New formula is studied for power ratings
School size won't matter under the plan by the state's grid coaches. It could take effect this fall.
A new proposal to revamp the way football teams qualify for the playoffs could be implemented as early as next season.
The New Jersey Football Coaches Association (NJFCA) executive committee unanimously passed a proposal by Montgomery Athletic Director Tony Masselli that would eliminate the group size of a school in determining the power points.
The measure now must pass by a simple majority in the NJSIAA executive committee before being adopted.
Schools with the top eight power-rating points in each group currently qualify for the playoffs, provided they have a .500 or better record by the cutoff date.
A power rating is derived by multiplying two times the group size of a beaten opponent plus giving a team a bonus point for each victory by that beaten opponent.
For instance, if a team beats a Group 4 school that is 7-1, it would earn a power rating of 15 (2 x 4 plus 7).
Under the new proposal a team would:
Earn three points for a win.
Earn two more points for every win that beaten opponent has.
If a team losses to an opponent, the losing team would still receive one point for every win that beaten opponent has minus the one game the two teams played each other.
For instance if a team beats a 7-1 squad, the winning team would receive 3 points for the win plus 14 points (2 x 7 wins) for a total of 17 points.
If a team looses to a 7-1 squad, it would receive six points (one point for every win minus the game the two teams played against each other).
Even though the NJFCA passed the measure, there are still going to be hearings. That's because potential tweaks to the system could be made, according to Bob Baly, the NJSIAA Assistant Director who is in charge of football.
"I will call a meeting in mid-March of the football coaches committee to look at any type of changes that may be needed," Baly said.
For instance, Baly said it still has to be determined what happens in case of a tie.
That's why there will be hearings held throughout the state, for coaches to voice their opinions on the potential new setup.
According to Shawnee football coach Tim Gushue, who is a member of the NJFCA executive committee, South Jersey football coaches will be meeting 7 p.m. on March 3 at Washington Township to discuss the matter.
"We'd like to have as many football coaches as possible attend to get their feedback," Gushue said.
Masselli said he has received positive feedback from his proposal.
"The crux is to ease the burden of playing a team with different group sizes of playing a powerhouse Non-Public school where you won't win the game but at least get some points," he said.
Under this new proposal, a team would earn just as many points for beating a 7-1 Group 1 team as it would for defeating a 7-1 Group 4 team.
In the current setup, beating a 7-1 Group 4 team would earn 15 points (2 x 4 plus 7) and beating a 7-1 Group 1 team would earn nine points (2 x 1 plus 7).