By Zach Akers – Sports Writer

Is it time for the KHSAA football playoffs to shrink to a smaller field? I think yes.

Across the state, we’re already seeing signs that the current format might be stretched too thin. In Class 1A, for example, four teams earned a first-round bye this year — not entirely by seeding, but in large because of forfeits. I understand some districts are tougher than others, but when we look at other sports like basketball, baseball, or volleyball, the standard is simple: you have to make it out of your district to play in the region. Why couldn’t football adopt a similar model?

In most districts from 1A through 6A, every team makes the playoffs. What prestige does that really add to qualifying? If everyone gets in, the meaning of “making the playoffs” starts to fade.

The flip side, of course, is the occasional five-team district, where a late-season win can push one team in and another out. That drama would still exist under a modified system — and it might even mean more.

Could a new-look playoff structure be possible? I’m not sure, but I do think it’s worth considering. Maybe we could take a page from basketball’s “super region” concept. The district champion could get a bye, while the runner-up faces the third-place team from the opposite district for a chance to play the top seed in the next round.

Here’s how that could look in 2A this year:

District 7 champion Prestonsburg would earn a bye. They’d then face the winner of a game between the No. 2 seed from their cross-district (Shelby Valley) and the No. 3 seed from their own district (Knott County Central). It’s essentially what we have now, but without the 4-seed — trimming the field and making that “playoff bubble” a tougher goal to reach.

This could also cut down on forfeits and give seniors on those 4-seed teams a better send-off — playing their final game on their home field instead of suffering a lopsided first-round loss, which unfortunately happens far too often.

Once again, this is all hypothetical, but it’s worth thinking about as we see more uneven first-round games and forfeits across the board. I’m looking forward to the playoffs kicking off this week — and hopefully, to seeing some championship trophies make their way back to the mountains.