Tracking TSSAA football's Division II-AAA programs that will play independent

The TSSAA's Division II-AAA football teams are nearing a critical deadline.

After the TSSAA released classifications for the 2027-2029 cycle on Sept. 22, multiple Division II-AAA football programs announced their intent to play an independent, non-region schedule for the next two seasons. Those schools will be ineligible for TSSAA playoffs starting next season.

Oct. 2 is the final day TSSAA teams can petition their initial classification assignment, either by moving up or electing for an independent, non-region schedule.

Here is a list of schools that have currently made the decision to move independent of DII-AAA.

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Division II-AAA teams that have opted for independent schedules

Father Ryan: President Paul Davis reached out to parents on Sept. 27 to announce the school's intention to compete on an independent, non-region football schedule for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 seasons.

Memphis University School On Sept. 28, MUS announced its decision to move to an independent schedule.

Christian Brothers: in a joint statement with MUS, Christian Brothers decided it too will play independent from DII-AAA for the next two seasons.

Other Division II schools will move to independent schedule

Christ Presbyterian Academy: On Sept. 22, CPA football was the first program to announce it'd compete as an independent program, pulling itself out of the Tennessee high school football playoffs for the 2027 and 2028 high school football seasons. CPA was moved up to DII-AAA last year because of the TSSAA's success factor. The high school governing body has eliminated that rule and moved CPA down to DII-AA with its recent release of the initial classifications for football.

Clarksville Academy : Director of communications Steven Wilson announced on Sept. 25 that Clarksville Academy's football program would move to an independent schedule for the next two seasons to protect the safety and well-being of its student-athletes. The Cougars play in DII-A.

Mt. Juliet Christian Academy: Another DII-A program, Mt. Juliet Christian Academy announced it would play an independent, non-region schedule for the 2027-29 cycle. The program has forfeited multiple games this season due to low player numbers, and the TSSAA denied its proposal to co-op with RePublic High School on Aug. 17.

Reach The Tennessean and The Leaf-Chronicle's high school writer, Jack Williams at jackwilliams@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform @jackgwilliams.