Hockinson families may have recently read about the football-only merger involving the 2 Greater St. Helens League, to which Hockinson belongs:
Football merger of 2A Greater St. Helens League, 2A Evergreen Conference will go forward after decision by District Directors (January 29 The Columbian)
Appeal denied: Tumwater crash-lands into 2A GSHL, Merger with 2A EvCo is on
(January 29 The News-Tribune)
Here is the backstory:
On January 6, 2026 the Evergreen 2A Conference (EVCO) submitted a formal appeal to join the 2A Greater St. Helens League (GSHL) for football only, for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. EVCO contended that a merger with the GSHL would help to address the multiple challenges they faced due to their league dropping from five to four member schools. 2A GSHL Athletic Directors reviewed the request on January 7 and voted to deny it.
EVCO then appealed that decision to District 4. On January 15th, the District 4 Executive members approved the appeal and directed the GSHL to move forward with a league merger.
Under WIAA policy, this decision can be appealed to the State District Directors within ten business days. GSHL appealed the decision to the State District Directors who met on January 27 to hear the case. The District Directors heard the reasoning for the EvCo Conference’s merger with the 2A Greater St. Helens in football only. Documents stating the rationale, possible scheduling solutions, and testimony was submitted and clarifying questions were asked of EVCO representatives.
The 2A GSHL League President presented our league’s position that this move created a disruption and hardship for GSHL schools. Questions were asked and responded to by both parties. Ultimately, 2A GSHL Athletic Directors accepted the District 4 Executive Board decision to combine the EVCO and GSHL in football only with the recommendation they work together on scheduling, effective January 30, 2026.
A committee, with representation from WIAA District 4 and the GSHL and EvCo Leagues, is currently working together to create a two-year schedule for the 12-team league and playoff agreement for District 4 allocations. The group is committed to working through this process in a timely manner so that schools can plan accordingly for fall season games and events.
The revised schedules will be made available to Hockinson families as soon as they are finalized.