There will be seven Nevada high school football champs in 2023.
On Thursday, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association ended a months-long realignment process by approving a plan that results in Class 5A being split into three specific divisions — 5A I, 5A II and 5A III.
At the center of the realignment discussion was national-power Bishop Gorman that has won 12 of the last 13 state titles in the state’s largest classification. The new plan puts the Gaels in 5A I with Arbor View, Coronado, Desert Pines, Liberty, Silverado, Shadow Ridge. There are no northern schools in this classification.
Those seven teams will battle for a state title in 5A I. The other two 5A divisions will also play championship games with the North champ playing the champion from the South.
Below are the other two 5A classifications:
Class 5A-II (North): Bishop Manogue, Damonte Ranch, McQueen, Reed, Reno, Spanish Springs. Class 5A-II (South): Basic, Faith Lutheran, Durango, Foothill, Green Valley, Las Vegas, Sierra Vista
Class 5A-III (North): Carson, Douglas, Galena, Hug, North Valleys, Wooster. Class 5A-III (South): Cimarron-Memorial, Clark, Desert Oasis, Legacy, Palo Verde, Rancho, Spring Valley
The II and III teams are placed in their respective divisions using the NIAA’s rubric system that ranks teams based on quality. Under the new alignment, one team in each of the 5A II and 5A III divisions could be moved up or down each year based on the state’s rubric system.
4A will be made up of teams only from the Las Vegas-area. 105 high school play football in Nevada.
Below is how the remaining classifications are aligned.
3A
North: Elko, Fallon, Fernley, Lowry, South Tahoe (California), Spring Creek, Sparks and Truckee (California)
2A
North: Battle Mountain, Coral-Reno, Dayton (independent only) Incline, North Tahoe (California), Pershing County, Sierra Lutheran, Silver Stage, West Wendover, Yerington
South: Awaken Christian, GV Christian, Lake Mead, Lincoln County, Needles (California), White Pine
1A
East League: Carlin, Eureka, Independence, McDermitt, Owyhee, Wells
West League: Coleville, Mineral County, Pyramid Lake, Smith Valley, Virginia City
Central League: Beatty, Indian Springs, Round Mountain, Spring Mountain, Tonopah
South League: Beaver Dam, Laughlin (independent only) Mountain View, Pahranagat Valley, Sandy Valley, Word of Life
