The IHSAA that governs boys high school sports in Iowa released the new alignments for the 2020 season. The new alignments will be only for the 2020 season and will not be a 2 year cycle like most states do realignment. So the alignments are expected to change for the 2021 season. However, for the 2020 season teams around the state now know who they are lined up with. The most significant changes look to be in 4A football. the IHSAA website says that for 2020 that all 16 playoff qualifiers will be at large qualifiers. That is in contrast to 2019 when each 4A district champion received an automatic bid and at large teams filled the remaining spots. Fort Dodge has been assigned to a group that includes defending state champions Dowling Catholic , Urbandale, Roosevelt, Council Bluffs-Lincoln and Sioux City North. However, the Dodgers will play just 3 teams from that group in 2020 Dowling, Urbandale and Sioux City North their other assigned games will include Sioux City East and Waterloo West.

St. Edmond will be in Class A District 2 with defending state champions West Hancock, Manson NW Webster, Alta-Aurelia, North Union, and traditional power Bishop Garrigan. Here’s Gaels Head Coach Matt Dillon with his thoughts on realignment.