Big changes are in store for high school football next year. Gone will be the five  classifications for football—sort of.

Football will return to the three classification system as the other major sports with a twist. Each classification, A, AA, AAA will be split in half come playoff time so there will be six state champions instead of the current five.

TSSAA officials say the change is designed to cut costs and reduce travel. Teams will return to the district format as they have in baseball, basketball and softball. Private schools choosing to play in Division one will still have their enrollment multiplied by 1.8.

Copper Basin will likely see little difference. They will continue in Class A and most likely will face the same teams they face now. Basin will probably be in the smaller half enrollment wise which could make a difference in their playoff chances. Unfortunately powerhouse South Pittsburg is not much bigger than Copper Basin.

Polk County could play in a familiar district with McMinn Central, Meigs, Tellico Plains, Sequoyah, Sweetwater and perhaps Notre Dame. Other AA schools in the general area would include Tyner and Boyd Buchanan. The Wildcats would also likely be in the smaller half come playoff time.

In a district containing teams in both halves enrollment wise it could be possible for a third or fourth place team to make the playoffs.

TSSAA will place teams in the districts and divisions by October 22. Schools will have a week to move up or down and everything will be set by Oct. 29. The Board of Control meets Nov. 12 and 13 to finalize everything.

These changes will be in place for four years.