MARLBOROUGH — For the second time in MIAA history, a special state-wide meeting of schools was called, this time to vote on a proposal that would change the structure of high school football in Massachusetts. According to the agenda, voting was scheduled for Friday at 10:40 a.m., but at 10:10 a.m. Somerset Berkley athletic director Kim DoCouto stood in front of an eager crowd full of coaches, principals, and athletic directors to announce that the proposal had passed, 161-131.

As she drove out of the parking lot at Assabet Regional a short time later, Kathleen McSweeney, MIAA tournament management committee chair and Plymouth North principal, was stunned that such an important meeting ended so quickly and with an outcome she cheered.