Reclassification Series Proposal PART IV: How Classes 3A, 2A and 1A could look like

Like we did in Parts II & III we showed you how the districts would look like for a new Class 7A all the way down to Class 4A. Now we will focus on what will be the three smallest classes going from Class 3A down to Class 1A. Class 3A and Class 2A will combine the smaller schools together, but hopefully close the enrollment gaps we see now. Class 1A maintains the rural classification rules, which has proven to be one of the most popular moves the FHSAA has ever made when it comes to things involving the classifications.

There are several things to keep in mind here:

• We try to place teams as close together as possible.
• The reduction of many two, three and four team districts is a goal in this series. The fewer the better, but not always avoidable.
• We did not count very many independents on emerging from that status come reclassification time. Teams that dropped out this off-season are not counted as well, believe to have to sit out at least two years from district play due to breaking contracts for those district games.
• All-boys schools Jesuit (Tampa), Belen Jesuit and Columbus have had their enrollments doubled as required by FHSAA rules.
• Enrollment data used for this research comes from the 2013 FHSAA student population report.  These numbers could change some things this fall, but most schools are expected to stay around the same enrollment numbers, based upon growth rates in most areas.

What would a Class 3A look like?

The new Class 3A could look very similar to what the current Class 3A is, but there will be some differences.

• Pensacola Catholic, could play in its proper class with a Panhandle district that matches them school size wise with several other quality panhandle programs.
• South Florida would get the rare three team district, by the do just of the geographic nature and very few teams in South Florida willing to compete at the 3A level at this time.
• Some teams close to the 600 mark in 3A could find their way in to Class 1A rural, if their Fall 2014 numbers were to fall to 600 or below. Those include Union County (which is already a member, but at this time is above the numbers for 1A rural), Taylor County and Fort White.
• It is possible that Bishop Verot and possibly Lake Placid could apply for geographic isolation if the criteria is met by both programs.

District 1: Florida High, Marianna, North Bay Haven Charter, Pensacola Catholic, Walton
District 2: Fort White, Interlachen, P.K. Yonge,  Taylor County, Trinity Catholic, Union County, Villages
District 3: Andrew Jackson, Baldwin, Bishop Snyder, Duval Charter, Episcopal, Providence, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)
District 4: Cocoa Beach, Father Lopez, The First Academy (Orlando), Holy Trinity, Jones, Lake Highland Prep, Melbourne Central Catholic, Trinity Prep
District 5: Berkeley Prep, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Lake Placid, Lakeland Christian, Tampa Catholic
District 6: Bishop Verot, Calvary Christian (Clearwater), Cardinal Mooney, Clearwater Central Catholic, St. Petersburg Catholic
District 7: American Heritage (Delray Beach), Cardinal Newman, Inlet Grove, John Carroll, Oxbridge Academy, Pahokee
District 8: Chaminade-Madonna, University School, Westminster Christian

Map of Class 3A

What could Class 2A look like?

It should not be surprising that Class 2A looks like the current Class 2A, but with a few more teams added to the mix.

• Most districts will look the same as they are now.
• The elimination of the two team district in Tallahassee can be done, however it would remain to be seen if these teams actually stay together or force that district back to two teams. If that happens then a wildcard scenario would be recommended for Region I of Class 2A, thus eliminating the automatic playoff berths that have been given out to this district over the last four years.

District 1: Aucilla Christian, FAMU, Maclay, North Florida Christian, Rocky Bayou Christian
District 2: Cedar Creek Christian, Christ’s Church Academy, Eagle’s View,  Harvest Community, Oak Hall, St. Joseph, University Christian
District 3: Agape Christian, Cornerstone Charter, Foundation Academy, Orangewood Christian, Trinity Christian (Deltona), Warner Christian
District 4: Cambridge Christian, Carrollwood Day, Citrus Park Christian, Victory Christian
District 5: Admiral Farragut, Bradenton Christian, Canterbury (St. Petersburg), Indian Rocks Christian, Northside Christian, Out-of-Door
District 6: Evangelical Christian, First Baptist (Naples), Moore Haven, St. John Neumann
District 7: Glades Day, Jupiter Christian, St. Edward’s, Village Academy
District 8: Boca Raton Christian, Champagnat, Coral Springs Christian, Dade Christian

Map of Class 2A

What could Class 1A look like?

Class 1A would look pretty much like it does, give or take a different team or two, but the districts you see now would likely look the same way, with just a few differences.

District 1: Baker, Freeport, Jay, Northview
District 2: Cottondale, Graceville, Sneads, Vernon, Wewahitchka
District 3: Blountstown, Bozeman, Chipley, Holmes County, South Walton
District 4: Franklin County, Liberty County, Port St. Joe, West Gadsden
District 5: Branford, Hamilton County, Jefferson County, Lafayette
District 6: Bell, Bronson, Hawthorne, Hilliard, Trenton
District 7: Chiefland, Dixie County, Madison County, Newberry, Williston
District 8: Baldwin, Crescent City, Taylor (Pierson), Wildwood

Map of Class 1A

Your thoughts?

Comment below or share your thoughts on The Varsity Message Board on our series.

Part V will be released tomorrow explaining the proposed capped point system for breaking district ties..

The Reclassification Series Proposal
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V