Monday the SIRR Conference voted 6-5 to remain a an 11-team league once Sparta departs for the Cahokia Conference in 2021.

“The biggest concern is that the schools in the Mississippi have to find an opponent in weeks 4-8,” said SIRR President and Anna-Jonesboro Football Coach Brett Detering. “Some may find it easier than others.”

Some thought that, if a school was brought into the River to River, it would likely be Mt. Carmel who would join the SIRR Conference.

The main focus for people regarding the issue has been the football season, as referenced by Detering. But he sees a bigger hurdle that would need to be cleared.

“If we were to add a Mt. Carmel, every schedule would have to be redone,” says Detering. “The Conference would have to be realigned, how does that realignment work?

“For our school, adding a 12th school, didn’t make sense,” continued Detering. “We are the farthest school away from Mt. Carmel. I don’t mind going there for football every other year. But to put my volleyball team or softball team, especially girl’s sports on a Tuesday or a Thursday and you’ve got travel there… and what does that look for them? We’re talking about one trip but for them that’s every trip.”

While a majority of the SIRR member schools were happy with the outcome of the vote, obviously some were not.

“The vote did not go in our favor,” said one Mississippi Division Athletic Director. “We believe that a full 12 team conference makes us a stronger conference overall.”