All four area high schools will remain in the same classifications for at least the next two years.

The quartet will have some new company in their respective leagues, though.

Picayune, Pearl River Central and Poplarville will all be in Class 4A again, according to new reclassification numbers released by the Mississippi High School Activities Association on Wednesday.

Also, Hancock will be a Class 5A school again, but just barely.

Picayune will be the fourth largest school in Class 4A, with just 45 students less than Hancock which is the smallest Class 5A school in the state.

The MHSAA will release the newly realigned divisions and regions on Friday.

Picayune, PRC and Poplarville are expected to remain in Division 8-4A for all sports.

Pass Christian is the only school currently in that league that will move, falling to Class 3A.

Many expected St. Stanislaus to fall to Class 3A, but the Rockachaws will remain in Class 4A

Stone High is expected to move from Division 7-4A into Division 8-4A to replace Pass.

Also, longtime perennial Class 5A power Moss Point dropped to Class 4A, as did Vicksburg and Forest Hill out of Jackson. It is the first time since the MHSAA went to a state wide playoff system that Moss Point has not been in the largest class.

Petal and Terry also moved up from Class 4A to Class 5A.

Prep Title Games

All championship games at

Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson

Friday, Dec. 1

Class 1A

2:30 p.m.

East Webster vs. Puckett

Class 5A

7:30 p.m.

South Panola vs. Meridian

Saturday, Dec. 2

Class 2A

11 a.m.

East Marion vs. Calhoun City

Class 3A

3 p.m.

Franklin Co. vs. Nettleton

Class 4A

7:30 p.m.

Wayne County vs. Clarksdale