Seven schools, including four from the East Valley, had division or region appeals in the 5A Conference denied by the conference’s executive board Wednesday morning.

Gilbert Highland, Mesa High and Chandler High appealed placement in the newly formed Central Region and requested moves to the new East Valley Region.

Mesa Skyline, a 5A Division II school the past two years that was placed back in Division I for the coming two-year block, asked to be returned to Division II.

Some argued based on geography and travel (Highland, Mesa and Chandler); Skyline argued competition. Their pleas fell on deaf ears as did those of Phoenix North (region), Casa Grande (division) and Tucson Salpointe (division).

“We kind of anticipated this, but we had to take our shot,” Skyline athletic director Mort Ortega said. “We’re going to take ours to the next step.”

The next step is Nov. 13 and an appeal to the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s executive board. That’s the last ditch stop. Highland and Mesa are not sure yet if they will go to the AIA next week. Chandler has no plans to appeal further.