AHSAA reclassifies for 2016-2018

The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced the completion of reclassification for 2016-2018 on Wednesday. 

Reclassification takes place every two years, with the last cycle producing the addition of Class 7A. The changes for the next two years are not as sweeping, but do yield change for some of the local teams.

Spain Park and Oak Mountain remain in Class 7A, Chelsea stays in Class 6A, and Briarwood Christian drops to Class 5A.

In football, Class 7A, Region 3 only sees one change. Huffman replaces Hewitt-Trussville and maintains Spain Park, Oak Mountain, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Thompson, and Tuscaloosa County.

Chelsea's competition in Class 6A, Region 3 presents some new faces. Opelika, Benjamin Russell, and Chilton County are holdovers. Helena, Pelham, and Wetumpka are newcomers.

Briarwood Christian joins Class 5A, Region 5 with Fairfield, Moody, Pleasant Grove, St. Clair County, Shelby County, Wenonah, and Woodlawn.

For all other sports, Oak Mountain swaps with Vestavia essentially and joins Spain Park in Class 7A, Area 6.

Chelsea moves from one three-team area to another. The Hornets jump to Area 8 with Helena and Pelham.

Briarwood will now play in Area 8 with Moody, Shelby County, and Sylacauga.