MVC, MAC to discuss district football on Wednesday

Principals and athletics directors of schools in the Mississippi Valley and Mississippi Athletic Conferences will gather Wednesday to discuss the possibility of Class 4A district football on the eastern side of the state, Iowa Prep Sports has learned.The Iowa High School Athletic Association will have representation at the meeting, which is believed to be in Cedar Rapids.The 10 MAC schools voted in late October to re-open discussions on district football, in large part because of the MVC's dominance over the MAC in recent postseasons. The MAC believes playing MVC schools during the regular season would be a boon for their playoff competitiveness.Citing scheduling difficulties, Western and Central Iowa went to district football in 4A two years ago, with the IHSAA setting each district and scheduling district games."Boone will not force this down anyone's throat," said an MVC source.Multiple sources said "hybrid" schedules have been worked up that possibly could appease the MAC schools. Those schedules would ensure the MAC and 14-school MVC remain, with one or more inter-conference games for each school.Davenport Assumption from the MAC and Cedar Rapids Xavier and Dubuque Wahlert from the MVC actually are Class 3A schools enrollment-wise, which adds another layer to this story. Sources said Wahlert is steadfast in its desire to drop a class, while Xavier is leaning toward wanting to remain in 4A and the MVC.Assumption is "on the fence." Xavier has proven to be one of the top 4A programs in the state, advancing to the championship game the past two seasons and winning it all in 2006.Gate receipts also would seem to be a strong consideration for the school. Truthfully, for every school involved.Conference ADs and principals contacted Wednesday would not confirm a Wednesday meeting, seeking to keep things private. IHSAA Assistant Executive Director Todd Tharp said last week that the IHSAA would not have comment on the issue, preferring all information come from the schools.A final decision on whether to go the district route would likely have to be made by the end of December, at the latest.