By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – The Arizona Interscholastic Association has released its 2018-2020 Master Conferences alignment, and there doesn’t seem to be that big of a change for Gila Valley Schools.
Schools have until Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. to appeal their region and conference placement, and the AIA is scheduled to post a full list of individual sports placement by Oct. 25.
3A South
The big news for the Gila Valley’s largest school, Safford, is that it will move over to the 3A South and will mostly have schools in the Tucson area in its new region. The 3A South, listed by enrollment is: Sahuarita (984), Sabino (906), Safford (883), Florence (798), Catalina (758), Tanque Verde (551), Pusch Ridge (369) and San Miguel (353). The region stays the same for football, with the exception of the loss of San Miguel.
2A East
Pima will stay in the 2A East, along with top-dog Thatcher. The 2A East, listed by enrollment is: Thatcher (468), Benson (449), Willcox (409), Tombstone (390), Morenci (371), Bisbee (322) and Pima (246).
However, for football alone, the 2A East Region will include: Thatcher, Round Valley, St. Johns, Pima, Miami, and Morenci, with Benson, Bisbee, Willcox, and Tombstone staying in the 2A South.
1A East
Fort Thomas and Duncan have been placed in the 1A East. The 1A East, listed by enrollment is: Cicero Prep (300), Arete Prep (264), Tempe Prep (236), NFL Yet (222), Ray (145), Fort Thomas (144), Superior (121), Duncan (110), Cibecue (83) and Hayden (83).
For football alone, the 1A East will not include Cicero Prep, Arete Prep or Tempe Prep.
