FHSAA classification proposal

[Dr. D]

For those not aware, the FHSAA Board of Directors is meeting on November 2-3, and will be deciding on the football classification model for next year.  The proposal before them reduces classifications to six (1A-5A + Rural).  Teams will still be placed in districts, but district play will not be required.  Teams will play 8 games through Week 9, and then the four highest rated teams will be placed into the district tournament to determine the district champion.  The four district champions and four highest rated at-large teams will enter the regional bracket.  So big changes could be coming in 2026, if the Board of Directors votes for this proposal. 

[nolebull813]

Sad thing is it’s hard to get coaches and AD’s on board with advancing a competitive system because the more classes there are, the easier the path is. So they are always going to want the easiest path for job security, and career perception

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

2 hours ago, Dr. D said:

For those not aware, the FHSAA Board of Directors is meeting on November 2-3, and will be deciding on the football classification model for next year.  The proposal before them reduces classifications to six (1A-5A + Rural).  Teams will still be placed in districts, but district play will not be required.  Teams will play 8 games through Week 9, and then the four highest rated teams will be placed into the district tournament to determine the district champion.  The four district champions and four highest rated at-large teams will enter the regional bracket.  So big changes could be coming in 2026, if the Board of Directors votes for this proposal. 

Oh wow really 

[Dr. D]

2 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Sad thing is it’s hard to get coaches and AD’s on board with advancing a competitive system because the more classes there are, the easier the path is. So they are always going to want the easiest path for job security, and career perception

Supposedly the schools were surveyed by the FHSAA on options for classification, so maybe the ADs, administrators, and coaches have seen the light.  But I'll believe it when I see an actual vote in favor at the upcoming FHSAA meeting. 

[Nulli Secundus]

When you lower your expectations, it's almost impossible to be disappointed.  ALMOST

[Joshua Wilson]

Here is a good read on all of this... and I am not a fan of this 

https://floridahsfootball.com/2025/10/29/fhsaa-proposal-would-overhaul-football-classifications-for-2026-28-drawing-concern-from-coaches-and-ads/

 

[PinellasFB]

The "no district play required" is probably to keep teams from going independent or SSAA, I presume?  It's outside the box thinking for sure.

[Dr. D]

What I don't get is the FHSAA/ADs/coaches had 2 years since the last reclassification to solicit input/analyze data/develop proposals/seek feedback and present options for a vote.  Instead, they roll out this proposal on a Wednesday, everyone now voices an opinion, confusion ensues, and they want a vote on Monday.  What kind of organization operates like this?  Wait, never mind. 

[HSfootballguy]

It doesn't matter what the FHSAA does whether open division, rural/urban, small/large districts it won't work period until the larger issues are taken into account.  I mean they haven't even done the open district yet and already looking to change it.  The larger issue is open enrollment, transfers, online students playing anywhere etc.  FHSAA has no control over state laws with those, but thet can take into account the main issue coaches have. School enrollment size can no longer be used for classifications because of the state laws.  I mean look at Broward. 40ish public schools from 1300-5000 kids in each, but 80% of the schools have rosters under 50 and the entire team minus the seniors play JV and Varsity. Find another way.

Then look at the coaches other issues after fixing that. Let us know the actual ranking math, settle it on the field, no 2-3 team districts. 

[THAT S--T WAS FUNNY]

The FHSAA is lazy as hell. They seem to choose the "easy wrong" instead of the "hard right". I have had to work with them at several events throughout the past 10 years or so. I always walked away disappointed in the way they operate.

[Nulli Secundus]

1 hour ago, THAT S--T WAS FUNNY said:

The FHSAA is lazy as hell. 

@THAT S--T WAS FUNNY 

[Dr. D]

I just wasted an hour of my life watching the FHSAA Informational Workshop on YouTube in which this classification proposal was rolled out.  I can start by saying that there is not a transformative, outside-the-box, or innovative mindset by the FHSAA Board of Directors in approaching this topic.  Only one of the Directors stated that he did not believe school enrollment should be a major factor in football classification.  The proposal itself follows a middle ground, offering something to everyone to keep them happy, with the stated goal of attracting independent teams back to the FHSAA.  The Executive Director stated that because Florida is “so different” due to school choice rules, that it is much harder to achieve equitable competition, and that coaches would never agree to proposals based on competitive equity.  So it looks like more of the same if this proposal is adopted on Monday, just dressed up in a different package. 

[nolebull813]

If they go to no more than 6 classes total and that’s with rural, then it doesn’t matter how they do it, it will be better than anything FL has had in at least a quarter century 

[Manatee Magic]

Yay!  Another change to high school football.  JUST what we need, another change.

[Nulli Secundus]

7 hours ago, Dr. D said:

I just wasted an hour of my life watching the FHSAA Informational Workshop on YouTube in which this classification proposal was rolled out.  I can start by saying that there is not a transformative, outside-the-box, or innovative mindset by the FHSAA Board of Directors in approaching this topic.  Only one of the Directors stated that he did not believe school enrollment should be a major factor in football classification.  The proposal itself follows a middle ground, offering something to everyone to keep them happy, with the stated goal of attracting independent teams back to the FHSAA.  The Executive Director stated that because Florida is “so different” due to school choice rules, that it is much harder to achieve equitable competition, and that coaches would never agree to proposals based on competitive equity.  So it looks like more of the same if this proposal is adopted on Monday, just dressed up in a different package. 

This is not rocket science.  In the age of open transfers, the classes need to be based on performance, not enrollment but what the hell do I know?  The FHSAA could pay a consultant $250K for the info that I and a few other posters have provided for free.  Yes, I'm a proponent for reclassifying every year as personnel changes every year, right!?  Beyond disgusted.

[h8r]

looks like its going to be the same as it is now, fhsaa in panic mode.  take 1 class out to create larger districts and leave everyting else the same.

smh

[Ray Icaza]

29 minutes ago, h8r said:

looks like its going to be the same as it is now, fhsaa in panic mode.  take 1 class out to create larger districts and leave everyting else the same.

smh

Hey, it's 4th down.  GOTTA PUNT!!

[Mike E]

Watching the FHSAA board meeting. These jokers are missing the entire point. Small private schools do not belong in any way shape or form with public small schools. If you are successful over a period of time, you play up, period. Even though this would make things more difficult on my favorite team they need to be moved up regardless of enrollment. Chaminade MNW Central, etc should be in the current 5A, at a minimum. STA should be in 7A, period. Lakeland should be in 7A period. Cocoa up, even this year.  

[Dr. D]

Approved, as reported by Joshua Wilson: 6 classifications, plus Rural, with required district play. 

[THAT S--T WAS FUNNY]

Like I said...LAZY

[imjustafan2]

4 hours ago, Mike E said:

Watching the FHSAA board meeting. These jokers are missing the entire point. Small private schools do not belong in any way shape or form with public small schools. If you are successful over a period of time, you play up, period. Even though this would make things more difficult on my favorite team they need to be moved up regardless of enrollment. Chaminade MNW Central, etc should be in the current 5A, at a minimum. STA should be in 7A, period. Lakeland should be in 7A period. Cocoa up, even this year.  

I agree with separating private and public schools in classification. I also agree with the idea of playing up if you continually win. As a fan of a small school, Cocoa, the only small schools they usually play are district games. All others are usually bigger, more competitive schools. If you hit the wall or drop off for a couple of seasons, then possibly bump down a class until you start winning again. Just thinking outload.

[Dr. D]

On 11/2/2025 at 3:14 PM, nolebull813 said:

If they go to no more than 6 classes total and that’s with rural, then it doesn’t matter how they do it, it will be better than anything FL has had in at least a quarter century 

1A-6A + Rural + Open = 8 state championship brackets (still), so no real change.  

[nolebull813]

19 hours ago, Dr. D said:

1A-6A + Rural + Open = 8 state championship brackets (still), so no real change.  

Is that what they did? That’s worse than before! Jesus Christ!!!!!

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

On 11/3/2025 at 12:02 PM, Dr. D said:

Approved, as reported by Joshua Wilson: 6 classifications, plus Rural, with required district play. 

So what does this mean moving forward ? I read the article but still kind of confused. I saw open districts so do that mean no more distrcit champions ? Do that mean sta, chaminade , central,mnw will be in their own open power district. 

For example dillard was 4a this year, where would that place them next year ? @nolebull813

[Dr. D]

I watched the Board of Directors meeting, and I’m still not sure I fully understand everything that was discussed and adopted.  But this is what I think I know:  The proposal that was approved is similar to the current system, minus one class.  Schools will be assigned to classifications based on school enrollment.  District contests will be mandatory if a team wants to compete in the FHSAA state championship series.  District champions automatically advance to the playoffs.  The number of at-large teams, selected by the FHSAA rankings, will vary based on the number of teams in the class.  Playoff seeding will still be done by the FHSAA rankings.

The Open Division concept was approved by a prior Board, but is still in effect starting next year.  The top 8 teams in the FHSAA rankings at the end of the regular season will be placed in the Open bracket (mandatory, not optional).

Although not formally approved, the Board discussed an alternate pathway for teams that did not want to play required district games, that would offer an expanded “independent” track with postseason competition (not called a “state championship”).  This proposal will be developed at a later date.  I think the goal is to attract those teams from Dade, Orange, and other counties that have opted for an independent schedule back into the FHSAA. 

It is hard to say how many teams will be in each class, as teams will have to re-commit to this new set-up.  My impression is that the FHSAA would like to get to 6-8 teams per district, which could lead to 8, 12, or 16 districts per class.  But the FHSAA is constrained by the number of teams that commit to mandatory district play, school enrollment, and Florida’s geography. 

As for Dillard, my best guess is their 2025 reported enrollment of 1,468 would put them in 3A, but the FHSAA wants to get the official classifications announced by Christmas.