A proposal to reduce the number of teams in state playoffs was narrowly rejected by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s board of directors last week.
The result of the vote aligned with the recommendation of NCHSAA president Stephen Gainey, the superintendent of the Randolph County School System.
“We’re not even done with Year 1,” Gainey said of sticking with it for another school year. “… I’m glad we let two cycles go.”
There was pretty much a split vote on the idea of reducing playoff fields from 48 teams to 32 teams in Class 1A through Class 7A for the 2026-27 school.
Ten board members voted to keep the 48-team level, while seven members voted to reduce the playoff fields. There are 24 playoff teams in Class 8A – the largest classification.
The current school year is the first with the NCHSAA’s eight-classification set-up and there was apprehension about abandoning the postseason structure before a full school year is complete. Spring sports playoffs are taking place through the end of the month.
Gainey said it makes sense to allow more time to assess the postseasons. He said he expects the topic will be revisited.
Gainey’s term as president is ending. Mark Garrett, superintendent of Henderson County Schools, was selected as the new president.
Two new sports approved
Girls’ flag football and boys’ volleyball have been approved as new sports within the NCHSAA, both beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Flag football will be a fall sport, while boys’ volleyball will play in the spring.
“Times are changing, kids’ interests are changing,” Gainey said.
In Randolph County, only Asheboro with a boys’ volleyball team has participated in either of the sports. Nearby, Jordan-Matthews has been involved in both sports.
Statewide, there have been 135 girls’ flag football teams. There’s a slightly lower number of teams for boys’ volleyball.
“I don’t think we’ve had one since my time here where we have sanctioned two sports in the same board meeting,” NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said.
There were complications involving girls’ flag football because some schools have played in the fall and others in the spring. A separate vote was held to determine when girls’ flag football would compete.
Tucker said conferences must be established for the new sports because of the varied participation among schools.
Welcome aboard
The NCHSAA approved the addition of more members.
Durham Charter comes in for the upcoming school year. John Paul II Catholic in Greenville will join in 2027-28.
Previously approved to begin in the 2026-27 school year were Wilson’s Mills, Revolution Academy Charter and The Hawbridge School, which is located in Saxapahaw and will be part of the Central Tar Heel 1-A Conference (that also includes Chatham Charter).
