MSHSAA Communications Director Discusses Classification Changes

(Columbia) MSHSAA released its list of classifications for the 2020 fall sports season on Monday and several teams from around the state found themselves in new classes or new districts.

MSHSAA Communications Director Jason West explains the change to how they analyzed enrollment numbers.

In addition to the changes to enrollment classification, MSHSAA also added the ‘Championship Factor’ which awards points to private schools based on how they fare in postseason play.

When a private school team accumulates enough points, they are moved up in class – such was the case for Valle Catholic football who jumped from Class 1 to Class 3.

The change in classifications also brought about a change in district alignments.

While most teams are only having to adjust to the new teams in their districts, football teams have the added challenge of trying to determine seeding in their district tournaments amid the COVID-era that has seen dozens if not hundreds of games already canceled across the state.

With many football teams playing a different number of games, West explains how the district seeding will work.

Teams across fall sports this year have been forced into quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 or contact tracing.

West says unfortunately should that happen come playoff time, the team will have to forfeit their game and effectively end their season.

Despite all the hurdles that have had to be cleared to play fall sports this year, most Missouri high schools are playing fall sports – something that many people would consider a victory for the kids.

West says the folks at MSHSAA have been encouraged by everyone’s willingness to be flexible and adhere to the necessary protocols.

Full Interview with Jason West:

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