GORDON, Neb. — Big changes could be coming to the Gordon-Rushville football program.

According to Activities Director Darren Probst, updated student enrollment numbers will be presented at the next school board meeting. Based on those numbers, he says the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) will likely recommend that Gordon-Rushville move to the new Class D1 category — meaning the team would transition to eight-man football.

“We usually just go with the class we’re assigned to, but we can opt out and stay 11-man,” Probst said.

Before making a decision, Probst says school officials want to gather more information and hear from the community. The school board plans to discuss the issue at its next meeting.

Starting in 2026, Nebraska’s eight-man football will expand to three classes following a vote by the NSAA Board of Directors. The change raises the enrollment cutoff for eight-man teams from 47 to 55 boys per school. It will also bring a longer regular season — nine games instead of eight — and a 16-team playoff bracket for each class.

In all, there will be seven NSAA football championships awarded in Nebraska beginning in 2026.