At Thursday’s NSAA Board of Directors meeting, approval was given to expand the eight man football classifications from two to three, starting in the 2026 football season.
The proposal, brought forth by Alma Athletic Director Isaac Frecks, Clarkson/Leigh principal Lee Schneider, and Hartington-Newcastle 7-12 principal Corey Uldrich, was passed 5-3. As part of the proposal, the enrollment eligibility for a school to participate in eight-man football would rise from 47 students to 55 students.
This would allow for multiple schools to compete in eight man football if they so choose. Currently, 11 schools have a enrollment under 55 students that compete in Class C2. Locally, that includes Amherst (55 students), Superior (54) and Hastings St. Cecelia (38).
Additionally, this could impact the eight man state finals staying in Memorial Stadium. The eight-man finals are played in Lincoln the Monday before Thanksgiving, and the NSAA has been informed that Memorial Stadium will not be available for a third day of finals.
Additionally, the NSAA approved a co-op with Harvard and Giltner for boys and girls basketball. Both girls teams had a 1-21 season, with their lone wins of the season against each other. Giltner boys basketball went 7-17, while Harvard went 0-23.
The Board of Directors also approved co-op sponsorship renewals for York & McCool Junction Boys Wrestling and Hastings, Adams Central & Hastings St. Cecilia for Boys Swimming and Girls Swimming.
