Collinsville Football To Compete in Mississippi Valley Conference for Spring Football

Monday night the Collinsville School Board approved a one-year membership with the Mississippi Valley Conference to play spring football in 2021. The move away from an Independent schedule for one season was necessitated by the Governor’s mandate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am excited for the opportunity our Kahok Football Team is getting this school year to compete in the MVC,” said CHS Athletic Director Clay Smith. “Our football program is striving to grow strength in numbers within the program and gain stability from our new coaching staff.  Playing within the MVC for football will be no easy task, I hope our kids and coaches get the opportunity to play.”

Granite City will join the Kahoks in departing from the Independent ranks for one year to join the Valley.

New Collinsville head coach Joe Bevis is grateful for a full schedule amidst the uncertainty of the current pandemic.

“We are excited to join a conference and have a schedule with strong competition and let the kids play football,” said Bevis.

The IHSA has designated this upcoming season to be a seven game schedule due to the shortened season.

The Mississippi Valley lists Bethalto (Civic Memorial), Highland, Jerseyville, Mascoutah, Triad and Waterloo among its members.

Mascoutah advanced to the Class 5A semifinals one year ago before falling 56-34 to perennial state power Rochester.

Civic Memorial, Highland and Triad also advanced to the playoffs from the MVC last year.

The original schedule for fall 2020 was Belleville East, at Triad, Alton, at Taylorville, Lincoln, at Granite City, Mattoon, St. Louis (Lift for Life), at Centralia.