GHSA discussing future classification changes in football

THOMASTON - Hoping to equalize the competition in the football playoffs, the Georgia High School Association is considering a new classification made up of 32 of the largest schools in the state, 29 in the metro Atlanta area. <br> <br> The new classification would not be created until 2004 at the earliest and may not happen at all. But it will be among the subjects brought up at the GHSA&#39;s next meeting June fourth. <br> <br> GHSA executive director Ralph Swearngin said, ``It&#39;s way too preliminary to talk about it. There&#39;s just a buffet of ideas. That&#39;s just one of several.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Class AAAAA, made up of the largest schools in the state, was created two years ago at the request of smaller public schools, which felt they could not compete with private schools&#39; ability to draw students from outside their areas. <br> <br> Removing the largest 32 schools from Class AAAAA would leave the remaining high schools to compete against other schools more their size. <br> <br> The only schools outside metro Atlanta that would be included in the proposed ``Super 32&#39;&#39; classification are Camden County, Colquitt County and Lowndes County high schools. <br> <br> A ten-person reclassification committee from the GHSA reshuffles the 378 schools in the state&#39;s 40 regions and five classifications every two years using updated enrollment figures. <br> <br> The 87 schools in Class AAAAA this fall will remain there for two years, so no action could be taken on the ``Super 32&#39;&#39; proposal until the 2004-05 school year at the earliest.