The rule was put in place prior to 1-32 seeding. When i was a North and South, the first couple of rounds were basically conference games with either quincy or pekin thrown in the mix. When ESL was a removed from the playoffs, Belleville East made it to the Semis and lost to WWS (2010) that gave them the idea. When a new principal came in 2013, she wouldn't allow the football to petition for the next two year cycle which is why ESL was in 6A in 13' and 14'. During that time, Belleville West won a couple of playoff games and eventually lost to MC. Before the strike in 15' a new principal came and allowed the Coach to do whatever he wanted which was petition for 15' and 16'. After the title in 16' the petition was put in for 17' and 18' so that is when they started working on the bylaw. Basketball had fallen to 3A and the conference didn't want basketball to get any bright ideas so the rule was a put in place in 18' although ESL had too finish out the cycle. Belleville West Superintendent was the originator of the rule and submitted it for vote.