Clarkdale to petition to remain independent
By By Robbie Robertson/The Meridian Star
Dec. 5, 2000
For the past two seasons, Clarkdale has played independent football, not having to compete in a brutal division format.
Those times seem to be over.
When the Mississippi High School Activities Association released new regions for the next two upcoming football seasons, Clarkdale was placed in Region 7-2A, which could be the toughest football-playing division in the state.
It includes Ackerman, which was No. 1 among small schools all of the regular season and made it to the Class 2A championship game. Then there is Taylorsville, which went undefeated in the regular season and made it to the South State finals last year. There this is also Bay Springs, which made it to Jackson last year and traditional powers Bassfield and Sumrall.
On top of that, Clarkdale is coming off a 1-8 season in which it snapped a 36-game losing streak.
Clarkdale Athletic Director Rick Roberson said the school would appeal the MHSAA to stay independent.
Roberson said he understood that Ackerman was going to ask to be moved to the north. They were placed in Region 5-2A with South Leake, Kemper County, Scott Central, Williams Sullivan and Newton.
Robbie Robertson is sports editor for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rrobertson@themeridianstar.com.