The MIAA Board of Directors passed the latest football proposal today, 12-2. Just to recap, here is what it means.

– The Super 8 is officially here. It will be made up of Division 1 and 2 teams.

– The regular season is now nine weeks, with one consolation game. A lot of coaches have been calling for a change in the number of consolation games the past two years.

– Playoff field reduced from 128 teams to 72 teams. Eight teams per division will qualify for the playoffs.

The proponents of splitting the Catholic powerhouse programs and the public schools got their wish. A permanent split was never going to happen and anyone who thought it was is out of touch and hasn’t been around long.

Most coaches and administrators are on board with the proposal and the changes. The only complaint is the reduced playoff field, which we kind of figured people would complain about it, especially Western Mass schools. It is a drastic change but unfortunately with the expanded regular season and the addition of the Super 8, it was inevitable.

Coaches who have a problem with the reduced playoff field have a valid argument. The question is, can they make enough of a case against the reduced field to eventually lead to expansion down the road? We shall see.

Of course there will be plenty of grievances against this system in the coming months when coaches and administrators will lament not making the Super 8 or missing out on the tournament all together in their respective division. Don’t get me started on the programs who would prefer not to play in the Super 8. That is a topic in itself.

As for getting the Catholics out of the playoffs, it may not be the cure all some folks think it is. Xaverian and St. John’s Prep are locks to make the Super 8 most years. What if Catholic Memorial, who is the smallest school in the Catholic Conference and has been slotted in Division 3 recently doesn’t opt up like they have? Then what? They would not qualify for the Super 8. One could argue they were the driving force behind this and they won’t be in the Super 8. Boy would that be something.

All fun stuff that we get to debate for the next 16 months. Trust me when I tell you. The current proposal is far from a finished product. It will be tweaked eventually.