Section III has announced a new 16-team playoff format in Class C and D football for the 2009 season.

The new format will be divided into two eight-team conferences by geography. The North divisions will face the West divisions and the South play the East. The winner of both conferences will receive a conference championship plaque and face each other for the Section III title. Also, the regular season will be six weeks, not seven. Class C and D schools will start the playoffs a week earlier rather than play an extra non-division or crossover game.

In the past, only eight teams qualified for the playoffs, while some with 6-1, 5-2 and 4-3 records did not qualify. Last season, General Brown had a 6-1 record but did not make sectionals.

All teams, regardless of record, will play an eight-week schedule with the option for a ninth game.

This change affects area schools Jordan-Elbridge, Cato-Meridian, Port Byron and Weedsport.

Jordan-Elbridge is now in Class C West, along with Bishop Ludden, Hannibal, LaFayette and Tully.

Cato-Meridian, Port Byron and Weedsport are now in Class D West, along with Bishop Grimes and Onondaga.