MACON, Ga. — Of all the changes coming to high school football this season, perhaps the most significant is the launch of the GIAA, previously known as the GISA.
But it's been quite a while since Macon’s independent schools were a part of that independent conference.
That all changes this fall.
When it was time for GHSA schools to reclassify this offseason, it was time for 4 of them in Macon to announce a change.
First Presbyterian Day School, Mount de Sales, Stratford Academy, and Tattnall Square Academy are all leaving their old stomping grounds behind for new beginnings.
“There's some things that we feel shouldn't apply, honestly,” FPD head coach Greg Moore said. “Things about service area and zones and all that kind of stuff, and we just felt like it was in our best interest once those decisions started coming down, to get with some like-minded schools in terms of what we thought was best with rules and regulations for us.”
And with new beginnings comes new challenges, too.
Firstly, strength of schedule, to which FPD will still play 4 GHSA opponents this season, and two, recruiting -- will it be tougher for stars to shine in a smaller league?
Consider the Vikings unbothered.
“We've got some kids here who are being very heavily recruited and interestingly enough, all the guys doing all that recruiting have not asked me yet which league we play in,” Moore said. “They just know whether or not the kid can play.”
And then, there's the John Milledge Academy Trojans, who have dominated the independent league for years. JMA has won 37 consecutive games, just 10 shy of the all-time state record held by Buford.
But this season in Milledgeville, more schools means more exposure – never a bad thing.
“They're going to do a great job of marketing, getting these names, these schools out there,” JMA head coach JT Wall said.
“Hudl and social media has really jumped to the forefront and changed the recruiting process right now for these guys anyway. So we feel like the GIAA is going to jump on board and kind of take charge of that and help out," he continued.
As JMA gears up to go for a historic 4th straight state title, it's a challenge that comes at the perfect time.
“Those Macon's are a whole new challenge, a whole new aspect,” Wall said. “We're the little fish in the big pond in this district we're in now with these guys and we know it's going to be a challenge playing them, much less playing them four straight weeks. Our schedule we feel like is the toughest we've had so far, and it is what it is.”
No matter the conference, no matter the opponent, this fall, the goal remains the same.
“To me the biggest thing that's not changed is kids are still kids,” Moore said. “They play this at the level I coach at, for fun. Because the day's going to come when they don't get to do this anymore, and they know that. So they want to have a good time while they're here. That's what still matters the most.”
Those 4 schools from the GHSA will be joined by Covenant Academy, Central Fellowship Christian Academy, and Windsor Academy, who also join the GIAA this season.