After week nine of the regular high school football season, many Wisconsin teams had a lot to be proud of. However, when the playoff seeding was released two days after the ninth game, many communities were left in shock, and some were outraged. Multiple teams in several divisions were severely underseeded. Local team Potosi-Cassville had a perfect record of 9-0, also earning themselves the Six Rivers Conference title. Despite this, the team earned a three seed in the playoff bracket. “I couldn’t believe it was real at first,” recalls team captain Aidan Uppena. “It doesn’t make sense. We had a perfect record; we deserved better.”
Within the same conference, Blackhawk-Warren went 7-2 on the season, only earning themselves a six seed. Above them, 7-2 River Ridge got a five seed despite losing to Blackhawk. Compare these records to that of Bangor who earned a one seed in the same bracket after also going 7-2. “There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the seedings. It seems like a team’s record doesn’t even matter; the system is broken,” says Aidan.
The problem is much bigger than the Six Rivers Conference, however. Division 2 Beaver Dam had a record of 8-1 heading into playoffs after winning their conference, but earned just a five seed in the playoff bracket. Just like them, division 1 team Oconomowoc fought their way to a record of 8-1 and won their conference; however, the WIAA’s seeding system “rewarded” them with a six seed in the playoff bracket.
So why are these obvious errors not being fixed and how are they being made in the first place? The issue started four years ago when the WIAA switched from having a coaches’ meeting to decide the seeding, to a computerized system. West De Pere coach Chris Greisen spoke out against the seeding, telling the Green Bay Press Gazette it is a “broken system.” He added, “I know our [Wisconsin Football] Coaches Association was beyond upset with how the seeding was handled. One thing is for certain; something needs to be done.”
Since the release of the seeding, WIAA Executive director, Stephanie Hauser spoke out regarding errors in seeding that left Madison West and Greenfield out of the playoffs entirely. She said, “It was important to make sure they understood that we admit we're wrong, but also so we can take corrective action so we make sure this never happens again.”
The WIAA organization also released a statement, saying, “We have already taken steps to address this issue. The qualification language will be reviewed at the Football Coaches Advisory Committee meeting in January to ensure clarity. Internal procedural improvement will follow a staff review this month, with a written procedure to enhance coordination and accountability. Additionally, our technology team is evaluating the current qualification software. If deemed unreliable, a new program will be developed.”