(9-5-23) Two weeks into the season and seven weeks until playoff teams are announced by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The formula for teams to automatically be eligible to move into the post-season will include-

In practice, teams with 9, 8, 7, and 6 wins will always qualify for the playoffs. Teams with 5 wins are “on the bubble” and the tie is broken by the number of playoff points (the combined wins of all opponents).

The above factor as of now is the only way that an IHSA independent school can qualify for the playoffs.

This year there are 11 IHSA member schools that are playing as independents…a large number. Most are not in a conference because they have not been invited or or have been excluded in joining an established league for many different reasons. This leaves them with just the one option above to automatically qualify for the playoffs (win 6 games) …. playing an independent schedule can always make it a challenge to qualify for that playoff spot.

This year the Stateline Sports Network (SSN) has created an unofficial conference for the 11 schools…the Illinois Independent Conference (IIC). Each week standings are updated and scores are listed, the hope is to give student-athletes an opportunity to be in a small way a part of a conference. The 11 independent schools are not involved in the running of this ‘mythical’ league‘, it is all taken care of by SSN.

How the Football Playoff Pairings are Determined — 2024

Selecting the Playoff Teams

Last updated on June 14, 2023

The first step is to select the 256 playoff teams. The process proceeds as follows:

  1. All champions of conferences with six or more teams receive a playoff berth. Two-team ties are broken on the basis of head-to-head competition when those teams have played during the regular season. Three- and four-way ties are broken by eliminating teams according to the following steps. If, after any step is applied, only two teams remain, the head-to-head matchup determines the champion.
    1. Most wins in all conference games.

Why should these 11 independents be allowed to be included in the above playoff qualification that allows a conference champion an automatic playoff berth?

Several years ago it looked liked the IHSA was establishing a district format that would have included every school playing (11 man) football an equal opportunity to compete in the playoffs. In a very late move the IHSA got ‘cold feet’ and ditched the district format before it was even installed. This put independents back to square one and behind the 8-ball.

Allowing the independents to qualify a ‘conference champion’ would now give every IHSA member the same opportunity to compete in the playoffs.