Some of the heavyweights of 5A football will be playing in different classes starting next year.  The Kansas State High School Activities Association released the new football classifications for the next two seasons Tuesday and 5A powerhouses Hutchinson and Gardner-Edgerton will both play in 6A starting next fall.  Also, McPherson, who has been very strong in football in recent seasons, moves down to class 4A for football starting next season.

AREA SCHOOLS CHANGING CLASSIFICATION (FOOTBALL)

3A-Russell (4A)

2-1A (11-Man) Sterling (3A)

AREA SCHOOLS CHANGING CLASSIFICATION FOR ALL SPORTS (2011-2012)

3A-Russell (4A)

2A-Claflin-Central Plains (1A)

-Ellsworth (3A)

-Little River (1A)

-Sterling (3A)

1A -Lacrosse (2A)