Big changes are coming to improve State Football this fall

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – KSHSAA approved a three-site, two-day model for 2024 State Football back in January.

Now, the board has decided on the where’s and the when’s.

Rather than have all nine games kick off at the same time in one day, this new model is expected to make it a better experience for people wanting to check out many games.

There will be three sites, with two games happening on Friday (November 29th) and the other seven on Saturday (November 30th).

“We feel like the locations and what these schools offer, gives these championship games a great atmosphere for our communities,” said KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director Mark Lentz.

6A, 5A, and 4A will be at Emporia State University [Welch Stadium]. The 6A game will kickoff at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, and 4A and 5A will start at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively on Saturday.

“We talked to all the MIAA schools and tried to find what would be the best fit, not only for them, but for us,” Lentz said. “Emporia is a good partner, has been a good partner. Their administration is very much behind this.”

Hutchinson Community College will host 3A, 2A, and 1A. 2A will kickoff at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, while 3A and 1A will begin at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

“Just for the pure location of all our 3A, 2A, and 1A schools, that’s a great location,” Lentz added. “They have the facilities, but they also have the locker room space, they have parking.”

The 8-man D-I and D-II games, as well as the 6-man game will be at Kiowa County High School in Greensburg. All three games will be played on Saturday, scheduled four hours apart. 8-man D-II will start the action at 11:00 a.m., 6-man will play at 3:00 p.m., and 8-man D-I will wrap it up at 7:00 p.m.

“A lot of people have told us you know, why not Greensburg? Why not Kiowa County, because they’re the only 8-man dimension field that has turf,” Lentz said.

It was important to not schedule games too close together, in order to savor the best part of the day.

“Talking to some of the schools that have been there and played in the game, [they said] please don’t take away some of the time we have after the game. Getting that opportunity to celebrate as a school, celebrate as a community, you know moms and dads with their players,” said Lentz.

KSHSAA’s hope is that this makes it easier for everyone to enjoy State Football.

“Make it something that is good for the players, good for the schools, great for the fans, media. Everybody can cover a little bit more, instead of trying to be all spread out.”

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