2A GSHL Finalizes 12-Team Football Format

New three-division structure set for upcoming season

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:22pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a high school football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a variety of blue, gold, orange, and crimson colors representing the teams in the new 2A GSHL league.The new geographic divisions and crossover schedule of the expanded 2A GSHL football league aim to balance competition and reduce travel burdens for schools.Ridgefield Today

The newly expanded 2A Greater St. Helens League has finalized its football structure and scheduling for the upcoming 2026 season, solidifying a geographic, three-division format with 12 teams divided into North, Central, and South divisions.

Why it matters

The 2A GSHL merger with the 2A Evergreen Conference has created a larger, more competitive football league in Southwest Washington, requiring a new divisional format to accommodate the expanded number of teams. The geographic divisions aim to reduce travel time and costs for schools, while the crossover schedule will maintain rivalries and provide a balanced slate of opponents.

The details

Under the new format, teams will primarily compete within their division while also facing select crossover opponents from the other divisions to complete a full league schedule. Six 2A GSHL teams will face either perennial powers Tumwater or W.F. West, but not both, as part of their league schedule.

  • The 12-team 2A GSHL football format was finalized on April 3, 2026.
  • The new three-division structure will take effect starting in the 2026 football season.

The players

2A Greater St. Helens League

A high school athletic conference in Southwest Washington that recently expanded from 10 to 12 teams after merging with the 2A Evergreen Conference.

Brynan Shipley

The league president and athletic director at Ridgefield High School.

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What they’re saying

“Six 2A GSHL teams — Columbia River, Hockinson, Mark Morris, Ridgefield, Washougal, and Woodland — will face either perennial powers Tumwater or W.F. West as part of their league schedule for 2026, but not both teams.”

— Brynan Shipley, League President and Ridgefield Athletic Director

What’s next

The new 12-team, three-division 2A GSHL football format will be implemented starting in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The expanded 2A GSHL has created a more geographically-focused and competitively balanced football league in Southwest Washington, reducing travel burdens while maintaining key rivalries through a crossover schedule.