MHSAA announces new classification realignment
The Mississippi High School Activities Association announced their initial classification realignment for 2025-2027 on Tuesday night, with some major changes coming for area schools.
MHSAA classification is based on school enrollment numbers and determines football, basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball region opponents for the next three years.
While Germantown and Madison Central will be staying in Region 2-7A, they will see a couple of new region opponents in the coming years. Region 2-7A will also keep Clinton and Starkville, but will add Oxford and Murrah. Tupelo will be the only team moving out of Region 2-7A, as they will shift to Region 1-7A.
In 6A, Ridgeland will be remaining in Region 2-6A, while Canton will move into the region after moving up from 5A. Region 2-6A will also consist of familiar opponents Callaway, Neshoba Central, and Warren Central. The other new face in the region other than Canton will be Greenville, with Vicksburg and Columbus moving down to 5A.
St. Andrew’s will move from 2A to 3A, making the move with previous region opponent Pisgah. The Saints will play in Region 5-3A and will be matched up with Quitman, Southeast Lauderdale, Union, and Pisgah. St. Andrew’s previously played in 3A from 2008-2020.
The final move-up involving area teams will be Velma Jackson moving from 1A to 2A. The Falcons will move into a loaded Region 4-2A, with all new region opponents. Velma Jackson will be matched up with East Webster, Eupora, Kemper County, and Philadelphia for the next three years in region play. The Falcons lost in the football state title game last year and are the favorites in 1A this season so far, while going 13-1 in region play over the last three years, so this region will be a major step-up for all sports, but especially football.
These changes will be a major shift for area teams, with an increase in reported enrollment numbers from these schools and will increase the competition level for at least the next three years for a majority of area teams in football, basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball.