Redistricting levels playing field for Baldwin, Hilliard, Union County

Baldwin coach Steve Shields never talked about the playoffs with last year's team.

The reason was simple.

"I didn't want to lie to them," Shields said.

The Indians competed in a District 2-2A headlined by Baker County, Raines and Ribault. Each of those teams would score at least 41 points on Baldwin.

Playoffs? No way.

"We didn't have a chance against those teams," Shields said. "Last year, I couldn't talk playoffs to our kids with a straight face. This year, I can."

The Florida High School Athletic Association came up with a creative way to help small public schools like Baldwin. While re-districting, the FHSAA created two divisions for its lower classifications. Class 2A became designated as "urban," and is largely comprised of private schools. Class 1A was deemed "rural," allowing public schools with an enrollment under 600 to compete against each other.

Related:High School Football Previews 2011: Class 1A

Now, Baldwin is a 1A school and in much better position to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2000. The rural category also includes area teams in Hilliard and Union County.

Coaches on those staffs agree with Shields. The FHSAA did the right thing.

"We were locked in a district [2-2B] where we were playing schools two, three and sometimes four times our size," Union County coach Ronny Pruitt said. "It will help us. It will help all the rural schools in the ongoing private vs. public battle."

The Tigers could become the area's top force in the new classification. Union County won five games last season. All four of its previous district foes are now playing in the 3A class or higher. The Tigers also have a championship pedigree, having won three consecutive state titles from 1994-96.

"There's a lot of tradition here," Pruitt said. "There's a sense of urgency here. Now that we are competing against schools our size, I expect to do well."

Hilliard coach Paul Whittenburg is also excited about the new classification. He just wished the FHSAA had implemented the change years ago.

"Not to dwell on the past, but we had a team here in 1992 that may have won the state championship," Whittenburg said. "We averaged 500 yards rushing a game that year. But [eventual state champion] University Christian was in our district, and back then the runner-up didn't get into the playoffs. Now, that wouldn't happen, so it's a golden opportunity."

Hays Carlyon: (904) 359-4377