MHSA executive board approves football realignment and other key decisions

The Montana High School Association (MHSA) executive board made significant decisions regarding sports realignment at its regularly scheduled meeting recently, addressing football classifications and other sports changes for the upcoming seasons.

Football Realignment

One of the most notable actions was the approval of football realignments. Several schools will be moving between classifications to better fit their student-athlete numbers and competitive levels. According to a press release from the MHSA, the following changes were approved:

• Broadus and Hays-Lodgepole will move from 8-Man to 6-Man football.

• Harlowton-Ryegate will shift from 6-Man to 8-Man football.

• Deer Lodge will transition from 8-Man to Class B football.

Additionally, after hearing appeals from schools, the board made adjustments, placing several schools in higher classifications. These schools now have the option to either participate fully in the higher classification or compete in the lower classification without postseason eligibility. The affected schools are:

• Arlee (Class B)

• Box Elder (8-Man)

• Centerville (8-Man)

• Joliet (Class B)

• Shelby (Class B)

• Westby-Grenora (8-Man)

Another important change is Whitehall-Harrison, which will move from the Western to the Southern Conference in Class B football.

The board also approved a new four-division alignment for Class A football, while also moving forward with proposals for realignment in Class C sports like basketball, track and field, and volleyball. Districts for these sports will be finalized at the 2025 MHSA Annual Meeting in Billings on January 20, 2025.

Other Actions and Approvals

In addition to football realignment, the MHSA executive board addressed several other items, including the following:

• Baseball Conferences for 2025: The board approved new conference alignments for the 2025 baseball season.

• Class B Golf: The board voted to revert the Class B golf qualifying criteria to match the number of qualifying players and teams from last year.

• Class C Girls Divisional Wrestling: A trophy will now be awarded to the first, second, and third-place teams in this division.

• Football Realignment Procedures: A change was approved allowing divisions impacted by reclassification to present their conference alignment at the executive board meeting, with an opportunity for schools to appeal their conference assignments in January.

• MHSA Office Relocation: The board approved the relocation of the MHSA office in Helena to a new site. The move will ensure ADA compliance and provide a better environment for hosting board and membership meetings with enhanced technology.

Looking Ahead

Several of these decisions are still pending final approval at the January 2025 board meeting. Schools will be given a two-week notice before the finalization of these items. The executive board also submitted proposals to be considered at the upcoming annual meeting.

These changes and updates reflect the MHSA's ongoing commitment to adapting to the needs of Montana's high school athletics and providing opportunities for schools to compete at the appropriate levels.

For more information on these changes and the upcoming 2025 MHSA Annual Meeting, visit the MHSA website or stay tuned for further announcements.