IHSAA Adds 6th Classification in High School Football

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

It's official, Indiana will crown six high school football champs beginning with the 2013 season.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association voted 13-5 today in favor of a portion of a proposal by the Indiana Football Coaches Association to expand the playoffs from five to six classifications.  The IHSAA also tweaked the IFCA's proposal for a four-year "tradition factor" that would require a school move-up one class based on tournament performance.  Instead, the IHSAA Executive Committee approved a two-year tournament success factor that will award points by which any school would move-up a class.

According to a  news release on the IHSAA website, schools will earn one point for a sectional championship, two points for a regional championship, three points for a semi-state title and four points for a state title.  Should a school earn six points or more during a specified two-year period – for instance two state championship game appearances – that school would compete in the next higher enrollment class for the ensuing two seasons.

The sixth classification will be created by splitting the current 5A classification in two with the largest 32 schools by enrollment making-up Class 6A.  Schools 33-64 will remain in Class 5A.

“I am extremely encouraged by the vision and valor of our Executive Committee in making these progressive decisions on behalf of student-athletes in the Hoosier state,” said Bobby Cox, IHSAA Commissioner. “It is my belief that these changes significantly address competition issues in football and will prove to enhance the team sport experience across all other disciplines.”

Click here to read the entire news release from the IHSAA.