Illinois vs. Every State; H.S. Football Regular Season

Illinois High School Football Might Be Going Through The Biggest Change Since The Playoffs Started in 1974. Here’s What The Other 49 States Do – Part 1

Illinois varsity high school football game between the Mustangs of Morgan Park from Chicago and the Broncos of Kenwood Academy from Chciago at Lane Stadium in the City Championship game on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Chicago. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)

With a new IHSA football playoff format getting panned by old school fans and truly feeling like it was done just to make scheduling easier for coaches and athletic directors. There may be a lot to like about this new format. But, before you start talking about what’s right or wrong with the new format, you have to look at what was right or wrong with the old format.

How It Started – High School Football in Illinois

While Illinois might hold it down when it comes to high school basketball history, we had the first ever high school team and the phrase “Mach Madness” was a reference to our state playoffs, not college’s. We have been a little slow on the high school football side.

Despite looking like it’s 1966, this 1996 photo of East St. Louis players staying warm during a 5A playoff game against Joliet Catholic, was only the 22nd year of state wide playoffs. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson.)

While Chicago had the Prep Bowl, an annual playoff that finished with a public league and Catholic League team playing typically in front of tens of thousands of people. The rest of Illinois had nothing until 1974. As popular as football was and is, it’s amazing that football getting a state-wide playoff was on par time wise with Title IX giving girls inter-scholastic sports and playoffs in Illinois.

The one thing that has been pretty consistent across the state since before the playoffs started was that each IHSA school played a 9-game season. And while the playoffs have changed since 1974, originally just 5 classes with 16 teams each. The regular season has remained exactly the same.

The playoffs started out with five classes of 16 teams. Meaning 80 schools made the playoffs. In 1980 Class 6A was added, bring the total team count to 96. The classes were expanded to 32 teams each, helping 192 teams get a playoff spot. In 2001 class 7A & 8A were added, making it 256 teams with a playoff spot. The most recent change adds an extra 16 teams to each class and the addition of a opening round bye for top seeded teams. Making a total of 384 teams in the playoffs for 2026.

*Refs make a measurement during the Class 1A state championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 19, 2024  (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)*

How It’s Going

If you didn’t know the IHSA member schools voted on a new playoff format, starting in 2026, that allows 12 more teams to make the playoffs in each of the 8 classes. Making it 48 teams, up from 36. To make it fair to teams with a good record and high playoff point, the top 16 teams get a bye and the remaining 32 play in what’s being called the opening round.

While some wanted football to have an “every school makes the playoffs” approach, the new format leaves out roughly 100-120 schools. With 384 teams making it. In the past teams like Nazareth in 2023 becoming the first ever 4-5 regular season team to win a title or IC Catholic at 5-4 wining state in 2008, schools in tough conferences have shown they could go far if given a chance.

Whether it was because a star playing went injured a few games in season or opponents generally being larger schools, some are predicting if the expanded playoffs continue, we could have a 3-6 team win a title.

Every Other State

Now that you know where Illinois has been and what the season looks like in 2026. Let’s look at what every other state does for their regular season. I will do a separate post later on what each state does for the playoffs, as that is a complicated rundown.

Regular Season by Games

10-Game Regular Season = 29 states
(Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, California, Delaware, Florida, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana*, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, & West Virginia)
9-Game Regular Season = 14 states
(Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota*, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, & Wisconsin)
8-Game Regular Season = 7 states
(Alaska, Massachusetts**, New York***, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, & Wyoming)

The Asterisks

This list above looks pretty cut & dry, but if you noticed there are a few asterisks. First being Indiana*, while technically it has a 9-game regular season, every school also makes the playoffs. Meaning schools almost always play 10 games a year. Minnesota gets a spot next to Indiana, because while their season is only 8-games long, all teams make the playoffs too. Technically setting them up for 9 games every season season.

New York*** dose only have 8-regular season games, but that only takes into account scheduled games. A provision allows teams that did not make the playoffs or exited the playoffs early to play additional games as long as that number stops at 10. So, it could be argued that NY is a 10-game season state.

The Thanksgiving Rivalry Game

By far the most interesting thing I found out was the East Coast states’ tradition of a Thanksgiving Rivalry game. This isn’t a fancy name for the state finals and it’s probably most notable in Massachusetts**. Basically, it’s sounds like there’s an annual occurring game that happens when both schools have either not made or not advanced far in the state playoffs. Massachusetts is also one of a few states that vary the number of regular season games based on class. So, some schools only have 7 games instead of 8.

Non-playoff teams are also allowed a consolation game that typically happens in the first or second week of the post season. This is exclusive from the rivalry game. No team is allowed to have more than 10 games, not counting playoffs.

New Jersey has a 10-game regular season limit, with most schools playing 8 or 9 games. Like Massachusetts, non-playoff teams and teams eliminated early can play a consolation, crossover, or Thanksgiving Rivalry game if they didn’t play 10 games pre-playoffs.

Whatever Rhode Island & Utah are Doing

First, if you never knew, until 2020 the actual name for the state was “The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” So yeah, they’re already a little out there. When it comes to football they play an 8-game regular season over 8 weeks. The catch is they have an exhibition/non-league game that falls outside of that 8 weeks. I’m assuming this is like a non-conference game, as the state might have geographic districts setup instead of open conferences.

On top of all that the state also has a traditional Thanksgiving Rivalry game. So, possibly placing them in the 10 game regular season list.

Utah has a 10-game regular season, but there’s also something called an “Endowment Game” that is played before the start of the season. So, it may be possible that some Utah schools play 11 games before the playoffs.

Everything’s Bigger in Texas

As you may have heard they love high school football in Texas. So it should come as no surprise that while the state has a 10-game regular season, some schools play 11 games. The additional game comes when a school plays in a district that is split into two divisions and there is a district championship game played between the top teams from each side.

With an 11-week season, I’m assuming this would happen in week 11. Whether other schools in districts without this split play week 11 or have a bye week somewhere is unclear.

Either way, with playoffs including 6 more games, it might be possible for a school to play 17 games in one season!

Kentucky has something similar, where the 10-game regular season can include an 11th game if it’s for a district title, but the post season schedule only requires 4 games instead of 5. So, a hard 15 game a season limit.

Lower Class, Less Games

The other interesting finding was that some states have few games for the smaller class schools. Colorado, Iowa, North Dakota, & Wyoming all have a season that’s typically one game shorter for smaller classes. Most commonly due to the states having a geographical region or conference set up based on enrollment size. Since finding smaller schools of similar size could mean a much larger area for rural teams than larger schools in cities and burbs, lower class districts for example would have 9 teams instead of 10 and play a 8 games versus 9 in a regular season.

Bye Bye For Weeks

While Midwestern schools have to play in 90 degree games with flop sweat humidity to start the season, only to see a blizzard a month later, there’s really no time to do what a lot of other states do, which is include bye weeks into a season.

Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, & West Virginia all have a bye week. Virginia has two bye weeks in a 10 game/12-week season.

Odds & Ends

A few states have oddities in teh regular season that fall outside the above exceptions.

Wisconsin has a 9 game regular season, but allows non-playoff teams to play a 10th game.

Vermont has a 8 game regular season, but a 9th game is possible. I’m not sure when or how.

Nevada has a 9 game season for NIAA schools (like the IHSA), but there are independent schools in the state and they tend to play 10 games in a season.

St. Joseph Regional of New Jersey before a game against Mount Carmel of Chicago, in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Photo copyright of Vincent D. Johnson)

A list of how regular season games are played by state

Alabama – 9 game regular season over 10 weeks.
Arkansas – 10 game max regular season over 11 weeks. Playoffs can add 4 to 5 more games. So max 15 games in a season.
Alaska – 6 to 8 games, before playoffs start.
Arizona – 10 game regular season over 11 weeks (JV/Frosh/soph 9 game season)
California – 10 game regular season
Colorado – 9 or 10 games depending on the school’s classification. With a bye week.
Connecticut – 10 game regular season. Between 11 & 12 weeks. Each team has a bye. Playoffs consist of 3 games.
Delaware – 10 game regular season.
Florida – 10 game regular season.
Georgia – 10 games regular season. Must play at least 9 to qualify for playoffs.
Hawaii – 8 to 10 game regular season.
Idaho – 9 game regular season.
Indiana – 9 game regular season. Since every team makes the playoffs, team play 10 games a season.
Iowa – 9 games for larger schools. 8 games for smaller schools
Kansas – 6 to 10 regular season games.
Kentucky – 10 game regular season over 11 weeks. There’s a weird rule about district titles where a school can schedule an 11^th game if the post season only requires 4 games instead of 5.
Louisiana – 10 game regular season.
Maine – 7 to 9 games depending on class & division.
Maryland – 10 game regular season for public schools. Private schools have a different governing body, but typically play 10 games.
Massachusetts – 7 to 8 games regular season. Non-playoff teams play a consolation game. Then most schools play a Thanksgiving weekend rivalry game bringing a typical season to 10 games no including playoffs.
Michigan – 9 game regular season.
Minnesota – 8 game regular season. All schools may make the playoffs, so school play at least 9 games a season.
Mississippi – 10 game regular season.
Missouri – 9 game regular season.
Montana – 9 game regular season.
Nebraska – 9 game regular season.
Nevada – 9 game regular season for NIAA schools. Independent schools play 10.
New Hampshire – 9 game regular season.
New Jersey – 10 game max regular season. Most play 8 to 9. Non-playoff teams or early playoff-elimination teams, get a consolation/crossover/Thanksgiving rivalry game if they haven’t played 10 games total.
New Mexico – 10 regular seasons games over 11 weeks.
New York – 8 regular season games. Teams that miss the playoffs or are eliminated early can play 10 games total. Season lasts 16 weeks.
North Carolina – 10 game regular season over 11 weeks. Playoffs can add 5-6 more games.
North Dakota – 8 to 9 game regular season depending on class.
Ohio – 10 game regular season.
Oklahoma – 10 game regular season over 11 weeks. Playoffs can add 5 games.
Oregon – 10 game regular season.
Pennsylvania – 10 regular season games.
Rhode Island – 8 regular season games. There’s exhibition/non-league play that falls outside of the 8 week season. There is also a traditional Thanksgiving rivalry game. So, teams could possibly play 10 non-playoff games.
South Carolina – 10 regular season games over 11 weeks.
South Dakota – 8 regular season games over 9 weeks, with some schools playing 9.
Tennessee – 10 regular season games max over 11 weeks. Non-playoff teams can schedule an 11^th game
Texas – 10 regular season games over 11 weeks. Some districts have an championship game before the playoffs, allowing for an 11^th game. Playoffs can add 6 more games.
Utah – 10 game regular season. There’s something called an “Endowment Game” which is played just before the season.
Vermont – 8 game regular season, but 9 is possible.
Virginia – 10 game regular season over 12 weeks (2 byes).
Washington – 10 game regular season.
West Virginia – 10 regular season games over 11 weeks.
Wisconsin – 9 game regular season. Non-playoff teams are allowed a 10^th game.
Wyoming – 8 to 9 game regular season depending on class size and number of teams in the region/conference.