With the announcement that the Mississippi High School Athletics Association (MHSAA) executive council has voted to add a 7A classification to high school sports, here’s a look at which schools could be moving up to the state’s highest class.
The new 7A classification will consist of 24 teams in total with six teams spread across four regions.
Based on 2019-2020 enrollment numbers — 2021-2022 numbers are not yet available — these are the projected regions for class 7A. It is worth noting that seven coastal schools are currently projected to move up to 7A which could force one coastal school to be a member of Region 3 and subsequently travel more.
Region 1
Horn Lake High School
Hernando High School
Southaven High School
DeSoto Central High School
Tupelo High School
Oxford High School
Region 2
Madison Central High School
Starkville High School
Clinton High School
Murrah High School
Germantown High School
Warren Central High School
Region 3
Meridian High School
Oak Grove High School
Terry High School
Harrison Central High School*
Northwest Rankin High School
Brandon High School
Region 4
Ocean Springs High School
Gulfport High School
Biloxi High School
Hancock High School
St. Martin High School
D’Iberville High School
*Based on Harrison Central High School being the northernmost of the coastal schools projected to be in the new 7A classification.
Note: These are just projections. 2021-2022 enrollment numbers or MHSAA executive decisions could alter the above.
