West Virginia High School Football Programs Face Reclassification Ahead of 2024 Season

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – In a surprising move, several high school football programs in West Virginia are being reclassified just weeks ahead of the 2024-2025 season. On Tuesday, the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission announced that both Spring Valley and St. Albans will drop from Class AAAA to Class AAA. Meanwhile, Wayne and Sissonville will move down from Class AAA to Class AA.

This decision was made by the Review Board, which includes seven members appointed by the West Virginia Superintendents of Schools. A total of eleven schools are being reclassified for the upcoming football season only. The schools affected are Frankfort, John Marshall, Oak Hill, Petersburg, Preston, Saint Albans, St. Mary’s, Sissonville, Spring Valley, Tyler Consolidated, and Wayne.

These changes come after eleven schools filed appeals regarding their classifications. The four-page ruling has raised questions, and WSAZ reached out to WVSSAC Executive Director David Price for clarity. In a statement, Price said he learned of the decision on Monday night. He acknowledged the governance process while emphasizing the focus on safety, stating, “The Board of Review stressed risk of injury in pushing for immediate action regarding football.” He also noted that this ruling applies solely to football.

Interestingly, schools like South Charleston, Riverside, and Capital, which are among the smallest in Quad-A, will not be affected by these changes. Price pointed out that the Review Board cannot make suggestions about other schools not involved in the appeals process.

The impact of this ruling on football playoffs also remains uncertain, as winning against lower-classification teams may affect strength of schedule points. “I would use the term ‘potentially affected’,” Price clarified.

In December 2023, the WVSSAC announced a shift from three to four classifications for several sports, including football, starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Comments from the community have varied, with Wayne High School’s athletic director and football coach, Tom Harmon, expressing concerns about the reclassification process and its implications for competitive balance in the state.

Meanwhile, Spring Valley’s Athletic Director, Tim George, emphasized the need for fairness and collaboration among all involved. He stated, “As leaders of young people, we all have a moral imperative to do the right thing, even when it’s tough.”

Ultimately, the Board of Review’s decision emphasizes the need for safety in high school athletics, particularly football. Price confirmed that a new classification model will not be available until next school year, with discussions planned for April 2025.

Keep an eye on ongoing developments as the 2024 football season approaches, as further reactions and adjustments are expected within the state’s high school sports framework.