Your favorite local high school may have some new opponents on their schedules next year.

On Thursday, the Mississippi Private School Association ratified a proposal that would allow some MPSA schools to play contests against Mississippi High School Activities Association members. About 31 MPSA schools – including Trinity – would be given the ability to schedule games with MHSAA schools.

It’s something that local coaches are excited about.

&uot;I can’t tell you how thrilled I am,&uot; said Trinity head coach David King. &uot;It’s going to help out with communities and travel. I’ll be able to pick up a couple of games with Cathedral, WCCA (Wilkinson County Christian Academy), Wilkinson County and Franklin County.&uot;

Natchez High assistant football coach Eric Quon said, &uot;Competition is great. Whoever, whenever, competition is healthy.&uot;

The decision could have a great effect on the Natchez high school scene. For example, Trinity can now schedule games with Cathedral or Vidalia for football, basketball and baseball, possibly creating a cross-town rivalry. Trinity could even schedule a game with Natchez High, if it so desired.

&uot;If there’s such an opening, I could see Cathedral wanting to play (Trinity or Adams Christian County),&uot; said Cathedral high soccer coach Rocky Kettering. &uot;There’d be some trash-talking going on.&uot;

Also, Trinity and other local schools could stand to make a little more money. Playing schools closer to home will help to foster new rivalries, bringing more fans to games.

&uot;It’s been a long time coming,&uot; said King. &uot;The kids ought to be thrilled.&uot;

It’s unlikely, though, that Mississippians will see the enitre MPSA abolished. With a large contigent of schools from Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama in the MPSA, kihng said he doesn’t see a consolidation of public and private schools happening.