Little Ten Conference to remain largely unchanged under proposed classification

High school football classification may look different in many parts of the state next fall with various programs moving up and down classes and the addition of a pair of eight-man divisions. The schedule for Foxcroft Academy and Dexter Regional High School (which has been a cooperative with Piscataquis Community High School in recent seasons) should not vary too much under a proposal given unanimous support April 8 by two Maine Principals’ Association committees.

The final reclassification plan for all four classes and two new divisions of eight-player football will go before the MPA’s full membership for final approval on Thursday, April 25.

Class D North/the Little Ten Conference (LTC) would have nine teams: Foxcroft (with an enrollment figure of 415), Washington Academy (404), Mt. View (374), Mattanawcook Academy/Penobscot Valley/Lee Academy (341), Orono (338), Houlton/Hodgdon/Greater Houlton Christian Academy/Southern Aroostook (336), Bucksport (314), Dexter/PCHS (290) and Stearns (168).

The Ellsworth/Sumner cooperative would move from the LTC into the new larger school eight-player division.

Crossover games with the goal of creating as many competitive matchups as possible are likely to be frequent to avoid byes as five of the six regional divisions in Class B, C and D have an odd number of teams.

Class D South would add Dirigo of Dixfield and Camden Hills of Rockport from Class E for eight total teams. Camden Hills, with its 693 students well over the Class D limit of 419, petitioned to play in the smallest 11-player division and will therefore be ineligible for the postseason.

The regional would be made up of Camden Hills (693), Spruce Mountain (402), Oak Hill (399), Mountain Valley (375), Lisbon/St. Dominic (357), Madison/Carrabec (299), Winthrop/Monmouth/Hall/Dale (267) and Dirigo (219).

Ernie Clark of the Bangor Daily News contributed to this story.