PREP FOOTBALL: AHSAA shakes up regions in reclassification

In the weeks before the AHSAA’s realignment proposal for the 2010-12 seasons, Beulah coach Steve White expressed concern about his team spending the next two years in Class 4A.

The good news is the Bobcats avoided a jump up in class, which is determined by the schools’ regular enrollments, by three students. The bad news is one of 4A’s best just dropped down into Beulah’s region.

While the Bobcats stayed put in Region 3, Handley, Clay County and Leeds will all join them for the next two seasons, according to a realignment proposal accepted by the AHSAA’s Central Board in a Wednesday morning meeting.

Handley, a state semifinalist in 4A last year, finished this regular season 10-0 and ranked No. 2 in the state. Clay County, a 2A semifinalist last year, finished this regular season 9-1 and ranked No. 6. Leeds, the undefeated 3A champion last season, finished this regular season 8-2 and in a tie for sixth.

All three were undefeated region champions this year.

Beulah’s former Region 3 mates — Dadeville and LaFayette — will be gone next year.

Dadeville bumped back up to 4A and will play in Region 3 with Beauregard, who bumped back down after two years in 5A.

LaFayette will be a 2A team for the first time since 1977 and will move in with Lanett in Region 5. Reeltown is also moving into that region, and all three will be playing in the North for the next two years.

Valley, Tallassee and BTW all stayed put in 5A-Region 2, which will add Russell County to replace Beauregard.

Auburn High, Opelika, Smiths Station and Central all stayed in 6A-Region 3, which will have seven teams next year because of the Warriors moving down.

Loachapoka stayed in 1A — by one student — but switched from region 4 to 3. Its region remains the same — including Notasulga — except for the substitution of 2A playoff team Saint Jude for 1-9 Donoho.

In the new basketball alignment, Auburn returned to the fold with Opelika, Smiths Station and Central in Area 7.