Potential new north central conference

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Mexico, Moberly, Centralia, Macon, Hallsville, Kirksville and Marshall all meet over the weekend, superintendents and ADs will gage interest from their districts, and will hold a 2nd meeting on the 28th.

Other schools were invited but there are the only ones I have confirmed where present.

 

[65TPT]

Mexico, Moberly, Centralia, Macon, Hallsville, Kirksville and Marshall all meet over the weekend, superintendents and ADs will gage interest from their districts, and will hold a 2nd meeting on the 28th.

Other schools were invited but there are the only ones I have confirmed where present.

Do you think SoBo goes with them if it happens?

 

[BearsCountry]

It makes too much sense so it probably won't happen.

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Do you think SoBo goes with them if it happens?

I heard they were invited but do not think they attended. Sobo and Boonville pushed hard for Fulton and got the second vote. I don’t think they will be initially part of it. I personally do believe Marshall will eventually be in the MVC and SOBO and Boonville will bi in the conference.

Fulton might one day but I know the NCMC schools are all pretty upset with them. My understanding is they asked about it but where told no.

 

[hassoalbert51]

I heard they were invited but do not think they attended. Sobo and Boonville pushed hard for Fulton and got the second vote. I don’t think they will be initially part of it. I personally do believe Marshall will eventually be in the MVC and SOBO and Boonville will bi in the conference.

Fulton might one day but I know the NCMC schools are all pretty upset with them. My understanding of UnitXConvert is they asked about it but where told no.

A potential new North Central Conference could bring together schools or athletic programs from the region to foster competitive sports, academic collaboration, and community engagement. By uniting institutions with similar values and geographic proximity, the conference could enhance student-athlete experiences, promote regional rivalries, and streamline travel logistics.

 

[Cards1968]

Yeah, but no thank you. Too much history.

It's probably going to happen. I know Macon will regret it.

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

I know people don’t like change but unless Macon has a sudden decline in enrollment I don’t think there will be regret. I know Macon and Centralia are tied together. Macon does have history with both Moberly and Kirksville as well.

I’m just curious what the regret would there be as I don’t see it.

 

[panther72]

Enrollments for this year
Marshall 619

Mexico 573

Kirksville 573

Moberly 481

Hallsville 337

Centralia 317

Macon 305

Is Macon going to grow

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Enrollments for this year
Marshall 619

Mexico 573

Kirksville 573

Moberly 481

Hallsville 337

Centralia 317

Macon 305

Is Macon going to grow

Mexico and Moberly are declining. Hallsville and Centralia are growing.
Macon seems like it will be stable. I know they have a Catholic school that’s pre-k - 8 and that will increase numbers some.

 

[panther72]

Centralia 317 in 24/25 357 in 18/19

Hallsville 337 in 24/25 381 in 18/19

Kirksville 573 in 24/25 560 in 18/19

Macon 305 in 24/25 330 in 18/19

Marshall 619 in 24/25 613 in 18-19

Mexico 573 in 24/25 527 in 18/19

Moberly 481 in 24/25 551 in 18/19

Not sure what your evidence is but it does not look like Hallsville or Centralia are growing. While Moberly is declining, Mexico is not.
18/19 year was the year MSHSAA started only doing 3 years to determine enrollment.

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Centralia 317 in 24/25 357 in 18/19

Hallsville 337 in 24/25 381 in 18/19

Kirksville 573 in 24/25 560 in 18/19

Macon 305 in 24/25 330 in 18/19

Marshall 619 in 24/25 613 in 18-19

Mexico 573 in 24/25 527 in 18/19

Moberly 481 in 24/25 551 in 18/19

Not sure what your evidence is but it does not look like Hallsville or Centralia are growing. While Moberly is declining, Mexico is not.
18/19 year was the year MSHSAA started only doing 3 years to determine enrollment.

DESE numbers. Mexico for example has good size junior and senior classes in the 180+ range. After that they start dropping down to 120-160. They will decline.
Past enrollments do not determine the future. I also look new housing. Moberly and Mexico have next to none. New families are not moving into the area. Centralia and Hallsville however do have new housing and good schools on top of it. New families are moving into the area.

 

[panther72]

Agree enrollment trends does not determine the future, although it may help predict it. As of now, if this happens, Macon and Centralia would be competing against schools 50% greater than their size. I think we both agree Macon is not growing. I believe Cards1968 is correct, but time will tell.
Other factor, is the CCC imploding? Then it would make sense.

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Agree enrollment trends does not determine the future, although it may help predict it. As of now, if this happens, Macon and Centralia would be competing against schools 50% greater than their size. I think we both agree Macon is not growing. I believe Cards1968 is correct, but time will tell.
Other factor, is the CCC imploding? Then it would make sense.

I think the CCC knew this was coming which is why they invited Bowling Green, Mark Twain, North Callaway and Montgomery Co.

I think you will see a merger of the CCC and EMO when Wright City leaves.
They could invite Scotland Co and go to a North/South or Big/Small.

 

[Graphic Edge Guy]

I think the CCC knew this was coming which is why they invited Bowling Green, Mark Twain, North Callaway and Montgomery Co.

I think you will see a merger of the CCC and EMO when Wright City leaves.
They could invite Scotland Co and go to a North/South or Big/Small.

What would Big/Small look like if you combined and went to two divisions?

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Big: Palmyra, Bowling Green, Montgomery Co., North Callaway, Clark Co & Monroe City.
Small: Highland, Louisiana, Scotland Co., Van-Far, Mark Twain, South Shelby

 

[panther72]

If you see a merger between the CCC and EMO, why would Centralia and Macon want to leave that possibility? Your math is not mathing to me for them to join a conference where they would be at the bottom by a large margin.

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

If you see a merger between the CCC and EMO, why would Centralia and Macon want to leave that possibility? Your math is not mathing to me for them to join a conference where they would be at the bottom by a large margin.

Because it's not going to happen with Centralia and Macon in the conference, the EMO and CCC merger only happen if/when Macon and Centralia exit.

I know for a fact Centralia is going to exit. They have been discussing this for a few years, as they and Hallsville would like to be in the same conference. Macon wants to stay with Centralia. I have been told by more than one person Centralia and Macon are tied together.

I don't think they will be on the bottom by much. Hallsville, Centralia, and Macon are all close together. Mexico is going to start seeing a decline in enrollment starting in '26. They have a large junior class, and now their middle school only has about 460 in it. Moberly has larger freshman (191) and sophomore (181) classes, but it will drop by about 40-50 students per class.

I think you have to consider they compete against most of the other schools in the regular season and districts across most sports, it does make sense.

 

[panther72]

OK, and why would the others schools in the CCC want Centralia and Macon out?
I can see why the current NCMC wants no part of Fulton or Hannibal. Districts for football? Centralia and Macon were in C2 while the others, excluding Hallsville have been C4 except for Moberly dropping to C3 lately.
Again, the math is not mathing for me for those school boards to think this is a good idea for their schools.

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

OK, and why would the others schools in the CCC want Centralia and Macon out?
I can see why the current NCMC wants no part of Fulton or Hannibal. Districts for football? Centralia and Macon were in C2 while the others, excluding Hallsville have been C4 except for Moberly dropping to C3 lately.
Again, the math is not mathing for me for those school boards to think this is a good idea for their schools.

I have not said the CCC wants them out. When it comes to districts I was talking about all sports. Though Mexico was class 3 for a while til three years ago and assigned to the same district as Centralia.
I have changed my stance on Macon some and but it’s a good move for Centralia from a travel and competitive stance.

 

[BearsCountry]

Heard some more about this today. Apparently Mexico and Moberly applied to join the Tri-County back in January. They were both voted down. Hallsville voted in favor of them. I'm pretty sure the southern schools voted against it. That shows Hallsville might be splitting from their long time partner in Southern Boone.

 

[Wheels 1]

● Proposed Response to Tri-County Conference Invitation
This is from the Jan. Board meeting from Centralia school board. They have been invited to join Tri- County

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Thanks for the info. I contact is quite. Tri-County must be looking to please Hallsville. They are not happy but I don’t know to whole story.
I’d be surprised if Centralia leaves Macon.

For the life of me, IDK what the Tri is doing. They could grab every class 2-4 school in mid Missouri and go north/south or big/small

 

[BearsCountry]

Thanks for the info. I contact is quite. Tri-County must be looking to please Hallsville. They are not happy but I don’t know to whole story.
I’d be surprised if Centralia leaves Macon.

For the life of me, IDK what the Tri is doing. They could grab every class 2-4 school in mid Missouri and go north/south or big/small

Tri-County is already at the perfect number with 8. Going any larger is only good in areas where out of conference scheduling is impossible. But the Tri-County has always been very conservative when expanding. Also travel is major concern. They never ventured north of I-70 until Hallsville was added and Hallsville wasn't a slam dunk addition - Osage changed their vote and that's what got them in. Its clearly a Jefferson City/Lake of the Ozarks area league. They turned down Fayette in the early 60s, North Callaway in the 80s, 90s, and 00s, Clinton in the early 00s, Fulton until recently.

 

[thesnow.flakegazette]

Tri-County is already at the perfect number with 8. Going any larger is only good in areas where out of conference scheduling is impossible. But the Tri-County has always been very conservative when expanding. Also travel is major concern. They never ventured north of I-70 until Hallsville was added and Hallsville wasn't a slam dunk addition - Osage changed their vote and that's what got them in. Its clearly a Jefferson City/Lake of the Ozarks area league. They turned down Fayette in the early 60s, North Callaway in the 80s, 90s, and 00s, Clinton in the early 00s, Fulton until recently.

Will it stay at 8 though? Tri County is getting slim on options. Hallsville is looking for options and believe me when I say they are talking to So Boone and Boonville. Fulton has expressed interest in the a potential new NCMC. If you don’t believe me read Moberly’s February board minutes.

My point is while being at 8 is a good number, they are not safe and should be looking at how to preserve the conference. In my option if they add Moberly, Centralia, Mexico and North Callaway. They play those schools in the regular season and districts anyway.
They probably should stop thinking of themselves as a Jeff City/lake conference. If Hallsville leaves, eventually Boonville, So Boone and possibly will. Then what are your options? Linn, Russelville and Tipton are too small. Beg Herman, Owensville and Clinton?
I just think the Tri needs to be proactive.

 

[65TPT]

Will it stay at 8 though? Tri County is getting slim on options. Hallsville is looking for options and believe me when I say they are talking to So Boone and Boonville. Fulton has expressed interest in the a potential new NCMC. If you don’t believe me read Moberly’s February board minutes.

My point is while being at 8 is a good number, they are not safe and should be looking at how to preserve the conference. In my option if they add Moberly, Centralia, Mexico and North Callaway. They play those schools in the regular season and districts anyway.
They probably should stop thinking of themselves as a Jeff City/lake conference. If Hallsville leaves, eventually Boonville, So Boone and possibly will. Then what are your options? Linn, Russelville and Tipton are too small. Beg Herman, Owensville and Clinton?
I just think the Tri needs to be proactive.

They should've added Fatima years ago. Scheduling a 3rd non conference game for football is a plus IMO, I know not all view it that way. Fatima would be competitive in all of the other sports.

I think the key piece is if SoBo goes with Hallsville if they were to leave. I don't know that the Tri-County would ever invite Tolton but that would be interesting as well.

 

[BearsCountry]

They should've added Fatima years ago. Scheduling a 3rd non conference game for football is a plus IMO, I know not all view it that way. Fatima would be competitive in all of the other sports.

I think the key piece is if SoBo goes with Hallsville if they were to leave. I don't know that the Tri-County would ever invite Tolton but that would be interesting as well.

Fatima is a non-starter due to football is one of the core sports you have to sponsor in the Tri-County per the bylaws. Slam dunk pick if they start football.

 

[65TPT]

Fatima is a non-starter due to football is one of the core sports you have to sponsor in the Tri-County per the bylaws. Slam dunk pick if they start football.

I understand the bylaws but think it's kinda silly. They would add great competition in both boys and girls sports and I would honestly think most coaches would be ok going out and adding a 3rd non-con game. I know it's more work for scheduling but think overall it would benefit the conference from every sport.

You think they would ever amend the bylaws?