In 2017 Hickory will move down to 2A with the HCAM school not being allowed to play sports at Hickory. I would say it's almost certain they will join the SD7 with Fred T Foard, Newton-Conover, Bandys, Bunker Hill, Maiden, and two others from the area. We should see them become much more competitive given they will be at actual ADM numbers. I would assume Hibriten could be in the conversation for moving into the conference being they need to be playing at their actual student count.
It will be a great conference but very weak for football. A lot of records will get better but it doesn't change the fact the talent for football has deminished due to participation. It was discussed not having the Discovery School being allowed to play sports at Newton in the coming realignment but the 20-30-30-20 plan may have changed that proposal. Not that Newton ever had but a couple kids play any sports from the campus. I personally will miss the current conference. East Lincoln, Lincolnton, and West Lincoln made the SD7 one of the two top 2A conferences in the state.