Here's my annual attempt at trying to fix the problem with the VHSL divisions. I think a reasonable compromise is to divide the classes at the state level, then group the schools into new "regions" for playoff purposes only.
This limits travel by keeping schools together based on geography and ensures that the true smaller half of schools in each class compete for the same state title. No more Riverheads or Buffalo Gap getting to play in D-1 when they would be in D-2 anywhere else.
I used the enrollment numbers on the VHSL website "2007 and 2008 Football Divisions". The largest 44 football schools in Group A are in Division 2, with the smallest 45 in Division 1. The districts themselves stay the same as they are now and district champs would still advance to the playoffs in whatever Division they play in with remaining slots filled by the teams with the highest VHSL ratings.
DIVISION 1
*****REGION D (11 schools)*****
CUMBERLAND- Coeburn, Castlewood, Thomas Walker, Twin Springs, Ervinton, St.Paul, Rye Cove
LONESOME PINE- Clintwood, Pound, Appalachia, JI Burton
*****REGION C (13)********
BLACK DIAMOND-Honaker, Haysi, Twin Valley, Hurley
HOGOHEEGEE-George Wythe, Chilhowie, Rural Retreat, Holston, Northwood
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE-Galax, Bland Co, Narrows, Pocahontas
******REGION B (10)*******
THREE RIVERS-Auburn, Eastern Montgomery
PIONEER-Parry McCluer, Bath Co, Covington, Craig Co., James River
DOGWOOD-Altavista, William Campbell
BULL RUN-Rappahannock Co.
******REGION A (11)******
TIDEWATER-Middlesex, Mathews, West Point, King&Queen, Colonial Beach
NORTHERN NECK-Northumberland, Rappahannock
TRI-RIVERS-Charles City, Franklin, Surry Co, Sussex Central
DIVISION 2
****REGION D (10)*****
CLINCH MTN: Lee, Va High, Gate City, J.Battle, Lebanon
LONESOME PINE: Powell Valley, JJ Kelly
HOGOHEEGEE: Patrick Henry
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE: Grayson Co, Ft. Chiswell
****REGION C (12)******
THREE RIVERS: Floyd, Glenvar, Giles, Radford
DOGWOOD: Chatham, Appomattox, Gretna, Dan River, Nelson Co.
JAMES RIVER (half): Randolph-Henry, Buckingham, Lunenburg ^^^
****REGION B (11)******
BULL RUN: George Mason, Madison Co, Strasburg, Manassas Park, Clarke County
SHENANDOAH: Wilson Memorial, Buffalo Gap, Page Co, Riverheads, Stonewall Jackson, Luray
****REGION A (11)*****
EASTERN SHORE: Nandua, Northampton, Arcadia
NORTHERN NECK: Lancaster, Essex, Washington&Lee
TIDEWATER: King William
TRI-RIVERS: Windsor
JAMES RIVER (half): Goochland, Amelia, Cumberland ^^^^
^^^ If there are five district champions in Region A, Division 2, then the James River District champ moves to Region C for the playoffs. This is unlikely because I don't know that Windsor has ever won the Tri-Rivers.
If this were in place this season, my guess is the state semi-finals would have looked something like this:
DIVISION 1: Clintwood vs G.Wythe, Wm. Campbell vs Colonial Beach
DIVISION 2: Gate City vs Gretna, Buffalo Gap vs Goochland
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