The North Coast Section (NCS) has approved major changes to the playoff format in team sports, including football, by implementing competitive equity guidelines. The proposal, passed by the Board of Managers, aims to prioritize competitive balance over championship equity.

Why It Matters

The shift to competitive equity is significant as it seeks to create more evenly matched games in playoffs across all team sports. This change will impact the postseason experiences of high school teams and could lead to a more engaging and fairer competition environment.

By the Numbers
  • The new format for NCS football will start with seven base divisions determined by enrollment, with the top bracket comprising the top eight qualifying teams regardless of division.
  • In the new model, teams will be seeded using MaxPreps' rankings, with the seeding committee allowed to adjust based on head-to-head results and strength of schedule.
State of Play
  • The NCS will use real-time data for seeding rather than pre-determined divisions, preventing both large and small schools from being placed in significantly higher or lower divisions than their home base.
  • The new playoff format will result in a different bracket composition, reflecting a more competitive balance in playoffs, and impacting the postseason trajectories of various high school teams.
What's Next

The implementation of the new competitive-based playoff system will likely lead to adjustments and refinements as the NCS seeks to ensure its effectiveness and fairness. Teams and stakeholders will closely monitor the impact of these changes on high school sports.

Bottom Line

The NCS's adoption of competitive equity in its playoff format signifies a fundamental shift in the approach to high school sports playoffs, prioritizing fairness and competitive balance. This move has the potential to reshape the landscape of high school sports competitions in the North Coast Section.