Here's a novel idea..........

[NNDman]

Since district championships no longer factor into post-season qualification how about playing district football games to open the season and close with nondistrict games? Why you may ask? Here's why: due to the new playoff structure I fear the likelihood of first round rematches of games played in week 10 or week 9. I don't mind a rematch of teams that met in week 3 or 4, but not a fan of teams meeting again soon after a regular season game.
And, yes, I realize the rematch situation could happen with nondistrict teams as well.
It looks like in Region A that the NND might qualify 4 teams and possibly 5 although that might be a stretch and I envision at least one or two first rounders been NND teams.

 

[HighestPoint]

IMO since we are back to 4 regions. District champs should get in automatically (although I don't see any of them not getting in) I believe 4A region C has some stipulations with district champions getting in and expanding the field.
Maybe district champs get to host in the first round with be a cool idea?

I still like district games being late though