How did each program wind up in each classification? They were essentially allowed to choose through polling. And after a two-year trial, they will be able to choose again.
Most of the programs from the ISL-7 (BB&N, Belmont Hill, Milton Academy, St. Sebastian’s, and Tabor Academy) are in Class B along with Trinity-Pawling (N.Y.) and St. Paul’s (N.H.), which capped a fourth undefeated season in seven years by defeating BB&N in the John Papas Bowl last fall.
Only group games count toward bowl standings. Crossover matchups against schools from other groups or classes will count toward overall records and can serve as tiebreakers.
“It’s exciting,” said BB&N coach Mike Willey, who served on the committee of league reps that created the proposal this offseason. “I look at the schedule we’re playing and every week is like a Super Bowl.
”The driving force behind this was to create as many competitive football games as you possibly can. We’ll do this for two years and re-evaluate and see what we can do even better.”
There will be increased travel for some schools, but most of the new groups are based on pre-existing leagues.
The Founders League (including Avon Old Farms, Loomis Chaffee, etc.) forms Class A Group 1 with Dexter Southfield replacing Trinity-Pawling. The eight schools of the Northeast Prep League comprise Class A Group 2.
Dexter opened with a 21-6 win over Suffield Academy in a Class A crossover matchup, providing early returns on the step up in competition.
“I think it’s great,” said Dexter coach Casey Day. “The crossover matchups that happened were all super competitive.”
Governor’s Academy and Lawrence Academy join the ISL-9 schools (Nobles, Rivers, etc.) to form Class C Group 2, and 12 schools from the Evergreen League (excluding Dexter and St. Paul’s) form the other Class C group. The nine schools that play eight-person football maintain their alignment.
After an in-person meeting and virtual calls nailed down the proposal, it passed with near-unanimous support. Yet some coaches aren’t thrilled about dissolving the ISL, which formed in 1948 as the Private School League, and includes rivalries that date back to 1886.
“I think it’s unfortunate there will be no ISL champion,” said St. Sebastian’s coach Dan Burke. “Having played and coached in this league for almost 30 years, I’m disappointed the league couldn’t hold to tradition this football season.”
Old rivals Milton Academy and Nobles will still square off in a crossover game to conclude the regular season, preserving that tradition. And some coaches feel there is more on the line in November under the new format.
“Last season we made it to a bowl game, and won, but what did we win?” posited Middlesex coach Scott Woodward. “This year every team in the NEPSAC has a chance to win a championship. Class A, B, or C, we all have something to play for. To me, we’re still playing in the ISL. We have eight guaranteed games and seven of those are against ISL teams we normally play.”
Groton coach Karim Hill and Rivers coach Randdy Lindsey expect the new format to provide more parity and competitive matchups.
Milton Academy coach Mike Mason, in his third year after 26 years on Kevin MacDonald’s staff, feels the ISL could’ve found a way to maintain competitive balance, perhaps by creating three tiers, but recognized results had become consistently lopsided in some instances.
Mason also pointed out that the new system guarantees a rematch in the Class B bowl championship, a departure from the previous format.
Over the past decade, the 16 teams in the ISL had split into large and small divisions of varying sizes, with adjustments every few years. With declining numbers in many football programs, the gap continues to grow between teams, changing the equation when it comes to creating a competitive balance.
“When you look at the NEPSAC as a whole, certain schools have been all-in on football,” said second-year Pingree coach Pat Downey. “And for some of those schools, unfortunately, football is dwindling a bit.
“There’s both sides to it. I’d rather lose but get better than win and play a cupcake. But I’d rather see our guys able to have a fighting chance. So I just felt like it’s a good move, because it brings more parity overall.”
Nate Weitzer can be reached at nweitzer7@gmail.com. Follow him on X @nweitzer7.
