High school football region-by-region rundown for Memphis area

By John Varlas
Memphis Commercial Appeal
American football

Here is a region-by-region look at where Memphis-area teams will be playing for the 2017 high school football season. The regions were set by enrollment numbers taken for the most recent TSSAA re-classification and will be in effect through 2020.

The biggest change comes in Division II, which is now split into three classifications instead of two. The schools with the smallest enrollments will compete in D II-A.

The 32-team 6A classification has been eliminated after two seasons. Memphis and Shelby County will have teams in two regions in the largest public school classification.

The top four teams in each region make the playoffs. Last year's team records are in parentheses.

Region 8-6A

Teams: Central (10-2); Germantown (3-8); White Station (7-5); Whitehaven (15-0)

The rundown: Central — which had an outstanding year last year in 5A — moves up to join the Red Devils, Spartans and defending state champion Tigers. The Warriors will be very good again this year, and Germantown ought to be much improved, making this tidy four-team group a real dogfight.

Region 7-6A

Teams: Arlington (5-6); Bartlett (3-8); Collierville (4-8); Cordova (12-2); Houston (4-6)

The rundown: Despite some significant personnel losses, Cordova still looks like the team to beat, leaving the other four teams to battle for the final three playoff spots. Virtually every game in this region is a big rivalry game, which should make for some intense competition.

Region 8-5A

Teams: Bolton (5-6); Brighton (7-4); Kingsbury (3-7); Kirby (4-7); Munford (5-5); Overton (3-7); Ridgeway (9-4); Southwind (4-6)

The rundown: Ridgeway and Kingsbury move up from 4A to create what will be a well-balanced and highly competitive region. Southwind will be a lot better in 2017, and keep an eye on Kirby, which lost four games by a touchdown or less last year and has some of the area's best under-the-radar talent.

Region 8-4A

Teams: Craigmont (2-9); East (13-2); Fayette-Ware (8-3); Millington (2-9)

The rundown: Despite losing 20 seniors, defending state champ East looks poised for another deep postseason run. Craigmont and Millington are coming off of disappointing seasons but will be more competitive this time around.

Region 8-3A

Teams: Martin Luther King Prep (0-10); Melrose (3-7); Raleigh-Egypt (10-2); Sheffield (0-10); Trezevant (10-5); Wooddale (3-7)

The rundown: It's shaping up to be a two-team race between two-time defending state champ Trezevant — which moves up from 2A — and a Raleigh-Egypt team coming off the most successful year in school history. Wooddale drops down from 5A while MLK Prep moves up a step.

Region 8-2A

Teams: Douglass (7-5); Fairley (2-9); Hamilton (3-7); MAHS (6-6); Manassas (0-10); Mitchell (8-5) 

The rundown: There were two 2A regions in Memphis last year but only one in 2017 and it looks wide open. Douglass, MAHS and Mitchell will all be in title contention, and Fairley will be tough under new coach Gene Robinson. Hamilton moves down from 3A.

Region 8-1A

Teams: BTW (0-10); Freedom Prep (first year); Hillcrest (1-10); KIPP (6-4); MASE (first year); Middle College (6-5); Oakhaven (4-6); Westwood (4-7)

The rundown: Hillcrest, Oakhaven and Westwood move down from 2A to join top dogs KIPP and Middle College. The addition of a pair of new programs will make this a fun region to watch as the season progresses.

Division II-AAA

Teams: Briarcrest (7-4); CBHS (8-4); MUS (10-1); St. Benedict (3-8)

The rundown: Nothing new here save for the addition of an extra "A." Each team automatically makes the playoffs with first and second place getting a first-round bye.

Division II-AA

Teams: ECS (2-9); FACS (8-4); Harding (9-2); Lausanne (14-0); Northpoint (4-6); St. George's (10-3); University School of Jackson (9-4)

The rundown: Aside from clear favorites Lausanne, this region is up from grabs. Harding and St. George's graduated a ton of talent while ECS is on the upswing. Northpoint should also be better and FACS' offensive firepower means you have to take it seriously.

Division II-A

Teams: Clarksville Academy (3-6); Davidson Academy (7-4); Fayette Academy (7-4); Jackson Christian (4-7); Nashville Christian (10-3); Tipton-Rosemark (5-6); Rossville (7-2); Zion Christian (1-9)

The rundown: Critics will say nine classifications in a state with a population the size of Tennessee's are too many. And it's a fair point. But tiny-enrollment schools like Fayette Academy, TRA and Rossville were always going to struggle to compete where they were and this new group gives them a more level playing field and a real shot to get to Cookeville. Even though there will be plenty of long bus trips.

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.