Notebook: Deerfield-Windsor joining GHSA; Jenkins under investigation

Deerfield-Windsor, a prominent Georgia Independent School Association member, is moving to the GHSA beginning in 2020, the Albany Herald reported Thursday. The Albany school has won four football state titles under coach Allen Lowe, who has more than 250 career wins in GISA. Beginning next season, the GHSA will have all-private and all-public regions in Class A. The GHSA also recently allowed its members to play GISA teams, which makes completing a schedule much easier than in past years. "This decision will give Deerfield-Windsor School increased flexibility in scheduling while giving us unique opportunities to create competitive relationships with schools in both associations," Lowe told the newspaper. Other GISA schools that have joined the GHSA in the past 10 years are Mount de Sales, Stratford Academy, Tattnall Square Academy, First Presbyterian, Trinity Christian and George Walton Academy. There are 31 GISA schools playing 11-man football this season. There were 46 in 2010, but some have joined the GHSA, begun playing eight-man football or no longer play the sport.

Jenkins latest Savannah school under investigation

Islands of Savannah was forced to forfeit four victories earlier this month for violating the GHSA's recruiting and undue influence bylaws. Now, another Savannah school, Jenkins, is under investigation, according to WTOC-TV in Savannah. The TV station cited a statement from the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, which confirmed that recruiting and eligibility violations are alleged. Jenkins (7-1, 6-0) is ranked No. 9 and leads Region 3-AAA heading into tonight's game against Groves. Savannah private school Benedictine (5-2, 5-0) is the only other team in the region without a region loss. Islands' only non-forfeit losses are to Jenkins and Benedictine. The GHSA customarily does not comment on pending investigations.