WILLMAR - The first-time district schedule for the Willmar Cardinals football team doesn’t look much different than the Central Lakes’ conference schedule of past seasons.
While the approved 22-team North Central District schedule, released Monday, has Willmar opening at home against Buffalo on Aug. 22, 2015, a Saturday - the rest of the schedule holds to form with seven games against Central Lakes football conference teams.
Buffalo, of the Mississippi 8 Conference, and Willmar are in the same section and played most recently in the 2013 playoffs. The early Saturday opener follows two weeks of practice (starting Aug. 10), not the customary three weeks, and the need to start the season early to have TCF Bank Stadium available for Prep Bowl 2015.
District scheduling was brought in by the Minnesota State High School Leage to address scheduling problems while respecting rivalries and maintaining geographic and competitive considerations.
Willmar's 2015 football schedule: Aug. 22 vs Buffalo, Aug. 28 at Rocori, Sept. 4 vs. Brainerd, Sept. 11 at Alexandria, Sept. 18. at Apollo, Sept. 25 vs. Moorhead, Oct. 2 vs St. Cloud Tech, Oct. 8 at Sauk Rapids.
