Jul 19, 2015 4 min read

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The PIAA Strategic Planning Committee and the Football Steering Committee will meet Tuesday to discuss the various proposals for an expansion to six classifications in Pennsylvania High School athletics, but according to sources familiar to the discussions, the groups will likely not be closer to a consensus.

Those in favor of six classifications are hoping for the following changes to be passed on a second reading: six classificaions that will include 1A-5A being divided equally and a 6A that would include enrollments of 700-plus students; dividing all six classifications evenly, or the largest classification containing enrollments of 700-plus and 1A-5A divided using a bell curve.

That bell curve would look something like this: 1-A (68 schools with enrollments between 46-125), 2A (107 schools with entrollments between 126-199), 3A (114 schools with enrollments between 200-299), 4A (109 schools with enrollments between 300-435) and 5A (112 schools between 436-699).

The goal behind six classes is to shorten the length of the PIAA football season, while keeping the 16-week format. Some opponents argued that districts would lose money, but the new setup would allow for an extra regular-season game, which means more revenue.

Also, those in favor want the number of preseason scrimmages to be cut to one and if you are unfamiliar with the argument for six classification, here’s a brief summary of why these folks want change:

1. Pennsylvania is out of proportion with other states when it comes to number of schools sponsoring football and number of classifications.

2. Football players compete in terrible conditions during the state playoffs (Ask South Fayette’s players about that).

3. Winter sport seasons are effected by athletes competing late in football seasons, which has caused cancellations of tip-off tournament.

4. Attendance and revenue at district and PIAA sponsored games is dropping (if a change is made, this will likely be the reason).

5. Length of the season is longer than Division I programs.

6. Length of season effects Keystone Testing Program.

The Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association voted in favor of six classifications (30-3) and the state’s athletic directors association supported a switch to six classifications.

If you haven’t noticed, I have not mentioned a potential switch to six classifications for other sports and that will be the ultimate sticking point. I don’t see this being passed without a larger discussion about an increase in basketball and other sports. Also, travel expenses will definitely increase with realigned conferences in the WPIAL and it is extremely unlikely that the district championship games will be held at Heinz Field.

Even Wednesday’s meeting ends with both parties passing the proposal on a second reading, it is a long shot that the change is approved by October, which is when enrollment figures for the next cycle are due. I will post something Wednesday night with updates and will make a few calls before to get better read on the situation.

Below, you will find mock classifications for WPIAL teams if a Bell Curve system is used (based on the latest enrollment figures). It will be very interesting to see how district playoffs would be handled with 6A. Also, remember that some districts are growing more than others, including Canon-McMillan and South Fayette. Those two could find themselves in 6A and 4A respectively, and Aliquippa, which is a Class A school that competes in AA voluntarily, would likely play up in 3A.

Seneca Valley (1088)

North Allegheny (1076)

Altoona (933)

Butler Area (926)

Hempfield (695*)

Norwin (690*)

Central Catholic (686)

Penn Hills (654)

Connellsville (638)

Mount Lebanon (626)

Canon-McMillan (622)

Shaler (607)

Bethel Park (605)

Pine-Richland (589)

Woodland Hills (573)

North Hills (566)

Upper St. Clair (561)

Peters Township (561)

Fox Chapel (556)

Penn-Trafford (552)

Baldwin (550)

Greater Latrobe (539)

Kiski Area (538)

Plum (537)

McKeesport (526)

Armstrong (488*)

Moon (486)

Gateway (470)

Albert Gallatin (470)

Franklin Regional (468)

Chartiers Valley (439)

Hampton (409)

Hollidaysburg (402, if it remains in WPIAL)

Knoch (399)

Trinity (394)

Mars (394)

West Allegheny (391)

Laurel Highlands (388)

Montour (384)

New Castle (377)

Ringgold (373)

Belle Vernon (370)

Thomas Jefferson (357)

West Mifflin (352)

Uniontown (349)

Ambridge (347)

Greensburg Salem (345)

Indiana (330)

Hopewell (320) Elizabeth Forward (309)

Central Valley (309)

Blackhawk (304)

Yough (301)

Deer Lakes (294)

South Fayette (293)

Highlands (284)

Mount Pleasant (282)

Derry (282)

McGuffey (275)

Freeport (275)

Ellwood City (272)

Valley (269)

South Park (263)

Southmoreland (258)

Beaver Area (258)

Keystone Oaks (255)

West Shamokin (240)

Burrell (239)

Steel Valley (238)

Brownsville (231)

Waynesburg (228)

Mohawk (221)

Quaker Valley (218)

East Allegheny (216)

Shady Side (203)

Charleroi (202)

Summit Academy (198)

South Allegheny (198)

Washington (195)

New Brighton (194)

Apollo-Ridge (194)

Beaver Falls (193)

Laurel (188)

Sto-Rox (185)

Burgettstown (185)

Freedom (184)

Seton-LaSalle (183)

Carlynton (177)

Avonworth (174)

Riverside (173)

Northgate (169)

Beth-Center (166)

South Side (165)

Neshannock (161)

Fort Cherry (157)

Wilkinsburg (151)

Frazier (149)

Shenango (148)

Chartiers-Houston (147)

Bentworth (144)

OLSH (140)

Aliquippa (138)

Brentwood (136)

Bishop Canevin (135)

Carmichaels (126)

Serra Catholic (125)

Riverview (125)

Jeannette (125)

Leechburg (123)

California (123)

Springdale (120)

Jefferson-Morgan (119)

West Greene (116)

Greensburg Central Catholic (114)

Rochester (108)

Clairton (101)

Western Beaver (98)

Vincentian (97)

Monessen (94)

Union (92)

North Catholic (78)

Mapletown (77)

Avella (66)

*Projection

Some believe that this setup creates a competitive balance while maintaining geographic conferenes, but what are your thoughts? Shoot me an email at llysowski@observer-reporter.com.

Until next time …