AIA realignment places area schools in different sections

Posted by Oree Foster | Aug 6, 2015 | Football |

Window Rock’s Shamon Chad looks to his left to throw the football during practice on Tuesday in Fort Defiance, Ariz. (Special to the Times – Ravonelle Yazzie)

FORT DEFIANCE

Area Arizona high schools began official football practice in preparing for the fall gridiron season.

Schools beginning its season during Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Zero Week were allowed to begin official practice on July 27. Zero Week, which begins the 2015 fall football season, is Aug. 21.

The remaining schools that begin the season on Aug. 28, started official practice this past Monday.

Last spring schools were realigned and they were placed into divisions and sections by the AIA. Before the divisions were finalized, schools had an opportunity to appeal their placement. All of the area schools were placed in Division V and were put in three separate sections.

Division V, Section IV has five schools. This section consists of Window Rock, St. Johns, Round Valley, Holbrook and Alchesay.

Window Rock head coach Greg Barker, who enters his third season as the Scouts’ skipper, said despite being placed in a tough section, he likes the school’s placement.

The Tuba City football team was placed in Division V, Section VII by the Arizona Interscholastic Association this year. The six-team section includes Monument Valley, Tuba City, Greyhills, Pinon, Hopi and Sedona Red Rock. (Times photo – Krista Allen)

“We’re accepting the challenge,” Barker said. “Up and down our schedule, we play strong schools. Every year St. Johns and Round Valley is in the postseason playoffs. The two schools have rich tradition. None of our section schools are push overs.”