MHSAA and MAIS

[Dubaction]

Apparently they have formed a joint committee to discuss the future of athletics in the state and are two meetings in already. What shall come of this?

[Rebel Bert]

1 minute ago, Dubaction said:

Apparently they have formed a joint committee to discuss the future of athletics in the state and are two meetings in already. What shall come of this?

1 MAIS is struggling and we may get a merger someday. 

2 MGSAA coaches need opponents for all these open dates so we may get a scheduling agreement but not 8 man. 

3 1.5 multiplier has become a stinky issue.

4 Wait and see?

[s1nglewing]

MAIS isn't struggling. The main idea is to coordinate with both leagues the evolving landscape of  athletics (NIL, transfer eligibility, etc.)

[Wareaglefan1us]

Someone had a thread on here asking what the new Alabama split would mean for the MAIS schools. I said you could see some of the of the MAIS schools joining the new Alabama association. I was mainly referring to the schools in the southern part of the state that are traveling four and five hours especially during playoffs. Maybe this is the opportunity they are needing. I’m with s1nglewing the MAIS isn’t struggling 

Edited August 6 by Wareaglefan1us

[Rebel Bert]

3 minutes ago, Wareaglefan1us said:

Someone had a thread on here asking what the new Alabama split would mean for the MAIS schools. I said you could see some of the of the MAIS schools joining the new Alabama association. I was mainly referring to the schools in the southern part of the state that are traveling four and five hours especially during playoffs. Maybe this is the opportunity they are needing. I’m with s1nglewing the MAIS isn’t struggling 

If schools in South Mississippi join that league certainly it will be those along the Pearl River and alonf hwy 28 and 84 due to the same travel experience. 

[Rebel Bert]

Really if travel is the issue with MAIS then go with 1-8 in the south and 1-8 in the north. That way eliminate Parklane traveling to Magnolia Heights, etc, etc. Same with MHSAA going back to 4 regions in 1A footbal. Otherwise MHSAA would have go back to neutral site games for travel purposes in the playoffs for example double headers in the Hattiesburg area for 7A, 6A, and really all playoff games if necessary. 

[Rebel Bert]

Brandon vs MRA or Manchester vs Morton might be a better option than Brandon vs Ocean Springs or Morton vs Leflore County for regular season games.

[FBdude]

23 minutes ago, Rebel Bert said:

Brandon vs MRA or Manchester vs Morton might be a better option than Brandon vs Ocean Springs or Morton vs Leflore County for regular season games.

Morton vs Manchester???? How would that even be fair. Is Manchester even back playing 11 man?

[s1nglewing]

2 hours ago, FBdude said:

Morton vs Manchester???? How would that even be fair. Is Manchester even back playing 11 man?

Manchester has been 11 man the last three seasons and went 1-9 in 2025 and 2024. It's foolish to suggest a match up with Morton

[Rebel Bert]

18 hours ago, s1nglewing said:

Manchester has been 11 man the last three seasons and went 1-9 in 2025 and 2024. It's foolish to suggest a match up with Morton

I was just making a suggestion.  Probably will never happen. Maybe i should have said Pelahatchie. 

[Bulldog2205]

I am hearing they are merging before the count this fall.  

[maroontide06]

1 minute ago, Bulldog2205 said:

I am hearing they are merging before the count this fall.  

Why would they do that?  St. Al in Vicksburg used to be in the MHSAA, but they got away from it and joined the MAIS.  I don't think they would want to go back.  What would they do about 8-man football that is currently in the MAIS?  Also, what would they do with the schools that aren't in Mississippi that are part of the MAIS?

[Chunky6617]

I kind of like the idea to be honest. Especially if we gonna have 7 classes 

[maroontide06]

9 minutes ago, Chunky6617 said:

I kind of like the idea to be honest. Especially if we gonna have 7 classes 

So would you make 1A all 8-man, then have 6 classes of 11-man?

[Chunky6617]

4 hours ago, maroontide06 said:

So would you make 1A all 8-man, then have 6 classes of 11-man?

However they want to do it. Right now we don’t have enough teams to justify having 7 classes. Adding the MAIS would make it a little better. 

[pancho]

weeping and gnashing of teeth upcoming if the private schools have to go play at rosa fort, byers, byhalia, inner city jackson fields........boy howdy

[coastfootballfanman]

16 hours ago, maroontide06 said:

So would you make 1A all 8-man, then have 6 classes of 11-man?

I think that would make a ton of sense or if you wanted you could have 1A 11-man and 1A 8-man or something along those lines. Texas breaks it down as Division I 1A and Division II 1A. Division I is 11-man and Division II is their 6-man football. 

[coastfootballfanman]

If they did merge, I would be curious to see what the numbers would be for MRA, Prep, etc. I imagine they would be in the 5A range with the 1.5 multiplier added to their 9-11 numbers?

[maroontide06]

47 minutes ago, coastfootballfanman said:

I think that would make a ton of sense or if you wanted you could have 1A 11-man and 1A 8-man or something along those lines. Texas breaks it down as Division I 1A and Division II 1A. Division I is 11-man and Division II is their 6-man football. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most folks want to see a reduction in 11-man classifications?  I'm not talking about what the MHSAA wants or doesn't want.  If there's not a reduction in 11-man classifications, then what are we really accomplishing by merging the two associations together?

[coastfootballfanman]

24 minutes ago, maroontide06 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most folks want to see a reduction in 11-man classifications?  I'm not talking about what the MHSAA wants or doesn't want.  If there's not a reduction in 11-man classifications, then what are we really accomplishing by merging the two associations together?

The big argument is there is no need for 7 classes with less teams. You would add roughly 50 more teams to MHSAA if MAIS merged which would add roughly 7 more teams per classification. So you would be back to more traditional 32 or so teams in 5A-7A instead of 24. So I think there is a better argument for staying 7 classes considering that point. 

[Rebel Bert]

17 hours ago, maroontide06 said:

So would you make 1A all 8-man, then have 6 classes of 11-man?

I think so and maybe the 1A non football schools can play 8 man up north. Remember there are few MAIS schools in NE Ms.

[Rebel Bert]

1 hour ago, pancho said:

weeping and gnashing of teeth upcoming if the private schools have to go play at rosa fort, byers, byhalia, inner city jackson fields........boy howdy

I believe the Jackson fields are artificial turf now. Getting there and getting out safely from the bad streets and gangs. Actually I have no clue about NW Jackson fields. Provine is artificial turf and you drive straight in from hwy 80 and out.

[Rebel Bert]

1 hour ago, coastfootballfanman said:

If they did merge, I would be curious to see what the numbers would be for MRA, Prep, etc. I imagine they would be in the 5A range with the 1.5 multiplier added to their 9-11 numbers?

Will the multiplier go away?

[Rebel Bert]

42 minutes ago, maroontide06 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most folks want to see a reduction in 11-man classifications?  I'm not talking about what the MHSAA wants or doesn't want.  If there's not a reduction in 11-man classifications, then what are we really accomplishing by merging the two associations together?

Justification above 5 classes.

[Vott]

2 minutes ago, Rebel Bert said:

I think so and maybe the 1A non football schools can play 8 man up north. Remember there are few MAIS schools in NE Ms.

You could not pay me enough to watch 8 man football. Be like watching Arena football. I tried watching arena ball when it was in Biloxi. After the first quarter I left. Just didnt feel like football. I think watching 8 man football would be the same way if I watched it.