Possible New Districts for High School Football
- Amber James
- Jan 20, 2019
- 2 min read
Photo Courtesy of The Herald-News
On December 18, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced its member schools had narrowly voted in favor of Proposal 23 according to the Chicago Tribune website. The website also states that this proposal will eliminate conferences for football and instead will place schools into geographic districts.
On January 14, in an interview with the Northwest Herald, IHSA assistant executive director Sam Knox said IHSA “might” put together a model but that “it’s pretty early to decide that.” According to The Herald-News website, Knox believes the plan is to announce districts for the 2021 season in December 2020.
As parents and students alike have been worried about the possible new changes, Knox states, “I think the key is – for everybody: coaches, school administration, parents, football officials – to be patient. Let it work itself out. And it will. We’re going to follow what the bylaw says and group schools by enrollment and geography.”
Bennie Radford, University of St. Francis student and football player, says, “If you eliminate the conferences, you’re also eliminating some of the competitiveness that comes with football.”
Even one school changing its football status could cause other districts and high schools to shift. Some high schools like Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central could no longer have football if a referendum on the April ballot doesn't pass.
However, some high school athletes are indifferent. Connor Sloier, a current senior student and former football player at Plainfield Central High School says, “I don’t really have an opinion. I want to see how it works out.” He continues,“It could be really good for new competition and allows teams to play teams they have never played before.”
Some positives to this proposal would be that it would put an end to schools switching conferences like they have in the past. According to the Daily Herald website, “Part of the blame goes to the desire to provide football teams with a better chance at five or six victories and playoff qualification from an easier league.”
Ready or not, there are possible changes coming to high school football in Illinois.
