The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
CIAC releases playoff divisions for 2022 season
The playoff divisions for the 2022 high school football season have been released via the CIAC website.
For the first time since the 2009 season, the CIAC will crown six state champions in six playoff divisions: Class LL, L, MM, M, SS and S. But, for the first time, there will be eight qualifiers in each division, giving the state an all-time high 48 playoff teams.
The playoff classes are divided equally by enrollment, with the exception of CIAC designated "schools of choice" that reach the state semifinals at least once during the previous three seasons.
As was the case every year since this rule was enacted in 2018, choice schools St. Joseph (from SS to Class L) and Killingly (from S to Class MM) have both been promoted due to their three-year playoff success.
The addition of two playoff classes create six divisions of approximately 23 teams apiece. Class L is the only division with 24.
A number of last year's state champions are playing in different divisions in this new configuration. Defending Class L champion Maloney and defending Class LL champion Darien are both in Class L this season.
Class M champion Killingly is now in Class MM; Class S champion Cromwell/ Portland is now in Class SS.
Based on 2021 results, Class L and S look stacked.
Class L boasts eight playoff teams from last year, the most of the six new classes. In additon to Darien and Maloney, it also includes powerhouses like Shelton and New Canaan, and St. Joseph.
Class S is the strongest of the small divisions with seven 2021 playoff teams, including Ansonia and Bloomfield.
At four apiece, Class LL, MM and SS divisions each have the least 2021 playoff teams.
Hand-Madison appears to have made the biggest move under the new playoff division, dropping from Class L to Class M, where they will play for the first time since 2005.
The 2022 football preseason officially begins August 11 with the first games set to kick off Friday, Sept. 8.