The 2021 football season will be the first with a new seventh classification (Class 5A), approved in January by the Board of Control to reduce the disparity in enrollment in the IHSAA’s largest class of football, and to increase the number of participating teams and student-athletes in the postseason across all classes. Following the one-year assignments in 2020, districts and Class 5A groups are effective for a two-year cycle.
Class 5A’s group and success model format is based on information outlined in February 2020, before COVID-19 related changes were made in July to the IHSAA’s football scheduling and postseason.
The playoffs were modified last season due to the pandemic and the success of the system caused the implementation this year.
Sheldon Head Coach Tyler Lloyd. The addition of the new 5A Class will add parity for the teams in all classes.
Under the old system Sheldon and many other programs had to rely on the luck of the draw for a playoff spot.
The Orabs will be in 2A District 1. Lloyd talked about the grouping.
Lloyd explained how non district games will be added to the schedule.
With the idea of championships being won in the off season we asked the Orab coach how things were progressing within the Sheldon program.
Week 1 of the 2021 football season is scheduled to begin Thursday, Aug. 26th. Teams in 2A, 1A, A, and 8P will be permitted to play a ninth regular season contest should they not qualify for the postseason.
Schedules for the 2021-22 seasons will be released in April.
