A significant shift has taken place within the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) following a decisive vote to implement new reclassifications for private schools in postseason play. On January 23, 2024, the Central Board of Control convened in Montgomery, where Executive Director Heath Harmon presented a recommendation that received overwhelming support, passing with a vote of 13-2. The only dissenting voices were Board President Terry Curtis and Jerome Woods, Principal of Mattie T. Blount High School.
This new classification system will have substantial implications for private schools, particularly in Shelby County, including Briarwood Christian School, Indian Springs School, and The Westminster School at Oak Mountain. Under the revised structure, the largest 17 private schools will be categorized as AA, while the remaining private institutions will fall under A classifications based solely on enrollment figures. Notably, the previous competitive balance equalizer and enrollment multiplier have been removed.
Public schools will continue to be classified into six categories, although Class 7A has been eliminated. The largest 32 public schools will be allocated into four regions within Class 6A, while smaller institutions will be distributed across Classes 1-5A. Despite the changes, public and private schools will still compete against one another in regular-season non-region games. However, the postseason will see the introduction of eight separate state championships, with private schools competing for their own titles.
For Briarwood Christian’s head football coach, Matthew Forester, the decision has been met with disappointment. Forester, who had advocated for maintaining the status quo, expressed concern about the implications for his students and families. “This is the quintessential separation between public and private,” he stated. “It is a blow. Our kids and our families want to be able to go to a Christian school, but they don’t want to be separated from athletics.”
The timing of the announcement caught many by surprise. For weeks, speculation had circulated regarding potential changes, yet the abrupt nature of the decision left little room for preparation. “It’s a drastic change that happens overnight with no real vision,” Forester remarked. “You’re trying to set budgets and plan for the next year, and then suddenly, here comes the news.”
The new classification will significantly impact travel logistics for Briarwood, as its Class AA, Region 2 encompasses eight schools, including American Christian Academy, John Carroll Catholic, and others located as far as 200 miles away. This geographical distribution poses challenges for scheduling and increases travel costs, which Forester believes will hinder the program’s financial stability.
Despite these obstacles, Forester remains optimistic about the upcoming season. He maintains strong relationships with coaches across Birmingham, which he hopes will facilitate scheduling non-region games. “I trust that finding games won’t be hard, but I do know that our budgets are going to absolutely skyrocket as we have to travel all over the state,” he explained.
The AHSAA’s decision marks a historic moment, as it is the first time the association has officially separated public and private institutions in its history. The elimination of Class 7A, which had been introduced in 2014, further underscores the depth of the changes being implemented.
As Briarwood prepares to move forward, Forester emphasized the determination of his players. “Our guys are going to put their head down to work,” he said. “We’ll play whoever this state puts in front of us. While it’s discouraging to be separated, all we can do is what we’re asked to do.”
The AHSAA’s decision has undoubtedly reshaped the landscape of high school athletics in Alabama, fostering a new era that will require private schools to adapt to a competitive environment unlike any they have faced before.
