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TSSAA Board of Control denies classification appeals by Howard, Chatt Prep

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / The Howard football program had its classification appeal denied by the TSSAA on Tuesday and now faces a tough decision on whether to move up to Class 6A or compete as an independent program.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / The Howard football program had its classification appeal denied by the TSSAA on Tuesday and now faces a tough decision on whether to move up to Class 6A or compete as an independent program. Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / The Howard football program had its classification appeal denied by the TSSAA on Tuesday and now faces a tough decision on whether to move up to Class 6A or compete as an independent program.

By Stephen Hargis 6 min read

Both The Howard School and Chattanooga Prep had their appeals concerning new classifications denied by the TSSAA’s Board of Control on Tuesday.

During a special called virtual meeting, the board heard appeals by nine schools statewide who made requests to have their newly announced classifications, which were released two weeks ago, reconsidered.

Howard representatives argued that its football program should not be moved up to Class 6A, while Chatt Prep’s presentation requested not to be required to move up two classes to 3A.

The board voted 7-4 against Howard’s appeal and 10-1 against Chatt Prep, meaning those schools must now make the move up beginning next fall to the classifications they will compete in.

Classifications are set based on school enrollment figures reported at the beginning of the current school year. When the TSSAA announced the new classifications that will be used for the 2025-27 competition cycle on Oct. 9, Howard was moved up from 5A to 6A in football, while Chatt Prep made the jump from 1A to 3A.