This is how it was when I was growing up!
Reading through this thread, many arguments that are generally made for decentralized government apply here. Independent school districts get to keep their money and use it as they see fit rather than sending to a central government that creates a bureaucracy that decides. Why is it every decision FHSAA makes seemed centered on how much revenue it brings in? Tell me why they need more money? To pay overpaid executives? I digress.
This ties into what I was saying in the other thread. I believe a longer regular season, but a shorter harder to qualify for, post season would be better. When I was in high school the season didn't start until after labor day. We also had later, 8:30 start times. The later start times gave people a chance to get off work, maybe go downtown and visit a local restaurant with the family, then go to the game. Nowadays we have 7 or 7:30 start time when it's still 100 degrees out or a thunderstorm so the game gets canceled or postponed.