MHSA board gives class realignment final approval

HELENA — The Montana High School Association executive board took final action on the realignment of classes A and B and placement for eight- and six-player football at its annual meeting on Monday.

The moves officially overhauled the Northwestern conferences, moving Libby and Ronan back into Class A, joining Browning in a preplanned move to the Northwest A to make a six-team conference with Columbia Falls, Polson and Whitefish. Bigfork, Eureka and Troy will be a part of the Western B conference, moving from the gutted District 7B to join the remaining teams from 6B. Troy also received approval to compete in Class C 8-player football while remaining in Class B for all other sports.

In addition to realignment, the board approved a proposal that would change the number of days an ineligible transfer student is prohibited from playing varsity competition to half of the instruction days in a school year.

The board sent schools notice of an approval to allow Ryder Cup-style match play during golf dual meets, pending a two-week notice. Four ball and singles match play would be allowed and results would not be used for seeding purposes in the postseason.

There is also an approval to give a lifetime pass to MHSA events for retired members of the Montana Officials Association who served at least 40 years.

Also, the start games in the fall sports season for football, volleyball, cross country and soccer will move from Friday, Aug. 25 to Thursday, Aug. 24.