La Grande quarterback Mathias Fields hands off to Dominic Fields during the Tigers' 36-6 loss at Baker on Sept. 29, 2023. La Grande and other local football teams will hit the field with a nine game schedule in 2024.

WILSONVILLE — School athletic directors will be on the phones over the next few months looking for games as the executive board of the Oregon School Activities Association approved a revision to allow football teams to play a nine game schedule over a 10-week period.

This decision, plus others, were made during the scheduled meeting of the board on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

During the discussion on the change, border schools finding nonleague games was a factor behind the decision. Changing the date brings Oregon schools in line to adjoin with border states and will also allow schools to schedule a bye week.

Official practice for football will begin Aug. 19, 2024, with the first game now allowed to be played on Aug. 29.

The board announced girls wrestling, a fast-growing sport nationwide, has 1,482 participants this season around the state.

Local 1A teams no longer need to plan on meeting Bonanza, Crosshill Christian, Lost River or Myrtle Point in state competitions. Due to increasing student populations in these four schools, the athletic teams will move to the 2A ranks in the fall. Even with increased numbers, North Douglas will remain in the 1A ranks and Crook County will remain a 4A opponent.

For most sports, La Grande will remain in the 4A Greater Oregon League with Baker, Ontario and Pendleton. Enterprise will play in the 2A Blue Mountain Conference with opponents Grant Union, Heppner, Irrigon, Stanfield and Weston-McEwen. The 1A Old Oregon League includes Cove, Echo, Elgin, Imbler, Joseph, Nixyaawii, Pilot Rock, Pine Eagle, Powder Valley, Union and Wallowa.