This week in HS Sports: Private schools pushing to expand number of playoff teams, rounds

This is an opinion piece.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) is gearing up for continued discussions regarding the future of private school athletics. The newly formed private school committee is scheduled to hold its second meeting via Zoom on Monday afternoon to consult with AHSAA executive director Heath Harmon.

Building a New Path

This committee, which was established following the announcement of the restructuring of championship pathways in January, includes eight members—one representative from each private school district across the state. The group previously convened in person in Montgomery alongside Harmon and AHSAA assistant directors Ryan Barkley and Brendt Bedsole.

"I think we have a good plan," Harmon noted during last month’s state baseball finals. "We are continuing to meet with our newly formed private school advisory committee... I think we will have a great plan."

Proposing Expansion

District 1 representative Shane Sullivan, athletic director at St. Paul’s, described the initial meeting as a productive dialogue centered on proposals and ideas for the immediate future of the private school split. While Sullivan remains a proponent of keeping public and private schools together, he is focused on ensuring the best experience for students under the current structure.

Sullivan is leading a push to increase the number of private school playoff teams and, consequently, the total number of playoff rounds. This effort comes after the AHSAA announced its private school playoff formats in April. Under current plans, Class Double A features 16 teams with three rounds of play, but Sullivan advocates for a 12-team playoff bracket for the division, allowing for more competition and byes for top seeds.

"When we make a recommendation or put in a request, it will go to the classification committee, the championship committee and finally before the Central Board to get approved," Sullivan explained. "It is really more about adding to the number of rounds in the playoffs than anything. We want our students to have that championship experience like everyone else."

Looking at Precedents

Sullivan hopes to model potential changes after the structure adopted by the largest public-school classification. This fall, Class 6A will move from 16 to 24 playoff teams, allowing the top six teams from each region to qualify. With the season approaching, time is a factor as the committee works to finalize logistics like venues, security, and sponsorships.

"The bottom line is we want our kids on the field as much as they can in postseason play, and I don’t think that is a lot to ask," Sullivan said. "They created this split. We didn’t."

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” – 1 Peter 1: 24-25