Reclassification. The end of the Hogo?

In 1970, reclassification for the Virginia High School League meant one thing: order and unity. In 1970, all high school districts could operate under one massive umbrella of rules, regulation, scheduling, and championships. That has been the way for every bit of 38 years with changes here and changes there, but never veering far from the path laid out in 1970. In 1986, the VHSL proposed the idea of adding divisions to the football playoffs so to give smaller schools a chance to compete. That has been our standard for 22 years and has been working fairly well with few complaints. The same thing was added to basketball this past year where there were two A champions for the first time.

Now under this order, the laws laid out 40 years ago are becoming more rigid. Teams are finishing 9-1 and 8-2 and not getting to advance to playoffs. Division 2 schools that win state championships from southwest Virginia are now smaller than Division 1 schools from elsewhere that win. Reclassification is in order.

5A's of them.

Under the new umbrella, the breakdown would look similar to this for our region.

2A = 451-800 students
1A = 450 students and under

The current Pioneer district would lose James River:
James River, 2A
Parry McCluer, 1A
Bath County, 1A
Covington, 1A
Craig County, 1A
Highland, 1A

The current TRD would be mutilated:
Floyd, 2A
Giles, 2A
Glenvar, 2A
Radford, 2A
Auburn, 1A
East Mont, A1

The current MED would be spliced:
Grayson, 2A
Fort Chiswell, 2A
Bland, 1A
Galax, 1A
Narrows, 1A

The Hogoheegee would also be damaged:
Patrick Henry, 2A
George Wythe, 2A
Chilhowie, 1A
Holston, 1A
Northwood, 1A
Rural Retreat, 1A


This reclassification proposal suggests that the districts would be erased. Whereas I may be biased because I spend a lot of my time dedicated to the preservation of this district, its history, and its future... I don't like the idea. However, this reclassification would call for a new redistricting...in which case, this website would be likely to follow the original Hogoheegee cast (the remaining 1A schools).

New possible redistricting:
2A (District 1)
James River
Glenvar
Giles
Floyd
Radford

2A (District 2)
Grayson
Fort Chiswell
George Wythe
Patrick Henry
Lebanon

2A (District 3)
Gate City
Virginia
John Battle
Powell Valley
JJ Kelly

1A (District 4)
Parry McCluer
Bath County
Highland
Craig County
Covington

1A (District 5)
Narrows
East Mont
Auburn
Bland
Galax

1A (District 6 or Hogoheegee)
Chilhowie
Northwood
Holston
Rural Retreat
Honaker
Castlewood

1A (District 7)
Haysi
Hurley
Ervinton
Twin Valley
Rye Cove
Saint Paul
Twin Springs

1A (District 8)
Coeburn
Appalachia
Clintwood
JI Burton
Thomas Walker
Pound


WHO KNOWS!?