Brentwood Academy coach Cody White

Brentwood Academy and Ensworth will continue to play in the state’s largest classification for Division II.

Brentwood Academy and Ensworth each have asked the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association to move up in class to Division II-AAA, which is for schools that offer financial assistance with enrollments of 531 or more students.

The Eagles’ 497 enrollment and Ensworth’s 463 originally placed both in DII-AA for the 2017-20 enrollment cycle.

“It’s definitely not an endorsement for the system,” said Brentwood Academy coach Cody White, whose program won the 2015 Division II-AA state championship. “I think we should have three equal divisions.”

The TSSAA’s Board of Control approved in July to go to three classifications in Division II in football.

[presto-gallery id=”92503802″ title=”Photos: High school football, Week 10″ type=”presto”]

There were nine schools placed in DII-AAA, 21 in DII-AA and 16 in DII-A after the TSSAA released its original classification list last week. School administrators had until Tuesday to decide whether they want to move up in classification.

The addition of BA and Ensworth brings the DII-AAA total to 11, which is what DII-AA currently has in its classification.

In the past, Brentwood Academy and Ensworth have been classified in DII-A but moved to DII-AA.

Ensworth coach and athletic director Ricky Bowers confirmed the decision in a text message to The Tennessean.

The TSSAA has not released an entire list of schools that have filed to move up in classification.

RELATED

• What are the playoff scenarios for Middle Tennessee football regions
• Associated Press’ high school football statewide poll
• Midstate football Top 10 large school poll
• Midstate football Top 10 small school poll

White said there was a time when he could have seen his school choosing to stay in DII-AA.

“Looking at where the numbers came in, it’s the same group that was there before,” White said. “We’re comfortable with them. From a competitive standpoint, I’m not knocking them, but (DII-AA) is not nearly the same as what we’re in.”

White said he will start to work on his 2017-18 football schedules as soon as he gets the region schedule. Brentwood Academy played just nine regular-season games this season. Three of its first four games were against out of state competition.

“All of us have a hard time finding games,” White said.

Contributing: Michael Murphy. Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 and on Twitter @Kreager.

MOST POPULAR STORIES

Leonardo DiCaprio to play legendary producer Sam Phillips

Ensworth football Coach Ricky Bowers watches his players run drills during practice at Ensworth High School, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.