Here are the 3A ranks and compare the two proposals on the table for football districts. The OSAA has a large job ahead in attempting to figure this all out.
| 5 District Proposal | |
| Baker Bulldogs | Population 359 |
| Burns Hilanders | Population 164 |
| McLoughling Pioneers | Population 290 |
| Nyssa Bulldogs | Population 158 |
| Ontario Tigers | Population 364 |
| Riverside Pirates | Population 158 |
| Umatilla Vikings | Population 211 |
| Vale Vikings | Population 169 |
| 6 District Proposal | |
| Burns Hilanders | Population 164 |
| Nyssa Bulldogs | Population 158 |
| Riverside Pirates | Population 158 |
| Umatilla Vikings | Population 211 |
| Vale Vikings | Population 169 |
Current League For Football 2021
Baker-4A with a record of 2-3
Burns-3A with a record of 3-1
McLoughlin-4A with a record of 0-3 playing down to 3A
Nyssa-3A with are record of 1-3
Ontario-4A with a record of 0-4
Riverside-3A with a record of 0-4 playing down to 2A
Umatilla-3A with a record of 3-1 playing down to 2A
Vale-3A with a record of 4-1
Here is what we see:
- Both of these plans are similar to ideas attempted in the past. As previously discussed in our article on the 4A proposals, allowing teams to drop down will diminish the leagues. Under the 6-district proposal, the allowance of Riverside and Umatilla to drop down takes the league down to three teams.
- The 5-district proposal appears viable on a local level. Even with drop downs, the league would still have the numbers to sustain a season. The issue comes during post season play as eastern Oregon smaller schools (Riverside, Burns, Vale) could possibly meet teams more than double their size (Phoenix-400, Junction City-378, North Marion-393)
- Travel under both plans is really not an issue. All these teams routinely travel to each other in other sports.
- The one issue neither plan takes into account is what cannot be measured on paper-the inequity in programs. While football continues to continue as a prominent sport in some schools, other fall sports have taken precedence over time in other schools. (Football in Riverside will continue to struggle while boys’ soccer will continue to grow and be a state powerhouse)
- Now it is your turn. What did we not mention you think is worth discussing? Which proposal is best for your team and for football in Oregon? Email your suggestions, your complaints, your new plan to [email protected] or contact us on messenger. As this process moves along, we will update the story with your ideas and concerns.
