So is this the NEW Region D for the future?

[hoard]

I think Richlands and Tazewell (and possibly Graham) end up in a combined A/AA district with come of the current CMD schools. Maybe something like this:

CMD: Abingdon (AA), Richlands, Tazewell, Lebanon, VHS, Battle (and maybe Graham)
BDD: Grundy, Dickenson Co., Hurley, Twin Valley, Honaker, Council
LPD: Union, Wise Central, Lee, Gate City plus Eastside and/or Burton
CD: Thomas Walker, Rye Cove, Twin Springs, Castlewood, plus Eastside or Burton

It makes more sense from an enrollment standpoint for Burton to be in the Cumberland and Eastside in the LPD, obviously, but who knows which way either would want to go.

[Jason]

I think Richlands and Tazewell (and possibly Graham) end up in a combined A/AA district with come of the current CMD schools. Maybe something like this:

CMD: Abingdon (AA), Richlands, Tazewell, Lebanon, VHS, Battle (and maybe Graham)
BDD: Grundy, Dickenson Co., Hurley, Twin Valley, Honaker, Council
LPD: Union, Wise Central, Lee, Gate City plus Eastside and/or Burton
CD: Thomas Walker, Rye Cove, Twin Springs, Castlewood, plus Eastside or Burton

It makes more sense from an enrollment standpoint for Burton to be in the Cumberland and Eastside in the LPD, obviously, but who knows which way either would want to go.

A few things wrong with this. One you will never see Gate City back in the LPD. I see the GC going to the LPD posted a lot here but I can for a 110% beyond the shadow of doubt fact they would fight against rejoining the LPD with everything they have. Two the VHSL I dont think wants to create another A/AA district after ridding the ones they had(atleast I think there are no more). Graham will want to stay in Region C as Tazewell will want to join them since the two are just minutes apart. I just dont see Tazewell in Region D at all. Richlands would likely go either way as they are actually somewhat in the middle as far as travel time goes. I really see them leaning more toward the CMD though but it will be a huge decision. I myself hope that is their decission. They would make a great fit to the CMD.


To PVVikings2006 on Abingdon dropping due to hardships. That will never happen. Way too big enrollment. As for theTazewell and Richlands like others have said they could drop next cycle without using hardships as there are Single A teams with bigger enrollments. VHSLHELPER needs to chime in on this.

[VHSLhelper]

why? I'm getting a kick just sitting back and watching all of this.
But, what the hey. I'll just ramble through some things.

Council - Don't see them closing. Too many mtns. between them and the other county schools. With Haysi closing, Honaker would get the majorty of 'em. Buchanan slashed expenses a decade ago by consolidating 5 elem. schools and Garden/Whitewood highs.

Hurley - Might close in 15 years if their numbers stay low. When the CFX is done, they'll be a lot closer to Grundy, and we might get a new HS up on Poplar Gap. Too far down the road, though.

Burton - Conundrum. They'd be a better fit, numbers wise, in the Cumberland, but tradition is a powerful thing (just ask Grundy). Since so many sports are split now, being in a district with "bigs" isn't a biggie... they'll have tough opponents, but also will have to travel more due to a lower seed in the playoffs. Also have the possibility of combining with Wise Co... politics makes them a wildcard.

Grundy - The forced move hurt us. Hearing we only have 8 fb games right now. I don't see us going to the LPD next cycle. Actually think there will be TALK of going back to AA, but it won't happen, either. Again, politics.

4 or 5 Groups - Won't happen. AAA has never been for it, so A started Divisions. Now that it's spread to other sports, and fb changed the split method, A won't be for it, either. I think I counted 82 teams right now in A... going to 4 means 76 teams. So 1 title per 76 teams or 2 titles for 82 teams.. YOU do the math.

Tazewell - Don't know the politics of Tazewell County, but I don't expect Richlands to drop to A in the next 2 cycles. After that, who knows. Region IV will see changes by then.

Abingdon - 2nd sure bet... they WON'T get a hardship. Marion - who knows. Would like to see them in the CMD rather than the Hogo

Region D - I see a lot of changes this decade.. just don't see how they can keep things balanced. The small schools too spread out. I could see Castlewood in the BDD, but the Cumb. needs teams, too

Here's how I'd LIKE to see Region D in 4-6 years...

BDD: Lebanon, Honaker, Grundy, Hurley, Twin Valley, Councill = 6 (5 in football)
CD: Thomas Walker, Rye Cove, Twin Springs, Castlewood, JI Burton = 5
LPD: Lee, Gate City, Union, Wise Central, Eastside, Dickenson Co. = 6
SWD: Va, John Battle, Marion, Tazewell, Richlands = 5 (6 if Abingdon makes it a combined District)

That's 21 fb schools, or 1/4th of 84, which is about the number of schools playing in Group A.

[Counts]

why? I'm getting a kick just sitting back and watching all of this.
But, what the hey. I'll just ramble through some things.

Council - Don't see them closing. Too many mtns. between them and the other county schools. With Haysi closing, Honaker would get the majorty of 'em. Buchanan slashed expenses a decade ago by consolidating 5 elem. schools and Garden/Whitewood highs.

Hurley - Might close in 15 years if their numbers stay low. When the CFX is done, they'll be a lot closer to Grundy, and we might get a new HS up on Poplar Gap. Too far down the road, though.

Burton - Conundrum. They'd be a better fit, numbers wise, in the Cumberland, but tradition is a powerful thing (just ask Grundy). Since so many sports are split now, being in a district with "bigs" isn't a biggie... they'll have tough opponents, but also will have to travel more due to a lower seed in the playoffs. Also have the possibility of combining with Wise Co... politics makes them a wildcard.

Grundy - The forced move hurt us. Hearing we only have 8 fb games right now. I don't see us going to the LPD next cycle. Actually think there will be TALK of going back to AA, but it won't happen, either. Again, politics.

4 or 5 Groups - Won't happen. AAA has never been for it, so A started Divisions. Now that it's spread to other sports, and fb changed the split method, A won't be for it, either. I think I counted 82 teams right now in A... going to 4 means 76 teams. So 1 title per 76 teams or 2 titles for 82 teams.. YOU do the math.

Tazewell - Don't know the politics of Tazewell County, but I don't expect Richlands to drop to A in the next 2 cycles. After that, who knows. Region IV will see changes by then.

Abingdon - 2nd sure bet... they WON'T get a hardship. Marion - who knows. Would like to see them in the CMD rather than the Hogo

Region D - I see a lot of changes this decade.. just don't see how they can keep things balanced. The small schools too spread out. I could see Castlewood in the BDD, but the Cumb. needs teams, too

Here's how I'd LIKE to see Region D in 4-6 years...

BDD: Lebanon, Honaker, Grundy, Hurley, Twin Valley, Councill = 6 (5 in football)
CD: Thomas Walker, Rye Cove, Twin Springs, Castlewood, JI Burton = 5
LPD: Lee, Gate City, Union, Wise Central, Eastside, Dickenson Co. = 6
SWD: Va, John Battle, Marion, Tazewell, Richlands = 5 (6 if Abingdon makes it a combined District)

That's 21 fb schools, or 1/4th of 84, which is about the number of schools playing in Group A.

Looks good and makes sence but IMHO Lebanon will never go for a BDD move due to the drop in Gate that will go along with it. (I seem to rember that being a hang up for them once before)

[Jason]

Its about time you get in on this Elliot. hahaha

[hoard]

A few things wrong with this. One you will never see Gate City back in the LPD. I see the GC going to the LPD posted a lot here but I can for a 110% beyond the shadow of doubt fact they would fight against rejoining the LPD with everything they have. Two the VHSL I dont think wants to create another A/AA district after ridding the ones they had(atleast I think there are no more). Graham will want to stay in Region C as Tazewell will want to join them since the two are just minutes apart. I just dont see Tazewell in Region D at all. Richlands would likely go either way as they are actually somewhat in the middle as far as travel time goes. I really see them leaning more toward the CMD though but it will be a huge decision. I myself hope that is their decission. They would make a great fit to the CMD.


To PVVikings2006 on Abingdon dropping due to hardships. That will never happen. Way too big enrollment. As for theTazewell and Richlands like others have said they could drop next cycle without using hardships as there are Single A teams with bigger enrollments. VHSLHELPER needs to chime in on this.

The VHSL never "wants" to have combined districts, but if (when) Abingdon ends up as the only AA school in far SWVa what's the better alternative? Without a combo district, you either have to...

1) Force them into the River Ridge with Pulaski, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Salem, Hidden Valley, and Cave Spring (plus Carroll County would probably end up there as well). Think Abingdon or any of the RRD members are going to be happy with that arrangement? --OR--

2) Allow them to play down in Group A. Now Abingdon might be for that, but I'd say few, if any, Group A schools would.

IIRC, the Eastern Shore and Dogwood ceased being combined districts mainly because the AA schools in those leagues (Northampton, Appomattox, Gretna, Dan River, maybe another I'm forgetting) got small enough to drop down to Group A and there was no longer a need for the combo setup.

It's not the ideal arrangement, but it's the lesser of three evils so to speak.

As for Tazewell, what makes you think they favor joining a district with Graham over joining Richlands? Tazewell is just as close to Richlands geographically and they are each other's biggest rival (Graham's is Bluefield, WV). If forced to choose between a CMD with Richlands, Lebanon and the Bristol-area schools or the MED with Graham and the likes of Galax, Fort Chiswell and Grayson, I'd be willing to bet Tazewell would take the CMD in a heartbeat.

I agree that all other factors being equal, Graham would rather be in Region C for travel purposes, but if they have an opportunity to rejoin Tazewell and Richlands, even in Region D, they might go that route. Also, Richlands is much closer to Region D schools than they are Region C--they can get to any school in SWVA (except for Lee and TW) in 90 minutes tops. That isn't the case for them with the Three Rivers and Pioneer schools in Region C.

[collegetrumpet2010]

I think they need to change this whole classification system.

[Jason]

The VHSL never "wants" to have combined districts, but if (when) Abingdon ends up as the only AA school in far SWVa what's the better alternative? Without a combo district, you either have to...

1) Force them into the River Ridge with Pulaski, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Salem, Hidden Valley, and Cave Spring (plus Carroll County would probably end up there as well). Think Abingdon or any of the RRD members are going to be happy with that arrangement? --OR--

2) Allow them to play down in Group A. Now Abingdon might be for that, but I'd say few, if any, Group A schools would.

IIRC, the Eastern Shore and Dogwood ceased being combined districts mainly because the AA schools in those leagues (Northampton, Appomattox, Gretna, Dan River, maybe another I'm forgetting) got small enough to drop down to Group A and there was no longer a need for the combo setup.

It's not the ideal arrangement, but it's the lesser of three evils so to speak.

As for Tazewell, what makes you think they favor joining a district with Graham over joining Richlands? Tazewell is just as close to Richlands geographically and they are each other's biggest rival (Graham's is Bluefield, WV). If forced to choose between a CMD with Richlands, Lebanon and the Bristol-area schools or the MED with Graham and the likes of Galax, Fort Chiswell and Grayson, I'd be willing to bet Tazewell would take the CMD in a heartbeat.

I agree that all other factors being equal, Graham would rather be in Region C for travel purposes, but if they have an opportunity to rejoin Tazewell and Richlands, even in Region D, they might go that route. Also, Richlands is much closer to Region D schools than they are Region C--they can get to any school in SWVA (except for Lee and TW) in 90 minutes tops. That isn't the case for them with the Three Rivers and Pioneer schools in Region C.

The biggest thing about Abingdon being able to get a hardships and drop to D2 is it opening the gates so to speak as Lee did for some Eastern teams to drop. Then we would be back to square one with the unfair enrollment advantages in certain Divisions.If all sports were to go to a format like football is doing before Abingdon would be affected then Abingdon could go Independent since District Champs will no longer get auto bids to playoffs. As for Tazewell I dont think the VHSL would allow them to choose what Region they want to join. That is what makes me think they will go to Region C. But then again that may not even be a factor by the time they decide to drop. Regions may be done away with in all sports by then.

[VHSLhelper]

Again? So Soon ?!?!?! You remind me of... well, nevermind.

true cutoffs? Haven't heard a peep about that anywhere, other than ppl. on msg boards saying it should be like that again.

The biggest thing about Abingdon being able to get a hardships and drop to D2 ...

Don't know why that keeps coming up... will NOT happen. Numbers are just waaayyy too far off. Lee got a hardship because they just missed the cutoff and was A-bound anyway. Falcons aren't in that boat... they won't be A-sized anytime soon.
It's either to the NRD, errrrr, River Ridge (no way) or a combined district... they'll be in the SWD or whatever with Marion, Va, Battle, whoever, for the regular season. District playoffs - who knows, but come Regionals time, they'll still be in IV.

[Jason]

I agree 100% about Abingdon. Totally different boat. BTW. If Richlands and Tazewell was to drop to single A tomorrow What Regions would they likely join. I know they will likely stay where they are for the next couple cycles. Just curious as to what your opinion is on the matter.