THOMASVILLE- Scheduling should not be a problem for the Thomasville High School athletic programs for the 2024-26 seasons. But traveling will be an issue.

According to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) this week, Thomasville was reclassified into Region 1-A Division I, joining Bacon County, Berrien, Brantley County, Dodge County, Fitzgerald, Jeff Davis and Worth County.

Thomasville athletic director Jeremy Rayburn provided his outlook on the Bulldogs’ new home.

“We had hoped we were going to keep Brooks County, Early County and Pelham from the original classifications that came out. Once they were allowed to move down, this was about the best case scenario,” Rayburn said. “I know there’s 2 ½ hour trips in there, but as far as scheduling, it’s going to be a lot easier with eight teams in a region. You’ve got to find three football games. You automatically have 14 basketball games. If they continue three-game series in baseball, that’s 21.

“From a scheduling standpoint, it’s really good. From a travel standpoint, four of those schools are over two hours away from Thomasville. It is what it is. If that’s the way it stays, they do have the chance to appeal out next week. I don’t know if any of them will. I know we’re staying where we’re at.”

Rayburn confirmed it will attempt to keep Thomas County Central, Cairo and Brooks County as its non-region opponents for football.

The GHSA will hear appeals from schools to transfer laterally within their classifications on Thursday, Nov. 16. The deadline for schools to get on the agenda for the lateral appeal meeting is noon, Wednesday, Nov. 15.