Aliquippa football team wins appeal, will stay in 4A

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — Aliquippa scored a big victory off the football field on Wednesday, winning an appeal with the PIAA to remain in Class 4-A in football.

ORIGINAL STORY >> Aliquippa football team to move up due to PIAA rule

Aliquippa’s enrollment would have them placed as a 1-A school. Several years ago, Aliquippa volunteered to play “up” two classes to 3-A. The PIAA then enacted a formula across the state that would allow teams to be forced to play “up” in class based on the number of transfers, and competitive “points” accumulated in WPIAL and PIAA playoff victories.

That formula resulted in Aliquippa being forced to play up to 4-A in 2018. The PIAA was trying to force the school up to 5-A for the upcoming season, and Aliquippa appealed.

The hearing was terse and lasted about twice as long as allotted for. Aliquippa argued that the safety of their players would be compromised if playing against schools with the enrollment of 5-A schools. They also have more resources than Aliquippa.

Coach Mike Warfield also explained the circumstances of the transfers, and that they didn’t have a strong impact on their success.

The vote to allow Aliquippa to remain in 4-A passed by a 21-4 vote with one abstention.

Aliquippa football team to move up due to PIAA rule

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