When Loyola College Prep decided it wanted to “play up” for the 2013 football season, the administration eyed a better schedule and reduced travel costs.

Wednesday, principal John LeBlanc feared the Flyers may fall victim to a monumental leap.

With a shortage of Class 4A select schools, the Louisiana High School Athletic Associated tinkered with the idea of pooling 4A and 5A for the playoffs. That would have left Loyola playing the largest enrollments in the state.

Thursday, the LHSAA finalized a plan that would combine classes, but 3A and 4A instead of the alternative.

“It’s a much better outcome than 4 and 5 I can tell you that,” LeBlanc told The Times on Thursday. “We made a concerted decision to play up at the 4A playoff level. We didn’t make a decision to play 5A. They made the right decision.”

In 2013, the LHSAA will crown nine state champions – four select and five non-select. Under the new select format, Class 5A will compete in Division 1. Classes 4A and 3A will compete together in Division 2. Classes 2A and 1A will each have their own divisions.