The Northwestern Conference which includes Alexander Central is losing a school. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has approved West Caldwell High School’s request to drop to 2A. They 
will become members of the Northwestern Foothills Conference which includes Hibriten, East Burke, West Iredell, Fred T Foard, Patton, Draughn, and Bunker Hill.
The move leaves the Northwestern 3A-4A with 7 teams and that means some schedule shuffling. Alexander Central Football Coach Butch Carter said Thursday that he is trying to find a non-conference game. He has spoken with several schools which he declined to name. Of course, the other six schools in the league are doing the same in trying to fill out their football schedule. Football scheduling is normally done years in advance as opposed to some other sports that might be scheduled on a year-to-year basis.
West Caldwell had an enrollment of 1,054 when the last realignment was done prior to the 2017 school year. It meant they jumped from 2A to 3A and became members of the Northwestern Conference. Emrollment is now listed at 912 students at West, thus the move to 2A.
The move for West Calwell will beigin next Fall. It leaves the Northwestern 3A-4A with the following members:
Alexander Central 3A
Freedom 3A
Hickory 3A
St Stephens 3A
Watauga 3A
McDowell 4A
South Caldwell 4A