HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: City High's Coleman not thrilled with district football

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By Annika Wasson, City High senior

IOWA CITY - In this year's City High-West football game, more than just “The Boot” was on the line.In addition to the town bragging rights, a Mississippi Valley Conference championship was up for grabs. The Little Hawks came out on top, but this year's conference title could be the last MVC divisional championship awarded to a football team.Area athletics directors, athletes, coaches and fans are buzzing about the future of MVC football on the east side of the state. Earlier this week, it was announced that two MVC schools - Cedar Rapids Xavier and Dubuque Wahlert - along with Davenport Assumption are considering dropping down from Class 4A football to Class 3Al. If this happens, the state is looking at getting rid of conference football and changing to a district schedule similar to the one used on the west side of the state.According to City High athletics director Terry Coleman, the state must decided by Friday whether or not move to district football for next season.For City High, this would mean having a new group of teams to face every year. The football team also would likely have to travel farther for competitions based on who is in its district. Coleman said  he would like to see the MVC stay as is for, what he believes, is the best competition and direction.“My opinion is that we should remain with the MVC in conference football,” Coleman said Tuesday. “It is, for us, the best solution. I think it provides the most competitive environment for our football team, it reduces travel time and it maintains the historical legacy.”If a decision to change to district football is made by Friday,  the next two years of  schedules would have to be redone to fit the new districts. Coleman said he hopes the state takes their time and gathers more input before making a decision on when to implement a new district football schedule.“If we went to district football, as a program we would be fine,” he says. “I just don't know that a district championship would have the same impact (as a conference championship)."I would really prefer to stay with the MVC conference and work something out so that we can maintain that.”For more City High news, go to www.thelittlehawk.com