(Radio Iowa) — The Heart of America Conference has approved a nine game football schedule for the upcoming season. The move comes after the NAIA moved to alter the length of fall sports seasons. The league has two divisions for football and utilized an 11-game conference schedule.

That’s William Penn coach Todd Hafner. He says the changes only effect two crossover games and not division games.

Hafner says he is thrilled they have a nine game season.

The Statesmen will open September 12 at MidAmerica Nazarene. Iowa schools Grand View, Clarke and Graceland are members of the Hear of America Conference.