Section IX Football Handbook
A KOT845-built reference hub for the 2026 Section IX football handbook: alignments, playoff qualification, tie-breakers, postseason dates, practice standards, game regulations and safety policies in one usable page.
2026 Playoff Qualification
The handbook says Section IX targets no less than 50% and no more than 66% participation, with the bracket determined by class/division size.
Top 4 of 6
#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3.
2 per division
D1 #1 vs. D2 #2; D2 #1 vs. D1 #2.
Top 4 of 7
#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3.
Top 3 of 5
#1 gets a bye; #2 hosts #3.
2 teams
Championship game between the two Class D programs.
Top 6 of 10
#1/#2 receive byes; #3 vs. #6 and #4 vs. #5.
2026 Alignments
Enrollment and placement exactly as listed in the handbook.
Class AA • Enrollment 1,025+
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Newburgh | 2,913 |
| Middletown | 1,976 |
| Monroe-Woodbury | 1,692 |
| Kingston | 1,275 |
| Pine Bush | 1,151 |
| Valley Central | 1,049 |
Class A • Enrollment 651–1,024
Division 1
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Warwick | 957 |
| Washingtonville | 945 |
| FDR–Hyde Park | 848 |
| Minisink Valley | 789 |
Division 2
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Cornwall | 747 |
| Goshen | 711 |
| Wallkill | 672 |
| Lourdes* | 641 |
Class B • Enrollment 402–650
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Beacon | 650 |
| Saugerties | 588 |
| Port Jervis | 552 |
| New Paltz | 471 |
| Marlboro | 458 |
| Liberty | 446 |
| Red Hook | 419 |
Class C • Enrollment 273–401
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Spackenkill | 399 |
| Rondout Valley | 378 |
| Highland | 368 |
| Dover | 318 |
| James I. O’Neill | 303 |
Class D • Enrollment up to 272
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Chester Academy | 242 |
| John S. Burke | 210 |
8-Man • Division 1 + Division 2
Division 1
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Fallsburg (C) | 335 |
| Sullivan West (D) | 239 |
| Tri-Valley (D) | 203 |
| Rockland (D) | 123 |
| Eldred (D) | 122 |
Division 2
| Program | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| Ellenville (C) | 329 |
| Pine Plains/Rhinebeck (C) | 317 |
| Pawling (C) | 285 |
| Onteora (D) | 257 |
| Millbrook/Webutuck (D) | 243 |
Breaking Ties
The process is reinitiated after each class/division place is determined.
- Head-to-head competition in the Division/Classification.
- Negative point differential among only tied teams, using losses to the other tied teams. Maximum -21 per game; closest to zero advances.
- Cumulative negative points in all Division/Classification losses. Maximum -21 per game; points scored are irrelevant.
- Cumulative positive points in Division/Classification wins. Maximum +29 per game.
- Blind draw.
Playoff Seeding Criteria
- Head-to-head record.
- Win/loss record against common opponents within classification.
- Section IX Division/Classification tie-breaking criteria.
- Common opponent outside classification if needed, then the handbook’s cumulative negative/positive-point criteria.
- Divisional record within classification.
- Blind draw.
2026 Postseason Calendar
Rounds, dates and sites listed in the handbook.
Practice + Scrimmage Standards
NYSPHSAA phased-practice and contact limits summarized from the handbook.
Days 1–2
Non-contact. Helmets may be worn; no mechanical blocking devices.
Days 3–5
Helmets and shoulder pads permitted; no player-to-player tackling, team scrimmaging or full-contact plays.
Days 6–10
Full protective equipment and full player-to-player contact/team scrimmaging permitted.
Combined Practice Requirements
- Coaches instruct their own players.
- Teams may not participate until the first five practice days are complete.
- 11-Man drills may not exceed nine players from each team, except a maximum of 10 offensive and 10 defensive 11-on-11 plays.
- 8-Man drills may not exceed seven players from each team, with a maximum of 10 offensive and 10 defensive 8-on-8 plays.
Modified Football Standards
- First two days non-contact; next three days allow shoulder pads but no live contact.
- Next five days allow contact with full protective equipment.
- Scrimmages/games begin on the 11th day after 10 practices.
- Maximum seven games; normally one game per week.
- Minimum four nights rest between games and three nights between scrimmages.
- At least 18 players dressed and available for games and scrimmages.
- Modified PAT: two points for a kick; one for a run or pass.
Game + Bylaw Quick Reference
The operational items most likely to matter during the season.
Scheduling + Cancellations
- Section IX football scheduling is handled by the football committee/designee, and schools are expected to honor the Section IX schedule.
- Schools may be scheduled one classification above or below; two classifications requires mutual agreement.
- For a non-divisional/non-classification or out-of-section cancellation, the opponent may accept a forfeit or schedule a replacement. For divisional or same-class Section IX games, the opponent must accept the forfeit and cannot add another game.
- If the same schools play twice during the regular season, the second contest is considered the league contest.
Game Operations + Reporting
- Games are played until a winner is determined using the New York State tiebreaker system.
- Recommended varsity times are Friday 7 PM or Saturday 1 PM.
- Halftime is 15 minutes plus a three-minute warmup, with a possible additional five minutes by mutual agreement.
- Scores are reported to the league through BOUND; coaches are encouraged to send results to local media.
- The Spalding Alpha is listed as the official state-tournament football for regionals, semifinals and finals.
20-Yard Line Overtime
After a three-minute intermission and coin toss, each team receives an offensive possession. The ball starts first-and-10 at the opponent’s 20-yard line. Each team receives one additional timeout per overtime period. Possession ends on a score, failure to continue the series or defensive possession.
Safety Policies
Concussion, heat, lightning, conduct and Tommy Tough standards.
Concussion
Any athlete suspected of a concussion should be removed immediately and the parent/guardian informed.
Heat Index
At 96°F Feels Like/heat index or Wet Bulb indicator and above, no outside practice or contest should be held.
Lightning
Immediately suspend activity and wait a full 30 minutes after the last lightning strike and/or thunder before resuming.
Heat Index Thresholds
| Range | Direction |
|---|---|
| Under 79°F | Full activity, no restrictions. |
| 80–85°F | Water, multiple breaks, monitor athletes; consider reducing practice time. |
| 86–90°F | Increase precautions; consider postponement/reduction; one hour recovery per hour of practice. |
| 91–95°F | Stronger precautions; for practice, helmets only and no other protective equipment. |
| 96°F+ | No outside activity, practice or contest. |
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Coach and player ejections carry escalating suspensions. The handbook lists two consecutive halves after a first player ejection, four halves after a second and the remainder of the season after a third; more severe intentional physical-contact offenses can carry one-year bans.
Tommy Tough Standards
The standards emphasize player-safety education, a Player Safety Coach, enforcement of illegal helmet-contact rules, film review and pregame/public messaging to reduce targeting, spearing, butt blocking, face tackling and hits on defenseless players.
Section IX Football Leadership
Key football committee roles listed in the 2026 handbook.
Chair
Jason Semo
Assistant Chairs
David Coates • Tom Cassata
Seeding Coordinator
Marsh Canosa
Assigner / Scheduler
Dan Morse
Coaches’ Representative
Ryan Stover
Rules Interpreter
Ed Musa
Use the Handbook With KOT845 Tools
Jump from the official 2026 rules and alignments into the live data pages that track the season.
Live Standings
See overall records alongside the qualifying class or division race, playoff spots and unresolved tiebreak status.
Playoff Lab
Use the 2026 playoff structure with projections, remaining qualifying games and scenario tools.
Program Pages
Move from classification and enrollment information to each program’s current record, schedule, coach and coverage.