For the first time in 2019, the KHSAA will use a Ratings Performance Index (RPI) to determine football postseason matchups starting with the third round of the playoffs. While they announced over the summer that those RPI numbers would be released at the halfway point in the season, the first RPIs appeared on the KHSAA scoreboard site Sunday afternoon.
The RPI formula will take into account win-loss records plus opponents’ win-loss records, and opponents’ opponents’ win-loss records. Teams get one point for a win, 0.5 points for a tie and zero points for a loss
The RPI numbers on the KHSAA scoreboard site came with the following disclaimer – “RPI is updated hourly. Teams missing scores at that time are not included. This experimental, not official, currently under development, subject to revision and must be regarded with skepticism this early in the season.”
Starting with the third week, RPIs frozen at the end of the regular season will reseed the playoffs. The four district winners in the west and the four district winners in the east will be ranked 1-4 with 1 playing 4 and 2 playing 3. Teams will be seeded again in the state semifinals. The higher seeded team will host the rounds.
The KHSAA has reverted to the unpopular intra-district playoff format where district teams will play each other in the first two rounds as opposed to the cross-district format. Many coaches statewide expressed their displeasure at the change that they say was done by the KHSAA with little input from the coaches.
The KHSAA said over the summer the reasoning behind using the intra-district format and the RPI is to reduce postseason travel by the teams.
According to the first RPI numbers released Sunday, Caldwell County (0.697) is ranked sixth in Class 2A. Somerset (0.784) is number one followed by Newport (0.782) and Mayfield (0.731). Murray (0.636) is 12th and unbeaten Todd County Central (0.555) is 17th in the RPI.
In Class 4A, Lexington Catholic (0.734) is ranked number one followed by Franklin County (0.712) and Madisonville (0.712). Hopkinsville (0.636) is seventh, and unbeaten Logan County (0.495) is ranked 16th.
In Class 3A, Paducah Tilghman (0.758) is ranked second behind Bell County (0.765) and ahead of Bardstown (0.710). Unbeaten Trigg County (0.564) is ranked 15th, and Union County (0.540) is 21st.
Although they haven’t won a game this season, Christian County is ranked in the top 20 of Class 5A, according to their RPI due to their strength of schedule. The Colonels (0.510) is 17th in the class. Covington Catholic (0.786) is ranked first, followed by Scott County (0.701) and Frederick Douglass (0.671). Owensboro (0.634) is fourth, and South Warren (0.545) is 12th.
