With the new alignment in the northern Nevada football ranks, finalizing schedules has been an easier process than in the past for most teams.

In both the 3A and the 4A, teams have eight league games, which means to fill the schedule, coaches only have to find two non-league matchups.

It's always been harder for 3A teams to fill their schedules because of the smaller number of league opponents to begin with.

In fact, Sparks had two bye weeks during the 2007 season when most teams filled their bye weeks in order to play 10 regular season games. The Railroaders only had eight regular season games that year.

With the addition of South Tahoe, Fallon and Elko to the 3A, it was easy for Sparks football coach Rob Kittrell to complete the schedule. In non-league, the Railroaders will play Yerington, which drops back down to the 2A level this season and Wooster, which is playing an independent schedule.

"I only had to find two games. It was easy," Kittrell said. "There was one year where we only played eight games. I love it. It's very competitive and we've got 10 games. I couldn't ask for anything more."

Reed coach Ernie Howren also found scheduling easy and only needed to fill the opening night. The Raiders head to Granite Bay, Calif. Aug. 27 to take on one of the strongest programs in the Sacramento area.

The next week, Reed takes on Douglas in non-league action, rounding out the non-league portion of the schedule.

"I'm really excited about the schedule. We picked up two great non-league games," Howren said. "Douglas we know is always going to be tough. They're well coached and the kids are very intense. Then you have Granite Bay, which is an established program in the Sacramento area. They play with the likes of Grant, Folsom and Rocklin, who was in the state championship game last year. Granite Bay plays some of the best teams in Northern California."

With 11 teams in the Northern 4A, each team will not play two other teams in league play. Carson is the other team Reed won't challenge in league play.

But not everyone was so lucky with scheduling. Spanish Springs will only play nine games this season after not being able to fill its bye on Oct. 7. The bye came at a bad time because schools around Sacramento have already started league games and there was just no one available to play.

Last fall, the Cougars traveled to Salinas, Calif. but the trip cost $7,000 so that's not feasible to do every year either.

Spanish Springs opens up the season against North Valleys in non-league and also won't play Bishop Manogue in league play.

SSHS coach Scott Hare also sees another potential problem with the new system since not every team plays each other.

"I think at the end of the year you can start getting some triangles for playoffs, teams that didn't play each other but have the same records," Hare said. "Then it comes down to points scored against, and I don't like that setup. I'm happy that more than four teams are getting into the playoffs. I think that's good. I think it's tough when you're missing schools and then you have a tie between three teams. But we'll see. Colleges do this all the time."