New TSSAA classifications will change gridiron landscape in NET

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November 14th, 2014 8:00 am by Pat Kenney

KINGSPORT The TSSAA's proposed changes to the state's football classifications was approved on Thursday and with it comes some significant change for area high schools.

More travel is the common denominator for most, but that is the price for trying to find a more competitive balance among schools.

Dobyns-Bennett and Science Hill will be grouped in a 6A conference with Bearden, Bradley Central, Hardin Valley, Jefferson County, Maryville and William Blount.

"We think this will provide us with an outstanding regular-season schedule," said D-B athletic director Cary Daniels. "We'll add Tennessee High, Oak Ridge and Sevier County as our out of conference games.

"Our only concern is how the TSSAA will handle the playoffs," added Daniels. "It appears that the first two rounds of the playoffs would require us to travel to Murfreesboro and that could prove to be very costly."

With more than 4,000 season ticket holders, Daniels feels Dobyns-Bennett can comfortably make this transition.

"We're so fortunate to have so many loyal and dedicated fans," said Daniels. "A lot of people think that the school systems give schools money for sports. We survive on gate revenue, it's our life blood."

Sullivan North has been moved to Class 2A with Cosby, Cumberland Gap, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Hampton, Happy Valley, North Greene and South Greene.

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New TSSAA classifications will change gridiron landscape in NET