High School Football Playoffs in West Virginia Hang in the Balance
Charleston, W.Va. – The high school football playoffs in West Virginia are facing serious delays as courts work to sort out ongoing litigation regarding playoff matchups. Currently, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals is considering an official request to intervene in the matter.
Officials with the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) have stated that they submitted a petition to the state Supreme Court, aiming to resolve the confusion that has risen from a recent court ruling in Wood County. This ruling, which was entered on Saturday, altered playoff matchups and affected how many playoff points teams earned. Most notably, it resulted in the elimination of four schools that never got a chance to compete in the playoffs, among them Point Pleasant and Tolsia, located in our area.
The WVSSAC is particularly concerned about a previous decision from Mason County that would require play-in games this Friday between Point Pleasant and St. Albans, as well as Capital and Hampshire. The commission argues that holding these play-in games would contradict the Wood County ruling. As of late Wednesday, discussions are ongoing to possibly shift these games to Saturday in anticipation of a resolution from the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the Wayne County Board of Education has filed a request with a local judge aiming to secure a spot for Tolsia in the playoffs. This request calls for a play-in game against St. Marys at a neutral site, but does not specify a date.
In another development, Wyoming County and the WVSSAC have agreed to put a hold on an injunction request that seeks to allow Westside a place in the AA playoffs. Both parties express that they are in alignment in wanting to reach a fair solution.
Court officials indicated that the WVSSAC’s official petition would be available on Thursday morning, adding to the anticipation surrounding the future of high school football in the state. Fans and students alike are eager for clarity as they watch events unfold.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops.
