After years of applying vastly-different playoff formats, the KSHSAA has approved a change that allows 3A, 2A and 1A football a similar post-season path as 4A, 5A and 6A.
Class 3A and below had previously used a home site formula that penalized teams with the best records, particularly as the postseason progressed.
Higher seeded 3-1A teams will enjoy home-field advantage, a major shift from past seasons. Unbeaten No. 1 ranked Hoisington lost a rematch at Norton 10-8 on a snow-covered field in 2019 after beating the Bluejays 38-7 in the regular season.
Four Western and four Eastern District football champions will be seeded one through four based on records and possible head-to-head matchups. District runners-ups will be seeded five through eight and earn first-round home playoff games. Top four seeds would be guaranteed two home games.
The seeding format likely avoids District rematches as long as possible and allows a strong district to enjoy postseason success.