Class 6A in PA?

[usatf oldguy]

I know I'm going to be labeled a hater but I like the idea of dividing out the privates.It used to be this way in PA and I believe was changed in the mid 70's to early 80's.I also know that this is a football thread but it needs to be done for other sports also.I personally feel if you had 6 classifications 1 small school private ,1 big school private and 4 public school classifications it would work alot better!It is interesting to me that this is being considered as it has been talked about for a long time.Many coaches have argued this with the PIAA to no avail!I just hope if it gets done it gets done across the board in all sports,but I suspect the PIAA will stay the course as long as possible.My faith in them dryed a long, long ,long, etc time ago!

[philip's dad]

I agree totally with you oldguy.

[Jolly Green]

I played my high school football in California (1970's). Back then we had 4 classifications, and we did have championships. However, there were two champions in each classification, one for the Northern Section and one for the Southern Section. The dividing line was approximately San Luis Obispo if I remember correctly. I would imagine that they have probably added an additional round of playoffs by now to crown an overall state champ.

However, the schools are overall much larger, and draw on a bigger area than here in PA. The little desert town I grew up in had a population about equal to Somerset, but our high school (Grades 9 - 12) had a total population of 2200 students. This is because we drew students from all the little towns around us (as far as 45 miles away) into a central school location. If Cambria and Somerset counties followed a similar scheme, there would only be 5 or 6 public high schools in the two counties combined.

So my guess is that while California has a much larger population, they probably have a similar number of schools when compared with PA. That is just a guess though.

[southpaw]

Good point Jolly. I think that PA should go through another round of school consolidations as they did in the 1960's, especially in Western PA and our area. Somerset County especially needs consolidation in the worst way. Heck Bedford County could go to two school districts.

About 6 classes in football. Looks as if it could very well be a reality in 2010. I was told today that the proposal made it through the PIAA steering committee and has a good chance of being a reality. There won't be separate public/private classifications in my opinion however. Too much politics for that to occur. IMO the classes will be divided the same as they are now. Instead of 150 schools per class with 4 there will be 100 schools with 6. Locally that will upset the traditional dynamics of who is in what class.

[philip's dad]

I disagree with the statement that Bedford COunty could have only 2 school districts. The school that should be consolidated is Hyndman. They are the only school that seems to be down and in need of help. The schools are well attended and are in good shape to stand alone on their own.

[southpaw]

Hyndman is not a school district. It is part of the Bedford School District.

[S Cube]

Not to get off subject, but imagine if Hyndman wrestled with Bedford. Add Logan Sheldon to that lineup. Solid wrestlers like Hosselroad wouldn't even be able to crack the lineup. If they had Sheldon you might as well put the state championship trophey in the trophey case right now. Maybe they can swing something to get Hyndman's kids for state duals lol?

[Jolly Green]

The biggest problem with school consolidation around here is being demonstrated right now. Long distance travel during the winter months can be both slow and hazardous, problems we did not regularly experience in California. And as voiced by Philip's Dad, there would be a lot of sentiment to keep schools small and local.

[LionDad77]

Scube think about this for wrestling; County split in half 2 districts, NBC Tussey Everett in one half. Bedford Hyndman & Ridge in other. The later gets alot more trips to the state duels.

[S Cube]

Scube think about this for wrestling; County split in half 2 districts, NBC Tussey Everett in one half. Bedford Hyndman & Ridge in other. The later gets alot more trips to the state duels.

Think about that for basketball. AJ Nastasi coached by Dave Bailey YIKES.