Newton aligned in Class 3A - District 8

2/2/2010 - The new high school football district alignments have been released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Newton Cardinals will now be playing a Class 3A schedule.  And according to Newton coach Ed Ergenbright, it’s about time. "It’s a much more level playing field for our kids,” Ergenbright said. “We were at a disadvantage with our size of school and the kids we have to choose from.” Newton will play in Class 3A, District 8 along with ADM of Adel, Carlisle, Dallas Center-Grimes, Knoxville, Norwalk, Perry and Saydel. "We feel like it will be great competition for our kids,” Ergenbright said. “We are looking forward to the opportunity that comes with playing in 3A.” Dallas Center-Grimes, Carlisle and ADM all have had strong football traditions. All three teams advanced to the postseason last year, and ADM won a playoff game. “I expect the competition level to be very high,” Ergenbright said. For the two non-conference games it is believed Newton most likely play Pella and Oskaloosa, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Will Newton go to Class 3A?
10/1/2008
by Eric Arnold

I have received this question a few times.  Here is the situation I have learned from Newton Athletic Director, Dave Kalkhoff and the IHSAA.  The magic number is to be less than 700 enrollment in grades 9-11.  In the 2007-2008 school year Newton was at 766.  When the districts are realigned 2010 it is possible that Newton will be less than 700 and then the IHSAA will put Newton into a 3A District.  If Newton stays 700 or above we will have to remain in 4A for at least 2 more years.

The rumor of the top 48 schools in the state of Iowa required to be in Class 4A is not true.  There are currently two schools with less than 700 in enrollment that play in 4A, Dubuque Wahlert (435) and Davenport Assumption (309).  The reason they play 4A football is because of their conference affiliations.  Meaning the other schools in their conference's are all 4A schools and they chose to participate in those conferences. 

Here is the link the to the Enrollment Numbers on the IHSAA website.

Schools we could possibly be aligned with in 3A District play are:
Grinnell, Pella, Knoxville, Centerville, Chariton, Carlisle, South Tama, Oskaloosa, Boone, Carroll, Dallas Center-Grimes, Ballard-Huxley, Nevada, Perry, Saydel, Jefferson-Scranton, Winterset, Clarke-Osceola, ADM-Adel, etc.

There is a strong possibility that Newton will have the enrollment numbers to drop to 3A in 2010.