[BelfryPride]

LEXINGTON (AP) - District high school football rivals would meet in earlier rounds of the playoffs rather than the finals, under a plan approved by a Kentucky High School Athletic Association panel.

Touted as a cost-saving maneuver, high school football teams would meet within their respective districts for the first two rounds of the playoffs. The KHSAA's Board of Control approved the plan Tuesday.

Previously, schools played other teams outside their districts in the early rounds.

“It definitely is going to save travel money on the first two rounds, because you're going to be playing closer to home,” said Julian Tackett, KHSAA assistant commissioner.

The move prevents a repeat finals matchup of Louisville schools Trinity and St. Xavier, a pairing of football powerhouses that has occurred two out of the last three years. Those teams, if they are both still in contention, would meet in the third round under the new system.

Jim Sexton, a board member and principal at Louisville's Eastern High School, said he opposed the new format because it would prevent an “all-Louisville final.”

“It seemed like Louisville again got the short end of the stick,” Sexton said.

The Courier-Journal,http://www.courier-journal.com.
Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com