Who plays who in 2024-2026 in GHSA? In the Georgia High School Association region alignments for 2024-2026, significant changes have been made to classifications for Savannah Area schools compared to the previous 2022-2024 regions. The GHSA consolidated schools from seven classifications to six, causing a big shakeup in competition for the next two years. Let's compare the changes in school reclassifications and region alignments, focusing on the shifts in team placements and the impact they might have on the competition.
AAAAAA Classification:
From 2022 to 2024, 7A-Region 1- included Camden County, Colquitt County, Lowndes, Richmond Hill, and Valdosta. From 2024 to 2026, 6A-Region 1- includes Camden County, Colquitt County, Lowndes, Richmond Hill, Tift County, and Valdosta. The addition of Tift County presents tougher challenges, changing the dynamics of the established teams.
AAAAA Classification:
In the 6A classification, Region 2 comprised Brunswick, Effingham County, Evans, Glynn Academy, Grovetown Lakeside Evans and South Effingham. In the 5A classification, for the last two years, 2022-2024 was Bradwell Institute, Coffee, Greenbrier, Jenkins, Statesboro, and Ware County were in Region 1 AAAAA.
For 2024-2026, In 5A-Region 1 AAAAA, we now see Bradwell Institute, Brunswick, Effingham County, Evans, Glynn Academy, Greenbrier, Lakeside Evans, South Effingham, and Statesboro.
Notable Changes: Coffee and Jenkins have dropped down into other classifications, while Brunswick, Effingham County, Evans, Glynn Academy, and South Effingham have moved from 6A-Region 2 to 5A Region 1. Consolidating these teams in this region makes this a more competitive region by keeping rivalries and increasing competitiveness.
AAAA Classification:
In the 4A classification for 2022-2024, Region 3 AA included Benedictine, Burke County, Islands, New Hampstead, Southeast Bulloch, and Wayne County.
In 2024-2026, Class 4A-Region 1 AAAA will add Perry and Warner Robins to its lineup alongside Benedictine, New Hampstead, Ware County, and Wayne County. Adding two teams, like Perry and Warner Robins, raises the competition level in this region.
AAA Classification:
The 3A Classification from 2022-2024 in Region 3 featured Beach, Calvary Day School, Groves, Sol C. Johnson, Liberty County, Long County, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, and St. Vincents Academy. Forward to 2024-2026, this region now includes Beach, Calvary Day School, Groves, Islands, Jenkins, Sol C. Johnson, Liberty County, Long County, Southeast Bulloch, and Windsor Forest.
Islands Jenkins Southeast Bulloch and Windsor Forest have joined this mix. At the same time, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, and St.Vincents Academy moved to Class A. Class 3A-Region 3 expansion has made it one of the regions likely to lead to increased competition.
AA Classification:
In the 2A classification,2022-2024, the schools in Class 2A-Region 3 AA were Appling County, Brantley County, Pierce County, Savannah Arts Academy, Tattnall County, Toombs County, Vidalia, and Windsor Forest.
In 2024-2026, the current Class 2A-Region 3 includes Appling County, Cook County, Crisp County, Pierce County, Savannah Arts Academy, and Tattnall County.
Changes that occurred include adding Cook County and Crisp County to the region and moving Brantley County, Toombs County, Vidalia, and Windsor Forest to other classifications. This restructuring introduces competition that could impact the balance of power within the region.
A Division I Classification:
In the A Division I classification, 2022-2024, Region 3 A Division I consisted of Bryan County, Claxton, Metter, Savannah High, Screven County, and Woodville Tompkins.
What happens in 2024-2026? The Region 3 A Division I schools are Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, St. Vincents Academy, Swainsboro, Toombs County, Vidalia, and Woodville Tompkins.
Notable changes have occurred in the alignment with Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, Swainsboro, Toombs County, and Vidalia, which are now in the region. Meanwhile, Bryan County, Claxton, Metter, Savannah High, and Screven County are no longer part of this region and have moved to Class A Division II.
A Division II Classification:
From 2022-2024, Class A Region 3-A Division II included Emanuel County Institute, Jenkins County, McIntosh County Academy, Montgomery County, Portal, Savannah Classical, Savannah Early College, and Steam Academy.
In 2024-2026, Region 3-A Division II will include Bryan County, Claxton, Emanuel County Institute, Jenkins County, McIntosh County Academy, Metter, Portal, Savannah, Savannah Classical, Savannah Early College, Screven County, and Steam Academy.
The changes are Bryan County, Claxton, Metter, and Screven County have joined, while Montgomery County has moved out. The increase from 8 to 12 teams means there will be a larger competition, possibly with a more complex playoff qualification process.
The GHSA 2024-2026 region alignments were finalized in November of 2023 to promote competition, adapt to changing school demographics, and reduce travel time. This reclassification is expected to introduce rivalries, rearrange the schools within regions, and give teams chances to succeed in their revised classifications.
GHSA 2024-2026 Region Alignments
(*) Schools Not Playing Football
AAAAAA
Region 1-AAAAAA (6)
Camden County
Colquitt County
Lowndes
Richmond Hill
Tift County
Valdosta
AAAAA
Region 1-AAAAA (9)
Bradwell Institute
Brunswick
Effingham County
Evans
Glynn Academy
Greenbrier
Lakeside, Evans
South Effingham
Statesboro
AAAA
Region 1-AAAA (6)
Benedictine
New Hampstead
Perry
Ware County
Warner Robins
Wayne County
AAA
Region 3-AAA (10)
Beach
Calvary Day School
Groves
Islands
Jenkins
Johnson, Savannah
Liberty County
Long County
Southeast Bulloch
Windsor Forest
AA
Region 3-AA (6)
Appling County
Cook
Crisp County
Pierce County
Savannah Arts Academy*
Tattnall County
A Division I
Region 3-A Division I (7)
Savannah Christian
Savannah Country Day
St. Vincent's Academy*
Swainsboro
Toombs County
Vidalia
Woodville-Tompkins*
A Division II
3-A Division II (12)
Bryan County
Claxton
Emanuel County Institute
Jenkins County
McIntosh County Academy
Metter
Portal
Savannah
Savannah Classical*
Savannah Early College*
Screven County
Steam Academy*
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