New regions and classifications could be in the offing for local schools.

The Georgia High School Association has released its classifications for the 2020-22 school years, and Thomas County Central has been placed into Class AAAA, moving down from 5A.

GHSA’s numbers put Central’s count at 1,420, making it one of the larger Class AAAA schools. Cairo, at 1,282, remained in Class AAAA.

Thomasville, at 886, is one of the largest AA schools. However, its region may change, as Brooks County dropped to single A.

“As a GHSA member school, we respect the efforts of the GHSA staff, volunteers, and committee members for their work that was put into this difficult task,” said Chris Merritt, Thomasville High athletics director and assistant principal. “We, at Thomasville High School, realize the importance this process has on Georgia athletics. Thomasville High School was classified where we were anticipating while also welcoming in two new competitors in 1-AA while losing one to 1-A.”

Thomasville is one of 57 schools in Class AA. There are 56 in Class AAA, 57 in AAAA and 56 each in 5A and 6A. Class 7A, which has the largest schools, is comprised of 47 schools.

Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County has the largest classification count at 3,774. Lowndes, Tift County and Colquitt County also are 7A schools. 

Other Class AA schools near Thomasville include Berrin, Cook, Worth County, Early County and Fitzgerald. Cook and Worth County currently are classified as AAA schools.

“I believe the efforts and energy put into this process proved to be a success and over this 2020-2022 classification cycle the level of competition will only prove to continue the long success of Georgia High School athletics and continue the tradition and standard of excellence that Thomasville High School has continued to have,” Merritt said.

Central’s current region of Harris County, Veterans, Bainbridge, and Warner Robins will be shuffled. Bainbridge also was moved into 4A. Also in 4A are Monroe, Dougherty, Columbus, Hardaway and Shaw. 

Harris County, Veterans and Warner Robins all remained in Class 5A.

Schools wishing to appeal their classification or seeking to move up a class must file an appeal with the GHSA no later than Monday, November 11, at 4 p.m.

Editor Pat Donahue can be reached at (229) 226-2400 ext. 1806.