As in most areas, high schools compete in sports in two types of division. One, because of logistical and geographical constraints, is necessarily local. That is, large schools play small ones in the same area. There are sixteen geographical districts to reduce travel time and expense for conference play.
A second division is based on school population and is statewide. Eventually, schools with the best records in this type of division will meet each other for seasonal playoffs to determine the state champion. There are eight classes, numbered from 1 to 7, based on population, with the largest schools in 7A for football only.[4] There is a 1A rural and a 1B urban, completing the total of eight classifications.[5]