The future of Emporia High football could look significantly different in the coming years.
One of the discussion items at the upcoming USD 253 Emporia Board of Education meeting involves the football program’s proposed departure from the Centennial League and a move toward an independent scheduling model beginning with the 2028-29 academic year.
Emporia High currently competes in the Centennial League that includes Junction City, Washburn Rural, Manhattan and Topeka. While those matchups have long been staples of the EHS schedule, competitive balance has been an ongoing challenge. Emporia is the lone 5A program in the league, while the other four schools compete at the 6A level in the postseason.
That disparity has shown on the scoreboard. During the 2025 season, the Spartans were outscored 120-24 in league play. Emporia High has not recorded a Centennial League football win since 2019, highlighting the uphill climb the program has faced against larger-school opponents year after year.
Under the proposed independent scheduling model, Emporia High would no longer be bound to a traditional league structure for football. Instead, the program would have full control over its schedule, allowing administrators and coaches to seek out opponents that better align with the Spartans’ enrollment size and competitive level.
Supporters of the move believe independent scheduling could help create more balanced matchups, which in turn may lead to improved player development, increased competitiveness and renewed confidence within the program. More competitive games could also enhance the overall game-day experience for players, students and fans alike.
Leaving the Centennial League would not affect Emporia High’s classification for postseason play, as the Spartans would remain a 5A program under Kansas State High School Activities Association guidelines. Other sports at EHS would also continue competing in the Centennial League unless otherwise addressed in the future.
If approved, the change would not take effect for several years, but the discussion signals a willingness to explore new approaches in hopes of building a stronger foundation for the program moving forward. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mary Herbert Education Center.
