Ligonier Valley Consolidation Success Story

[richaboli]

Would love to see Liggy return to the WPIAL after 40 years.
Short Route 30 road trips to Interstate Conference foes Jeannette, Greensburg Central Catholic, Mount Pleasant, Southmoreland, Yough, and soon to join Derry, will give Liggy the AA competition that their team needs to attract attention.

[GrapeApe]

Crimson- You sure about the 8th grade thing at Ferndale? If so, does anyone know if it's even legal for an 8th grader to play varsity?

[Crimson's Ghost]

Ligonier wouldn't fare too well against Jeannette and GCC, and that is putting it lightly.


And according to Maxpreps, 3 8th graders, and 7 freshmen and 5 sophomores help make up their varsity roster of 25.

[psycho]

Ferndale is exposing little, tiny, immature 8th grade children to a high probability of physical injury just so they can field a football team and maintain a seperate trophy case. It is despicable. What sick minds will do to maintain a seperate 'identity" is just truly unbelievable. Intentionally placing little kids in harms way just to field a football team is criminal. What the hell is this world coming to? What have we become when we will allow this to occur?

[1st&forever]

That is sad 3 8th graders really wow !! I ve attented a few of their games and have already voiced my opinion on their HC, no need to beat a dead horse, but 8th graders unreal..

[El-Moldo]

I think you can only play 4 years of varsity football. If you are the next Bill Fralic, you can play as an 8th grader, BUT you will NOT be able to play your senior year (unless you skip a year in 9th,10th, or 11th grade). NOW, if you are held back one year in elementary school, you might be an 8th grader, but physically you are a 9th grader. It is NOT uncommon to see a 9th grader playing varsity. STILL, however, you only get 4 years of varsity play.

[RamblinMan]

I agree, playing 8th graders at the varsity level should not be allowed. We should also call out their parents as well for letting it happen. Not just the school and coaches..

[knowitall]

Should we also call out parents for letting their ninth graders play? How about smallish tenth graders? How about oversized eleventh graders? What will your 255 pound 11th grader look like in twenty or thirty years? What should we think about parents who allowed their kids to play sixteen football games in sixteen weeks thereby putting winning a state championship over their children's longterm health?

[bball22]

Whats the deal on the Ferndale 8th graders? Will those kids then not be allowed to play when they are seniors or has their been a rule change?

[hilltoppanther]

I would have to believe that the 8th graders are a data entry error. I believe PIAA rules prevent 8th graders from participating in varsity sports.

Your athletic eligibility extends only until you have reached the end of your fourth consecutive year (8th consecutive semester or the equivalent) beyond the eighth grade. Therefore, if you repeat a grade after eighth, you will be ineligible as a senior.

Additionally, you may participate in (1) a maximum of six seasons in each sport during grades seven through twelve, (2) a maximum of four seasons in each sport during grades nine through twelve, and (3) a maximum of three seasons in each sport during grades seven through nine.

You may participate in only one season in each sport during each school year