For those looking for an upset in the first round of the playoffs on Friday night, don’t expect much. Since 2006, only 11 percent of lower seeds have won in the first round.

In last year’s postseason, there was just one first round upset in 16 games. In Division II, No. 9 Scripps Ranch beat No. 8 Grossmont 28-3 before losing to Oceanside in the quarterfinals.

With the likelihood of first round upsets so low, the first round of the playoffs is unnecessary. Rather than competitive games, these contests usually end up being one-sided tune-ups for the higher seed. The 15 wins by the higher seed in last year’s playoffs came by an average of 17 points.

The main reason the first round of the playoffs is not competitive is because the lower seeds often have losing records. This season, lower seeds have a .462 winning percentage and the record of those seeds in Division I and II is only a combined 32-46-2.

The fact is plain and simple – too many teams get into the playoffs under its current format. In Divisions I, II, III, and V, 63 percent of teams make the playoffs. Rather than allowing 12 teams in the playoffs, those divisions should do like Division IV (who has only 14 teams) and allow only eight teams into the playoffs.

Less teams making the playoffs means that the selection process could be more subjective. It will, however, make the regular season more important – every team will know that it has to win to get in.

Allowing only eight teams into the playoffs per division would eliminate the first round of the playoffs. The first round could be replaced with a bye week, giving teams what they really need in the late months of the season – rest. By giving all playoff teams the same week off prior to the quarterfinals, allowing less teams in the playoffs would result in better games in the quarterfinal round.

Eliminating the first round of the playoffs will improve playoff football in the section. In this case, eight is enough.