Totino-Grace needed a schedule with opponents more on their level than they were seeing in the North Suburban Conference in football.
The larger Northwest Suburban Conference was faced with having an odd number of teams after Elk River re-joined the league for football after competing in the Mississippi 8 for two seasons.
So the Northwest Suburban approached Totino-Grace about joining for football only, and the Eagles received approval from the North Suburban Conference to move into the NWSC.
Totino-Grace opted up to class AAAAA last season for playoff competition, and made it to the state semifinals last season before a blowout loss to eventual champion Eden Prairie.
The Eagles return six starters on each side of the ball this season as they prepare to compete in the Northwest Suburban's West division.
Totino-Grace opens the season at Coon Rapids next Thursday.
Jay Wilcox, reporting
jwilcox@twelve.tv
August 23, 2012