In Charleston, West Virginia, the excitement for high school football playoffs has taken an unexpected turn, with just three days to go before the scheduled games. The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) announced that the start of the postseason is now postponed in all four classifications due to ongoing litigation.
WVSSAC Executive Director David Price expressed his disappointment, stating, “We are extremely disappointed to not be having the playoffs this weekend. We understand the frustration from all of the parties involved, and we want nothing more than to put the focus back on the student-athletes and their pursuit of a championship.” He emphasized that the organization must adhere to court decisions and timelines.
Recent court rulings have altered the playoff landscape significantly. An injunction granted on Saturday changed the playoff ratings system to its pre-August format, resulting in four teams being replaced. The teams that were pushed out of the playoffs include Hampshire, Point Pleasant, Westside, and Tolsia, who have now been replaced by Capital, St. Albans, Lincoln, and St. Marys.
To further complicate matters, Mason County Circuit Judge Anita Ashley ordered play-in games for this Friday in the Class AAA playoffs, matching Point Pleasant against St. Albans and Hampshire against Capital. Additionally, a lawsuit was filed for Westside seeking similar relief.
The shifting playoff conditions mean changes in Class AA and Class A, leading many to believe that play-in games will likely occur across all classifications. With conflicting decisions from different courts, the issue may soon be settled by West Virginia’s Supreme Court of Appeals. Associate Executive Director of the WVSSAC, Wayne Ryan, stated, “We wouldn’t determine it, because if we did, we would be in contempt of court from one judge or the other.”
As the dust settles, teams like Bridgeport, who recently finished an unbeaten regular season and secured the No. 3 seed in Class AAA, remain hopeful. Coach Tyler Phares noted, “We explained to the kids that it might happen. We’re not going to sit around and whine and cry about anything.” He remains focused on improving his team in the lead-up to the uncertain playoff schedule.
In Class AAAA, all 16 teams are still set for the postseason, though changes in seeding occurred due to recent developments. Originally scheduled for this weekend, the first round of matchups is now on hold, and if the situation is not resolved quickly, everything could be delayed by at least a week.
As this situation continues to unfold, the WVSSAC remains committed to finding a resolution, and the hopes of many high school athletes hang in the balance. The state championship games are currently pushed back to December 6-7, pending any developments that may arise this week.
