BRIDGEPORT, Neb. - The Nebraska School Activities Association released its 2026 and 2027 high school football classifications Monday, bringing significant changes across the state and reshaping the landscape for several Panhandle programs.

The most notable move locally is Bridgeport’s return to 11-man football. The Bulldogs will compete in Class C2 after spending recent seasons in eight-man, joining a classification that includes Mitchell, Gothenburg and Hershey.

Sidney, fresh off a Class C1 runner-up finish this past season, will remain in Class C1 for the upcoming two-year cycle. The Red Raiders are grouped alongside Alliance, Ogallala, Wahoo, Holdrege, Central City and Chadron in one of the state’s most competitive 11-man classes.

Kimball also stays in Class D1, while Creek Valley, Leyton, Potter-Dix and Banner County remain in six-man football, joining Garden County, which is coming off a championship run in the six-man ranks. 

Morrill will be new to six-man football, landing in Class D6 after declaring for the format. Bayard moves into the newly created Class D3, debuting at the start of the 2026 season. The NSAA approved the addition of a third eight-man class in April.