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North Dakota football has evolved from one division to four since 1906
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CopyCurrently, high schools in the state of North Dakota are divided into four divisions for football; Class AAA, Class AA, Class A and 9-man.
From 1906 to 1974, all the schools in the state competed in just one division. In 1975, the format was switched to Class A, Class B and 9-man. In 1997, it was changed to the current set of classes. The weekend for all the state championship games is called the Dakota Bowl.
The first high school football competition in North Dakota took place in 1906 and was won by Grand Forks Central.
The football teams of the largest high schools in the state have been classified as both Class
A and Class AAA at different times.
When adding up wins in both classes, Fargo Shanley holds the most titles (21) among the state's larger schools.
The first Class B competition took place in 1975 and was won by Watford City. Watford City has the most Class B titles (6).
In 1997, Class B was discontinued and replaced with Class AA and Class A. Under this new classification, Minot Ryan won the first Class AA championship and Velva-Sawyer won the first Class A championship. Cavalier, Dickinson Trinity, and Velva-Sawyer have the most Class A titles (8).
The first 9-man competition
took place in 1975 and was won by Napoleon. New England-Regent and Linton-HMB are tied for the most 9-man titles (4).
As of 2009, the current Class AAA champions are Bismarck High, the current Class AA cham-. pions are Fargo Shanley, the current Class A champions are Velva, and the current 9-man champions are Hankinson.
Copyright 2010 The Lake Metigoshe Mirror, Bottineau, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2011 The Lake Metigoshe Mirror Bottineau, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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