Just moments ago the PIAA changed high schools sports in Pennsylvania drastically. The board voted 26-4 in favor of expanding classifications from 4 to 6 classes. The 6 classification format will take place starting with the 2016-2017 season. The WPIAL was the only district that voted against the change citing travel concerns, loss of rivalries and missing academic time for athletes.
In a separate vote, the board also voted to remove one scrimmage and let teams play a tenth regular season game the week after their scrimmage.
In addition, the board also surprisingly recommended and pass expansion of other sports. Baseball, basketball and softball to six classes; Volleyball and soccer to four classes; Field Hockey to three classes; Lacrosse to two classes.
This is truly an historic day in PIAA sports. Stay tuned for more on the expansion
13 responses to “PIAA Expands Football to 6 classes:”
The counties develope the talent at the lower levels not the school districts. Clubs are training both private and public school students from as early as 5 year of age. Success starts outside the schools and in the townships. These kids play together and are developed by clubs many for profit in Lacrosse, football, soccer , swimming , basketball etc, long before they compete for their high school teams.
The private and Catholic schools do not receive state and federal funds without a 180 day requirement. Their academic requirements are very demanding, especially in the private schools. Academics come first, at least in the girls private academies Not sure what you mean by why should sports completion be and different
You should not be able to compete in PIAA and live in New Jersey. Public schools should compete against public schools and private schools or Catholic should compete against private or Catholic schools. They have different standards academically. Do not have to adhere to the 180 days like public schools. Why should sports completion be any different!
Phil
I just think 6 is too much. 5 would have been better. Just seems watered down…as far as the private thing it really doesn’t do anything with that issue. I am ok with the privates and public competing together but many people are not. You can have 30 classes but prep will still be prep and Wood will still be Wood etc. Again I’ll give it a chance and hope this turns out well. But right now I am very skeptical.
They did it to be in step with the rest of the country and for the players. Look at the overall picture. The season is now shortened by a week so football doesn’t overlap as much with winter sports. Players will have one less week of contact and one less week of practicing and playing in frigid conditions. Plus don’t be surprised that the PIAA eventually goes with a success factor where teams in lower classes than 6A have to move up a class if they go to states 2 years in a row and win one of those years. That will level the playing field even more, but will probably only effect a couple teams every 2 year cycle.
There should have been a Catholic league for Boys Basketball and Football. Too much recruiting going on. Unfair to public schools that identify and develop the talent at the youth level.
They changed what didn’t need changing without addressing what needs changing. I felt bad for the public school kids competing (and losing) to St. Joe’s Prep last year. They deserved a state championship.
Agree with Brian , a ridiculous move without having the privates schools in their own bracket. Just dancing around to avoid an important fairness issue.
If they’re going to 6 classes due to the private schools and having a classification for them I understand it. If it’s only to split up the AAAA because of the difference in enrollment of small AAAA schools compared to the large AAAA schools then I’m not for it.
Not surprising the WPIAL voted against this. They seem to think the world of PA high school football revolves around District 7.
Also, I saw reports that District 8 (Pittsburgh City League) also voted against this plan.
It was time.
WOW….so does this mean the wpial will take their ball and go home?
Well, not sure I will like this but I guess we’ll see, any idea how the classes shape up?