in 1973, the IHSAA began a playoff system. A points system was used to qualify for the playoffs, but with only twelve schools advancing (four teams in three classes), many one-loss and even undefeated teams never got the chance to play for a state title.
Even though the playoffs were doubled to 24 teams in 1976 and again to 48 in 1981, the system still needed some tweaking. This came in the form of the clusters in 1983. Every team in the state was put into groups of four to six teams...whichever won their cluster advanced to the postseason. Now every team had a shot. It made sense. But there were some flaws to this method, also.
The major drawback was that a team could win their cluster with a 4-0 record, yet finish 4-6 overall and make the playoffs, while a team that finished second in the cluster at 3-1 could finish 9-1 overall, but be left out in the cold.