(Elk Horn, IA) — The Hill will be quiet on Friday nights this fall. Exira EHK announced today that they will not be fielding a varsity football team for the 2026 season. The district stated that, “After discussion with the parents and football players for next season, Exira EHK had decided that we will play a JV football schedule next season, 2026, because of low participation and the safety of our players. This allows us to continue to have our own program.” Activities Director Tom Petersen says its not an ideal situation
Petersen did say they looked into a partnership with another school like Audubon to play varsity football but the timing did not work on that
Petersen says there is only one incoming freshman for next year that would play football; as for the future, the Iowa High School Athletic Association will re-district after the upcoming 2026 season and Petersen they will re-evaluate the football situation then and he says it all comes down to numbers
Exira EHK was in District 9 with Ar-We-Va, Audubon, CAM, Coon Rapids Bayard, Glidden Ralston and Griswold — those teams will have byes on their schedule in place of the Spartans and will have to look at adding another game if its available.
