NASHVILLE - During a special called meeting Wednesday the TSSAA Board of Control voted to once again change the landscape of the state's football classifications and playoff system.
On the heels of last year's decision that any independent school opting to give financial aid, including work study programs, must compete in Division II, the board voted to add one classification to D-II for football only.
That move is in anticipation that most of the 24 independent schools currently playing in Division I, also known as the public school league, will choose to make the move to D-II. The board also voted to maintain six public school classes, meaning Tennessee will now crown nine state champions (6 in D-I, 3 in D-II) in football.
Each of the rules changes will go into affect beginning with the 2017-18 school year.