Coalition Football Playoff Proposal Submitted by: Rich Carroll - Middletown Bud Kowal – Ewing Ben LaSala – Colonia Dave Ryden – Marlboro Rich Shello – Ridge Charlie Voorhees – Secaucus

Coalition Proposal - Main Points Does not change constitution Utilize Power Ranking Algorithm to replace the current Power Point System Preserves 10 game schedule, Thanksgiving games, and Sectional Championships Allows for a higher championship (State Semi-Final) More flexible scheduling for conferences Produces more competitive end of season games

Current Power Point System The current Power Point System does not do a good job: Identifying the best teams Seeding teams in the proper order If the Goal is to select the best teams and seed them accurately then we need a new system

Power Rankings by Algorithm Replaces the current Power Point System Lacrosse already uses power ranking to seed tournaments (LAX Power) California, Arizona, Colorodo, Illinois, and New Mexico currently use MaxPreps to seed their state playoffs

Power Rankings More accurate because it uses more data than just Group Size of School and number of opponent wins The system utilizes the huge number of game results stored in the database. Generally, the more a team wins the higher the ranking, but the system takes into account quality wins (against other highly ranked opponents) and strength of schedule. For example, a team's ranking is hurt more by losing to a team that is ranked below them verses a team ranked ahead.

2016 NJSIAA Football Champions GROUP CHAMPION PP PR Non Public II Mater Dei 2 1 Non Public III St Joseph (Montvale) Non Public IV Paramus Catholic South I Paulsboro South II West Deptford South III Wall South IV Timber Creek South V Millville 3 4 Central I Asbury Park 5 Central II Manasquan Central III Rumson-Fair Haven Central IV Allentown Central V Piscataway North II Grp 1 Weequahic North II Grp II Morris Hills North II Grp III Madison North II Grp IV Sayreville North II Grp V Westfield North I Grp I Hasbrouck Heights North I Grp II Mahwah North I Grp III River Dell North I Grp IV Wayne Hills North I Grp V Ridgewood Total Seeding Comparison Value 48 36 Percent Accurate .479 .639 PP= Power Point Ranking (Current System) PR= Power Ranking (Max Preps System)

Current Sectional Structure Remains Top 8 Teams in Each Group/Section Qualify for playoffs based on MaxPreps Power Rankings

Conferences schedule 8 games for each team Played on week 1-8 or Thanksgiving and a bye or 0 week and a bye is an option as well.

Cutoff and Playoffs Cutoff is week 8 Use Power Ranking for first 7 games Playoffs begin on week 9.

Non Playoff Qualifiers matched up by Power Ranking in Section/Group. Playoffs – Week 9 Non Playoff Qualifiers matched up by Power Ranking in Section/Group.

Playoffs – Week 10 Playoff winners advance After week 9 there are 3 pools made for week 10 games Playoff winners advance Crossover losers matched by Power Rankings Playoff losers and crossover winners matched by Power Rankings

Sectional Championship Games Completed Before Thanksgiving Playoffs – Week 11 Sectional Championship Games Completed Before Thanksgiving

Week 12 Thanksgiving

State Semi-Final South vs. Central North 1 vs. North 2 Week 13 State Semi-Final South vs. Central North 1 vs. North 2

Addresses Concerns Throughout the State Treats everyone the same as far as reward for playing strong programs   Provides a more competitive schedule - especially at the end of the season Addresses safety concerns by creating more competitive matchups Reduces the number of games leagues need to schedule for "power" teams while maintaining 10 game schedules    Rewards teams for playing competitive games against higher ranked opponents but does not just ‘gift wrap” power points just for scheduling a power opponent. Currently teams receive the same power points if they lose by 1 or 50. Gives teams option of playing Week 0 or Thanksgiving or both with no impact on playoffs. Keeps Sectional Championships but allows for playing to a higher championship level. Can play to a state semi-final champion in 13 games – same number it currently takes to crown a sectional champion under the current playoff format. Option of playing to a true state champion by adding only one week to the current football schedule.

Coalition Football Playoff Proposal Synopsis Power Rankings replace the current Power Point System. Lacrosse already uses power ranking to seed tournaments California, Arizona, Colorodo, Illinois, New Mexico currently use MaxPreps to seed their state playoffs Top 8 Teams in Each Group/Section Qualify for playoffs based on Power Rankings. Conferences schedule 8 games for each team. Played on week 1-8 or Thanksgiving and a bye or 0 week and a bye is an option as well. Cutoff is week 8 – use Power Ranking for first 7 games. Playoffs begin on week 9. Non Playoff Qualifiers matched up by Power Ranking in Section/Group. Schools can opt out of playoffs and/or Regional Crossover if desired. After week 9 there are 3 pools made for week 10 games. Schools can opt out of 2nd regional crossover if desired. Playoff winners advance Crossover losers matched by Power Rankings Playoff losers and crossover winners matched by Power Rankings Week 11 - Sectional Championship Games Week 12 - Thanksgiving Week 13 - Opportunity for State Semi-Final South vs. Central – North 1 vs. North 2 Week 14 - Opportunity for Bowl of Champions