The GHSA reclassification cycle has morphed over the years with new classifications, enrollment multipliers and private/public splits being adopted into the latest arrangement. These new additions all come following proposals, debates and votes. During this latest cycle, the GHSA was already set to get rid of Class 7A, but the final landscape was not settled until a debate was had over the private versus public dynamic. Ultimately, on Monday the GHSA approved for the first time that a brand new Class A-3A private championship would be handed out moving forward next school year.
Private schools in classes 3A-A will be playing for state championships separate from public schools beginning in 2024-25. The GHSA’s reclassification committee voted 12-2 on Sunday to recommend the plan to the 75-member executive committee before it became official on Monday. The plan will keep private and public schools together in region play during the regular season but separate them for the playoffs. Power ratings would seed the playoffs for public and private schools. The public schools would have championships in 3A, 2A, A Division I and A Division II. Private schools will have a single championship in 3A-A.
A 3A/A division will resemble the old Class A model that existed from 2012-13 to 2019-20, when publics and privates were together for region play but separated for the playoffs.
The 3A/A might also take in some larger schools, especially if Class 4A members such as Westminster and Lovett fall back into 3A when new enrollment figures come in. There currently are 23 football-playing private schools in 3A to A.
Here is a look back on how the power rating system worked.
The region champions will then receive a seed at the top of the bracket based on the order of the power rankings according to the GHSA’s plan. The seeding will breakdown much like the NCAA’s basketball seeding in 1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, etc., with the better seed hosting through the semifinal round. Once the region champions are seeded out based on power rankings, the rest of the field will be determined using a new formula consisting of strength of schedule, opponent’s classification and several other factors. A three-step tiebreaker system is also in place to help the committee with the ranking.
The split was necessary after nearly 40 south Georgia Class A public schools threatened to pull out of the GHSA after the most recent batch of reclassification as they felt the private schools had too much of an advantage. Many private school ADs and coaches have expressed displeasure of the playoff split including Athens Christian’s Ron Link and Savannah Christian Prep’s Donald Chumley. Said Link of the split, “I think the reclassification was done in a rush to satisfy the south Georgia schools who have a problem with the ‘private and Christian’ schools.”
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