New football districts set

The new high school playoff assignments were announced by the Missouri State High School Activities Association on Friday.

There is a new playoff system going into effect this coming season, with the top two teams from each district advancing, as opposed to the single team which has advanced in the past.

Marshfield remains in Class 4 and will be competing in District 10 with Central Ozark Conference rivals Bolivar (moving up to Class 4 from Class 3 this season), Willard (which is a COC Large School Conference member, where Marshfield and Bolivar are COC Small School members in the new, 12-team COC which includes football members Catholic, Webb City and Carthage) as well as Springfield Hillcrest.

There will be 32 teams competing in Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 this season, 22 teams in Class 5, and 16 in Class 6.

Because of the extra round of playoff games, practice can start on Aug. 11. Jamborees will be held on Aug. 22 or Aug. 23. The first game of the season will be on Aug. 29.

The Show-Me Bowl will be held on Nov. 28 and 29 this season.

Other district assignments of note: Class 4 District 11 is COC Large School members Branson and Republic along with McDonald County and Neosho. Class 4 District 12 includes COC Large School members Carthage and Webb City along with Carl Junction and Nevada.

In Class 5 District 7, COC Large School members Nixa and Ozark will compete with Glendale, Kickapoo and Parkview.

In Class 3 District 10, COC Small School members Buffalo and Rogersville will compete with Ava and Mountain Grove. Class 3 District 11 includes COC Small School members Reeds Spring and Catholic with Aurora and Mt. Vernon.

In Class 2 District 10, Strafford and Fair Grove will compete with Ash Grove and Pleasant Hope.