Milford prepares for last season in the KLAA

For years the KLAA has been a competitive conference full of schools that competed in many sports. Soon our own Milford Mavericks will be on the move along with eight other schools.

“The change will be good for Milford,” said MHS Athletic Director Jim Marszalek. “It opens us up for possibly more winning seasons, and hopefully more fun.” The KLAA was formed before the 2007-2008 school year and was founded on competitiveness, enrollment and location, but that has now been pushed aside after there became less balance with enrollment among some of the teams.

The new league will consist of Milford, six teams from the North Division, which includes Lakeland, and also both South Lyon schools. “We will be able to play schools that we so often do not,” said Marszalek “and hopefully that comes with new competition.”

KLAA West foes such as Grand Blanc (2,707), Howell (2,568) and Brighton (2,040) all have enrollments over 2,000 students. Milford now has an official enrollment near 1,400 students. This has made it much more difficult for the Mavericks to compete.

“The new conference is being made based on enrollment so similar schools are playing each other fairly.” said Marzalek.

These changes will take effect next year. The new league will affect a majority of our athletics except the combined Huron Valley teams such as lacrosse and also hockey.

Not all coaches are in favor of the change., “I personally think this change ruins tradition in Milford High School,” Varsity Tennis coach Richard Kynast said.  “We won’t be able to play Hartland and Brighton anymore, which are rivalries.”

The new conference will not allow Milford to play these schools in sports like football and basketball. which the school has played for years and years.

Next year sure will be interesting at Milford as athletes try to adapt to the new conference. After this year, we say goodbye to the KLAA and welcome a new era in Milford athletics.