Changes in the Football Classes as Schools move up or Down

Changing to Class 1 for 2012 and 2013 is former Class 2 schools Adrian, Cole Camp, Crystal City, McAuley Catholic. Cole Camp and McAuley Catholic dissolved cooperative sponsorships with Green Ridge and College Heights Christian, respectively, thus moving out of Class 2. Entering into a cooperative sponsorship are Liberal and Bronough for this cycle. Rock Port and Lincoln will not be playing 11-man football at the varsity level beginning with 2012. Rock Port will play 8-man football, while Lincoln will not participate in the state series this cycle.

In Class 2, the following schools move up from Class 1: Cleveland NJROTC and University Academy Charter. Four schools are entered in football districts for the first time, including: Father Tolton Regional Catholic and Calvary Lutheran, in a cooperative sponsorship, Derrick Thomas Academy Charter and ACE at Southeast. Bowling Green, Holden, Lutheran North, Mountain Grove and North Callaway have moved to Class 2 from Class 3. Transportation and Law and Beaumont will enter into a cooperative sponsorship, hosted by Transportation and Law, to form a Class 2 squad.

In Class 3, five schools move up from Class 2, including: Centralia, Christian, Hogan Prep Academy Charter, Hollister, Lift for Life Academy Charter and Macon. Sumner also joins Class 3 from Class 4. Southwest Early College Campus will be new to the state series in Class 3.

Moving up to Class 4 from Class 3 are six schools: Imagine College Prep Charter, Lutheran South, Pleasant Hill, Priory, Nevada and Van Horn (Independence). Changing from Class 5 to Class 4 are Normandy and Raytown South. Beaumont was a Class 4 squad in the last two-year cycle. However, for this cycle, the Bluejackets will enter into a cooperative sponsorship with Transportation and Law.

In Class 5, a total of three schools enter for the new cycle. Kearney jumps up to Class 5, while McCluer North and Fox move from Class 6.

Two programs move up to Class 6 from Class 5 with Lee’s Summit and Timberland slated to compete in MSHSAA’s largest classification. Rock Bridge will host Columbia Independent in a cooperative sponsorship.