Recently, the Georgia High School Association released its preliminary breakdowns of classifications for the 2016-18 seasons.
    Wednesday night teams anxiously awaited to see where their school would fall under the GHSA reclassification.
    On Aug. 17 the executive committee of the GHSA agreed to adding a classification for the state’s largest schools and expanding the playoffs in its smallest class.
    The bylaw changes allow for more sports teams to experience the state playoffs.
    “I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Statesboro High School athletic director Chad Prosser. “This last region that we were in, the majority of teams were significantly larger than us.”
    Prosser said the reclassification will allow for a more even playing field amongst teams.
    The cut off for the new class, named the “big 44,” was initially 2,000 students, but was bumped to 2,092.
    The big 44 encompasses the largest 10 percent of schools in the state.
    For Statesboro High School, the reclassification could bode well for its athletic program, specifically football.
    In the past two seasons the Blue Devils’ football team finished with a combined record of 4-16.
    Under the new structure of classification, Effingham County, Richmond Hill, Glynn Academy and Coffee moved up to 6-AAAAAA. Statesboro, South Effingham and Ware County remained in 5-AAAAA.
    “We’re kind of excited we’ll be playing against teams of similar enrollments,” Prosser said. “We feel like our enrollments match up better with these schools. We do anticipate being in a much smaller region.”
    The region classification will not be released until Dec. 1. The GHSA reclassification committee will finalize and ratify the new classes and regions Jan. 13, 2016.
    Entering a smaller region has its benefits, but there are some drawbacks as well, added Prosser. Due to a smaller region, school officials will have to work at a non-region schedule that makes sense in terms of cost and distance traveled.
    “We have more games to fill with a smaller region,” Prosser said. “But there are more opportunities to be in state playoffs. We hope we get a region we can be competitive in and our students (don’t) have to travel too far.”
    With the reclassification, schools can appeal where they’re placed, but Prosser gave no indication the Blue Devils would appeal.
    Prosser said the larger the classification doesn’t necessarily mean more exposure for Statesboro High School athletes.
    “Especially in football, you don’t necessarily equate a higher classification with skill. Look at Buford,” Prosser said.
    Buford, along with Johnson, will join Class AAAAA.
    “The coaches have to go where the talent is. A higher class doesn’t equate to more exposure,” Prosser said.