[OutlawJoseyWales]

Belfry moving back down to 2A after 18 year run in 3A.  Not surprised. Enrollment is way down.  Will definitely set up some interesting potential matchups.

Belfry has chose to play up for most of those years. Mostly because 3A football since the late 2000s has been week and wide open with the exception of Central for a few years, and 2A football has been very competitive during that span.  Moving from 3a to 2a will hurt the Pirates chances at another championship anytime in the near future IMO.

Also RIP to the 4a District 5. Harrison, Grant, Mason and Holmes would have been a competitive District.  Making that a 6 team district with Highlands and Cov Cath makes it a tough year for those 4. On a side note, if I'm Cov Cath or highlands I would request to play up to avoid having to go through Boyle to win a championship every year.

Actually ….for most of the time in 3A…Belfry’s male enrollment met the 3A parameters.  However….that hasn’t been the case just the past 2-3 seasons.   the numbers have dropped precipitously…..and many predicted that Belfry would decide to slide back to 2A.  IMO….most if not all of those championship teams Belfry had….would have won it in either class.  Those teams  in 2013-2016…and 2019 would have done quite well.  2021 may have been different.

Realignment is every 2-4 years and Belfry has chosen to play up in the last 3 I know. Im not saying they couldnt have won in 2a but the road to get there would have been tougher with Central Kentucky going to the east. They would have had to go through LCA just to get to Commonwealth.

Wrong.  Only until this past 2023 male count did Belfry actually  meet the criteria of playing in 2A.   Previous poster already showed the numbers.