District changes mean new football foes for Vikings

Each Friday of the 2011 high school football season found the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings playing the same team during the same week of the season as they played in 2010.

But for the Vikings and most other high school teams, 2012 brings many new district opponents.

It's going to be tough, and fun, says Viking Head Coach Patrick Farley.

Vinton-Shellsburg will now be in Class 3A, District 5, along with Crestood, Cresco; Decorah; Epworth, Western Dubuque; Independence; Oelwein; and West Delaware. The Iowa High School Athletic Association announced the new district this week.

The bye week opponent for the Vikings will be Williamsburg. There are only seven teams in the district, instead of eight, as in previous years.

"It's a tough district that goes as far north as an Iowa district can go," said Farley. "Obviously you have the state runner-up in Decorah. After that you have West Delaware, who seems to always be making deep post-season runs. Not to mention West Dubuque, the biggest 3A football school in the state, Olewein who is consistently tough. Plus we have a non-district game with a great Wiliamsburg program. It's going to be great competition and a lot of fun!"

Benton Community will be in the new District 6, along with Anamosa, Central Clinton, Clear Creek-Amana, Maquoketa, Marion and Solon.

Center Point-Urbana and Union (LaPorte City/Dysart) go back to Class 2A. Union is in District 3, along with Central Springs, Waterloo Columbus, Hampton-Dumont, New Hampton, Osage and Waukon. CPU joins Dysersville Beckman, Camanche, Cascade, Monticello, Mount Vernon and Goose Lake in District 4.

Longer trips for Union, says coach

"I think we will need to rent some mobile homes for the away trips," says Union Coach Joe Hadachek, whose team won the 3A Championship in November. "With the exception of Columbus, the road games will be 90-120 minute drives."

It's been five years since the Knights played some of the teams on the 2012 schedule, says Hadachek.

"The last time we played Osage and Waterloo Columbus was back in 2007, our first year as a staff," he recalls. "Both teams defeated us. New Hampton also defeated us the in playoffs the last time we crossed paths. I am sure there will be some surprises along the way. Bottom line is we don't have a whole lot of influence on to who we play. The state decides it based on BEDS enrollment."

See complete District listings here:

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MH January 17, 2012, 7:00 pm Wow - do we get airfare to go along with the new district? So much for the last class of the day!

B January 17, 2012, 9:56 pm what happened to playing teams around here? that will sure lose the crowds from here

JW January 18, 2012, 12:54 pm I saw this morning that Mason City plays Ottumwa, a four hour drive. Does this make sense in a time when schools have tightened budget belts? I think Bonnie makes an excellent point; it won\'t help traveling fan numbers, the gate or concession sales! It would be interesting to know the reasoning behind the decisions.

K January 18, 2012, 1:22 pm This is going to take a toll on our students\' class time learning. For all sports, leaving so early is unfair to the teachers as well as the students. To consistently miss out on a class to take a bus somewhere puts a lot of kids in a bad situation. And I also agree with the budget issues, the amount of funds it will take to drive these long distances. Obviously cuts may have to be made somewhere else, and everythig else is already running thin.

DR January 18, 2012, 2:15 pm I would second Janet\'s comment.. How do we continue to hold the line on the school budgets and still maintain these programs? This move makes absolutely no sense! This will eventually cause other programs to suffer within the district. Will it be one of the sports programs be cut or will the school board have to look at cutting one of the music programs? How do we cover the cost?

D January 18, 2012, 10:51 pm I\'ll miss the rivalry with Union and Benton Community. Those really packed the stands. IHSAA needs to consider budgets and distance.

Sports : District changes mean new football foes for Vikings

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