The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) has released the final plan for district realignments for the 2024-26 sports seasons. This follows an earlier announcement that showed which classification each member school would be in during the next two years. LHSAA members will meet in January for an official vote to ratify the final plans for classification and district realignment but it is expected to be a mere formality as all prior appeals and requests have been resolved by the governing committee.
Of local note there was major changes and some minor ones as well but every school in the Jackson Parish Journal coverage area, including all three Jackson Parish public schools, Saline and Dodson were affected.
Jonesboro-Hodge: A drop in classification from AA to A also means a change in district competition. Several old rivalries will be rekindled and new ones formed as JHHS will now be in District 1-A along with Arcadia, Ringgold, Haynesville, Glenbrook Academy (Minden), Plain Dealing, Cedar Creek (Ruston), and Lincoln Prep (Grambling).
Quitman / Weston: Both remain in District 1B along with mainstays Castor and Doyline. Of note is the addition of Simsboro making an already strong district in all sports even tougher but keeps travel down for the two Jackson Parish schools.
Saline: Joining what will be recognized as the strongest district in Class C. Three others will make up a tight nit district 1C including fellow Bienville Parish small school power Gibsland-Coleman, Summerfield and Claiborne Christian out of West Monroe.
Dodson: Staying in District 2C along with fellow Winn Parish neighbor Calvin and Georgetown but adding two schools dropping down in classification that sets up long road trips. . Harrisonburg joins from Class B and Sicily Island drops all the way into the district from Class A after dropping their football program.
LHSAA members will meet in January for an official vote to ratify the final plans for classification and district realignment but it is expected to be a mere formality.