State calendar set for 2019-20 high school sports season

The Montana High School Association held an Executive Board Meeting by phone earlier this week, with several actions take, a few of which will affect local high school sports programs.

A big change coming will be to the Northern Division of Six-Man football, which will now have a fifth team from the division make the playoffs.

Also, the Class A state tennis tournament for 2020, which involves the Havre Blue Ponies, was awarded to Billings.

The state tennis tournament in Billings means the schedule is pretty much set for state events for Havre High and area programs for the upcoming school year. In the fall, State A golf will be played in Laurel Oct. 3-4, State A Cross Country will run in Great Falls Oct. 26 and the State Volleyball Tournament is in Bozeman Nov. 14-16.

Winter sports will feature the All-Class State Wrestling Tournament held Feb. 14-15 in Billings, the State Swim Meet the same days in Great Falls, the State A basketball tournament March 12-14 in Billings, the State B Tournament March 12-14 in Butte and the State C Tournament March 12-14 in Missoula. This is the first year of a combined state tourney for Class C, and the tournament could run four days instead of three.

For spring sports, State B Golf is slated for Billings May 12-13, State C Golf is on the same days in Sidney, State B-C tennis is set for May 14-16 in Missoula, State A Tennis is May 21-22 in Billings, State A softball is May 21-23 in Butte, State AA-C Track is May 22-23 in Missoula and State A-B Track is May 22-23 in Laurel.

Other actions from the executive meeting include:

Class C basketball will have the opportunity to hold a four-day state tournament pending an available facility.

And Southern B will hold nine-team divisional tournaments in volleyball as well as boys and girls basketball.

They also approved Class AA tennis to extend its season and play divisional and state tournaments one week earlier than previously held.

The MHSA also sent out a two-week notice to member schools about the following:

• Golf will allow spectators during both regular season and post season events provided they adhere to the conduct guidelines and obtain a spectator badge to be worn at all times on the course after receiving a copy of the MHSA Spectator Code of Conduct.

• Class AA volleyball can hold divisional volleyball tournaments starting 2020-2021.

• Track and field rule changes for the start of the 800, 1600 and 3200 as well as procedures for adverse weather conditions during divisional track and field meets.

• A fifth-sixth place match can count in team scoring at the Class AA state tennis tournament.

• A revised six-player football bracket which replaces the fourth seed from the western division with a fifth seed from the northern division.

• Requiring the use of a weight management portal through the National Wrestling Coaches Association in order to track the 50 percent rule.