​In the opening practice session of the season that follows a state championship, it’s common for a head coach to rally the team with a goal of repeating the feat, often phrased as a rallying cry to go back-to-back. However, for Berlin football, that familiar refrain will be difficult to echo in the upcoming year, at least within Class M, where plans for competition have shifted due to CIAC realignment.
Berlin is among several programs undergoing division changes as the CIAC reclassifies schools based on enrollment, competitive history, and other factors. The Redcoats will move down a division to Class SS after an undefeated 13-0 campaign that culminated in a Class M state title. This reclassification positions Berlin alongside teams that have found success in different competitive contexts, and it signals a new landscape for the program as it prepares for the next season.
Joining Berlin in this movement isn’t the only notable shift in the region. Ansonia, a frequent powerhouse with a storied history of success, is moving similarly in response to the CIAC’s criteria, as the team that claimed the Class S championship two seasons ago and advanced to the semifinals last year transitions to a new level of competition for the upcoming slate. The changes reflect not just a reshuffling of divisions but an adjustment period for programs adapting to new rivals and revised expectations.
Other area programs are also experiencing changes in classification. South Windsor will ascend to Class LL after finishing 6-4 last season, signaling a step up into a higher tier of competition. Northwest Catholic, which dropped a close decision to Sheehan in last year’s state final, is moving up to Class M, as part of the broader realignment. Holy Cross will transition to Class MM, aligning with its enrollment and recent performance metrics, while Waterbury Career Academy will transition to Class S, among other adjustments that the CIAC has implemented for the forthcoming season.
For fans and analysts looking to understand the full scope of these changes, the complete list of high school classifications for the upcoming season is available on the CIAC website. The realignment underscores how the competitive landscape is evolving across the state, with schools recalibrating their schedules, rivalries, and postseason trajectories in response to enrollment fluctuations, competitive histories, and strategic considerations from the CIAC.
As teams prepare for the next cycle, coaches will need to chart courses that account for new thresholds and stronger or altered opponents. The shift to different classes means revised expectations, altered travel and scheduling dynamics, and new opportunities to compete for league titles and postseason berths. Berlin, Ansonia, and their regional peers will be watching how these changes play out on the field, courts, or tracks, and how they translate into success in a season that now demands adaptation to a redefined competitive framework.
In summary, the CIAC’s classification realignment has landed Berlin in Class SS after a perfect 13-0 run culminated in a Class M crown, while Ansonia steps into a new division after previous triumphs. South Windsor moves up to Class LL, Northwest Catholic rises to Class M, Holy Cross to Class MM, and Waterbury Career Academy to Class S. The full roster of classifications for the upcoming season is publicly accessible on the CIAC website, providing fans with a clear map of where programs will compete and how the quest for championships might unfold under the new structure.