Football Prep Classic moving from Superdome to Northwestern State

For the first time since 1981, the LHSAA Football Prep Classic will not be held at the Superdome in New Orleans. 

The football championships will instead be played at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, the LHSAA announced on Tuesday. The LHSAA said COVID-19 capacity restrictions, financial responsibilities and risk of cancellation were the reasons for moving the event. 

The games will be held Dec. 27-30. 

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"We are thankful Northwestern State University stepped up to host our football championships," LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine said in a statement. "We are saddened to be leaving the Superdome this year, but look forward to our return in 2021. We are certain Northwestern State will provide a first-class experience for Louisiana student-athletes"

Select and non-select schools will play at the same venue this year, after splitting up last season. Attendance will be capped at 25 percent, which will be about 4,250 people per game. 

The football season began late because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the season was condensed from 10 games to just eight. The playoffs continue this week, with select schools playing in semifinal games and non-select schools playing quarterfinal games.