The Iowa High School Athletic Association is using a new formula to classify football teams across the state.
The IHSAA’s two-year football assignment and scheduling process is moving forward after the Iowa Department of Education finalized its data for school enrollment (BEDS) and free and reduced lunch (FRL) percentages. Charles City football coach Brian Bjorklund explained the thought process behind the move recently to the School Board.
Bjorklund says Football’s new socioeconomic factors are designed to level the playing field. The “final classification numbers” have been calculated and Charles City will move from Class 4A down to Class 3A for the upcoming fall campaign.
Bjorklund says it also comes with district realignment.
According to the IHSAA, Charles City’s FRL number is at .47; the seventh highest FRL of the 36 teams in Class 3A this upcoming season.
The Comets went 1-and-8 in 2022 after going 4-5 in Bjorklund’s first season as head coach in 2021.
