Welcome back to The Huddle!

I was intrigued by Chip Kelly’s revolutionary proposal for improving college football and began to consider its potential application to high school football in North Carolina.

If you are not familiar, please view the video below.

The main concept is that the NCAA should create a different structure for college football compared to other sports. In recent times, there have been significant changes in conference alignments, such as UCLA and USC choosing to join the Big 10 Conference and the addition of Stanford and California to the “Atlantic Coast” Conference. These changes have been primarily motivated by football.

Numerous individuals have expressed concern that these modifications may not be beneficial for college sports as a whole. Additionally, all other sports teams will also have to travel to distant schools for away games. This will often occur during weekdays rather than just on Saturdays. Football programs may find it easier to adjust to these significant travel changes due to their larger budgets and less frequent trips to conference opponents (once every two years instead of annually).

High school football is often compared to college football, but it stands apart from other sports in various ways. Firstly, the regular season schedule is significantly shorter than that of other major team sports. Additionally, many believe that the varying enrollment numbers have a greater impact on high school football compared to other sports.

The latest NCHSAA realignment has resulted in an increase in split conferences. The rationale behind split conferences is logical: they group schools in close proximity together in order to reduce travel time. Ideally, competing against teams closer to home also benefits ticket sales and ultimately generates more revenue for the school.

Football coaches have a strong aversion towards split conferences, especially compared to coaches of other sports. Generally, they believe that a school’s student population is a major factor in determining success. Coaches at smaller schools in a conference with larger schools may not appreciate their reduced chances of winning against tougher opponents. On the other hand, coaches at larger schools in split conferences may not enjoy playing against weaker competition, as it does not adequately prepare them for playoffs against other top schools.

Therefore, I have chosen to utilize Chip Kelly’s approach to college football and implement it in this scenario. The NCHSAA is facing a significant restructuring, with the possibility of transitioning to eight classifications for the first time. While split conferences are expected to remain in the next realignment, I believe there is potential to explore a unique arrangement specifically tailored for football.

What if football had its own unique conferences for classification, while all other sports were divided into separate conferences? Below, I have presented my suggestion for how these football-only leagues could be structured, based on J. Mike Blake’s most recent projections for dividing the eight classes.

Please note that this concept is only applicable to football. The standard conferences that will be implemented in the next realignment will be significantly different from the unique ones I am suggesting.

The proposal I have composed centers on maintaining alignment in conferences. There are individuals in the state who suggest adopting a format similar to other states, where all teams compete in regional competitions. Personally, I am not in favor of this idea as I believe conferences hold a unique significance that should be preserved. However, the discussion about regional events can be addressed at a later time.

To begin with, here are some advantages and disadvantages of potentially segregating football during the process of realignment.

1st Down: How a unique formation in football could be effective

To begin with, this is not an unprecedented suggestion that the NCHSAA has not previously attempted. Presently, there exists a conference solely for football teams in the western region of the state. Additionally, there have been conferences solely for lacrosse teams for as long as I can recall.

As previously mentioned, football coaches strongly prefer their conference opponents to be from schools in the same classification. They believe it is the most equitable method for resolving all matters.

The NCHSAA’s committee for realignment has previously expressed a similar sentiment. The organization has prioritized utilizing single-classification conferences instead of split ones.

The main obstacle to attending all conferences is the need for travel. For instance, there are cases where schools in one region have significantly different student demographics compared to neighboring schools, such as Currituck County in the northeast and Watauga in the northwest.

Travel is a significant factor in 24-game sports such as basketball, soccer, and softball. In these sports, teams play their conference opponents twice in a season due to the high number of games. This results in teams having to travel to their conference opponent at least once per year. However, this is not an issue in football, as teams only play their conference opponents once per year and can alternate who has to travel each year.

Moreover, football games typically take place on Friday nights, while sports such as volleyball and baseball often have games on weeknights like Tuesday and Wednesday. It is not ideal to have student athletes travel for over two hours on a school night.

Because football is not as affected by logistical travel issues, an exemption could be considered.

Transitioning to this format would result in certain competitors being placed in different divisions, but the majority of their rivalry games would still occur during the non-conference portion of the schedule. This could result in higher-profile matches taking place earlier in the year. For instance, it is anticipated that New Hanover High School will be assigned to a lower division compared to other schools in Wilmington during the upcoming realignment. Despite being in a separate conference from teams like Laney, Hoggard, and Ashley, it is highly probable that these schools will agree to play each other before conference games begin due to the intensity of their rivalry.

Second down: The possible disadvantage of a unique football formation

While the lengthy journeys will occur only biennially, they will still not be enjoyable. In my suggestion, there are a few instances where groups will need to travel for more than two hours to reach their conference rival.

A potential disadvantage associated with the distance between conference teams is the potential decrease in gate revenue from visiting fans. While parents may still travel to watch their child play, there may be fewer community supporters and students making the journey. However, I believe this could be balanced out by the heightened interest in non-conference games.

There may be some astute high school football enthusiasts who have identified a weakness in my reasoning: what about the junior varsity matches?

Typically, a JV football game is played on the Thursday night prior to a varsity game on Friday night. In the past, hosting responsibilities for these games have been split, meaning one school hosts the JV game while the other hosts the varsity game. This results in both football teams traveling to each school in the conference at least once per season. Therefore, using split conferences as an excuse for excessive travel in football is not valid.

What if varsity football was the only sport that was subject to these special single-classification conferences? The JV football team could still participate in the same conference as the other sports at the school. The main goal of JV football is to provide younger players with playing time. The opponent they face is not as important as their own improvement. Therefore, if larger schools have to compete against smaller schools’ JV teams and vice versa, it should not be a major concern.

Another potential downside of only having single-classification conferences is the likelihood of more rematches in the playoffs. Coaches may dislike facing conference opponents again in the playoffs, while fans and media may enjoy it. With fewer classifications and teams playing within their own classification, there will likely be a higher number of rematches compared to what we are used to. In my suggested plan, some regions may only have three conferences, resulting in a 33.3% chance of a team facing a conference rival in the playoffs.

Possible Configurations for Football-Only Conferences in College Football.

I referenced J. Mike Blake’s most recent model of the anticipated eight classification structure in the upcoming realignment to establish the framework for these varsity football-only conferences.

I adhered to several guidelines.

1. I did not separate any conferences in 3A-8A and tried to limit the number of separations in 1A and 2A. Splitting is necessary to balance the numbers in 1A and 2A. Fortunately, with eight classifications, the differences in ADMs between schools in these potential split conferences are not as drastic as our current situation.

2. I aimed to keep the conferences as compact as feasible. In my opinion, conferences consisting of five or six teams are the most advantageous. This allows schools a great deal of versatility in scheduling non-conference games.

3. I made an effort to ensure that all distances were kept within a two-hour travel time. I focused on arranging the groupings starting with the teams farthest away and working inwards. It is possible that certain schools may be placed in a different direction compared to their neighboring schools in the same category (for example, in this scenario, the 7A East Johnston County schools in Smithfield-Selma and West Johnston may be placed in a conference with the Greenville schools and New Bern instead of being paired with closer schools like Fuquay-Varina and South Garner). This is unfortunately a part of the process. However, the positive aspect is that these nearby schools with similar classifications will still be available for non-conference scheduling.

4. I did not violate the existing NCHSAA guideline of an east/west division. It may be worth considering disregarding this division when forming conferences, but maintaining it for post-season events. Including schools located in the central region with those on the opposite side of the hypothetical E/W line would be advantageous for several schools.

These are my suggested football-only conferences for varsity teams, with each school listed along with its current average daily membership number.

8A East Conferences

Conference A

• Athens Drive – 2297
• Broughton – 2383
• Enloe – 2831
• Jordan – 2220
• Leesville Road – 2500
• Millbrook – 2424
• Riverside – 1982

Conference B

• Apex – 2414
• Apex Friendship – 2754
• Cary – 2101
• Green Hope – 2323
• Green Level – 2139
• Holly Springs – 2103
• Panther Creek – 2536

Conference C

• Clayton – 2007
• Cleveland – 1959
• Corinth Holders – 2369
• Rolesville – 2288
• Wake Forest – 2051
• Wakefield – 2449
• Willow Spring – 2051

Conference D

• Hoke County – 2465
• Jack Britt – 2015
• Overhills – 2046
• Pinecrest – 2280
• Richmond – 2110

Conference E

• Ashley – 2071
• Hoggard – 2350
• Laney – 2521
• Lumberton – 1970
• Topsail – 1958

8A West Conferences

Conference A

• Davie County – 1932
• Grimsley – 2010
• Northwest Guilford – 2215
• Reagan – 2264
• West Forsyth – 2312

Conference B

• Chambers – 2747
• Hopewell – 1983
• Hough – 2563
• Lake Norman – 2044
• Mallard Creek – 2306
• Mooresville – 1954
• North Mecklenburg – 2309
• West Charlotte – 2009

Conference C

• Ardrey Kell – 3671
• Ballantyne Ridge – 2200
• Myers Park – 3557
• Palisades – 2373
• Providence – 2335
• South Mecklenburg – 3331

Conference D

• Butler – 1953
• East Mecklenburg – 2431
• Garinger – 2289
• Independence – 2133
• Marvin Ridge – 2050

7A East Conferences

Conference A

• New Hanover – 1559
• North Brunswick – 1536
• Purnell Swett – 1619
• Scotland – 1568
• West Brunswick – 1493

Conference B

• Cape Fear – 1585
• Harnett Central – 1499
• Pine Forest – 1704
• Seventy-First – 1571
• South View – 1552

Conference C

• D.H. Conley – 1697
• J.H. Rose – 1540
• New Bern – 1609
• Smithfield-Selma – 1608
• South Central – 1633
• West Johnston – 1660

Conference D

• Cardinal Gibbons – 1583
• Chapel Hill – 1662
• Hillside – 1793
• Middle Creek – 1610
• Northern Durham – 1554
• Southern Durham – 1750

Conference E

• East Wake – 1672
• Fuquay-Varina – 1736
• Garner – 1652
• Heritage – 1806
• Knightdale – 1676
• Sanderson – 1632
• South Garner – 1855
• Southeast Raleigh – 1821

7A West Conferences

Conference A

• Berry Academy – 1535
• Cuthbertson – 1887
• Olympic – 1609
• Porter Ridge – 1746
• Rocky River – 1810
• Weddington – 1849

Conference B

• A.L. Brown – 1715
• Cox Mill – 1738
• Hickory Ridge – 1664
• South Iredell – 1753
• West Cabarrus – 1817
• West Mecklenburg – 1845

Conference C

• Southwest Guilford – 1693
• Ragsdale – 1497

• “R.J. Reynolds was established in 1775.”

• Parkland – 1793
• Page – 1798
• Glenn – 1536
• East Forsyth – 1715
• Ben L. Smith – 1561

Conference D

• Freedom – 1574
• McDowell County – 1681
• South Caldwell – 1579
• T.C. Roberson – 1546
• Watauga – 1576

6A East Conferences

Conference A

• Cedar Ridge – 1141
• East Chapel Hill – 1443
• Eastern Alamance – 1137
• Orange – 1272
• Person – 1219
• Southern Alamance – 1206
• Western Alamance – 1145
• Williams – 1214

Conference B

• Dixon – 1179
• Jacksonville – 1429
• South Brunswick – 1173
• Swansboro – 1176
• White Oak – 1219

Conference C

• Franklinton – 1244
• Northern Nash – 1165
• South Johnston – 1378
• Southern Nash – 1180
• Vance County – 1355

Conference D

• E.E. Smith – 1216
• Gray’s Creek – 1483
• St. Pauls – 1188
• Terry Sanford – 1336
• Westover – 1346

Conference E

• Lee County – 1462
• Southern Lee – 1176
• Triton – 1310
• Union Pines – 1398
• Western Harnett – 1375

6A West Conferences

Conference A

• Dudley – 1399
• Eastern Guilford – 1375
• High Point Central – 1255
• Northern Guilford – 1376
• Southeast Guilford – 1311

Conference B

• Alexander Central – 1405
• Atkins – 1189
• Mount Tabor – 1444
• North Forsyth – 1166
• Western Guilford – 1476

Conference C

• A.C. Reynolds – 1287
• Asheville – 1469
• Enka – 1140
• Franklin – 1274
• Hickory – 1215
• St. Stephens – 1251

Conference D

• Ashbrook – 1307
• Charlotte Catholic – 1308
• Harding – 1367
• Kings Mountain – 1299
• North Lincoln – 1135

Conference E

• Asheboro – 1309
• Central Cabarrus – 1299
• Montgomery Central – 1134
• Northwest Cabarrus – 1152
• Piedmont – 1297
• Sun Valley – 1373

5A East Conferences

Conference A

• Croatan – 960
• Havelock – 1056
• Northside of Jacksonville – 1051
• Richlands – 1034
• West Carteret – 1100

Conference B

• Currituck County – 1032
• Fike – 1018
• First Flight – 907
• Hunt – 1094
• Nash Central – 1015
• Roanoke Rapids – 915
• Rocky Mount – 1129

Conference C

• Cannot reword.

• Douglas Byrd – 1133
• North Lenoir – 977
• Seaforth – 1059
• Southeast Alamance – 911
• Southern Wayne – 1073

5A West Conferences

Conference A

• East Henderson – 956
• Erwin – 1120
• North Buncombe – 1013
• North Henderson – 1028
• Pisgah – 907
• Tuscola – 908
• West Henderson – 1059

Conference B

• North Davidson – 925
• Northeast Guilford – 1109
• Oak Grove – 997
• Rockingham County – 1000
• Southern Guilford – 1022

Conference C

• East Rowan – 1057
• Jesse Carson – 1122
• Lexington – 910
• Salisbury – 979
• South Rowan – 966
• West Rowan – 1071

Conference D

• Concord – 983
• Forest Hills – 922
• Jay M. Robinson – 1121
• Monroe – 1077
• Parkwood – 1041

Conference E

• Burns – 913
• Crest -1095
• East Lincoln – 1087
• Fred T. Foard – 934
• Hibriten – 970
• Newton-Conover – 907
• North Iredell – 1010
• Statesville – 946

4A East Conferences

Conference A

• Farmville Central – 771
• North Pitt – 839
• SouthWest Edgecombe – 813
• Washington – 847
• West Craven – 806

Conference B

• Clinton – 822
• East Duplin – 860
• Fairmont – 797
• James Kenan – 761
• Red Springs – 862
• South Lenoir – 763
• Trask – 763

Conference C

• Bunn – 889
• Carrboro – 873
• Cummings – 807
• Eastern Wayne – 797
• Jordan-Matthews – 879
• North Johnston – 828
• South Granville – 862

4A West Conferences

Conference A

• Carver – 783
• Ledford – 838
• McMichael – 782
• Morehead – 896
• Reidsville – 801
• T.W. Andrews – 817

Conference B

• Bandys – 906
• Bunker Hill – 880
• East Burke – 893
• West Caldwell – 896
• West Iredell – 844

Conference C

• Ashe County – 889
• Forbush – 811
• North Surry – 813
• West Stokes – 836
• Wilkes Central – 809

Conference D

• Brevard – 805
• Hendersonville – 771
• Patton – 774
• R-S Central – 812
• Smoky Mountain – 886

Conference E

• East Gaston – 897
• Lake Norman Charter – 801
• Lincolnton – 768
• Maiden – 875
• Shelby – 775

Conference F

• Anson County – 880
• Central Davidson – 887
• Mount Pleasant – 895
• Randleman – 866
• Southwestern Randolph – 804
• West Davidson – 777
• West Stanly – 882

3A East Conferences

Conference A

• Bertie – 572
• Camden County – 585
• Hertford County – 747
• Holmes – 581
• Martin County – 720
• Northeastern – 683
• Pasquotank County – 627

Conference B

• Ayden-Grifton – 724
• Beddingfield – 668
• Goldsboro – 632
• Greene Central – 757
• Kinston – 695
• Princeton – 614
• Spring Creek – 734

Conference C

• Bartlett Yancey – 689
• Graham – 748
• Granville Central – 691
• J.F. Webb – 610
• Louisburg – 660
• North Moore – 607
• Northwood – 732

Conference D

• Midway – 752
• Pender – 740
• South Columbus – 680
• Southwest Onslow – 676
• Wallace-Rose Hill – 749
• West Bladen – 694
• Whiteville – 625

3A West Conferences

Conference A

• East Davidson – 736
• North Rowan – 572
• North Stanly – 667
• Pine Lake Prep – 680
• Union Academy – 617

Conference B

• Eastern Randolph – 623
• Providence Grove – 616
• Thomasville – 592
• Trinity – 689
• Wheatmore – 657

Conference C

• East Surry – 592
• Mount Airy – 614
• North Wilkes – 633
• South Stokes – 587
• Surry Central – 662
• Walkertown – 681
• West Wilkes – 711

Conference D

• Avery County – 587
• CHASE – 680
• Draughn – 692
• East Rutherford – 707
• Mountain Heritage – 612
• Owen – 760
• Polk County – 590
• West Lincoln – 733

2A East Conferences

Conference A

• ALA-Johnston – 400
• Gates County – 453
• Manteo – 525
• Northampton County – 407
• Northwest Halifax – 392
• Perquimans – 534
• Wake Prep – 533
• Warren County – 517

Conference B

• East Carteret – 541
• (1A) Jones – 289
• Lejeune – 422
• words

  The northern area of Beaufort County has a diverse and rich history, with several notable towns and landmarks. Located in the state of South Carolina, Beaufort County is situated along the Atlantic coast and has a total land area of 923 square miles. The county is divided into two regions, the Northside and the Southside, with the Broad River serving as the boundary between them.

  The Northside of Beaufort County is home to the city of Beaufort, one of the oldest and most charming cities in the state. Founded in 1711, Beaufort is known for its well-preserved antebellum architecture, historic district, and scenic waterfront views. The city also played a significant role in the Civil War and was occupied by Union troops for most of the conflict.

  Another notable town in the Northside is Port Royal, which was first settled in 1562 and is considered one of the oldest European settlements in the United States. It was a major port for the European colonists and became an important center for trade and commerce. Today, Port Royal is a popular tourist destination, with its charming historic district, art galleries, and seafood restaurants.

  The Northside is also home to several natural attractions, including Hunting Island State Park and the Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge. Hunting Island State Park is a 5,000-acre barrier island known for its beautiful beaches, lighthouse, and diverse wildlife. The Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge covers over 350,000 acres and is a haven for various species of birds, reptiles, and mammals.

  Overall, the Northside of Beaufort County offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. With its charming towns, historic landmarks, and scenic landscapes, it is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to South Carolina.

  The northern region of Beaufort County has a varied and fascinating past, featuring numerous noteworthy towns and landmarks. Situated on the coast of the Atlantic in South Carolina, Beaufort County encompasses a total of 923 square miles. It is divided into two distinct sections, the Northside and the Southside, with the Broad River serving as the boundary between them.

  The city of Beaufort, established in 1711, is located in the Northside and is renowned as one of the oldest and most charming cities in the state. It is famous for its well-preserved antebellum architecture, historic district, and picturesque waterfront views. During the Civil War, Beaufort played a significant role and was occupied by Union troops for most of the conflict.

  Port Royal, also situated in the Northside, was first settled in 1562 and is considered one of the oldest European settlements in the United States. It served as a major port for European colonists and became an important hub for trade and commerce. Today, Port Royal is a popular tourist destination, boasting a quaint historic district, art galleries, and delectable seafood restaurants.

  The Northside is also home to several natural attractions, such as Hunting Island State Park and the Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge. Hunting Island State Park is a 5,000-acre barrier island renowned for its stunning beaches, lighthouse, and diverse wildlife. The Ace Basin National Wildlife Refuge spans over 350,000 acres and offers a sanctuary for various species of birds, reptiles, and mammals.

  Overall, the Northside of Beaufort County offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. With its enchanting towns, historic landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes, it is a must-see destination for anyone visiting South Carolina.

• Pamlico County – 429
• Southside – 428
• Tarboro – 492
• (1A) Washington County – 330

Conference C

• East Bladen – 547
• (1A) East Columbus – 370
• Hobbton – 486
• Lakewood – 474
• North Duplin – 419
• Rosewood – 441
• Union – 477
• West Columbus – 448

2A West Conferences

Conference A

• Alleghany – 408
• Bishop McGuinness – 452
• East Wilkes – 522
• Elkin – 421
• Mitchell – 509
• (1A) North Stokes – 310
• Starmount – 541
• (1A) Winston-Salem Prep – 152

Conference B

• Albemarle – 531
• Christ the King – 416
• Corvian Community – 436
• Community School of Davidson – 559
• South Davidson – 388
• South Stanly – 493

Conference C

• Bessemer City – 535
• Cherryville – 500
• Highland Tech – 528
• Mountain Island Charter – 541
• Thomas Jefferson – 397

1A East Conference

Conference A

• Chatham Central – 339
• KIPP GCP Pride – 371
• North Edgecombe – 194
• Rocky Mount Prep – 233
• Southeast Halifax – 240
• Weldon – 263
• Wilson Prep – 196

1A West Conference

Conference A

• Andrews – 221
• (2A) Cherokee – 413
• Hayesville – 372
• Madison – 387
• (2A) Murphy – 426
• Robbinsville – 329
• Rosman – 269
• (2A) Swain County – 555

Victory Formation

Please don’t hesitate to contact me and share your thoughts on this proposal. It could be a positive or negative idea, I am uncertain.

Keep an eye out today and in the next few days for the release of our 2023 HighSchoolOT All-State Football Team. We put in a lot of time and effort to gather data and review footage in order to select the top players. This is one of my favorite projects as it serves as a snapshot of the 2023 fall season.

Source: highschoolot.com