Dinwiddie (Photo: Mike Caudill/recruit804)
The new VHSL alignment would last four years and start in the 2019-2020 school year
by Andy Hilton, recruit757
We originally discussed the initial plan for reclassification back in early June. We noted then that there would be a significant impact on some regions, including the realignment of Class 6 that would lead to three Northern Virginia regions and only one region of programs outside NoVA.
The Regions in Class 6 are almost exactly what we expected, with a twist. We’ll cover that in a moment.
On Wednesday morning, the VHSL released the almost complete and final version of realignment, including the plans for regions and districts.
“Since there were two classes that did not settle on a definitive plan to move forward, the Alignment Committee scheduled an additional meeting for July 25 at the VHSL Office,” said VHSL Communications Director Mike McCall via the press release. “Also, there were several district requests that were tabled until the districts could vote. These votes have now taken place and the committee will act on these requests at the July 25 meeting.”
So, short of any last minute changes, we have the full plan for realignment that will start in the fall of 2019.
Class 6 is made up of three Northern Virginia regions. The fourth region, Region A, is split into an East/West alignment so that 757 teams are together and Richmond/Fredericksburg teams are together for the initial rounds of the playoffs. Remember, some teams that are currently in Class 6 have dropped down to Class 5. There are quite a few Northern Virginia Class 5 programs that are moving up to Class 6.
These classifications are for the postseason only. Districts will provide the basis for regular season scheduling.
Class 6 – Region A (53 teams)
6A East
Grassfield
Kellam
Landstown
Ocean Lakes
Oscar Smith
Tallwood
Western Branch
6A West
Colonial Forge
Cosby
Thomas Dale
Franklin County
James River (Midlothian)
Massaponax
Riverbend
All other Class 6 teams are in Region B, C or D and all are in Northern Virginia. We’re providing a link at the bottom of this article so that you can see the details.
Region 6B
Battlefield
John Champe
Colgan
Forest Park
Freedom (PW)
Gar-Field
Hylton
Stonewall Jackson (Manassas)
Osbourn
Osbourn Park
Patriot
Potomac
Woodbridge
Region 6C
Annandale
Thomas Edison
Fairfax
Falls Church
Hayfield
Justice (formerly J.E.B. Stuart)
Lake Braddock
Robinson
Mount Vernon
South County
West Potomac
West Springfield
T.C. Williams
W.T. Woodson
Region 6D
Centreville
Chantilly
Herndon
James Madison
George Marshall
McLean
Oakton
South Lakes
Wakefield
Washington-Lee
Westfield
Yorktown
Class 5 has the most teams in Region A in order to keep the 757 teams together. There are 18 teams in Region A, 17 teams in Region B (all 804) and 18 programs spread across Regions C and D.
Class 5 (53 schools)
Region 5A
Bayside
Bethel
Cox
Deep Creek
Gloucester
Granby
Green Run
Hickory
Indian River
Kecoughtan
Kempsville
Maury
Nansemond River
Norview
Princess Anne
Salem
Woodside
Region 5B
Atlee
L.C. Bird
Clover Hill
Deep Run
Douglas Freeman
Glen Allen
Mills Godwin
Henrico
Hermitage
Highland Springs
Manchester
Matoaca
Meadowbrook
Midlothian
Prince George
J.R. Tucker
Varina
Region 5C
Briar Woods
Broad Run
Freedom (LC)
Thomas Jefferson (S/T)
Langley
R.E. Lee (Springfield)
Potomac Falls
Riverside
Stone Bridge
Woodgrove
Region 5D
Albemarle
Brooke Point
William Fleming
Harrisonburg
Patrick Henry (Roanoke)
Mountain View
North Stafford
Stafford
Compared to Class 5 and 6, there are fewer changes in the remaining classes, 4 through 1.
In Class 4, Region 4A sees the addition of Hampton, Menchville and Warwick. All three schools dropped down from Class 5. The entire region is made from schools in the 757.
Region 4B is almost exclusively made of schools in the 804 region, with Lee-Davis, Orange County and Spotsylvania moving in.
In Region 3A, Lafayette moves in after dropping down from Class 4. Prior to the previous realignment, Lafayette had been a Class 3 team.
Region 3B is spread broadly from the Richmond area to the Shenandoah Valley, to the DC suburbs. Central Woodstock, Goochland, George Mason and Maggie Walker (no football) move in. Also moving in is Independence High School, which is a new build in Loudoun County.
Class 2 sees few changes with Thomas Jefferson (Richmond) moving down to Region 2A along with John Marshall. Windsor moves up from Class 1.
Other than a couple of departures, Class 1 is basically unchanged.
Click here for the VHSL Alignment Plan.
Click here for the 2019-2023 VHSL District Plan.
– Andy Hilton
