6, and 32 in classes 2-5. Seed regionally like Texas does.
Districts would start week 3 for 7 and 8 team districts and week 5 for 6 team districts.
The one major change is schools would need to report enrollment numbers sooner so AD and fill schedules. I say report numbers December 1st, districts released second Friday of January. Official district schedule then released second Friday of March.
If you want to see what this might look like here is an example of class 6. Class 2-5 would look the same for the most part.
East Region
District 1
Jackson
Lindbergh
Northwest (Cedar Hill)
Oakville
Seckman
Vianney
Waynesville
District 2
Christian Brothers College
De Smet Jesuit
Kirkwood
Lafayette (Wildwood)
Marquette
Ritenour
SLUH
District 3
Francis Howell
Francis Howell Central
Ft. Zumwalt West
Hazelwood Central
Hazelwood West
Pattonville
Troy Buchanan
West Region
District 4
Joplin
Kickapoo
Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit West
Nixa
Ozark
Raymore-Peculiar
District 5
Blue Springs
Blue Springs South
Hickman
Lee's Summit North
Rock Bridge
Rockhurst
Truman
District 6
Central (St. Joseph)
Liberty
Liberty North
Oak Park
Park Hill
Park Hill South
Staley
Using a format similar to Texas of 6, 7 or 8 teams districts (which would end conferences for football) would more flexibility in forming conferences that are more travel friendly and not strictly based on football and enrollment.
One thing MSHSAA could capitalize on is creating East and West Championships similar to what Mississippi does with its North and South championships.
There wouldn’t even need to be a lot of changes made to implement this. Class 6 at 42 teams, 5 through 2 at 56 teams. And class 1 is the catch all. Class 1 and 6 would have 6 districts and class 2-5 would have 8. Top 4 district teams make the playoffs. So you would have 24 in each class 1 and 6, and 32 in classes 2-5. Seed regionally like Texas does.
Districts would start week 3 for 7 and 8 team districts and week 5 for 6 team districts.
The one major change is schools would need to report enrollment numbers sooner so AD and fill schedules. I say report numbers December 1st, districts released second Friday of January. Official district schedule then released second Friday of March.
If you want to see what this might look like here is an example of class 6. Class 2-5 would look the same for the most part.
East Region
District 1
Jackson
Lindbergh
Northwest (Cedar Hill)
Oakville
Seckman
Vianney
Waynesville
District 2
Christian Brothers College
De Smet Jesuit
Kirkwood
Lafayette (Wildwood)
Marquette
Ritenour
SLUH
District 3
Francis Howell
Francis Howell Central
Ft. Zumwalt West
Hazelwood Central
Hazelwood West
Pattonville
Troy Buchanan
West Region
District 4
Joplin
Kickapoo
Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit West
Nixa
Ozark
Raymore-Peculiar
District 5
Blue Springs
Blue Springs South
Hickman
Lee's Summit North
Rock Bridge
Rockhurst
Truman
District 6
Central (St. Joseph)
Liberty
Liberty North
Oak Park
Park Hill
Park Hill South
Staley
