New High School Football Playoff Format Brings Major Schedule Changes

The new Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association football playoff schedule will mean a much different schedule for the Bedford High Buccaneers this year.

The Bucs take on Martha’s Vineyard in the season opener and will play Concord-Carlisle at least twice this year (both in the home opener in the new and improved Sabourin Stadium and in the annual Thanksgiving clash).

Rather than the usual Super Bowl structure that featured teams playing in playoff games after Thanksgiving, the playoffs will start at the beginning of November.

Teams that don’t make the playoffs will play other non-playoff teams in the weeks leading up to the annual Thanksgiving game. The six state championship games will take place after Thanksgiving.

Confused – and just want to know the Bedford High schedule? Here’s the schedule for the upcoming varsity football season (please note that Bedford football will play games between Oct. 25 and Thanksgiving, but they won’t find out who they're playing until after the playoff teams are announced at the end of October). 

• Saturday, Sept. 7 – at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, noon
• Friday, Sept. 20 – at Belmont High School, 7 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 27 – Concord-Carlisle High School, 7 p.m. FIRST HOME GAME
• Friday, Oct. 4 – Weston High School, 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 18 – Wayland High School, 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 25 – Boston Latin High School, 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – at Concord-Carlisle High School, 10 a.m.

For more information about the Bedford High football team, check out the Bedford Bucs website.

Here’s more information about the new playoff format.