Changes in Minnesota high school football as 8 schools flip between 5A, 6A

The Minnesota State High School League's board of directors convened April 3 and settled a number of issues, including approving postseason section placement for all schools. 

The big takeaway, however, is that four schools that participated in Class 6A football in 2024 will to drop to Class 5A competition for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Because 6A football is limited to 32 schools, four schools will also drop to 5A for the next two years. 

• Moving up from 5A to 6A: Andover, Apple Valley, Moorhead, Rogers
• Moving down from 6A to 5A: Buffalo, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Rochester Mayo 

Classifications are set based on enrollment in grades 9-12, though the MSHSL also factors in educational benefits (free and reduced lunch) to determine the final outcomes. 

However, it's not set in stone because schools have the option to apply to opt up or down in specific sports. In order to opt up, a school's enrollment must exceed 50% free and reduced lunch, or the enrollment has to be within 10% of the enrollment cutoff for that sport. 

The enrollment cutoff in football for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons have been set. 

• 6A: 1,642
• 5A: 1,003 to 1,641
• 4A: 564 to 1,002
• 3A: 313 to 563
• 2A: 204 to 312
• 1A: 151 to 203
• 9-Player: 150 and below

Andover (30th in enrollment), Apple Valley (32nd), Moorhead (23rd) and Rogers (25th) all meet the enrollment threshold to opt up to 6A. 

Buffalo (39th), Burnsville (33rd), Coon Rapids (37th), and Rochester Mayo (35th) also meet the enrollment threshold to be bumped down the next two seasons. 

You can see every school's enrollment and where they rank statewide here. 

The MSHSL determines postseason sections every two years. Schools are placed in sections based on enrollment and geographic location. To search which sections schools will be participating in the next two years, click here.