Apparently rule 3319.1 specifies the factors used in determining playoff groupings. What is not clear is how each of these factors are weighted, how is strength of schedule determined. Does a committee have final say on ranking despite what the math says? Here is the quote from the rule book:
#3319. PLAYOFF GROUPINGS
The following procedures for conducting the business of playoff groupings will be in effect for the sports listed below:
Fall – Football, Tennis (Girls), Volleyball (Girls), Water Polo (Boys)
Winter – Basketball (Boys/Girls), Soccer (Boys/Girls), Water Polo (Girls)
Spring – Baseball, Softball, Tennis (Boys), Volleyball (Boys)
#3319.1 Individual schools will be evaluated and placed into divisions on a yearly basis for the sports listed above utilizing a formula which
includes the following factors: regular season record, strength of schedule and Southern Section playoff performance over a twoyear
period. (For example in Baseball and Softball, the data from the 2016 and 2017 seasons will be used to formulate divisions
for the 2018 season. After the 2018 season is concluded, the data from the 2016 season will be removed and the data from the
2017 and 2018 seasons will be used to formulate divisions for the 2019 season.) The formula will be applied to each school
resulting in the creation of competitive equity power rankings for individual schools, using that school’s competitive performance
as the only criteria for establishing playoff divisions.
#3319.2 Once individual school power rankings for each sport are completed, after the conclusion of each sport season, playoff divisions
will be created. Playoff divisions will be published in the Sport Preview for each sport, along with an explanation of the formula
utilized in creating playoff divisions for that sport.
Note: I did not clearly see the formula for playoff division grouping in this last year's preview booklet, but(unless I missed it) perhaps it is an addition to specify the formula for the coming year.
#3319. PLAYOFF GROUPINGS
The following procedures for conducting the business of playoff groupings will be in effect for the sports listed below:
Fall – Football, Tennis (Girls), Volleyball (Girls), Water Polo (Boys)
Winter – Basketball (Boys/Girls), Soccer (Boys/Girls), Water Polo (Girls)
Spring – Baseball, Softball, Tennis (Boys), Volleyball (Boys)
#3319.1 Individual schools will be evaluated and placed into divisions on a yearly basis for the sports listed above utilizing a formula which
includes the following factors: regular season record, strength of schedule and Southern Section playoff performance over a twoyear
period. (For example in Baseball and Softball, the data from the 2016 and 2017 seasons will be used to formulate divisions
for the 2018 season. After the 2018 season is concluded, the data from the 2016 season will be removed and the data from the
2017 and 2018 seasons will be used to formulate divisions for the 2019 season.) The formula will be applied to each school
resulting in the creation of competitive equity power rankings for individual schools, using that school’s competitive performance
as the only criteria for establishing playoff divisions.
#3319.2 Once individual school power rankings for each sport are completed, after the conclusion of each sport season, playoff divisions
will be created. Playoff divisions will be published in the Sport Preview for each sport, along with an explanation of the formula
utilized in creating playoff divisions for that sport.
Note: I did not clearly see the formula for playoff division grouping in this last year's preview booklet, but(unless I missed it) perhaps it is an addition to specify the formula for the coming year.