Well, it happened. And I'm not proud of it.
A soccer guy beat me to the punch.
My procrastination jumped up and bit me.
Daily Item soccer beat writer Todd Stanford did his future classification changes column before I got around to mine.
But what the heck, so he beat me by a day.
For those who care more about football than futbol, let's talk about next year's changes on the area pigskin scene as determined by the Pennsylvania Scholastic Athletic Association, which has set the classifications for the next two schools years -- 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Two area teams will move up from Class AA to Class AAA, although only one of them because it's own enrollment figure has increased. Shamokin picked up enough male students in grades nine through 11 (the PIAA's determining factor) to move up one classification.
Milton will also move up one class, to AAA, but not because its own district enrollment increased significantly. Rather, the district picked up 29 students in a cooperative agreement approved a few weeks ago by the PIAA for Meadowbrook Christian School.
According to Milton football coach Mike Bergey, who favors the move, MBC may or may not have any students go out for his football team. But the approval is there if they choose.
"I think it's a good thing, an opportunity to give those kids a chance to play," Bergey said. "I doubt we will get 40 or 50 kids but those kids definitely deserve an opportunity."
Of course, he would be even more excited if one of those Meadowbrook students becomes the next Henry Hynoski.
The other changes are Mifflinburg moving from AAA back down to AA, Loyalsock (a regular-season opponent of Shikellamy next season) and Bloomsburg from A up to AA. In addition, Cowanesque Valley, which receives co-op students, is dropping from AAA to AA.
This co-op situation, which also affects such area schools as East Juniata, Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech and Newport, just gives me one more opportunity to spout off about something which will never change. It just feels good to get it off my chest every couple of years.
In a nutshell, I have yet to be convinced that, if private schools (most of them just happen to be Catholic) do not have to include the enrollment figures from all of the schools from which they draw their students, why should, for example, Newport, be penalized for giving a handful of Greenwood students the chance to play football or wrestle.
I am waiting for the answer. I will not hold my breath.
Last week; season: 25-8; 228-77, .748.
This week's picks:
Friday
District 4 Class A championship
Southern Columbia at Line Mountain -- At mid-season this pick would have been different, but the Tigers have regained their swagger. Southern 24, Line Mountain 20.
District 4 Class AA semifinal
Lewisburg at Towanda -- It's brute strength against brute strength, but the Green Dragons have a few more weapons. Lewisburg 21, Towanda 20.
District 4 Class AA championship
Shikellamy at Selinsgrove -- The Seals bring down the curtain on the Braves' outstanding season. Selinsgrove 42, Shikellamy 14.
District 4 Class A semifinal
York Catholic at Upper Dauphin -- The well-rested Trojans advance to their first-ever district final. Upper Dauphin 34, York Catholic 14.
Eastern Conference Class AA championship
Hanover Area at Mount Carmel -- The young Red Tornadoes make up for a disappointing season with their second championship. Mount Carmel 19, Hanover Area 13.
Elsewhere: D4 AA semifinal, Hughesville over Loyalsock; D3 A semifinal, Steelton-Highspire over Millersburg; D11 A championship, Pius X over Tri-Valley; D2 AAA championship, Abington Heights over Dallas; ; D6 AAA championship, Johnstown over Hollidaysburg; D11 AAA championship, Allentown Central Catholic over Wilson; D 11 AA semifinals, North Schuylkill over Panther Valley, Northern Lehigh over Catasauqua; D2 AA championship, Dunmore over Lakeland; D3 AA semifinals, Lancaster Catholic over Middletown, DeLone Catholic over Littlestown; D2 A championship, Riverside over Northwest.
n Assistant sports editor Harold Raker covers high school football for The Daily Item. E-mail comments to hraker@dailyitem.com.
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