MAYO — Joey Pearson has experienced a lot in his 18 seasons as head football coach at Lafayette High School.

The 2007 Class 1A Coach of the Year has been part of 138 victories, five district champion teams, and has led his team to the playoffs 13 times.

Even with all his experience, Pearson isn’t quite sure if next year’s playoff changes — which eliminates district play for Class 1A-4A schools — will affect his team’s playoff chances.

“There are a lot of unknowns,” said Pearson. “I don’t think anyone will know exactly how it will work out until after the first year. It’s a big change so it should be fun to see.”

The Hornets missed out on a playoff spot this year, losing to Hamilton County in the penultimate game of the regular season as the Trojans took second place in the district to advance to the postseason.

Under last year’s system, the top two teams from each district advanced to the playoffs.

Next season, teams in Class 1A-4A won’t have a district schedule. Those teams will qualify for the playoffs based on a point system during the regular season.

Teams will earn points based on wins, losses and strength of schedule.

To qualify for the playoffs, Lafayette needs to be one of the top four teams in a 10-team region. The Hornets are in Region 1A-3, which also includes Bell, Branford, Chiefland, Madison County, Dixie County, Hilliard, Union County, Trenton and Hamilton County.

As for scheduling, Pearson expects to travel shorter distances next year. Including the preseason, the Hornets traveled 1,344 miles round-trip to play six away games last season.

Lafayette will have five guaranteed games against Mid-Florida Conference opponents Branford, Bell, Bronson, P.K. Yonge and Trenton. Pearson is trying to fill out the rest of his team’s schedule with an eye on maximizing points.

“We started a conference with the teams that have been traditionally in our district,” Pearson said. “So that gave us five games. It’s a challenge trying to come up with a schedule that is competitive and gives you a chance to earn points for the playoffs.”

The top four teams from the region advance to the playoffs in 2017.

Lafayette

Bell

Branford

Chiefland

Madison County

Dixie County

Hilliard

Union County

Trenton

Hamilton County

Lafayette

Branford

Bell

Bronson

P.K. Yonge

Trenton