The Tournament Management Committee is scheduled to meet next Wednesday and one of the top items on the agenda is certainly to be the latest football proposal.

At Wednesday morning’s MIAA Football Committee, chairman Jay Costa said he would be presenting the latest football proposal to the TMC. While the task at hand is a daunting one, Costa is hopeful the TMC receives the proposal with an open mind.

As for Milton coach and committee member Steve Dembowski, the architect who designed the new format, at least one committee member is firm in his opinion that Dembowski should be there in case anyone from the TMC has questions.

“I think it is important to have Steve there for support,” said English/New Mission coach Ryan Conway. “He will be a good person to have there in case they throw some curve balls at (Jay).”

In other topics, MIAA associate executive director/football committee liaison Richard Pearson reiterated that the cutoff date for the football season is Saturday, Nov. 2. The following morning would be to finalize records in time for a 1 p.m. release.

Durfee athletic director Brad Bustin was appointed as the point man for the South in terms of non-playoff contests. The other three sectional leaders would essentially remain in place.

The football alignments for the 2025 and 2026 season were released on Sept. 1. Unlike the past alignment where there was a large discrepancy in a couple of the divisions for a variety of reasons, each of the eight divisions currently consists of 33-35 schools.

Schools have until Oct. 1 to appeal their placement. Should a school be successful in its appeal to move up or down, Pearson said another school would not be displaced.

Football is without a tournament director after Scott Paine stepped down from his position last March. Pearson said interviews are ongoing with the belief that a replacement will be named in the next week.