Proposal would end HS football conferences
<span>Will the River-to-River, Black Diamond, South Seven, and other football conferences become a thing of the past? It is possible. </span>
Illinois High School Association member schools are to vote on a major change for football in the state. A simple majority of the votes cast will determine whether the proposal passes.
<span>Under a proposal being considered, Illinois would be divided into regions based on geography and enrollment. Each region would contain from seven to nine teams.</span>
<span>These regions would replace the athletic conferences currently in place. Each region would be valid for a two-year period under the plan.</span>
<span>The regular season would see schools playing at least one inter-region game, with the remainder of the schedule determined by the IHSA.</span>
<span>The proposal would keep the same eight playoff classes the IHSA currently uses, and divide the schools in those classes into eight different regions in the state. The top four teams in each region would qualify to go to the post-season playoffs.</span>
<span>According to IHSA documents, the proposal was submitted by Tim Carlson, principal at Sycamore High School. Sycamore is in the Northern Illinois Big 12 conference, with a student enrollment of 1,174 this school year.</span>
<span>Voting ends Dec. 30, with the results to be announced Jan. 6, according to the IHSA.</span>
<span>"I coached out in North Carolina for 10 years and there was a similar system to this in place as far as you only played conference opponents that were the same size and they reshuffled conferences frequently," said Chester football coach Bryan Lee. "I'm not in favor of it. I feel it kills some rivalries and some constants.</span>
<span>"You like to know what your schedule is going to be from year-to-year. It's not a broken system right now, so I don't feel like tinkering with it is really necessary."</span>
<span>Using Class 2A's 2014 enrollment range of 324-395 as a starting point, Chester may find itself in a region with former Southern Illinois River-to-River foe Sparta, but Johnston City, Dupo, Red Bud, Trenton-Wesclin and Carlyle could be added to the mix.</span>
<span>If passed, the IHSA's Board of Directors would determine whether region football begins next season or in 2016.</span>
<span>"I'm not for it," said Chester Athletic Director Mike Coffey. "I don't want to give up control of games. West Frankfort sent out an email that looked like it had 10 schools on it that were against (the proposal)."</span>
<span>West Frankfort would compete in a region with Benton, Carterville, Harrisburg, Massac County, Mount Carmel, Herrin, Murphysboro and Olney. </span>
<span>West Frankfort Athletic Director Richard Glodich is opposed to the move.</span>
<span>"I am against it. FCHS will vote 'no' on the proposal," said Glodich. "It comes at a time when we are trying to cut costs."</span>
<span>Glodich pointed out that West Frankfort would conceivably have to travel to Mount Carmel and Massac County in one football season.</span>
<span>Redbird football coach Brian Beery also opposes the move.</span>
<span>"I personally don't like the IHSA regions proposal. I believe the schools know what is best for their teams and who they should play better than the IHSA," said Beery. "The IHSA is taking a 'general look' at who they believe teams should play, whereas schools take a lot more into consideration when deciding who they will play."</span>
<span>While arch rival Benton would remain on the West Frankfort schedule, other league rivalries might die, Beery said.</span>
<span>Glodich said that implementation would be a nightmare.</span>
<span>Many schools have school scheduling contracts as many as five years in advance. Officials are also hired sometimes years in advance.</span>
<span>Glodich said many athletic directors fear that if the proposal passes in football, the plan will be replicated in many, if not all, sports.</span>
<span>- The Herald Tribune's Pete Spitler contributed to this report.</span>