The new two-year football schedule was recently announced, and it has the Rockets meeting some new opponents. 

The first three weeks open with the Class 3A league schools: Clearwater, Wichita Collegiate, and Andale.

“The first three games are set because of those teams being 3A,” Athletic Director Jim Linot said. “We have to play them those weeks because they have district games scheduled the rest of the season.”

The rest of the regular season includes a combination of AVCTL schools, plus a non-AVCTL school. The schedule was put together by the league scheduler. 

“We visit with the league scheduler about non-conference opponents that we would be willing to play from the surrounding schools that are looking for games,” Linot said. “If their open week corresponds with our open week then conversation takes place to see if they are willing to play us on that date. If that does not work out then we are scrambling to find an opponent, which could come from anywhere in the state and any classification.”

With the competitiveness of the schedule, the Rockets will be working all offseason to prepare for some old and new faces. 

“Both the divisional and non-conference schedule has teams that are pretty good teams and teams that we should definitely be able to compete with,” Linot said. “The goal is to be competitive in every game we play and work to give yourself a chance to win the ball game in the end. Some games will be tough games, but by competing throughout the game and working to get better hopefully it will lead to game wins, a winning season, and the opportunity to compete in the postseason.”