MIAA Super 8 football proposal faces Catholic Conference coach protest

The MIAA wants to start a Super 8 football playoff system in Massachusetts. This is a big change from the old way of playing games.
By Newsroom | Sports, Massachusetts |

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's latest move towards a statewide football playoff format, dubbed the 'Super 8', has triggered significant backlash from coaches within the state's Catholic Conference.

The core of the controversy appears to stem from a perceived elitism and a potential dilution of established competitive structures, with accusations of an "anti-Catholic movement" surfacing from at least one prominent coach. This push for a more unified, statewide playoff structure, a concept that has been gaining traction, is now facing stern resistance, particularly from coaches at institutions like Xaverian, St. John's Prep, and BC High.

The introduction of a ninth regular-season game, necessitated by the proposed format, also presents logistical challenges. While it eliminates the often-criticized consolation games for non-qualifying teams, coaches express concerns about filling such an extended schedule. This adjustment to the playoff structure is seen by some as an arbitrary move, potentially leading to further complications and disputes over team selection.

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"If they put us there, we’ll play there. Then you’re going to have more controversy. Then, you don’t have to think about a Super 8. As I’ve said, in Everett, they juggled us around (divisionally) there, and there wasn’t a peep. With a Super 8, you’re going to have a committee pick who’s in, who’s not in?"

This sentiment, attributed to an unnamed coach, highlights anxieties surrounding the subjectivity of a committee-based selection process for the Super 8. The contrast is drawn with past divisional adjustments where, it is claimed, less dissent was voiced.

The debate over the Super 8 format extends beyond mere playoff structure. Coaches suggest that conversations about separating Catholic and public schools in football have intensified, particularly after dominant performances by Catholic Conference teams. This perceived imbalance seems to fuel the push for a restructured playoff system.

"There is too much complaining going on about football playoffs."

This statement encapsulates a broader frustration with the ongoing discourse surrounding postseason football in the state. The Catholic Conference coaches' unified front, however, indicates a deep-seated opposition to the current trajectory of the Super 8 proposal, framing it as a far more significant issue than simply addressing perceived Catholic school dominance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are Catholic Conference coaches against the MIAA Super 8 football plan?
Coaches from schools like Xaverian and BC High worry the plan is unfair and gives too much power to a selection committee. They fear the new system ignores the history of their league and creates unnecessary conflict.
Q: How does the Super 8 plan change the current football schedule?
The new plan requires teams to play a ninth regular-season game. Coaches say this is hard to manage and creates more problems than it solves for student athletes.
Q: What do coaches mean by an anti-Catholic movement in MIAA sports?
Some coaches feel the new playoff rules are designed to stop Catholic schools from winning because they have been very successful. They believe the state is trying to change the rules to make it harder for private schools to compete.
Q: What happens next for the Super 8 football proposal?
The MIAA is still discussing the plan despite the strong pushback from coaches. For now, the debate continues as schools wait to see if the committee will change the rules or move forward.