The 12-team postseason format introduced by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has shown promising results in its first year, with top-seeded teams receiving byes into the quarterfinals boasting a 75.9 win percentage.
The new format allows the top four teams in each region to receive a bye into the quarterfinals, where they also get a home game. Seeds 5 through 12 face one another in the first round, and the winners of those games funnel into predetermined matchups with the top four teams. This format is similar to the College Football Playoff, except the CFP has neutral site games beginning in the quarterfinals.
Coaches who received a bye in the first year generally met the moment with positivity, feeling it was better to determine how to handle doing nothing for a week rather than trying to figure out the effects of an extra game. However, opinions on the format vary, with some coaches supporting the 12-team bracket and others preferring the 16-team format.
Among the 28 regions, the higher-seeded team playing at home went 86-26, winning 76.8% of the time. The 6 vs. 11 and 7 vs. 10 matchups tied for the most upsets at eight occurrences each. The top-four teams receiving byes into the quarterfinals were nearly equally as successful, with a 75.9 win percentage.
Fairmont head coach Dave Miller said he didn't have an issue with 16 teams getting in and every team playing in the first round. However, he feels it's more difficult to work through the prep level than collegiate teams. Miller said he'd much rather have 16 teams, but that's not what the OHSAA decided.
CJ head coach Marcus Colvin and his Eagles squad didn't qualify for the playoffs last year in D-III, Region 12. He offered his thoughts by falling back on his memories of not getting to keep playing when the state allowed fewer teams to qualify. Colvin said 12 teams is a "sweet spot" and a number he supports.
Xenia head coach Maurice Harden shared a similar sentiment, saying 12 qualifiers are fine because enough teams will be able to experience playoff football that may not have gotten chances in previous years. Harden's Buccaneers got a four-seed last year and earned a bye, but lost to fifth-seeded La Salle.
The OHSAA's decision to expand the postseason format has sparked debate among coaches and fans. While some support the 12-team bracket, others prefer the 16-team format. As the OHSAA enters its second year with the new format, it will be interesting to see how teams adapt and how the format evolves.
The results of the first year suggest that the 12-team postseason format is a success, but it remains to be seen whether it will continue to be supported by coaches and fans. As the OHSAA moves forward, it will be essential to monitor the impact of the new format on teams and the sport as a whole.
Source: Yahoo Sports