There just never seems to be the perfect solution. I think there are just TOO MANY divisions which make some divisions on any given season just thin on depth or quality as in worthy of qualifying for a playoff slot. So those whom have done nothing to earn one get one.
On the flip side, if you were to go back to 5, 6, 7 divisions I feel many high school football programs would cease as the new era of mobility has widened the talent gap so far it would be senseless for some school to continue on.
There is also the declining student athlete in the sport of football for many a reason. That alone has diluted the depth of many teams. In this sport today you play if you are REALLY good. Really good players all want to play with really good players, the concentrate themselves at a few schools. They are no longer scattered amongst many teams. The top is rising while the rest slipping.
For the sake of the mid and lower divisions I think CIF should eliminate at least 1 maybe 2 divisions. At some point it would push up the quality of the lower seeds within each division as they get a bit more crowded.
This is simply an assumption on my part, anyone else have any ideas or better vision...? Or do you go to what the OPEN division has done and only top 8 make playoffs not 16. No more #1 vs #16 games, start at #1 vs #8.