The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association has established a new playoff structure for high school football after 30 Southern Nevada teams decided to go independent. The playoffs will still feature six state championships across various classifications, including 1A to Open. The playoff formats for the 5A and 4A divisions will retain much of the existing structure, ensuring continuity for Northern teams. Each region, North and South, will have different playoff qualifiers, with overall championship games unchanged for Northern teams. The shift to independent status stems from controversy surrounding previous playoff decisions by the NIAA.

By the Numbers
  • 30 Southern Nevada football teams opted for independent status.
  • 4 teams from the 4A-South will qualify for the playoffs; only 3 teams in the 5A-South compete.
State of Play
  • 5A-North includes Bishop Manogue, Damonte Ranch, and four other teams, with the top four qualifying for playoffs.
  • Each 5A-South team will compete in two playoff games; the No. 3 seed has only one playoff game scheduled.
What's Next

As the 2026 season approaches, teams will adapt to the new playoff formats, and independent teams may face Northern squads in non-conference games. The effects of this independent status on scholarships and recruitment for players will unfold as the season progresses. Ongoing revisions may occur depending on competitive balance and legal actions stemming from the recent changes.

Bottom Line

The changes to Nevada's high school football playoffs reflect a significant shift due to governance conflicts, but Northern teams should remain largely unaffected in their playoff paths. Understanding this new structure is crucial for teams as they prepare for the upcoming season, making communication and planning essential to maintain competitive integrity.