If area high school football teams are fortunate enough to play for state championships in the near future, they might not have to travel very far to do so.

Beginning in 2013 and continuing in odd years through 2021, Huskie Stadium on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb will be the host site for the eight title games. The games will remain at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in Champaign in even years (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020).

The variation in schedule was necessitated by a change in the Big Ten Conference football schedule that will have Illinois playing home games on the IHSA state final weekend in odd years.