By Joshua Huff, sports editor
Though Center Point remains in Class 5A following the bi-annual AHSAA reclassification on Tuesday, the Eagles were bumped from a brutally difficult Region 5 into Region 6.
The move looks to be favorable for Center Point as it leaves a loaded Region 5 that contained the likes of now Class 6A Mortimer Jordan, Sylacauga and Class 5A state champion Central Clay County. Now, the Eagles will enter the 2020 season as the favorites to take the region crown following an impressive 9-4 season that ended in the quarterfinals against Mortimer Jordan.
“(We’re) excited to face teams we aren’t familiar with,” Center Point head coach George Bates said. “Makes for an interesting offseason.”
Region 5 will also be the home of two former Class 4A teams: Leeds and Lincoln. The two combined to go 11-11 in 2019.
The Eagles last played in Class 5A, Region 6, in 2013. In that season, Center Point went 9-2 and 6-1 in the region. Overall, the Eagles have spent eight seasons in Region 6. Center Point has an enrollment of 552.55, which is the eighth highest in Class 5A.
Class 5A, Region 6
- Alexandria (8-3, Class 5A, Region 6)
- Corner (7-4, formerly of Class 5A, Region 7)
- Hayden (3-7, formerly of Class 5A, Region 7)
- Leeds (2-8, formerly of Class 4A, Region 4)
- Lincoln (9-3, formerly of Class 4A, Region 4)
- Moody (4-6, formerly of Class 5A, Region 5)
- Saint Clair County (0-10, formerly of Class 5A, Region 5)
- Center Point (9-4, formerly of Class 5A, Region 5)
Only the fall sports were unveiled during the live broadcast. Winter and spring sports will learn their area destinations following the conclusions of each season. The new classification determines where each team will now compete, which region they will compete in and who they will play against for a state championship throughout the next two years.