The West Virginia high school playoffs are officially back on as the state’s Supreme Court upheld the authority of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to implement its rating points system. The court's ruling vacated previous injunctions that had delayed the playoffs, allowing the originally set teams to proceed. Playoffs kick off Friday and Saturday using the same points system applied throughout the regular season. Key matchups include No. 2 Fairmont Senior hosting No. 15 Point Pleasant, and Westside High, the No. 16 seed in Class AA, visiting No. 1 Frankfort.

By the Numbers
  • Fairmont Senior is ranked No. 2 with a playoff matchup against No. 15 Point Pleasant.
  • Westside High, returning to the playoffs after an eight-year absence, is the No. 16 seed facing unbeaten No. 1 Frankfort (10-0).
  • There are three other Marion County high schools also in playoff contention in Class AAA.
State of Play
  • The WVSSAC confirmed the playoffs will proceed starting this weekend after a favorable Supreme Court ruling.
  • In Class AAA, Oak Hill retained its No. 5 ranking and will host No. 12 Lewis County instead of Shady Spring.
  • Previously established matchups are altered for several teams due to the court's decision, affecting their opponents.
What's Next

The high school football playoffs will commence as scheduled, with the final ratings and matchups expected to be announced promptly. Teams will be finalizing their strategies ahead of the games this weekend, impacting their performance in the postseason.

Bottom Line

The reinstatement of the playoffs not only brings excitement back for players and fans but underscores the WVSSAC's authority in regulating high school sports. This scenario highlights the importance of maintaining consistent systems in competitive athletics.