The Junction City Blue Jays will compete in a new Class 6A high school football district for the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

The Kansas State High School Activities Association has released the district football assignments for the next two years.  ‘

Junction City has been shifted to District 6 that will include Wichita East, Wichita North, and Wichita Southeast.  In the past and this year the Blue Jays have been in District 5 with Manhattan, Washburn Rural, and Topeka High.

Matt Westerhaus, JCHS  Athletic Director, said, “You know it’s going to be weird not having Manhattan in our district.” He added officials do not remember not being in the same district. “We’re going to be on the road a little bit more so there’s going to be more travel. I think it gives our program and our kids some exposure down south that we haven’t had in the past few years, which is good. So it’s kind of nice to see new venues and go new places.”

Westerhaus also released the 2014 Blue Jay football schedule. Junction City will open at Highland Park, host Emporia in week two, and then travel to Shawnee Heights and Seaman. Junction City will then host Washburn Rural in week five, and Manhattan in week six. In district play Junction City will play at Wichita Southeast, host Wichita East, and then play at Wichita North in week nine.  In 2015 that schedule will be reversed.

The top two teams in each district qualify for postseason play.

The change in districts means the Junction City – Manhattan game will have to be moved away from its current week nine slot in the final game of district play to week six.

Replacing Junction City in District 5 will be Lawrence Free State. They will join Manhattan, Washburn Rural, and Topeka High.