Reclassification by the AHSAA right on cue:
GDW Analysis:
A common event by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) happens every two years.
Reclassification. The state goes through this process with schools either going up or down a classification, or like many, staying in their current class.
In football, the reclassification has caused five local schools to change in its regional format.
Cold Springs, Good Hope, Hanceville, Holly Pond and Vinemont see a different list of regional opponents, from what each had on the schedule for the last two years.
By a twist of fate, the regional schedule remains the same for the larger programs, Cullman, Fairview and West Point.
Gameday Weekly is analyzing each school in who will be facing them for regional games, when the season starts the weekend of
August 23.
Regional games will begin for most around September 6, the 3rd week of the schedule.
Cold Springs:
Eagles now in 2A, Region 6 with Cleveland, Falkville, Southeastern. Coosa Christian, Susan Moore and West End. A change for the Eagles with their former region consisting of Aliceville, Hale Co, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sulligent and Winston County.
Hanceville and Vinemont:
Both are paired in 3A, Region 5. Hanceville drops down to 3A after being in 4A football the last four years.
This region will have the Bulldogs and Eagles vs. Carbon Hill, Gordo, Midfield, Oakman, Phil Campbell and Winfield. Vinemont had been playing regional games with Susan Moore, Pennington, Brindlee Mountain, Madison Academy, Danville and Asbury before trhe reclassification.
Holly Pond:
Broncos head back to the 3A class following a 2 year run in the 2A level.
Holly Pond has been sent to Region 8 of 3A, sharing this with Asbury, Brindlee Mountain, Fyffe, Geraldine, Sylvania and Whitesburg Christian.
Good Hope:
Still a 4A program, Good Hope got sent to the West side of Central Alabama by the AHSAA.
The Raiders will be in Region 5 of 4A the next two seasons. They will face Cordova, Dora and Curry from Walker County, Fultondale, Fayette County, Haleyville and Hamilton. The past two years the Raiders were 4A Region 6 with Oneonta, Etowah, Ashville, Fultondale, Cherokee County.
Cullman:
Nothing new for the Bearcats in their region, 6A, Region 7 with one exception. Jasper moves from 5A to 6A and will deal with Cullman as well as Athens, Columbia, Decatur, Hartselle and Muscle Shoals. This group continues their intense on the gridiron as many games have been huge from the past two seasons.
Fairview & West Point:
The two teams that play in 5A, continue their battle with game counting in the region 7 standings.
Fairview and West Point the last two years have crossed regional paths with Ardmore, East Limestone, Lawrence County and Russellville.
The newcomer is Priceville, making the move to 5A for the first time in school history.
Very good traveling will be seen by all local teams when they have to go on the road for regional games.
Longest trips for the following will be:
Cold Springs: At Coosa Christian October 11
Cullman: At Muscle Shoals September 20
Fairview: At Ardmore September 13
Good Hope: At Fayette County October 18
Hanceville: At Winfield October 18
Holly Pond: At Sylvania September 6
Vinemont: At Phil Campbell September 6
West Point: At Ardmore October 25
Regional home opener for the following:
Cold Springs - Vs. Susan Moore September 6
Cullman - Vs. Athens September 6
Fairview - Vs. West Point September 6
Good Hope - Vs. Fultondale September 6
Hanceville - Vs. Oakman September 20
Holly Pond - Vs. Brindlee Mountain September 13
Vinemont - Vs. Carbon Hill September 20
West Point - Vs. Lawrence County September 13
File photo of a game between the Good Hope Raiders (red) and Vinemont Eagles from James Shabel Stadium.
Photo courtesy of Good Hope Raider football.
