News: VHSL Takes Another Step on Road to Overhaul of Classification and Playoff System

(Aug. 16, 2012) - The Virginia High School League's R&R Committee and Ad Hoc Conference Committee met last week to take action on requests received from member schools in regards to their district and conference assignments in the proposed 2013-15 two-year cycle.

There was no movement for any Loudoun-based schools from the proposed plan, which switches Virginia basically from a 3-classification model to six classifications for almost all sports. 

If passed, Loudoun schools would be place in the following districts and conferences under the revamped playoff system:

For regular-season play

Liberty District: Stone Bridge with Fairfax, Langley, Madison, Marshall, McLean, South Lakes, TJ

Dulles District: Champe, Dominion, Heritage, Loudoun County, Loudoun Valley, Park View, Woodgrove

Potomac District: Briar Woods, Broad Run, Freedom, Potomac Falls, Tuscarora

For postseason play (all teams advance to conference tournaments)
5A North: Conference 14: Briar Woods, Broad Run, Freedom, Potomac Falls, Stone Bridge, Tuscarora
4A North Conference 21: Dominion, Heritage, Loudoun County, Park View, Woodgrove with Handley, James Wood, Millbrook and Sherando.
3A East Conference 28: Champe, Loudoun Valley with Central-Woodstock, Skyline, Warren County and William Monroe

Action VHSL took last week on the requests to districts and conferences:

Action of R&R (District) Change Requests

Carroll County requests that Franklin County not be in River Ridge District – Denied 2-10.

Chesterfield Community requests change from Central District to Tidewater District – Approved 12-0.

Deep Creek requests change from 4A to 5A classification – Moved to conference request.

Franklin County requests to remain in River Ridge District – No action; school remains in River Ridge.

R. E. Lee (Staunton) requests change from Valley District to Shenandoah District – Denied 1-11.

Marion requests change from Clinch Mountain District to Hogoheegee District – Denied 3-9.

Park View (South Hill) requests change from James River District to Tri-Rivers District – Approved 12-0.

Pulaski County requests that Franklin County not be in River Ridge District – Denied 1-11.

Region D requests changes to its districts as follows – Denied – 4-5-3.

                Black Diamond stays as is:  Council, Grundy, Haysi, Honaker, Hurley and Twin Valley.

                Clinch Mountain District:  Remove Marion, Richlands and Tazewell; move Lebanon and Lee

to new district (see below for Lonesome Pine District); a new district to be named later (“District 2” for now) would be Abingdon, John Battle, Gate City and Virginia High Schools – the remaining schools from old Clinch Mountain.

                Cumberland District:  Keep Castlewood, Eastside, Rye Cove, Twin Springs and Thomas Walker;

                eliminate Ervinton, which has been closed; add Clintwood and J. I. Burton.

Lonesome Pine District:  Eliminate in favor of a new district to be named later (“District 1” for now) comprising:  Central (Wise), Lebanon, Lee and Union.

Action of Conference Change Requests

Bath County requests move from Conference 44 to Conference 45 – Approved 8-3-1.

Bland requests move from Conference 46 to Conference 45 – Approved 11-1.

Carroll County requests better balance in 4A-North Conferences (between Conference 23 and 24) – Considered with Pulaski County request; denied 0-10-2.

Colonial Heights requests move from Conference 26 to Conference 25 – Approved 12-0.

Deep Creek requests change from 4A to 5A and move from 4A Conference 17 to 5A Conference 10 – Denied 0-12.

Fairfax requests move from Conference 5 to Conference 6 – Approved 11-0-1.

Patrick Henry (Glade Spring) requests move from Conference 46 to Conference 47 – Denied 0-11-1.

Monticello requests move from Conference 30 to Conference 29 – Approved 12-0.

Pulaski County requests better balance in 4A-North Conferences, moving Jefferson Forest and E. C. Glass from Conference 24 to Conference 23 – Denied 0-10-2.

Region II schools request better balance in 4A South and North; see old version and proposal attached – Motion to change Sherando from Conference 21 to Conference 22 – Died for lack of a second.

Staunton River requests change from Conference 30 to Conference 31; the Blue Ridge District and Region III support this request, through attached letter from William Byrd – Denied 2-10.

NOTE 1:  Because of changes from September 30 to March 31 numbers the following changes are necessary (new placements noted):

William Fleming from 5A to 4A (possible move from Conference 16 to Conference 24) – Approved 12-0.

Patrick Henry (Ashland) from 4A to 5A (possible move from Conference 20 to Conference 11; however, schools themselves may wish to align Conference 11 and 12 for greater balance) – Approved 12-0.

Warhill from 4A to 3A (possible move from Conference 19 to Conference 25) -- Approved 12-0.

Washington & Lee from 2A to 1A (possible move from Conference 33 to Conference 43) -- Approved 12-0.

NOTE 3:  Beach District renews its opposition to proposed six classes.