When the OSAA speaks these days, people are listening. That’s because it’s in the process of determining how the high school state championships will look like over the next four years.
Highlighting the latest reveal- the championship committee met Monday in Wilsonville – are the regional breakdowns. In three sports – wrestling, golf and cross country – schools will no longer qualify for state at a league playoff or tournament. Now, for the sports mentioned, teams must perform well at a regional as well.
If the latest proposal holds up, Ashland High will be a part of Region I, along with Bend, Corvallis, Churchill, Marshfield, and a bunch of other schools (click the link to see the whole list).
There was one other interesting switcheroo from the update that caught my eye. The Class 5A state championship football game will be played at Hillsboro Stadium, a much smaller venue than Reser Stadium, where the 2009 state championship was held. I like the change, though. Those big college stadiums look mighty empty when they host prep games, even state championship affairs. To me, a packed house – and Hillsboro Stadium will definitely be packed – just adds to the atmosphere.
