AHSAA classifications remain same, regions change
The Alabama High School Athletic Association released the new classifications Dec. 17. All Franklin County schools will remain in the same classifications; however, all football regions and volleyball regions have changed.
The two largest schools in the state are Class 7A Hoover High School, with an average daily attendance of 2,126.15, and Auburn High School, with an ADA of 2034.80.
Locally, all schools remained in the same classification.
Russellville remains in the top tier of Class 5A with an ADA of 513.65. That ranks the Golden Tigers as the 15th largest 5A school in the state. The largest school in Class 5A is Ramsay, with an ADA of 566.70. The smallest school in Class 5A is Pleasant Grove, with an ADA of 374.10.
Phil Campbell is in the middle tier of Class 3A, 34th, with an ADA of 249.94. The largest Class 3A school in the state is East Lawrence with an ADA of 282.9. The smallest school in Class 3A is Clements with an ADA of 221.55.
Red Bay is in the upper tier of Class 2A with an ADA of 197.9, while Tharptown is in the lower tier of Class 2A with an ADA of 170.75. The largest school in Class 2A is Clarke County with an ADA of 221.45. The smallest school is Mars Hill with an ADA of 143.98; ADA at private schools such as Mars Hill count more than public school.
Belgreen is in the upper tier of Class 1A with an ADA of 132, while Vina is in the bottom tier with an ADA of 68.
Choctaw County is the largest Class 1A school in the state with an ADA of 143.1, and the smallest school is University Charter School with an ADA of 36.53.
Most all of the football and volleyball regions have changed. Of note in the volleyball regions is Red Bay High School. Red Bay will be starting a varsity volleyball program next year and will compete in Class 2A, Region 10, with Tharptown.
The new football regions will go into effect in August 2020 and will remain in place for two seasons:
• Class 1A, Region 8: Cherokee, Decatur Heritage, Hackleburg, Phillips, R.A. Hubbard, Shoals Christian, Vina and Waterloo
• Class 2A, Region 8: Colbert County, Hatton, Lexington, Mars Hill, Red Bay, Sheffield and Tharptown
• Class 3A, Region 8: Clements, Colbert Heights, Danville, East Lawrence, Elkmont, Lauderdale County and Phil Campbell
• Class 5A, Region 8: Ardmore, Brewer, East Limestone, Lawrence County, Lee-Huntsville, Mae Jemison and Russellville
The new volleyball areas will go into effect in August 2020 and will remain in place for two seasons:
• Class 1A, Area 14: Belgreen, Hackleburg, Phillips and R.A. Hubbard High School
• Class 2A, Area 10: Lamar County, Red Bay, Sulligent and Tharptown
• Class 5A, Area 15: Lawrence County, Madison Academy and Russellville
Basketball areas will be released in April, while baseball, softball and other spring sports’ areas will be released in late May or early June.
