The realignment for the state’s high school football conferences for the following season was finalized.

All that’s left is to finish off the regions.

On Tuesday, the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s executive board listened to 26 conference appeals from school representatives. Six of those appeals were approved, including Higley’s request to move from 6A to 5A, during the AIA’s monthly board meeting in Phoenix.

These were the appeals that were approved:

Arizona College Prep (3A to 4A)

Higley (6A to 5A)

La Joya (6A to 5A)

Palo Verde (4A to 3A)

Rio Rico (3A to 4A)

Sahuarita (3A to 4A)

The following were denied:

Arete Prep (2A to 1A)

Arizona Lutheran (3A to 2A)

Barry Goldwater (5A to 4A)

Ben Franklin (4A to 3A)

Benson (3A to 2A)

Bourgade Catholic (3A to 2A)

Chino Valley (3A to 2A)

Cholla (5A to 4A)

Mesquite (5A to 4A)

Northwest Christian (4A to 3A)

Paradise Valley (5A to 4A)

Parker (3A to 2A)

Phoenix Christian (3A to 2A)

Rincon University (5A to 4A)

Salpointe (6A to 5A)

Seton Catholic (4A to 3A)

Snowflake (4A to 3A)

Trevor Browne (6A to 5A)

Paradise Valley (5A to 4A)

Yuma Catholic (4A to 3A)

Conference leaders now have until Jan. 25 to set their regions.

If region placement appeals are filed, the AIA’s executive board will listen to them on Feb. 22 during its next meeting.

David Hines reported on a presentation a NCAA representative gave during the annual National Federation of State High School Associations Winter Meeting Hines attended with fellow executive directors.

Name, image and likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal were among the discussion points. NIL state law is different throughout the country for college athletes.

In Arizona, NIL is a state law but not at the high school level, Hines said. As for the transfer portal, it has greatly affected recruiting at the high school level.

“(College) football and basketball especially are using it as a recruiting tool and not the high schools,” Hines said.

During the winter meeting, Hines also said that the NFHS Network acknowledged some of its successes and shortcomings while broadcasting high school games.

To address some issues, the NFHS Network hired more staff to troubleshoot the problems. As a result, the NFHS Network is receiving less refund requests and lowered the average time it takes to resolve a broadcasting issues.

More and more high schools are using the NFHS Network to broadcast their games with a Pixellot camera the NFHS installs and provides for free. The camera can also be used for security purposes during a game and when indoor and outdoor games aren’t being played.

Students broadcasters can also use the cameras during games and also for advertising during the regular season. The schools keep all of the ad revenue they generate with a Pixellot camera, which follows the action and doesn’t need an operator.

Hines also updated the board on a meeting he had with Dr. Kristina Wilson, the chair of the AIA’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

“Our recommendation is not to change any (COVID-19) protocols,” Hines said.

Districts can make changes if they so choose based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, and some have already, Hines said.

The AIA’s executive director also added that there is not enough data to determine if cardiac issues exist in athletes who return to play after contracting COVID.

The following are agenda items that were approved Tuesday:

Car Hayden’s request for hardship eligibility (maximum participation rule) for a student athlete was not approved.

The following are AIA violations schools self-reported and punishments they each received.

An advisement is a word of caution.

A warning places a school in jeopardy of being placed on probation if another violation of any rule or regulation is committed. A school will not be eligible for the Overall Excellence Award during the warning period.

Warning for:

Mountain Pointe and Queen Creek’s football programs. The freshman teams of the programs were involved in a physical altercation on Nov. 3.

Mountain Pointe boys basketball. A student-athlete went into the stands to try and de-escalate an incident between Mountain Pointe and Perry parents during a game.

Canyon View girls basketball. A transfer student played in games despite being ineligible.

Sequoia Pathway Academy activities program. Some athletes participated in a preseason tournament without updating their athletic packet.

Mountainside activities program. A student athlete participated in the first day of tryouts without a completed athletic packet.

Washington High activities program. A player played in three games without being properly cleared.

Buckeye boys soccer. The team’s head coach removed his team from the field before a contest ended. The coach believed his players were put in unsafe situations during the match.

Morenci boys basketball. One of its players punched an opposing player in the groin and after the game asked the player how he liked the punch, according to the school’s report. The Morenci player was suspended for one game and wrote a letter of apology.

Window Rock activities program. A student athlete participated in games without completing the 550 transfer form.

Advisement for:

St. Mary’s girls soccer. An ineligible student athlete participated in a tournament match and a cheerleading competition in December.

Santa Rita activities program. An altercation between Santa Rita and Willcox students and parents happened in the parking lot after a game. As part of the school’s corrective action, a Santa Rita parent and student will not be allowed to attend home and away games for the remainder of the school year.

Youngker boys soccer. A student athlete participated in an out of state club event when the high school season started.

Queen Creek baseball. An 8th grade student participated in an offseason workout with the team. A letter of reprimand was given to the coach.

Chino Valley activities program. Officials received a check instead of being paid electronically through RefPay for working an event.