The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) has announced a significant change to its classification system for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The introduction of a new four-class system will see schools with the largest enrollments and other specific criteria placed in Class AAAA. This change will impact several sports, including football, softball, cheer, volleyball, and baseball.
In the newly established Class AAAA ranks, all six public schools in Jefferson County and Berkeley County will be included. This move reflects the growing population and athletic competitiveness in these areas. Schools in Class AAAA will now compete against each other in various sports, providing a more balanced and competitive playing field.
While the majority of schools will transition to the higher Class AAAA level, there are seven high schools that will remain in Class AAA. These schools include Hampshire, Bridgeport, Lincoln County, Ripley, Princeton, Greenbrier East, and Brooke. The decision to keep these schools in Class AAA was likely based on enrollment numbers and other factors considered by the WVSSAC.
With the introduction of the four-class system, Class AAA now consists of 25 schools, including powerhouse programs like Jefferson, Washington, Martinsburg, Spring Mills, Musselman, Hedgesville, and others. These schools will compete in various sports within their respective classes, adding a new level of competition and excitement to high school athletics in West Virginia.
One of the most notable changes resulting from the new classification system is the relocation of the state championship football games. Previously held in Wheeling, all four-class championship football games will now take place in Charleston. This move aims to centralize the championship games and provide a more accessible and convenient location for teams and fans.
The defending state champion in football, Martinsburg, will look to continue its dominance in the newly formed Class AAAA. With 10 state championships since 2010, Martinsburg has established itself as a powerhouse in West Virginia high school football. The Bulldogs will face tough competition from other schools in Class AAAA as they strive to defend their title.
As the 2024 season approaches, Jefferson High School is gearing up for another exciting year of football. The team will kick off its season with a road game against Spring Mills, a rising program that made its first-ever playoff appearance in 2023. Jefferson’s previous success in the Class AAA playoffs indicates that they will be a formidable contender in the new Class AAAA division.
In addition to football, other sports like basketball already have a four-class system in place and will continue to operate as Class AAAA sports. The addition of the new classification system to sports like softball, cheer, volleyball, and baseball will expand the competition and provide more opportunities for schools to compete for state honors.
Overall, the implementation of the four-class system by the WVSSAC marks a significant change in high school athletics in West Virginia. The new classification system will create a more competitive and balanced playing field, allowing schools of varying sizes to compete against each other. As schools prepare for the upcoming season, fans can look forward to thrilling matchups and exciting competition across all sports in the newly formed Class AAAA and other classes.
