Fans should mark their calendars for some potentially big-time state tournament semifinal football action on Thursday, November 15, 2012.

Later this week, state tournament semifinals in all six classes will be played on Friday and Saturday. The 9-man games start at 8 a.m. and the 5A games are scheduled to start at 8:15 p.m. Two full days of football.

In April, the Minnesota State High School League added a seventh class (6A) for the state's 32 largest schools by enrollment. While the two-day Prep Bowl format could accommodate a seventh game, seven classes left a scheduling problem for the state tournament semifinals.

MSHSL board member Kevin Merkle, head of the football task force, said the plan is two hold two semifinal games on Thursday at the Metrodome then keep Friday and Saturday schedules the same. Schools from the new Class 6A are the most likely candidates to play in the double-header.

Merkle said choosing 6A schools would make sense for two reasons. First, with the exception of Brainerd, the teams are all from the metro area. Second, keeping one class' semifinal games on the same day ensures nearly identical time for rest and preparation between games the following week.

Merkle said the plan will be solidifed in the near future.