The VHSL Executive Committee has voted to go to a 6-classification system that will mean major changes to the Central Region playoff structure.

The move is designed to make teams that meet in the state playoffs be on a level playing field in terms of school enrollment.  There will be 8 conferences in each of the 6 classifications.  In football 32 teams in each classification will make the playoffs and will go into a seeded bracket.

This will not impact districts and regular season schedules for now.  Under the new set-up, districts are meaningless in terms of playoff contention and their championships would be only ceremonial.   Eventually, the districts may go away completely.

The new system will take effect next September.

Thanks to Eric Kolenich from the RTD, here is what conference grouping may look like.

6A, Conference 3: Varina, Thomas Dale, Cosby, James River, Franklin County, Patrick Henry-Roanoke

5A, Conference 11: Atlee, Henrico, Highland Springs, Lee-Davis, Deep Run, Douglas Freeman, Mills Godwin, Hermitage, Patrick Henry-Ashland

5A, Conference 12: Matoaca, Meadowbrook, Prince George, L.C. Bird, Clover Hill, Manchester

4A, Conference 19: Powhatan, Grafton, Smithfield, Jamestown, Tabb

4A, Conference 20: Hanover, Dinwiddie, J.R. Tucker, Midlothian, Monacan, Glen Allen

4A, Conference 23: Louisa, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Amherst Co., Harrisonburg, Handley

3A, Conference 25: Colonial Heights, New Kent, Lafayette, Poquoson, York, Southampton, Park View-South Hill, Warhill

3A, Conference 26: Armstrong, Petersburg, Hopewell, Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Huguenot, George Wythe