High School Football Playoffs Delayed in West Virginia
In West Virginia, the high school football season wrapped up earlier this month, yet the state playoffs are still on hold. The pause is caused by ongoing legal disputes over the state’s ranking system. At the center of the issue are injunctions filed by schools in Wood and Cabell Counties. These schools believe that some teams in their regions were improperly seeded for the playoffs based on the strength of victory criteria, which awards more points when a lower-ranked team wins over a higher-ranked one.
Recently, a court granted an injunction requested by Wood County, leading the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to reevaluate the point totals assigned to schools according to their original classifications. Last summer, 23 schools in West Virginia were reclassified, impacting playoff placement. Consequently, schools like Hampshire County, Point Pleasant Junior Senior, Westside, and Tolsia were removed from the playoffs, while four other teams entered in their place.
After the decision, Point Pleasant, a Class 3A school, received a green light for a compromise play-in game against St. Albans, who took their spot in the bracket. Hampshire County will also face Capital, which replaced them. The winners of these matchups will secure their playoff presence. On the other hand, Class 2A’s Westside High School is not looking for a play-in game; instead, they want state officials to rectify the ranking system. Their case is slated for consideration on Wednesday.
As the situation unfolds, teams not involved in the dispute are anxious for clarity. Mike Young, coach of Wheeling Central, expressed his frustrations, urging higher authorities to clarify the situation so that teams can proceed with their seasons. He emphasized the pressing need for a decision, as delays may disrupt winter sports schedules for many multi-sport athletes.
With uncertainty hanging over the playoffs, schools and teams await answers to help them determine their next steps moving forward.
