TONOPAH -- Expect a showdown with Tonopah fans, when realignment is discussed at the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association meeting Wednesday and Thursday at the Atlantis Hotel-Resort and Casino in Reno.

Mucker followers are protesting a report that Tonopah will be moved back into Class 2-A in 2008, after four years of competing in the Nevada Class A Central Division since 2004.

At a community-wide meeting held in the THS auditorium Tuesday, each individual was asked to complete a form.

The form reads:

"I (fill in the blank with his or her name) am questioning the proposal to move Tonopah High School to the AA league from the A league.

"How will this affect THS athletics?

"The new leagues are supposed to be arranged because of three criteria: geographic, competition and enrollment. This current proposal seems to be a counter-productive move for our student-athletes, due to the increased time out of class.

"I have serious concerns about the increased time on the road for our student-athletes and their safety in this travel on Nevada back roads.

"The increase from our present league (which includes Beatty, Round Mountain, Spring Mountain, Indian Springs and Henderson Warren-Walker for various sports) to the proposed league are an increase of 61 percent in miles and a 43 percent increase of hours on a bus.

"We already have students who are on a bus 1 1/2 hours just to get to school. Due to Tonopah's lack of enrollment and competitiveness, Mr. Jerry Hughes had moved THS to the A league, effective 2004-2005. None of these factors have changed.

"THS has only competed in one state final competition (the 2006 state Class A football championship game) and not a lot of post-season play. We had only nine girls out for the fast-pitch softball team this past season.

"THS enrollment has not been above 169 pupils since 2003 and is not projected to increase in the future. Ending enrollment was 143 students.

"In Mr. (Ed) Bonine's own words in a letter posted on the NIAA Web site, he focused on the importance of NHS activities in our education system. Activities are important in education, but academics (are) more important."

A fact sheet distributed at the meeting listed the mileage.

In the current league, it is 93 miles to Beatty, 160 to Indian Springs, 55 to Round Mountain, 210 to Spring Mountain, and 222 to Henderson Warren-Walker. One-way trips would total 730 miles and require up to 24 hours on a bus.

In the proposed realignment, Tonopah would travel to Battle Mountain (206), Carlin (249), Independence (270), West Wendover (288) and Ely White Pine (169).That translated to 1,182 one-way miles and about 34 1/2 hours on a bus.

The projected school enrollment for THS is 155 in 2007-2008 and 167 in 2008-2009. Battle Mountain currently has 402 students, while Carlin (also fighting a proposed move to 1-A) has 156, Independence 138 (all boys), West Wendover 273 and White Pine (421).

Tonopah fans are expected to fill a chartered bus for a trip to Reno Wednesday for the meeting. The cost is $10 per person for food; students will require parental permission to make the trip.

Realignment is the ninth item on the action agenda for the meeting, which is to begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Atlantis Casino-Hotel in Reno.

Also on the agenda are tournament formats and membership requests -- from Horizon Academy in Amargosa Valley, as well as Beaver Dam, Excel Christian Academy, Sky View Academy, and Sage Ridge High School. All are likely to be Class A members if they are accepted.

There are 60 items on the agenda, with day two (June 21) discussions to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Atlantis.