Football 2026-2027 Football Declarations

[Alum-Ni]

Declarations are underway for the 2026-2027 two-year cycle.

Schools have until November 1, 2025 to submit application for a cooperative sponsorship for that cycle. The deadline to declare for 11-man, 8-man or 6-man (or to opt-up or opt-down in class) is November 30, 2025.

- Schools with a BOY three-grade enrollment (9th-11th grades) in excess of 55 as submitted in the fall of 2025 are not eligible for the 8-man football playoffs in 2026 and 2027, unless they are eligible for the one-classification waiver. A school that is ineligible for the playoffs in the 2026 & 2027 cycle can become eligible in the second season (2027) if their BOY enrollment figure is 55 or lower as submitted in the fall of 2026.

- Schools with a BOY three-grade enrollment (9th-11th grades) in excess of 27 as submitted in the fall of 2025 are not eligible for the 6-man football playoffs in 2026 and 2027, unless they are eligible for the one-classification waiver. A school that is ineligible for the playoffs in the 2026 & 2027 cycle can become eligible in the second season (2027) if their BOY enrollment figure is 27 or lower as submitted in the fall of 2026.

- A school that Opts down in classification and is thus ineligible for the playoffs in the 2026 & 2027 cycle can become eligible in the second season (2027) if their BOY enrollment figure as submitted in the fall of 2026 falls within the appropriate classification enrollment range.

- Classifications and District Assignments will be released in December 2025 for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Schools will then be asked to submit a priority list of non-district schools they would like to have on their 2026 and 2027 schedules.

- In January or February 2026 NSAA Staff will establish the schedules for the 2026 and 2027 seasons in Classes A, B, C1, C2, D1, D2, D3 and D6. Schedules along with home and away designations for the 2026 and 2027 seasons will be released to member schools on February 11, 2026.

2026-2027 FOOTBALL DECLARATIONS

11-MAN (10)
Ashland-Greenwood
Central City
Elkhorn South
Gothenburg
Hartington Cedar Catholic
Lincoln Pius X
Norfolk
Omaha Concordia
Syracuse
Wahoo

8-MAN (2)
Axtell
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge

6-MAN (1)
Potter-Dix

 

[nenebskers]

With the 8man cutoff raised, will be interesting to see if any schools opt up to C2. Guessing Cedar Catholic will be close, if not under, 55.

 

[Alum-Ni]

With the 8man cutoff raised, will be interesting to see if any schools opt up to C2. Guessing Cedar Catholic will be close, if not under, 55.

I've heard Oakland-Craig may declare 8-man next cycle.

 

[LooseCannon]

With the 8man cutoff raised, will be interesting to see if any schools opt up to C2. Guessing Cedar Catholic will be close, if not under, 55.

I'd be pretty shocked if they went down to 8 man unless their numbers get really low or if Cattau steps aside years from now.

In my opinion Bergan, Cedar, Norfolk Catholic will stay 11 man. I don't think Aquinas will go 8 man with Mimick in charge.

Hastings St. Cecilia I could see it happening.

Cross County will be interesting. Not sure what their enrollment looks like 5-8 but they just went back to 11 man, would they drop back to 8 again? Seems like they are steadily growing and their location has them in a good spot being in the middle of Osceola, High Plains, and only 15 miles from York.

 

[nenebskers]

I'd be pretty shocked if they went down to 8 man unless their numbers get really low or if Cattau steps aside years from now.

In my opinion Bergan, Cedar, Norfolk Catholic will stay 11 man. I don't think Aquinas will go 8 man with Mimick in charge.

Hastings St. Cecilia I could see it happening.

Cross County will be interesting. Not sure what their enrollment looks like 5-8 but they just went back to 11 man, would they drop back to 8 again? Seems like they are steadily growing and their location has them in a good spot being in the middle of Osceola, High Plains, and only 15 miles from York.

Cedar already declared 11 man.

 

[just_average32]

I've heard Oakland-Craig may declare 8-man next cycle.

Same here. I have heard rumors that OC is mulling over forfeiting this upcoming season and play a JV schedule due to potential roster rise in the mid teens. Then they’d drop to 8man next cycle.

Here is a look at the enrollment numbers that will be used for classification. I listed what class they have been playing this cycle. The new 8man number will drastically change the look of C2. But as you can see by the old cut line number 47, it looks like it was necessary. If I had to pick with my gut, I’d say all of those who can probably will drop. That means Hershey, Ponca, Valentine, Siperior, Gordon-Rushville, Amherst, Oakland-Craig, Cross County, Aquinas, and Hastings St. Cecicilia all drop. Not sure what some teams like Bridgeport (79), Freeman (64), Summerland (61) and Pender (57) will do. Looks like their exemption is gone and will still be over the new number.

Ogallala 70
Malcolm 68
Bishop Neumann 67
Doniphan-Trumbull 67
Omaha Brownell Talbot 66
Madison 65 (8man)
Ord 65
Freeman 64 (8man)
Gibbon 64
North Bend Central 64
Wood River 64
Fillmore Central 63
Summerland 61 (8man)
Tekamah-Herman 61
Cedar Catholic 60
Norfolk Catholic 60
Wakefield 59 (8man)
Centennial 57 (8man)
Pender 57 (8man)
Yutan 57
Archbishop Bergan 56
——-New 8man line——-
Hershey 55 (11man)
Ponca 55 (11man)
Tri County 55 (8man
Valentine 55 (11man)
West Holt 55 (8man)
Centura 54 (11man)
Crofton 54 (8man)
Thayer Central 54 (8man)
Elkhorn Valley 53 (8man)
Superior 52 (11man)
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 51 (8man)
Gordon-Rushville 50 (11man)
Kimball 49 (8man)
Shelby-Rising City 49 (8man)
Stanton 49 (8man)
Hemingford 48 (8man)
Sandy Creek 48 (8man)
——-Old 8man line——-
Alma 47 (8man)
Amherst 47 (11man)
Hartington-Newcastle 47
Twin River 47
Cedar Bluffs 46
Oakland-Craig 46 (11man)
Heartland 45
Dundy County Stratton 44
Elmwood-Murdock 44
Homer 44
Johnson-Brock 44
Sutton 44
Ainsworth 43
Perkins County 43
Aquinas Catholic 42 (11man)
Cross County 42 (11man)
Howells-Dodge 42
Fullerton 41
North Platte St. Patrick's 41
Ravenna 41
Boyd County 40
East Butler 40
Franklin 40
Morrill 40
Nebraska Christian 40
Palmer 40
Wisner-Pilger 40
Hitchcock County 39
Plainview 39
Arapahoe 38
Elm Creek 38
Hastings St. Cecilia 38 (11man)