THOMASTON, Ga. — Union County and Johnson's appeals to move regions were approved Thursday during the Georgia High School Association Reclassification Committee's meeting.
Union County was initially placed in Region 8-2A with East Jackson, Franklin County, Hart County, Hebron Christian, Prince Avenue Christian and Stephens. Union County will move to Region 7-2A. The Northwest Georgia region houses Coahulla Creek, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, Murray County, North Murray, Ringgold, Rockmart and Sonoraville.
In Class 3A, six Hall County schools were split into two regions. Johnson, Cherokee Bluff, East Hall and West Hall were placed with Jefferson, Monroe Area and Oconee County to make Region 8-3A. Meanwhile, in Region 6-3A, Chestatee and North Hall joined Dawson County, Gilmer, Greater Atlanta Christian, Lumpkin County, Pickens and White County. Johnson will now play in Region 6-3A, and Gilmer was approved to move to Region 7-3A.
It is unclear if the Johnson football program will play a region schedule over the next two seasons. Johnson has played a non-region schedule for the last two seasons. However, Johnson athletic director Tony Wagner said a decision to play a region football schedule over the next two seasons will be decided by the end of November.
In other moves, Wesleyan was approved to join Region 5-A Division 1 from Region 8-A Division 1, which houses area schools, Banks County, Commerce and Rabun County. Oglethorpe County's appeal to leave Region 8-A Divison 1 was denied.
REGION 6-3A
Dawson County
Greater Atlanta Christian
Johnson
Lumpkin County
Pickens
White County
REGION 7-3A
Adairsville
Calhoun
Gilmer
Heritage, Catoosa
LaFayette
Northwest Whitfield
Ridgeland
REGION 8-3A
Cherokee Bluff
East Hall
Jefferson
Monroe Area
Oconee County
West Hall
REGION 8-A Division 1
Athens Academy
Athens Christian
Banks County
Barrow (does not play football)
Commerce
Elbert County
Oglethorpe County
Providence Christian
Rabun County
Tallulah Falls (does not play football)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/11/1214740/ghsa-approves-union-county-johnson