DES MOINES — The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released the 2023-2024 football district and group (Class 5A) assignments Monday, March 20 after a meeting of the IHSAA Board of Control.
Districts and groups are effective for a two-year cycle, and the 2023 football season will be the first with a socioeconomic factor added for classifications. The classification adjustment will reduce 40% of a school’s free or reduced lunch (FRL) count from their annual enrollment to determine their final classification number.
The Spartans have been assigned to Class 3A District No.5 with Benton Community, Fairfield, Grinnell, South Tama County, and Williamsburg.
36 teams make up Class 3A in six districts, which will be pared down to 16 playoff qualifiers. Twelve teams, the top two per district, will be automatic qualifiers with four at-large berths determined by the teams’ RPI with nine regular season games including five district games.
The IHSAA expects to release schedules next month.