Whether or not the Missouri State High School Activities Association diluted its football playoff system by adding another round is still open to debate. What can't be argued is that winning a district title still means something.

Under the new set-up, district champs take on the district runner-up from an adjoining district. Of the 64 opening-round matchups in Classes 1 through 4 last season, the district champion won 50 matchups, a 78.1 percent success rate.

The new alignment produced 12 district rematches, including a second Clark County vs. Brookfield showdown, in the sectional round.

The district champ earned the right to host those games. Nine of the 12 home teams moved on to the state quarterfinals.

Year 2 of the expanded playoffs starts in earnest on Friday night as districts kickoff throughout the state. Here's one man's guess at what will happen over the next three weeks:

Class 4

District 8

Area team: Hannibal

Predicted winner: Hannibal

Predicted runner-up: Jefferson City Helias

The skinny: The upset special. With the season finale between Helias, which is ranked No. 2 in Class 4, and Hannibal set for America's Hometown, the Pirates get the edge. Hannibal's defense has been outstanding with four shutouts already, including three straight going into Friday's district opener at Kirksville, which could be shutout No. 5.

You can bet that last year's 38-20 loss to the Crusaders on the road will be mentioned a few times leading up to that game. The Pirates have won six straight home games and are determined to beat the Crusaders after two straight losses to them.

Class 2

District 7

Area teams: Monroe City, Palmyra, Mark Twain, South Shelby

Predicted winner: South Shelby

Predicted runner-up: Monroe City

The skinny: Friday's district opener between South Shelby and Monroe City at Lankford Field will decide the district champ. The visiting Cardinals get the slight edge because of their ground game. And if you want to do the "What did they do against Centralia?" comparison then South gets the nod by virtue of its 46-13 loss to the Panthers. Monroe lost 50-6.

Can't see any scenario in which either Palmyra or Mark Twain sneaks into the No. 2 slot to make a playoff appearance.

District 8

Area teams: Clark County, Highland

Predicted winner: Brookfield

Predicted runner-up: Clark County

The skinny: Brookfield's only loss was to undefeated Marceline in the Bell Game. Other than that, the Bulldogs -- like Clark -- have rolled through their schedule. They get the nod here for the simple fact that the Week 10 district battle will be in Brookfield. Both teams will be on a roll going into that game. If the Indians needed some bulletin board material, you're welcome.

This looks like a two-horse race since Macon has to play at Clark County and Brookfield. On its home turf, Macon might have a chance for an upset, but that's not going to happen.

Class 1

District 2

Area team: Louisiana

Predicted winner: Valle Catholic

Predicted runner-up: Paris

The skinny: Louisiana won't have to wait long to see how it stacks up with the best team in the district as the Bulldogs host Valle on Friday night. It was good to see the Bulldogs get back on the winning side of things earlier this season, but beating Valle is a tough chore. A Week 10 matchup with Van-Far in Louisiana could send the Bulldogs into their offseason workouts with a win.

District 12

Area teams: North Shelby, Knox County, Scotland County

Predicted winner: North Shelby

Predicted runner-up: Scotland County

The skinny: Scotland County has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the area this season. The Tigers had won just two games in the previous three seasons, but head into districts having won four time already this season. But the team's two tougher district games are on the road -- Friday's at Knox County and a Week 10 matchup at North Shelby. That Week 10 game will be for the district title, but the edge goes to the home-standing Raiders.

North Shelby also gets the nod because it holds a quality early-season win over Putnam County, something neither Scotland or Knox could accomplish.

-- dobrien@whig.com/221-3365