Omaha’s two new high schools will be in the Metro Conference when they open next fall and will be Class A in all sports but football.
Buena Vista and Westview, which will open with only freshmen and sophomores, are asking for Class B football schedules from the Nebraska School Activities Association.
New OPS Director of Athletics John Krogstrand said in a statement that the decisions were made after discussions with principals Carrie Carr at Buena Vista and Thomas Lee at Westview.
“Our focus is always on opportunities for the students we serve, and that is driving the decisions we make amid a complicated scheduling equation,” he said.
The rationale included that “each school receives a full schedule of varsity and subvarsity competitions as well as providing like opportunities for all of our schools and participants.” The Metro was preferable to a league of mostly Class B teams for temporary membership while the schools add grades in 2023 and 2024, or competing without a league.
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Their addition will expand the Metro Conference to 20 boys and 20 girls schools, the most since the league high of 21 boys and 21 girls schools in 1981.
Tuesday was the NSAA’s deadline for schools to declare whether they would be in 11-man, eight-man or six-man football for the next two seasons and whether they would opt up or down from where their enrollments placed them. Opting down would mean forfeiting playoff eligibility.
Omaha Gross will stay in Class B for football, but Omaha Roncalli will be in Class C-1. Both schools had their enrollments fall below the cutoff of 160 boys to be in Class B, but Gross elected to opt up.
Amherst and West Holt are going from eight-man to 11-man. From 11-man to eight-man are Bridgeport, Crofton, North Platte St. Patrick’s, Superior, Sutton and Twin River. From six-man to eight-man are McCool Junction and Silver Lake, and from eight-man to six-man are Brady and Garden County.
Two 11-man co-op sponsorship teams have dissolved. Bancroft-Rosalie and Lyons-Decatur will break into eight-man teams. Wood River will stay in 11-man, but Shelton will play six-man.
New co-op teams, both in eight-man, are Tri County Northeast (Allen and Emerson-Hubbard) and Riverside/Spalding Academy.
There will be 131 teams in 11-man, 115 in eight-man and 34 in six-man.
Photos: Nebraska high school football Tuesday championship games
Westside's Dominic Rezac carries the ball against Gretna at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Gretna's Connor Edwards bites his Class A state title medal after defeating Omaha Westside at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Omaha Westside's Jordan Kim hugs Isaac Richard after being defeated by Gretna for the Class A state title at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Gretna's Riley Egenberger (32) hugs Cayden Serfass (17) after defeating Omaha Westside for the Class A state title at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Gretna celebrates with their Class A state title trophy after defeating Omaha Westside at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Omaha Westside's Dominic Rezac is sacked by Gretna's Connor Edwards (21) and Mason Goldman (58) and loses control of the ball at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Omaha Westside's Dominic Rezac is tackled by Gretna's Brady Burkart at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Omaha Westside's Anthony Rezac attempts a pass against Gretna at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Gretna's Zane Flores attempts a pass against pressure from Omaha Westside's Cole Haberman at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Gretna's Joseph Roll catches a pass against Omaha Westside at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Omaha Westside's Isaac Richard (6) is greeted by Nick Anglim (83) and Ty Keifer (15) before a state title game against Gretna at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Gretna's Zane Flores takes the field during introductions before a state title game against Omaha Westside at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Gretna's Zane Flores carries the ball against Omaha Westside at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Omaha Westside's Jahmez Ross catches a pass against Gretna's Connor Edwards at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Omaha Westside's Tommy Connelly tackles Gretna's Mick Huber at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
The Gretna student section cheers at a first down against Omaha Westside at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Koa McIntyre looks to throw a pass during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan players celebrate after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Head Coach Seth Mruz leads his players in prayer after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Head Coach Seth Mruz speaks to his players after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Koa McIntyre (6) and his brother Kade McIntyre (7) stand together after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Koa McIntyre (left) and Jake Hedges celebrate with their team after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Koa McIntyre celebrates after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jake Hedges celebrates after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs hugs his older brother Assistant Coach Josh Boggs after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs hugs his older brother Assistant Coach Josh Boggs after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan Assistant Coach Josh Boggs hugs Koa McIntyre after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Cooper Weitzel (8) tries to escape Norfolk Catholic defense during the second half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Lucas Pruss escapes Norfolk Catholic's Ethan Schwichtenberg (61) during the second half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Lucas Pruss escapes Norfolk Catholic's Ethan Schwichtenberg during the second half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Cal Janke tries to avoid Norfolk Catholic defense during the second half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman (6) celebrates his touchdown with Brennen Kelley during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman celebrates his touchdown during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman jumps into the end zone to score a touchdown during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman runs toward the end zone during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman escapes a tackle from Archbishop Bergan's Cooper Weitzel during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman runs toward the end zone during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman runs toward the end zone during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Brennen Kelley tries to escape Archbishop Bergan defense during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Lucas Pruss runs toward the end zone during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Lucas Pruss runs toward the end zone during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Lucas Pruss runs toward the end zone during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs tries to escape a tackle from Norfolk Catholic's Kade Pieper during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs tries to avoid Norfolk Catholic's Mason Timmerman during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs tries to avoid Norfolk Catholic's Mason Timmerman during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs runs the ball during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Carter Janssen throws the ball during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Kade McIntyre (7) smiles after scoring a touchdown during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Kanyon Talton tries to tackle Archbishop Bergan's Kade McIntyre during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Cal Janke (right) tries to get past Norfolk Catholic defense during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman (right) tries to escape a tackle from Archbishop Bergan during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Ethan Schwichtenberg (right) tackles Archbishop Bergan's during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Ethan Schwichtenberg (right) tackles Archbishop Bergan's during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs (3), Koa McIntyre (6), and Alex Painter celebrate after they scored their first touchdown during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan Assistant Coach Josh Boggs hugs brothers Koa McIntyre (6) and Kade McIntyre (7) after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Koa McIntyre (6) and his teammates celebrate after they defeated Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan players celebrate after defeating Norfolk Catholic to win their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview Head Coach Kurt Frenzen gets ready to place medal on a player after defeating Pierce for the C1 championship on Tuesday.
Pierce's Benjamin Brahmer gets ready for a team photo after losing to Columbus Lakeview during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Pierce Head Coach Mark Brahmer hugs Dakota Marks after giving him his runner-up medal after the C1 championship game against Pierce on Tuesday.
Pierce Head Coach Mark Brahmer yells to his team as they take on Columbus Lakeview during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Cooper Tessendorf makes a cut on the field against Pierce during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Pierce's Matthew Christensen catches a third-quarter touchdown pass against Columbus Lakeview during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview celebrates defeating Pierce for the C1 championship on Tuesday.
Nebraska's Adrian Martinez poses for photos with fans during the Columbus Lakeview and Pierce game during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Adam VanCleave runs in a touchdown in the third quarter after making an interception on defense a few plays earlier against Pierce during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Pierce's Nikolas Harvey tries to tackle Columbus Lakeview's Cooper Tessendorf during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Brock Mahoney tackles Pierce quarterback Abram Scholting late in the fourth quarter during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Mason Viergutz scores a touchdown on a long second quarter reception during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Pierce's Abram Scholting tackles Columbus Lakeview's Kolby Blaser during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Turner Halvorsen catches a touchdown pass during a field goal fake against Pierce during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Kolby Blaser throws a pass against Pierce during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Pierce quarterback Abram Scholting looks for an open receiver against Columbus Lakeview Pierce during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Karter Kerkman runs the ball during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Archbishop Bergan at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Jarett Boggs tries to avoid Norfolk Catholic's Mason Timmerman during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Archbishop Bergan's Koa McIntyre looks to throw a pass during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game against Norfolk Catholic at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Norfolk Catholic's Kanyon Talton tries to tackle Archbishop Bergan's Kade McIntyre during the first half of their Class C2 State Title game at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Jaeden Jenkinson pressures Pierce quarterback Abram Scholting into throwing a third-quarter interceptions during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Adam VanCleave runs in a touchdown in the third quarter after making an interception on defense a few plays earlier against Pierce during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Pierce's Benjamin Brahmer catches a pass in front of Columbus Lakeview's Cooper Tessendorf during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Players dump water on Columbus Lakeview Head Coach Kurt Frenzen after they defeated Pierce for the C1 championship on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Mason Viergutz tries to tackle Pierce's Benjamin Brahmer during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Pierce's Addison Croghan can't catch Columbus Lakeview's Mason Viergutz as he scores a touchdown on a long second quarter pass during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Braxton Borer tackles Pierce's Benjamin Brahmer during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Kolby Blaser hands the ball off to Landon Ternus in the first quarter against Pierce during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Columbus Lakeview's Adam VanCleave gets pushed out of bounds by Pierce's Benjamin Brahmer as he returns the opening kick-off during the C1 championship game on Tuesday.
Stu Pospisil
Reporter - High school sports
Stu is The World-Herald's lead writer for high school sports and for golf. Follow him on Twitter @stuOWH. Email stu.pospisil@owh.com
