MONTGOMERY – Changes have been made by the Alabama High School Athletic Association when the Central Board of Control announced Wednesday reclassification for the next two years beginning in the final.
A seventh classification was added with the 32 largest schools by student enrollment making up the new setup.
This is the first time since 1984-85 when the AHSAA went from four classes at that time to six.
Locally, changes are involved in the schools in Cullman County. Cullman High School is now a 6A program and will compete in football in Region 8 with Athens, Austin, Decatur, Hartselle, Florence and Muscle Shoals.
West Point remains in Class 5A but has a different region than from the previous two seasons. The Warriors are in Region 8 and have Ardmore, Columbia, J.O. Johnson, Lawrence County, Pope John Paul and Russellville to face. Columbia, Johnson and John Paul are schools based out of the Huntsville area.
Fairview moved up to Region 7 of 5A and is joined by Boaz, Butler, Douglas, Etowah, Guntersville, Madison County and Randolph. Douglas and Guntersville have been regular region opponents for the Aggies the last four years.
On to 4A is the Good Hope Raiders. The Raiders are in Region 7 with defending state champion Oneonta along with DAR, J.B. Pennington, Locust Fork, North Jackson, Priceville and Westminster Christian. Oneonta, Pennington and Locust Fork come out of Blount County and return to the Raiders' schedule for the first time in many seasons.
Hanceville, Holly Pond and Vinemont are teamed together in 3A, Region 5 with Susan Moore, Winfield, Winston County and Oakman. This is good for three county teams with the Bulldogs getting to face the Broncos back on the gridiron while the Eagles and Broncos are playing for the first time in over half a decade.
Cold Springs gets defending state champion Tanner as part of 2A, Region 6. The Eagles resume rivalries with Addison and Falkville and will have other regional battles vs. Southeastern, Sumiton Christian and Tarrant. Tarrant was once a solid 4A program from Jefferson County and now has dropped to 2A with a decrease in enrollment from the previous reclassification.
While the sport of football will remain regional play, the other sports will continue to compete in area games. The area and sectional alignments under the new reclassification will be announced on May 1st according to a report from the AHSAA.
