Twelve Tennessee high school football programs have now announced they will play independently over the next two seasons, pulling themselves out of the TSSAA’s Division II-AAA region schedules entirely. The move means those schools will be ineligible for TSSAA playoffs starting next season.
The announcements came after the TSSAA released classifications for the 2027-2029 cycle on Sept. 22. Since then, multiple programs have followed CPA’s lead, with some schools citing safety concerns and others facing practical problems like low player numbers. Oct. 2 is the final day TSSAA teams can petition their initial classification assignment, either by moving up or electing for an independent, non-region schedule.
CPA Leads the Way
Christ Presbyterian Academy was the first program to announce it would compete as an independent. CPA football pulled itself out of the Tennessee high school football playoffs for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, a decision made public on Sept. 22.
The move puts CPA outside the regional structure that defines most high school football in the state. Instead of scheduling games against other DII-AAA schools, the program will arrange its own matchups.
Father Ryan Follows
President Paul Davis reached out to parents on Sept. 27 to announce the school’s intention to compete on an independent, non-region football schedule for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 seasons. That timeline covers three full years of independent play.
The announcement came directly from Davis, who used the parent communication channel to share the decision. It is a notable move for a school that previously competed within the TSSAA system.
Memphis Pair Joins the List
On Sept. 28, Memphis University School and Christian Brothers announced in a joint statement that both programs will play an independent football schedule for the next two seasons. The schools are making the move together, which suggests coordination between the two programs.
Neither school has given a specific reason for the move beyond the decision itself.
Clarksville Academy Cites Safety
Director of communications Steven Wilson announced on Sept. 25 that Clarksville Academy’s football program would move to an independent schedule for the next two seasons to protect the safety and well-being of its student-athletes. The stated reason is a direct appeal to parental concern.
Clarksville Academy framed the decision as a protective measure for its players.
Mt. Juliet Faces Low Numbers
Mt. Juliet Christian Academy announced on Sept. 24 that it would play an independent, non-region schedule for the 2027-29 cycle. The program has already forfeited multiple games this season due to low player numbers.
The TSSAA denied its proposal to co-op with RePublic High School on Aug. 17.
What Independence Means
Playing independently means these schools will not be eligible for TSSAA playoffs starting next season. That is the trade-off for schools that want to control their own schedules but cannot meet the playoff criteria.
The schools will still play football. They will just do it without the regional structure that determines playoff eligibility.
The decision also changes how these schools schedule their opponents. Instead of being assigned to a region with set matchups, they will have to find willing opponents on their own.
The Timeline So Far
The announcements have come in quick succession since Sept. 22. CPA led the way, followed by Father Ryan, then the Memphis pair, then Clarksville Academy, and finally Mt. Juliet Christian Academy.
| School | Date Announced | Reason Given |
|---|---|---|
| CPA | Sept. 22 | First program to announce independence |
| Father Ryan | Sept. 27 | No stated reason given |
| Memphis University School and Christian Brothers | Sept. 28 | Joint statement, no stated reason given |
| Clarksville Academy | Sept. 25 | Protect safety and well-being of student-athletes |
| Mt. Juliet Christian Academy | Sept. 24 | Low player numbers, forfeited games |
What Comes Next
The deadline on Oct. 2 is the final chance for any school to petition its classification. After that, the decisions stand.
The schools that have already announced will proceed with their independent schedules. For the next two seasons, they will be a separate category of football in Tennessee — competitive, but outside the playoff structure.
The move raises questions about the future of high school football in Tennessee.
Key Facts Box
- Announcements: 12 schools have now announced independent play
- Deadline: Oct. 2 is the final day to petition classification
- First school to announce: CPA on Sept. 22
- Mt. Juliet Christian Academy forfeits: Multiple games this season due to low player numbers
- TSSAA denied co-op request: Aug. 17
- Playoff eligibility: Schools are ineligible for TSSAA playoffs starting next season
The trend is notable because it is spreading quickly. CPA was the first, and now a dozen schools have followed. The reasons vary — safety, player numbers, practicality — but the direction is consistent: schools are choosing independence over the regional structure.
For now, the schools have made their choice. They will play their schedules, and they will do so without the playoff pressure that defines the rest of the state.
Source material: “Tracking TSSAA football's Division II-AAA programs that will play independent,” Yahoo Sports.
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