The Open Division was so well-received in its inaugural year that it will be back for the 2020 and 2021 Arizona high school football season.

During Tuesday’s AIA Executive Board meeting, it was unanimously approved for the next year years.

One board member asked if there would be a need for it with football placements moving top teams up, causing the best of the best to ultimately be in the 6A Conference, the highest division.

AIA Executive Director David Hines said the best teams wouldn’t be up for another two years.

Using the current model to places football teams in conferences, nobody is allowed to move up more than one conference, no matter how successful.

Scottsdale Saguaro, a 4A powerhouse that won six state titles in a row, lost to 6A powerhouse Chandler 42-35 in the first Open Division championship game.

Saguaro is moving up from 4A to 5A for football next school year.

The Open Division takes the top eight schools from the three biggest conferences (6A, 5A and 4A) to play it off for the ultimate state title.

Moving the upper echelon up created more exciting championship games in the 6A, 5A and 4A conferences in 2019.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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