Public opinion has been running unfavorably among Warren County football fans toward the TSSAA and its region realignment two years ago which pitted the Pioneers against Murfreesboro powerhouse teams.
On Friday, the TSSAA announced another anticipated region realignment and, while there is one ray of sunshine, it is pretty much a case of deja vu as the only difference is Smyrna High School is no longer among Warren County’s district rivals.
Any hopes Warren County would land in a different region were dashed. The Pioneers will continue to face Murfreesboro schools such as Oakland and Riverdale in what will be a seven-team region. That leaves the Pioneers four at-large games to fill the 10-game schedule.
Coffee County remains in the region. The Red Raiders are the only region team the Pioneers have defeated over the past two years as they finished 1-13 in region play during the two-year span.
The new regions come with the caveat that schools have an opportunity to appeal their placement at the Board of Control meeting this Thursday, Nov. 17, provided they feel they have a legitimate reason for being placed with a different group of schools. Schools must notify the TSSAA of their intent to appeal no later than Nov. 16.
The board also voted to reevaluate every member’s enrollment after two years, although there must be a change in enrollment for a change in region to take place. The new realignment is in place for a period of five years, from 2017 to 2021.
The realignment makes changes to all sports. Warren County will compete in a five-team region in basketball, baseball and softball.

TSSAA Realignment Football - Region 3
Blackman High School
Coffee Co. Central High School
Cookeville High School
Oakland High School
Riverdale High School
Siegel High School
Warren Co. High School

Basketball, Baseball, Softball - District 6
Cookeville High School
Rhea County High School
Stone Memorial High School
Warren Co. High School
White Co. High School