FHSAA’s revised football classification adds new-look independent league

With hope that it can bring back a stable of football teams who defected to another association, the Florida High School Athletic Association has once again restructured its classification and playoff options for member schools for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Measures approved in an emergency meeting of the FHSAA board of directors last week call for an independent playoff system designed for teams that have not wanted to compete with the powerhouses that are dominating Florida’s high school football tournaments. The independents will create their own schedules and won’t be required to play district opponents — which is mandatory for teams in the 1A through 6A state championship...