AHSAA re-classification pits Demopolis against new set of foes
The Alabama High School Athletic Association released its latest round of re-classifications Thursday morning, setting the stage for its 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 competition years.
Among numerous other changes, the re-classification means a much different look for Demopolis’s region and area foes between August 2018 and May 2020.
The new look Class 5A, Region 3 football grouping sees Demopolis bid farewell to mainstays Sumter Central and Dallas County, both of which drop to Class 4A. Additionally, Calera jumps to Class 6A. Central-Tuscaloosa, Jemison and Marbury remain in Region 3 along with Demopolis. Joining that quartet are Shelby County, Chilton County (down from Class 6A) and Bibb County (up from Class 4A).
“The travel definitely,” Demopolis coach Brian Seymore said of the biggest change to his team’s region slate the next two seasons. “When we meet and draw for the schedule, you hope you get a good draw. You hope you don’t play a lot of these games on the road because that’s a lot more time on the bus. You’ve got to play the cards you’re dealt.”
In terms of driving distance, Demopolis loses its closest two region compatriots in Sumter-Central (30.3 miles) and Dallas County (67.1 miles). The Tigers also lose their second-farthest counterpart in Calera (89.8 miles). Replacing those schools will be Bibb County (66 miles), Chilton County (89.9 miles) and Shelby County (101.3 miles).
Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the new region for Demopolis is the addition of Bibb County, a school whose head coach is former Demopolis defensive coordinator Matt Geohagan.
“I’m excited because of having Coach Geohagan there and that relationship. They have a very good program and are very consistent in what they do. They’re going to take the place of Calera as one of the top teams in our region,” Seymore said. “That’s definitely one you’ll have to circle as a huge region game and having a little more to it with Coach Geohagan being so familiar with some of our kids at Demopolis.”
The new-look region will also result in revamped areas for all of Demopolis athletics. The basketball, baseball and softball teams will now be part of a three-team Area 5 that includes Bibb County and Central-Tuscaloosa. Demopolis soccer moves to Area 5 and will compete against American Christian, Central-Tuscaloosa and Sipsey Valley. Girls soccer will be in Area 5 against ACA and Sipsey Valley.
Demopolis cross country is now a member of Section 1. That grouping includes Bibb County, Brewbaker Tech, Charles Henderson, Citronelle, Faith Academy, Jackson, LeFlore, Satsuma, Tallassee and Vigor. Demopolis track will also be part of Section 1. That grouping consists of Carroll-Ozark, Charles Henderson, Citronelle, Faith Academy, Greenville, LeFlore, Satsuma, UMS-Wright, Vigor and Wilcox-Central.
Other notable changes in 5A football include the move of St. Paul’s and Calera to Class 6A. Perhaps the biggest changes come in Region 4 where Briarwood, Fairfield, John Carroll Catholic, Parker, Pleasant Grove, Ramsay, Wenonah and Woodlawn all make up the group. Those teams, many of which competed in the northern part of the state for the last round of classification, will now be in the south.
The new Class 5A football region alignment appears below in its entirety.
| REGION 1 | REGION 2 |
| Citronelle | Beauregard |
| Faith Academy | Caroll-Ozark |
| Jackson | Charles Henderson |
| LeFlore Magnet | Greenville |
| Satsuma | Rehobeth |
| Vigor | Tallassee |
| Wilcox Central | Valley |
| REGION 3 | REGION 4 |
| Bibb County | Briarwood Christian |
| Central-Tuscaloosa | Fairfield |
| Chilton County | John Carroll Catholic |
| Demopolis | Parker |
| Jemison | Pleasant Grove |
| Marbury | Ramsay |
| Shelby County | Wenonah |
| Woodlawn | |
| REGION 5 | REGION 6 |
| Center Point | Alexandria |
| Central-Clay | Boaz |
| Moody | Crossville |
| Mortimer Jordan | Douglas |
| Munford | Etowah |
| St. Clair County | Sardis |
| Springville | Southside-Gadsden |
| Sylacauga | |
| REGION 7 | REGION 8 |
| Corner | Arab |
| Dora | Ardmore |
| Hamilton | Brewer |
| Hayden | East Limeston |
| Jasper | Guntersville |
| Lawrence County | Madison Academy |
| Russellville | Madison County |
| West Point | Scottsboro |