Larger region likely means tougher competition
OCHS co-AD and football coach Mike Holland said he’s looking forward to the challenge in the new Region 8-A Division I next fall. (The Oglethorpe Echo)
Oglethorpe County High School athletic programs are set for a new region, a move co-athletic director and football coach Mike Holland said was “necessary.”
Gone is five-team Region 5-A Division I.
In comes 10-team Region 8-A Division I, including traditional football powers Commerce, Elbert County and Rabun County.
“I want making the playoffs to mean something, and I want it to be a big deal,” Holland said. “So, I want that: bigger regions.”
The Georgia High School Association goes through reclassification and region realignment every two years to make sure schools remain with schools with similar enrollments.
This year, the GHSA did away with Class 7A and released the new region alignments and classifications in November. The new alignment will be in effect for the 2024-2026 academic years.
As part of the reclassification, Oglethorpe County will move to Region 8-A Division I, which includes nine other schools: Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Banks County. Barrow Arts and Sciences, Commerce, Elbert County, Providence Christian (Lilburn), Rabun County and Tallulah Falls.
The region will be split into two subdivisions. One side will include Athens Academy, Athens Christian, BASA, Providence Christian and OCHS, while the other will be Banks County, Commerce, Elbert County, Tallulah Falls and Rabun County.
OCHS was a part of Region 5-A Division I during the last reclassification cycle, along with Prince Avenue Christian Academy, Jasper County, Social Circle and Stilwell School of Arts.
OCHS appealed its region placement in Region 8 to Region 4 last month, but it was denied.
DeKalb County officials said travel time would place an automatic disadvantage on its athletic teams, as the drive between the counties is close to two hours.
Following the motion, “a bunch of hands went up to vote against us,” Holland said. “I’m not sure of the motivations of those who voted against us.”
He added: “We were trying to move with Social Circle and Jasper County, but we were able to get a handshake agreement with Social Circle to play them the next two years.”
Here’s how the realignment will affect the student-athletes and coaches at OCHS.
Football
OCHS will play six region games next fall and non-region games against Social Circle, East Hall, Washington-Wilkes and Laney. Previously, it had only three region games, which automatically granted a playoff berth to all four teams in the region.
Under the new alignment, the teams will have to earn their spot in the postseason: A change welcomed by the Patriots.
“There is no pride in making the playoffs in a four-team region if you are the No. 4 seed,” Holland said.
He said he feels good about state champion Prince Avenue not being in the new region. Prince Avenue outscored OCHS 105-17 the past two seasons.
However, even without the Wolverines, the Patriots’ road isn’t any easier. Their region as a whole is more competitive.
“Trading the No. 1 team in the classification for three in the top 10 (Commerce, Elbert County and Rabun County) … I think our schedule will be much tougher top to bottom,” Holland said. “But, it’s time for us to take the next step and start competing with those guys.”
The seven other region teams in the new Region 8-A Division I averaged eight wins in 2023. Every team, excluding Banks County, made the playoffs this fall, and Elbert County, Commerce and Rabun County each advanced to the Elite Eight.
Holland said Athens Christian won’t play a region football schedule next fall.
OCHS has a combined record of 40-67 all-time against the teams in the new region. It has never faced Providence Christian and has never beaten Rabun County (0-9).
“I’m looking forward to the high level of competition,” Holland said. “We have big goals on the football team. Our guys want to win things outright; we don’t want to be given anything. We welcome the challenge.”
Wrestling
OCHS wrestling will also be significantly affected by the reclassification. Coming off of three years of success in its area, OCHS will be in muddier waters in the upcoming cycle, assistant coach Steve Mason said.
“Class A wrestling is going to get much, much tougher, and it was already super tough,” he said.
Mason said A will be a deep classification. OCHS awaits the area alignments.
Basketball
For girls basketball, the region also becomes tougher. Six of the Lady Patriots’ future region opponents are ranked in the top 15, according to MaxPreps.
“I'm all about playing with competition and having to try my all in games,” junior Kenzie Henderson said.
Banks County made a state championship appearance last season, while Elbert County reached the Final Four.
Volleyball
Coach Brianne Harrison said there’s excitement in the air for the Patriots next season, looking to build upon their success against new opponents.
“I definitely think the opponents are better quality compared to last year’s area, and I’m looking forward to playing more competitive teams,” she said.
This past season, OCHS played five of the teams in the new region.
OCHS defeated Elbert County twice, Athens Christian, BASA, and Rabun County in the opening round of the state playoffs, all in straight sets. It lost 2-0 to Athens Academy.
“ACAD is one that I’m especially looking forward to a rematch,” Harrison said.
Banks County, Providence Christian and Tallulah Falls each won 30 or more games last season.