Seven schools in the TSSAA’s Division II-AAA classification have recently chosen to play an independent football schedule for the 2027-28 seasons, although Knoxville Catholic High School is one of eight choosing to remain in the top D-II class.
Christ Presbyterian Academy and Father Ryan in Nashville, Memphis University School and Christian Brothers in Memphis, Chattanooga Christian, Mount Juliet Christian, and Clarksville Academy are going independent and cannot compete in the TSSAA playoffs.
KCHS, Baylor in Chattanooga, Brentwood Academy, Briarcrest Christian near Memphis, Ensworth in Nashville, Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, McCallie in Chattanooga, and Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville will remain in Division II-AAA.
The TSSAA previously said it would freeze II-AAA classification at 12 teams for 2027-28 and 2028-29. The organization announced it will not move up the next four largest schools from II-AA, including Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, to AAA.
Schools opting for an independent schedule have cited “super teams” that in recent years have been dominating competition.