Brighton is set to move from Class 5A to Class 4A next fall, giving the Cardinals a new path to the football playoffs and putting Tipton County’s three public high schools in separate championship races.
The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association released the new classifications this week. They take effect with the 2027-28 school year and cover the 2027 and 2028 football seasons.
Where Tipton County schools land
- Brighton: Moving from 5A to 4A (981 students)
- Munford: Staying in 5A (1,228 students)
- Covington: Staying in 3A (622 students)
- Tipton-Rosemark Academy: Staying in Division II-A (200 students)
Why Brighton is moving
It comes down to enrollment. TSSAA lists Brighton at 981 students, down 124 from the 1,105 used for the current cycle.
That leaves the Cardinals tied with Stone Memorial of Crossville for the largest enrollment in 4A. The smallest 5A school, Lawrence County, is listed at 994.
Sitting at the top of 4A is a different position for the Cardinals, who have been competing near the smaller end of 5A.
TSSAA divides Division I football into six classes based on enrollment, grouping schools of similar size for postseason play. The latest public-school figures come from the state’s 2025-26 average daily membership data.
Brighton’s new 4A field
Brighton will join a 4A class that includes Crockett County, Lexington, Jackson North Side, Craigmont and Trezevant.
The move also separates the Cardinals from Munford in the playoff race. The two county rivals have shared Region 8-5A.
County rivalries can continue
A new class does not have to end the annual in-county rivalry games. Schools can schedule nonregion games against teams from other classifications, so programs are free to keep the rivalry on their schedules.
Covington gets a familiar rival in 3A
Covington keeps its classification, but Haywood is joining the Chargers in 3A.
The Tomcats are moving down from 4A with an enrollment of 682, the largest in 3A. They join a class that includes Covington, Dyersburg, Ripley and Westview.
For Chargers fans, that raises the stakes on a familiar matchup. With both teams chasing the same state title, a playoff meeting could put more than regular-season bragging rights on the line.
Munford and Tipton-Rosemark
Munford will stay in a 5A field that includes Memphis Central, Kingsbury and Overton.
Tipton-Rosemark will continue its championship pursuit in Division II-A. Several familiar opponents remain in the Rebels’ class, including First Assembly Christian, Fayette Academy, Jackson Christian, Trinity Christian and Harding Academy.
What happens next
The classifications are not final yet. Key dates ahead:
- Oct. 2: Deadline for schools to request a higher classification
- After Oct. 2: TSSAA completes region assignments
- November: Placement appeals go before the TSSAA Board of Control
- After appeals: Scheduling meetings, where schools build their 2027 and 2028 schedules
