For one Illinois high school football program, they are requesting inclusion in the Class 7A playoffs this coming fall instead of the 6A ones that they would likely be placed in.
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Batavia High School has asked the Illinois High School Association to consider placing them in the 7A bracket, according to a report by the Kane County Chronicle.
The Illinois high school football playoffs are different than most states. Instead of separating teams by classification before the year starts, qualifiers are determined at the end of the regular season. Using playoff points, a total of 256 teams make the Illinois playoffs in football, as they are split into eight classifications.
"We are comfortable in the Class 7A field," Batavia head coach Dennis Piron said. "We feel like we have good knowledge of the teams we might face there. For now, we feel like that's where we should be."
Over the last 24 seasons, Batavia has qualified for the postseason a total of 21 times, including 12 appearances in the 7A field. They have also competed in 6A eight times and 5A once.
Last year, Batavia finished second in 7A, falling to Mt. Carmel, 55-34. They won the 7A state championship in 2017 and the 6A crown back in 2013. The school also has four other title game appearances, with three total coming in 7A.
If the request is approved by the Illinois High School Association, and Batavia qualifies for the postseason, they would be in 7A for the next two seasons. That decision will be voted on at an upcomng board meeting.
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