Big conference changes could be in the works

A preliminary conference realignment proposal that was floated on the N.C. High School Athletic Association Web site this week would bring major changes – and some significantly longer drives – for many of the schools in the Surry-Yadkin-Wilkes-Stokes county region.

The NCHSAA redraws conference borders every four years to account for changes in school enrollment. This is year three of the current four-year set-up.

The initial proposal for the 2013-17 conference alignment would essentially splinter the current Mountain Valley 1A/2A and Northwest 1A/2A into four directions.

Here are the proposed new leagues involving current MVAC and Northwest teams:

Class 1A – Conference 2
Alleghany
Avery County
East Wilkes
Elkin
Mitchell
Starmount

Class 1A – Conference 4
Atkins
Bishop McGuinness
East Surry
Mount Airy
North Stokes
Walkertown
Winston-Salem Prep

Class 2A – Conference 4
Ashe County
Jimmy Draughn
East Burke
North Wilkes
West Caldwell
West Wilkes
Wilkes Central

Class 2A – Conference 5
Carver
Forbush
North Surry
Reidsville Senior
South Stokes
Surry Central
West Stokes
Bartlett Yancey

Here is the link to the complete proposal for all classifications: REALIGNMENT PROPOSAL NCHSAA

It’s clear from this draft that the NCHSAA wants to get away from split conferences, which are numerous now. There also seems to be a trend toward smaller conferences, which would leave room for more non-conference games between area teams that will be split up if this alignment proposal goes through.

The current MVAC features Elkin, Starmount, Forbush, East Wilkes, Wilkes Central, North Wilkes, West Wilkes, Alleghany and Ashe County. The current Northwest 1A/2A includes Mount Airy, Surry Central, North Surry, East Surry, West Stokes, North Stokes, South Stokes, Bishop McGuinness and Winston-Salem Prep.

There will be time for schools to provide feedback to the preliminary draft. The process will go into the spring before the everything is finalized.