The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League announced there will be fewer football games among other changes this season as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. On Thursday, the WPIAL board voted to trade the traditional start dates for a “hybrid” option, allowing later dates to be established for each sport and giving schools added flexibility as they transition back to class amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a breakdown of the new plans specific to football:
- Heat Acclimatization may begin as scheduled on Aug. 10
- First scrimmage is now Sept. 3 (opponent as listed on WPIAL schedule for Week 1).
- Week 2 game listed on WPIAL schedule is replaced by Week 9 game.
- With high possibility of PIAA advancing the entry date for the state football tournament (as much as 2 weeks earlier than currently listed dates, WPIAL has adjusted schedules now to accommodate this change. Regular season will now conclude Oct. 23 with a maximum of seven competitions.
IF PIAA offers a state tournament, the following parameters/dates will be used for WPIAL playoffs:
Class 6A: Top 4 teams into Semifinals (Oct. 30-31), Finals Nov. 6-7.
Classes 1A-5A: Eight teams per class into Quarterfinals (Oct. 30-31), Semifinals (Nov. 6-7), Finals (Nov. 13-14).
Classes 1A, 3A, 4A, 5A will take top two teams in each section plus two Wild Card teams (Gardner Points).
Class 2A will take top two teams in each section.
IF PIAA does NOT offer a state tournament and advances the required completion date for the season, the following parameters/dates will be used for WPIAL playoffs: Semifinals (Oct. 30-31), Finals (Nov. 6-7).
Class 6A: Top 4 teams
Classes 1A, 3A, 4A, 5A: Section champions plus one Wild Card team (Gardner Points).
Class 2A: Section champions.