AHSAA adopts new seven-class system

The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has made the most sweeping change to its classification system since 1984.

The Central Board of Control for the AHSAA approved the move from six classifications to seven classifications creating a “Super Seventh” classification of the state’s 32 largest schools.  The ripple effects of the new classification will be wide reaching affecting all local schools scheduling for the next two years.

Locally, the two biggest changes will come with Tharptown’s move from 1A to 2A and Russellville, which remained 5A, losing many of their football region rivals including Muscle Shoals which jumped to 6A.

Tharptown is the smallest 2A school in the state with an average daily attendance of 144.85.  The largest 1A school is Billingsley with and ADA of 144.70.

Phil Campbell and Red Bay both remain 2A schools and will be in a football region with Tharptown, Sulligent, Cherokee, Hatton and Mars Hill (playing varsity football for the first time).

Belgreen and Vina will remain 1A.

Here are the Franklin County schools and their average daily attendance:

5A – Russellville (473.50)

2A – Phil Campbell (181.20)

2A – Red Bay (152.9)

2A – Tharptown (144.85)

1A – Belgreen (97.7)

1A – Vina (78.35)

The new region alignments that affect Franklin County schools are as follows:

FOOTBALL:

5A – Region 8

Russellville, Ardmore, Columbia, East Limestone, J.O. Johnson, Lawrence County, Pope John Paul II, West Point

2A – Region 8

Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Tharptown, Cherokee, Mars Hill, Hatton, Sulligent

1A – Region 8

Vina, Decatur Heritage, Hackleburg, R.A. Hubbard, Phillips, Shoals Christian, Waterloo

VOLLEYBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL and SOFTBALL:

5A – Area 14

Fairview, Lawrence County, Russellville, West Point

2A – Area 15

Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Sulligent

2A – Area 16

Cherokee, Hatton, Mars Hill, Tharptown

1A – Area 15

Belgreen, Covenant Christian, Hackleburg, Phillips, Vina

The full reclassification breakdown can be found here.