MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — On Friday night, twenty-six opening-round high school football playoff games are set to take place across the state of West Virginia. However, uncertainty looms regarding the timing and execution of these games, following a legal struggle that could impact when they will actually occur.
Just hours before the end of the regular season, the Wood County Board of Education filed a petition for an injunction against the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) concerning the football playoff rating formula. Cabell County is also considering similar action. This complication traces back to a recent realignment of member schools within the WVSSAC, where a decision was made last December to add a fourth class in five sports, including football.
Many schools expressed concerns about their new classifications, which led to a series of appeals throughout the summer. In August, the state Board of Review determined that eleven schools would be lowered one class for football, and just days later, eleven more joined their ranks. Schools have requested that the football rating plan take into account the classification of their opponents at the time the games were played, rather than their new classes after the changes. However, the WVSSAC confirmed that no changes to the formula could be made.
WVSSAC Executive Director David Price explained that the rules related to the rating plan are determined by the Board of Control, which is made up of state principals. He stated, “Whatever classification a team was in, that would be the rating points that would be applied to them in the playoff system.” This lack of flexibility in the rules has led to frustration among competing schools.
On Saturday, following the filing of the injunction, the playoff ratings formula was adjusted, leading to new brackets being released for all teams. This change had a significant impact, as four teams—Hampshire, Westside, Point Pleasant, and Tolsia—were removed from their playoff spots, making way for Capital, St. Albans, Lincoln, and St. Marys.
There are concerns that those affected could pursue legal action against this outcome, causing further disruptions to the playoffs as schools dispute their positions. This could lead to competing injunctions that might stall the playoffs entirely. Price noted that if further changes to the brackets are required, it could result in the championship games, scheduled for December 6-7, being postponed.
As the situation continues to develop, the state’s football community watches closely. Should any further legal actions arise, the impact will ripple across all four classifications, potentially reshaping the playoff landscape and affecting schools that seem secure in their positions.
