For this first time Section 1AAAA football seeding this season will be based on a point system called the Quality Results Formula rather than coaches’ votes.

The Minnesota State High School League collaborated with Minnesota-Scores.net, creators of the QRF, to refine the formula and make it accessible as a means of seeding sections, though it’s not required.

In the formula, each regular season game is given an individual QRF based on three factors:

Win or loss

Opponent wins

Class differential between teams

Once all of a team’s individuals QRFs are added together, the number is divided by the amount of games played against MSHSL opponents. That number is compared to other teams in each class to come up with an overall ranking.

As of Monday, according to Minnesota-Scores.net, the Tigers were ranked 36th of 51 Class AAAA teams and sixth in its section.

The MSHSL said in a news release, the previous methods of section seeding have been “consistently inconsistent,” but along with the QRF point system, face-to-face meetings between coaches and an electronic process via computer, fax or telephone, are still valid options for section seeding.

“The choice of seeding method may vary from section to section and sport to sports,” the release said.

The MSHSL said the new requirements followed a multi-year review by its staff.