By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
A seventh class could soon be a part of the Alabama High School Athletic Association sports picture.
The class, which is being called a Super Class, would be for the biggest schools in Class 6A. The number of schools which would be transferred from the current 6A to the Super Class is one of the many items that need to be ironed out before the class becomes reality.
The biggest push behind the proposed Super Class is due to the amount of the enrollment gap between the top and the bottom of the current 6A.
Bob Jones is currently the largest school in Class 6A with a counter enrollment of 1,751 although its actual overall enrollment is about 2,400 students. Buckhorn is the smallest school in 6A with a counter enrollment of 700 students and an overall enrollment of about 940 students.
Class 6A football has been dominated in recent years by Hoover, Daphne and Prattville. Hoover has won five state titles since 2000, while Daphne and Prattville have divided the other two. Hoover, Daphne or Prattville have finished second in six of those seven years.
Hoover is currently third in 6A in enrollment with a count of 1,639 students, while Prattville is sixth at 1,456. Daphne is 17th at 1,097.
Riggs said different numbers are being thrown out as the number of 6A schools that would be transferred into the proposed Super Class.
While a Super Class may level the playing field between the biggest current 6A schools and the leftover 6A schools, Hathcock said there are plenty of snags that would go with it.
are a couple of the biggest factors to consider, but I think one of the biggest factors is the travel headaches it will cause,” said Hathcock. &#8220There are basically four areas where the current 6A schools are located, which are Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile. There could be some monstrous regular season road trips for schools in that class.”
The other item that remains to be seen is how the AHSAA would fill the vacant spots in Class 6A.
Riggs said if the Super Class proposal is passed, it will probably not take effect until the 2008-09 school year.