New schedule rules aim to keep football competitive for Nebraska high schools

Class A and B high school football will look a little different this year, as preseason practices are right around the corner.

The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) approved new scheduling rules last year, which officially go into effect this football season. It gives schools more freedom in who they play and no longer forces matchups between top- and bottom-tier teams.

“Now we have a nine-week, open scheduling process, so we could avoid playing, arguably, the No. 1 team in the state against the No. 36 team in the state in the same class,” said Nate Neuhaus, who oversees football scheduling for the NSAA. “And so, that's what it allowed us to do. The scheduling got more flexible.”

The change aims to reduce the number of extreme blowouts and forfeits in Nebraska high school football. In the last few seasons, lopsided and canceled games were seemingly on the rise in Class A, as the gap between the top and the bottom schools widened.

The new schedules remove district assignments. Previously, districts grouped a top-, bottom- and a few middle-tier teams, based on standings from the previous two seasons. Those schools would play one another toward the end of the season, with the best team getting a guaranteed playoff spot. Now, coaches and athletic directors can create a list of schools they would like to compete against for the NSAA to consider, with fewer restrictions.

“You'll see more out-of-state games and more out-of-class games in this scheduling cycle, than I think we've ever seen before,” Neuhaus said.

That means top-ranked schools may test themselves outside of Nebraska. Two-time defending state champion Millard South will play two teams from Missouri this year: Lee’s Summit North and Cardinal Ritter Prep. Meanwhile, lower-ranked teams from recent seasons might compete against Class B schools more often.

As for Class B, a new “emerging district” has been created. It includes a handful of bottom-ranked teams or those outside the top 18. The top finisher of that group is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. The top 18 also get broken into three geographical districts, in order to minimize travel costs in the sprawling class.

“Class B goes from Scottsbluff all the way to Omaha,” Neuhaus said, “and so you've got to keep in mind some geographic concepts when assigning districts.”

For most programs, the season starts on Friday, Aug. 28.