High school football in Southern Nevada is changing again.
Clark County School District principals informed the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association that CCSD schools aligned in Class 5A and 4A will play as independents for the next two school years beginning this fall, according to a release from the NIAA.
“The identified programs will enter Independent Status for a minimum of two years in accordance with NIAA regulations,” the release said. “During this period, the football program will not participate in any NIAA-sanctioned postseason competition, including league, regional, or state championship playoffs.”
The change comes after another eventful realignment process that saw the NIAA this January keep the controversial HRM points rating system to determine who makes the playoffs.
Changes were made following a threat of league action by the Archdiocese of Las Vegas saying the NIAA violated its own bylaws when the Board of Control approved a new football realignment last November.
That will leave private schools, like Bishop Gorman and Faith Lutheran, and charter schools like Sloan Canyon and SLAM! Nevada as eligible Southern schools to compete for a recognized NIAA state title.
CCSD schools will schedule their games against one another, but still abide by NIAA bylaws.
The release continues: “As part of this designation, those member schools will independently schedule their regular-season contests while adhering to all NIAA scheduling regulations, including the nine-game limitation for football.
“The schools will continue to comply fully with all NIAA rules, bylaws, registration requirements, and student-athlete eligibility standards. Additionally, the program can not designate or promote any contest as a league, regional, or state championship event.”
There are no changes to Class 3A, 2A and 1A.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
