New factors play into football reclassifications

The IHSAA’s two-year football assignment and scheduling process is moving forward as the Iowa Department of Education has finalized its data for school enrollment (BEDS) and free and reduced lunch percentages. These approved updates for football’s new socioeconomic factor have resulted in “final classification numbers” which are now available to view below as preliminary classifications for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

The Creston Panthers remain in Class 3A, but seven teams have moved either up or down and seven teams have moved in.

Now moved up to Class 4A are Ballard, Gilbert, North Polk and ADM.

Moving down to Class 2A are West Burlington, Vinton-Shellsburg and Saydel.

Moving into Class 3A from Class 4A are Mount Pleasant, Webster City, Perry, Fort Madison, Wahlert-Dubuque, Clear Lake and Williamsburg.

No teams moving into Class 3A competed in the Class 4A semi-finals games last year; however, ADM was a Class 3A semi-finalist last year, and will no longer be in the same classification as the Panthers.

Area teams remaining in the same classification as last year include: Clarke (2A), Nodaway Valley (1A), Mount Ayr (A), Southwest Valley (A), East Union (8P), Lenox (8P) and Murray (8P).

Participating schools will then submit priority lists for their available non-district contests. Once received, IHSAA will assemble regular season schedules for all participating schools, with an estimated release of mid-April.