High School Football: Temporary merger of 2A GSHL and 2A EvCo moving forward
Going for It – Civil War could be on the move after District Directors deny Greater St. Helens League appeal
Jordan Nailon for BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com
Prep Football / Offseason Report
The recent offseason battle between the 2A Greater St. Helens League and the 2A Evergreen Conference reached its seemingly predetermined conclusion on Thursday, and as a result prep football in Southwest Washington is set to look much different for at least the next two years.
This week the WIAA District Directors denied an appeal by the 2A GSHL, moving a forced merger between the GSHL and the EvCo for football one step closer to the goal line. Reading the tea leaves, the Greater St. Helens League has elected not to appeal to the WIAA directly and will instead put its efforts into finding a palatable solution for all 12 teams involved.
“The GSHL will not be appealing the decision at the next level with the WIAA Executive Board,” noted a press release from 2A GSHL president, and Ridgefield athletic director, Brynan Shipley. “We will move forward by working collaboratively with the EVCO to sort out scheduling details and postseason pathways.”
The 2A Greater St. Helens League voted on the proposed merger earlier this month, with the plan failing 8-0. But the 2A Evergreen Conference appealed that vote to the powers that be with District IV and the proposal was subsequently passed.
“They denied our appeal and then we decided as a league not to appeal to the WIAA,” R.A. Long athletic director DeWayne McCabe said. “Essentially that’s our way of saying enough is enough, because we feel that there’s a very small likelihood that the WIAA would take our side at this point.”
— Content below this line is reserved for paid subscribers. Thank you for helping sustain Blast Zone Media. We depend on your support in order to continue reporting on local athletics. Consider showing your support today. —
