Velma-Alma, Marlow, and Empire in Stephens County will experience football classification changes due to a reclassification prompted by a court ruling favoring private schools in Oklahoma. The OSSAA announced new classifications based on enrollment figures from October 2023, altering the landscape for many schools, with Marlow dropping to Class 2A-1, Empire moving back to Class B, and Velma-Alma transitioning to Class A-2.

By the Numbers
  • Marlow average daily enrollment: 377.11
  • Empire average daily enrollment: 144.31
  • Velma-Alma average daily enrollment: 152.73
Yes, But

The reclassification was contentious, as private schools sued the OSSAA over Rule 14, claiming it was unconstitutional, while OSSAA officials argued it aimed to create competitive balance between private and public schools.

State of Play
  • Marlow drops to Class 2A-1 from Class 3A, aiming to maintain its competitive performance.
  • Empire returns to Class B from Class A to enhance the program with more players available for the team.
What's Next

The classification changes will bring new challenges and opportunities for the football programs of Marlow, Empire, and Velma-Alma, as they adjust to different competition levels and prepare for the upcoming seasons.

Bottom Line

The reclassification due to the court ruling will reshape football competition in Stephens County, offering both challenges and advantages for the affected schools, ultimately impacting their performance in the upcoming seasons.