IHSA says no to expanded football playoffs

The IHSA did not see the double vision of the proponents of expanding the football playoff field.

The IHSA Legislative Commission rejected a proposal to double the field of teams qualifying for the football playoffs from 256 to 512 teams at its Monday meeting. There were 13 proposals to change the IHSA constitution and bylaws that were placed on its annual referendum ballot.

The expanded playoff proposal would have reduced the regular season to eight games. Week 9 would have been a playoff game for all but approximately 30 teams which wouldn't make the field.

One of the reasons for the proposal was to alleviate nonconference scheduling problems faced by some leagues. Football is also the only sport where all teams aren't eligible for postseason participation.

The last expansion to the football playoffs occurred before the 2001 season.

The number of teams increased by 64 and the number of classes jumped from six to eight.

Girls basketball

Vernon Hills 52, Maine East 23: At the Cougar Classic tournament, host Vernon Hills opened with a win thanks in part to 10 points and 7 rebounds from Meri Bennett-Swanson. The Cougars also got 10 points from Sydney Smith, who finished with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals as well. Abby Springer had 6 assists for Vernon Hills.

Zion-Benton 56, Grant 33: Donnie Taggart scored 11 points for Grant but Zion-Benton still rolled to a big win. The Bulldogs also got 7 points from Kassie Stimpson and 6 points from both Morgan Jahnke and Brittany Glover.