12/19/2024
One of the most talked about topics in high school sports is the realignment. Yesterday the first draft of what conferences may look like was released from the NCHSAA. We will post what the drafts look like for our three public high schools and briefly discuss a few key points. Once the conferences are finalized, we will release a detailed article and podcast about who the schools are in each conference and more information.
Keep in mind these are only drafts; schools will have an opportunity to appeal.
3A/4A- North Moore is moving to a 3A, and like we have seen in previous years this will be a split conference with North Moore being one of the lower 3A schools in the conference. In the proposed conference it would be:
Eastern Randolph(3A), North Moore(3A), Northwood(3A), Carrboro(4A), Jordan-Matthews(4A), Southwestern Randolph(4A), and Uwharrie Charter(4A).
Northwood, Jordan-Matthews, and North Moore are currently in the same conference.
Union Pines is looking good in their proposed conference. If this conference looks familiar it's because it is the old Tri-County Conference. Here is what the straight 6A conference could look like:
Harnett Central, Lee County, Southern Lee, Triton, Union Pines, and Western Harnett.
This could be a great conference for the Vikings.
Pinecrest is moving to the top of the list at 8A, their proposed conference is large. We saw this with North Moore this season and nine schools in a conference is to many.
here is how the split 7A/8A could look:
Cape Fear(7A), Jack Britt(7A), Lumberton(7A), Overhills(7A), Pine Forest(7A), Purnell Swett(7A), Richmond(7A), Hoke County(8A), and Pinecrest (8A).
The issue with so many schools is with football. On a 10-game schedule 8 would be conference games, I am sure Union Pines would continue their rivalry so that leaves one game outside of the conference and county. It is being discussed about one less playoff round and in that case, it could be an 11-game regular season for Pinecrest. In that case they would have 8 conference games, Union Pines more than likely and two non-conference games.
Time will tell, in my opinion Union Pines looks great, North Moore and Pinecrest should be hoping that something changes after the appeals.
We will keep you posted on the process, feel free to comment what you think.
-Curtis Self
