The earlier-than-usual start to the regular season is one of two big one-time only changes to prep football this season.

The other is the Prep Bowl, to be played Nov. 13-14 at TCF Bank Stadium. That’s two weeks earlier than its usual slot — the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Conflicts with the Gophers schedule forced planners to move up the Prep Bowl. That change triggered discussion about trimming the regular-season schedule or shortening the playoffs by leaving out many teams. Instead, the Minnesota State High School League approved starting the season early, maintaining an eight-game schedule and starting the playoffs with all eligible teams.

Those scheduling challenges go away in 2016, when the Prep Bowl will be played in the new Vikings stadium.