Football co-op projected for Class A
BY ALYSSA MEIER
Editor
Southern McLean football has so far stayed steady in division designation, with preliminary figures placing the co-op back in Class A competition.
According to the preliminary standings provided by the North Dakota High School Activities Association, the Washburn/Wilton/Wing co-op currently falls into the Class A division. These divisions, split into three 11-man classes and one 9-man sector, are determined based on 7-10 grade male enrollment numbers and the percentage of the student body qualifying for free and reduced meals.
With early numbers announced in late March, the Southern McLean team looks to have kept its spot in Class A, even as adjusted enrollment dropped significantly. In calculating divisions for the 2017-18 seasons, the Roughriders stood at 95.24, the sixth highest school among the 32 in Class A. This year, the co-op is at 86.08 for adjusted enrollment, dropping down to No. 9 for the division.
The co-op has been the topic of much debate in the past few months, with involved schools evaluating whether to continue the merged program, or divide and drop down to a 9-man or six-man team for the Cardinals and Miners. If Washburn/Wilton/Wing chooses to do so, the athletes may see some familiar competition, as several competitors that played in Class A have moved down to 9-man.
