MAIS football is getting ready for a different kind of season in 2026.
New alignments are in place, schedules have been adjusted, and the playoff road will look different for a lot of programs across the state. Week 1 is set for August 21, giving teams an extra week in the schedule to make room for the new 12-team playoff format in several divisions.
For the bigger-school 11-man programs, Class 3A will feature 20 schools. The top four teams in power-point average will compete for the Division I championship, while the next 12 teams will have a shot at the Division II title.
Class 2A will have 33 schools. The top eight teams in power-point average will battle for the Division I championship, while the next 12 teams will play for the Division II championship.
That means every Friday night matters.
Teams cannot afford to look ahead, because power points, schedule strength, and weekly results will all play a role in who gets into the postseason and where they land.
For coaches, the offseason is about getting their teams ready for a long season. For players, it is about earning their role, staying locked in, and making sure they are ready when the lights come on.
MAIS football has always been about more than just the game. It is about school pride, communities showing up on Friday nights, student sections, families, and young athletes representing the name on the front of the jersey.
The format may be different this year, but the goal is still the same.
Win games. Build momentum. Make the playoffs. Compete for a championship.