The decisions made by the Georgia High School Association's reclassification committee Tuesday are going to have a huge impact on most area high schools. The new classification cycle will introduce a six-classification system and, at the very least, mean a small transition for the majority of local programs.
School classifications for the next two years will be handed out and could see some local schools making a huge jump, none bigger than Class AAA Gainesville, which is projected to move up to Class AAAAA. Based on enrollment numbers, Habersham Central is projected to jump from Class AAAA and become the only Northeast Georgia school in Class AAAAAA.
However, some schools are likely to stay the same, even with the new sixth classification. Commerce, Lakeview Academy and Towns County will probably remain in Class A, while Jefferson and Union County should stay in Class AA, based on state FTE numbers.
Buford will likely jump into Class AAA, and could join a region with schools already in Class AAA, such as North Hall, West Hall and White County.
Chestatee, East Hall, Johnson and Lumpkin County are all likely going to bump up one classification from where they currently play.
Once classifications are set in stone, then the process for establishing region alignment will begin. Travel distance is one of the main considerations once the GHSA gets to that point in the process.
WHO'S READY FOR HOOPS?: With the high school football season dwindled down to a few programs, it's now time to switch some focus to high school basketball. Scrimmage games early in the week will give way to regular season games this weekend. On Tuesday, Banks County scrimmages Lumpkin County, Union County goes up against Chestatee and Johnson visits East Jackson, all in scrimmage action.
The regular season begins for many local programs Saturday.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Three local high school football programs, all in different classifications, are all that remains for local fans to follow in second round playoff games Friday. In Class AAAA, Flowery Branch (10-1) plays host to Thomas County Central (7-4) at Falcon Field. In Class AAA, Gainesville (10-1) draws Monroe-Albany (6-5) for the second round in Gainesville.
In Class AA, no surprise, top-ranked Buford (11-0) is still alive and plays host to Jefferson County (8-3) on Friday at Tom Riden Stadium.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: After a blowout win against Auburn on Saturday, Georgia continues its streak as one of the hottest college football program's in the nation. The Bulldogs (8-2) now have eight straight wins heading into Saturday's 12:30 p.m. game against Kentucky at Sanford Stadium.
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech (7-3) is on the opposite end of things. After winning six straight to start the season, the Yellow Jackets have dropped three of their last four. On Saturday, Georgia Tech faces Duke in Durham, N.C.