The Mississippi Association of Independent Schools announced major changes to the way its football classes are structured and championships are awarded.
Starting in 2025, there will only be four classifications for the MAIS. The 1A level will feature 8-man football while the 2-4A classes are for 11-man competition.
Within the new classifications for 2A, 3A and 4A, there will be four districts in each. At the 2A and 3A levels, there are four teams per district, while 4A features five teams.
For instance, Parklane Academy is now in a district that features Brookhaven Academy, Simpson Academy, Park Place Christian Academy and Madison-Ridgeland Academy at the 4A level.
Now here's where things get really confusing.
At the 2A and 3A levels, two state titles will be awarded, while in 4A, three champions will be crowned. How that system will work is defined here, using 4A as an example:
- There will be a Division I Championship that occurs at the conclusion of a two-week playoff between the four teams that have the highest point power averages within the class.
- There will also be a D-II Championship, which will feature the six teams that have the next-highest point power averages competing in a three-week playoff.
- And lastly, the D-III title brings in the six next-highest averages in another three-week playoff.
- The main difference for 3A and 2A is that there will be two titles, with the top four teams competing for the D-I championship while the next eight clash for the D-II crown.
