LHSAA ends spilt between private/public schools in football

It came in with a bang, and it left with a bang.
LHSAA commissioner Eddie Bonine said in a press conference Friday that the process by which the “split” playoffs were adopted back in 2013 actually contradicted the organization’s constitution.
What this means in simple terms is that the football select/nonselect separation has come to an abrupt end.
It began in 2013, and it looks to have ended in 2016.
Parish principals were not expecting the decision.
“This came out of the blue to most principals,” said Abbeville High Principal Ivy Landry. “I felt at the last principals convention we would pass the metro/rural, which would get rid of the split. But I am very surprised by the ruling.”
The Times Picayune newspaper reported that the process by which the LHSAA initially adopted the format in 2013 actually contradicted its constitution, according to an analysis provided to Executive Director Eddie Bonine this week by the organization’s legal counsel, Mark Boyer.
Bonine said in the Times Picayune, “The communication I received from Mark was that if in this case he feels, of his opinion, like we violated the constitution, that if that’s the case, then the split then becomes null and void. And I believe we go back to where we were before the split.”
Bonnie discovered a potential issue last Thursday when reviewing the proposed agenda items for the upcoming convention with the association’s parliamentarian, Brian LeJeune, and sought further clarification from LeJeune and Boyer.
Kaplan head coach Stephen Lotief said it is what it is about the LHSAA decision. He admits it “smells fishy” that “suddenly” the LHSAA found the split to be illegal.
Vermilion Catholic Principal Mike Guilbeaux is OK with the LHSAA decision.
“I think it is a good thing,” said Guilbeaux. “I am happy. People want to see one state champion.”
Starting next football season, there will be only one Class 5A, Class 4A, Class 3A, Class 2A and a Class A state champion.