The 2021 football regular season is over and the final RPI rankings locked into place. Here’s everything to know — including how the playoffs work, local matchups for the first two rounds, and the chances of hosting a game each week through the championship.
HOW THE PLAYOFFS WORK
For the first two rounds of the playoffs, teams play against their district opponents. In the first round, the 1-seed hosts the 4-seed and the 2-seed hosts the 3-seed. The winners advance, with the highest remaining seed hosting round two.
For the third round (eight teams remaining in each class), teams from Regions 1-4 will be ranked top to bottom based on RPI with the 1-seed hosting the 4-seed and the 2-seed hosting the 3-seed. The same process will be done for Regions 5-8.
For the fourth round (four teams remaining in each class), all four teams will be ranked again top to bottom based on RPI, with the top two seeds again hosting the bottom two seeds.
The state championships for all six classes will be played Dec. 3-4 at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field in Lexington.
The RPI was introduced for the first time in 2019 and is a calculation of winning percentage (35%), opponents’ winning percentage (35%) and opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage (30%).
The RPI for every team was finalized after their last games will not change during the postseason.
OWENSBORO (.64784 RPI — 3rd in Class 5A)
The Red Devils could play at home until the championship game, but they’d need a little help if they make it to the fourth round.
As winners of District 1, they’ll host Grayson County this week. With a win, they’d host the winner of Graves County vs. Breckinridge County in week two.
Owensboro has the highest RPI of any team in Regions 1-4, meaning they’d be locked into the 1-seed and a home game for the third round.
If the Red Devils advance to the semifinals in week four, only two teams (Woodford County, Frederick Douglass) would remain with a higher RPI. If either of those two lose before the fourth round, Owensboro would move up to the 2-seed (or the 1-seed if both lose) and host a game that week.
The 5A state championship will be played at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4.
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (.58061 RPI — 12th in Class 2A)
The Aces will host their first two playoff games, but they’ll almost certainly have to hit the road for rounds three and four if they make it that far.
As winners of District 2, they’ll host Butler County this week. With a win, they’d host the winner of Todd County Central vs. Hancock County in week two.
Catholic finished 12th in RPI in Class 2A, and the Aces are 8th among teams in Regions 1-4. Based on the combination of upsets that would need to take place, they actually have a more likely chance of hosting a game in week four than week three.
The 2A state championship will be played at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3.
DAVIESS COUNTY (.59662 RPI — 4th in Class 6A)
APOLLO (.52165 RPI — 12th in Class 6A)
The Panthers would host the Eagles for the district championship in week two if they both get a win to start the postseason.
Daviess County rolled through the district to earn the 1-seed, meaning they’ll host McCracken County this week. Apollo earned the 2-seed and will host Henderson County. With a win, DC would host week two no matter their opponent. Apollo would need a DC loss this week to host in week two.
Though unlikely, the Panthers do have a chance to host a game in week three and four. To host in week three, Daviess County needs either Male or St. Xavier to lose in week one or two. To host in week four, the Panthers need a combination of two losses from Male, St. X, and Bryan Station.
The Eagles would need several upsets to host a game if they advance past the second round.
