TEXAS - It seems like every year the Texas University Interscholastic League changes some aspect on how many teams are eligible for the state playoffs.
Over the years, Texas has been divided into six different conferences with each conference being subdivided into two divisions. This allows for a total of 12 state champions each year.
Here are a few notes on the different divisions and who qualifies for the state playoffs:
Conference 1A (6-man) Division I and II: the top two teams from each district advance to the playoffs. One state champion is crowned in Conference 1A (6-man) Division I and one state champion is crowned in 1A (6-man) Division II.
Conference 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A Division I and II: the top four teams from each district advance to the playoffs. One state champion is crowned in 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A Division I and one state champion is crowned in 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A Division II.
Conference 6A: the top four teams from each district advance to the playoffs. The two schools with the largest enrollments automatically advance to the Division I bracket. The remaining two schools advance into the Division II bracket. There are two state champions per conference in Conference 6A.
Due to Covid-19, the UIL made an unprecedented decision to postpone the start of the season for Class 6A and 5A.
The first week of Texas football games for these two conferences will now happen on Sept. 24-26, four weeks later than the original Aug. 27-29 start date.
This move has major impacts on the UIL state championship games as they were scheduled for December 16-19 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington; they are now moving to Jan. 11-16 at a location to be determined.
Untouched for now, though, is Class 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A, which will continue as scheduled with the state championships remaining scheduled for Dec. 16-19, also at a place to be determined.