BCHS to remain in Region 8-AA for next two years
Armstrong expresses surprise GHSA already sets subregions for 8-AA, football schedule still unclear
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
This much is certain: Banks County High School will continue to be a member of Region 8-AA for the next two years.
After all, there are still many questions, especially when it comes to Leopard football and what the schedule will look like in 2008 and 2009. Banks County High School athletic director and head football coach Blair Armstrong said Sunday the Georgia High School Association has already subdivided 8-AA, something that surprised him.
“They went ahead and did it ahead of time,” Armstrong said. “In the past, they have let the regions decide.”
BCHS was placed in Region 8-AA B along with East Jackson, Jefferson, North Oconee and Oglethorpe County, Dawson County, Fannin County, Rabun County, Riverside Military and Union County will be in 8-AA subregion A.
Armstrong said he would prefer that for football, a straight region schedule be played rather than a subregion. The coach said that would make it easier to complete a schedule as teams would have nine region games rather than four subregion contests.
“Another thing is they put us in the subregion without the teams we have been playing for years,” Armstrong said. “There are still a lot of questions right now. If we do play a subregion schedule, we have to decide about having region crossover games. We can’t really complete our schedules until all those questions are answered. It puts us at a disadvantage because other schools are already working to fill in their schedules.”
Armstrong said the ultimate decision will be made by the principals of the schools in Region 8-AA. The athletic directors and coaches serve as advisors, but noted the principals will make the ultimate decisions.
The new region setup will be for all sports. Subregions are more common in other sports because of travel concerns.
Armstrong said Sunday night he hopes to have everything ironed out with the football schedule by sometime in January.
