l. Six (6) classes of competition will be used for the tournament. Thus a

champion will be determined in the - Division LL (833 and over)

champion will be determined in the - Division L (665 - 832)

champion will be determined in the - Division MM (572 - 664)

champion will be determined in the - Division M (477 - 571)

champion will be determined in the - Division SS (375 - 476)

champion will be determined in the - Division S (Up to 374)

The Football Committee will review yearly the number of teams in each Class striving for equity in numbers of teams in each. When there is an uneven number of teams for each division, the greater number of team(s) will be placed into the larger division(s) by enrollment first.

2. The top four teams in each division will be selected using a point system as follows:

Three classes of competition will be used with the point system.

Division LL & L -- Highest class

Division MM & M -- Middle Class

Division SS & S -- Lowest Class

a. A school will receive 100 points for defeating a school in its own class;

90 points for defeating a school in one lower class;

80 points for defeating a school in two lower classes;

110 points for defeating a school in one higher class;

120 points for defeating a school in two higher classes.

b. A school defeating a league opponent of a lower class will not be subject to the structure as outlined in paragraph a., but will receive 100 points.

c. A school will receive 50 points for tying a school in its own class;

45 points for tying a school in one lower class;

40 points for tying a school in two lower classes;

55 points for tying a school in one higher class;

60 points for tying a school in two higher classes.

d. A school tying a league opponent of a lower class will not be subject to the structure as outlined in paragraph c., but will receive 50 points

e. A school will receive 10 points for each victory and 5 points for each tie earned by any opponent it has defeated.

f. A school will receive 5 points for each victory and 2.5 points for each tie earned by an opponent it has tied. A school will not receive any bonus points for a tie where they were the opponent.

g. The total number of playoff points will be divided by the total number of games played to determine the point value earned by each school.

h. The following three steps will be used in breaking ties in pairings if two or more schools finish with the same point value in the same division.

1) In the event the schools have met during the regular season, the winner wins the position in question.

2) The wins and ties of each of the opponents are added (2 points per win and l point per tie) and the team with the greatest number of points wins the position in question. This includes each opponent regardless of whether the game was won or lost.

3) If there is still no winner the computer will “flip a coin” to determine the winner of the position.

The top four (4) teams in each division will qualify for the Semi-final games (24 teams total)

The #1 seeded team vs. the #4 seeded team

The #2 seeded team vs. the #3 seeded team

The winners of the semi-final games in each division will play in the championship game.

Final games will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009.

k. MINIMUM REQUIRED STANDARDS FOR ALL PLAYOFF SITES:

a. The lighting system shall adequately coer and illuminate the entire playing field, end zones, and sideline areas. A level of 30 foot candles, although not mandated, is a desired illumination standard for the playing area.

b. The lighting system poles shall be of such height that punted, kicked or thrown balls shall remain visible to players, coaches, and officials at all times.

c. Lighting systems should be of such quality that the integrity and quality of CIAC football playoff and championship caliber games shall not be compromised.

d. The CIAC Football Committee reserves the right to make a final decision on whether or not a specific facility’s lighting system is appropriate for use in a CIAC football playoff game.

Note: Schools that intend to use portable lighting for the championship semi-finals must seek approval from the tournament director to assure the lights meet minimum standards.

2) Site is enclosed and capable of charging and controlling admission.

3) Site has adequate seating (minimum of 1,000)

4) Site has adequate parking.

5) Field is in good condition, is properly lined, and meets NFHS standards.

6) Site has a visible, working scoreboard and clock.

7) Site has a press box large enough to accommodate timer, announcer, and spotters and camera persons from both coaching staffs.

8) Site has locker rooms that are available to both teams and officials before, during and after games.

9) Site has adequate public restroom facilities.

10) Site has a working public address system.

CONNECTICUT INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE  

Entry fee of $100 should be mailed to the CIAC office, 30 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410. If a school needs an invoice in order to pay its tournament fee, one can be downloaded by using the “Generate Tournament Invoice” link under the football options in the password-protected online eligibility center.

THE LAST DATE TO COUNT WILL BE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26.

GAMES PLAYED AFTER THE SATURDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE SELECTION PROCESS.

Data Sheet Entry Forms must be submitted via the password- protected online eligibility center by Monday, November 23. LATE ENTRIES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

This applies to the sport of football only. All scheduled games shall be played as a victory, loss, or tie, or shall be declared as a forfeit. The Football Committee will be officially empowered to review and make decisions in individual cases when teams are directly affected by the inability to schedule a game on the final Saturday and yet comply with this regulation.

DETERMINATION OF RATINGS -- The CIAC Football Committee will classify, by enrollment, opponents that are out-of-state, and prep schools. Out-of-state high schools must be affiliated with their state high school athletic association.

DISQUALIFICATION RULE: When a coach is ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike behavior, the coach is ineligible to participate in the next contest at the same level of play (even if the next contest does not occur until league or CIAC tournament play or next year). If one or more different level contests are scheduled prior to the next contest at the same level of play, the coach shall be ineligible to participate in the next (but no more than one) contest at all other levels of play.

l. Games against junior varsity teams will not be counted in the ratings.

2. Games contracted after September 15, 2009, will not be considered in determining a school's point value for Playoff consideration. The deadline may be extended ten (10) days to permit a school to complete negotiations for a specific game contract provided a written request for extension is made to the CIAC office. The written request must be received in CIAC office no later than 3:00 p.m. on September 15, 2009.

3. To be eligible for the Playoffs a minimum of eight (8) games must be played.

4. Playoff games to determine a league champion will not be considered.

5. Games played against high schools who are not members of their State Association will not be considered.

l. Immediately following the conclusion of the fourth quarter, a coin toss is to be held with the visiting team captain calling heads or tails. The winner of the toss shall be given the choice of offense or defense, or designating the end of the field. The loser gets the remaining option.

2. After a three minute rest period, during which both teams may confer with their coaches, the offensive team shall put the ball in play, first and goal, on the ten (10) yard line.

3. The rules for loss of possession are the same as during the regulation game. If a touchdown is scored the try for an extra point(s) will follow. Field goal attempts are permitted during any down. When a team scores via either a field goal or the try for point following a touchdown it gives up possession of the ball.

4. If the score remains tied after each team has been given one series of downs in an overtime period, then the procedure shall be repeated with other overtime periods until a game winner is determined. In this case, there shall be an intermission of two minutes. At the subsequent meeting of team captains, the loser of the overtime coin toss will be given first choice of the options. If additional overtime periods are required, then first options will be alternated with no coin toss.

5. Each team will be permitted one time out during each overtime period.

6. Rules pertaining to offensive and defensive pass interference remain the same in the overtime period.

7. If the defensive team gains possession of the football by recovering a fumble or intercepting a pass, the ball immediately becomes dead. The defensive team may not score points.

8. The team scoring the greater number of points in the overtime shall be declared the winner. Overtime periods will continue until a winner is declared.

Regular season, semi-final and final game(s) will continue using the above tie-breaker procedures until a winner is declared. Beginning with the third overtime period, teams must go for two after a touchdown.

HOME TEAM - VISITING TEAM -- The home team is the team having the highest point value. The home team will wear the dark colored jersey -- the visiting team will wear white or light color.

1. The CIAC Football Committee shall appoint six (6) sub-committees to review and select officials for the semifinal and final playoff games. The sub-committees shall be comprised of at least six (6) coaches from each of the six (6) areas serviced by the Connecticut Football Officials Association (CFOA) member boards and at least one (1) member of the CIAC Football Committee. The CIAC Football Committee, or its designee, shall make the final selection of the game officials at each position from the lists submitted.

2. Chain crews and clock operators shall be assigned by the Commissioner of each board or by his representative subject to the approval of the CIAC Tournament Director.

3. Any board which fails to submit a list of recommended officials by the Wednesday following the second Monday of November shall forfeit the right to recommend officials. Consequently, the CIAC Football Committee shall then have the right to assign officials from the board at their discretion.

l. Purpose -- The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, Football Committee, desires to provide a process for resolving problems and protests which may arise during the Football Playoffs. In establishing this process it is hoped that all parties will feel that they have proper recourse and that all possible steps will have been taken to have the state championships decided on the merits of the competing teams.2.

Clarification -- It will be the responsibility of the site coordinator to clarify the protest procedure to the assigned game officials, to the head coaches and to the site director prior to the game.

The referee will immediately notify the head coach of the other team and the site coordinator of the nature of the disagreement. He must then meet with all game officials to discuss the issue. The referee is encouraged to also confer with the officials who are assigned to the sideline crew and the clock operator. Every attempt should be made to obtain as much information as possible before rendering a decision. The decision of the referee, based on his discussion with the other officials, is final and must be delivered before the game can continue.

The site director will be responsible for informing the crowd and the media personnel of the protest and the decision. The site coordinator will also be responsible for reporting the details of the protest to CIAC officials.

Free – Children five (5) and under

$5.00 -- Senior Citizens (Age 65 and older)

$5.00 -- Students (Grades 1-12)

$8.00 -- Adults (All others not in the above categories)

POST GAME AWARDS PRESENTATION -- Immediately following the conclusion of the game, each team will report to the 40 yard line on the side of the field they used during pre-game activities. The CIAC football representative will instruct the announcer to announce the post-game awards presentation.