The conference news comes three days after Totino-Grace – a private school in Fridley – announced its intent to join the Northwest Suburban on a two-year trial basis starting in 2012.

 

Totino-Grace has been a longtime member of the North Suburban, though last year and again this year the Eagles scheduled enough non-conference games to make them ineligible for a conference title.

 

The move to the Northwest Suburban Conference for football follows the school's decision to opt-up from Class 4A to 5A, a change that is in effect for the first time this season. The Eagles dominated Class 4A in recent years, winning six of the past eight state championships.

 

In addition to Totino-Grace, Elk River will be rejoining the Northwest Suburban Conference after competing in the Mississippi 8 for the past two seasons, according to the Minnesota State High School League. 

 

The conference will be split into two six-team divisions beginning in 2012.

 

The Northwest Suburban currently has 10 teams; eight of them are among the largest 32 schools in the state enrollment-wise and are slated to play in the newly formed Class 6A playoffs starting in 2012.