WVSSAC Drops Football Postseason Requirement to Three Games Played

The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission changed course Tuesday, telling member principals and athletic directors the minimum requirement for the number of games a football team must play to be eligible for the postseason from four to three.

“Our board voted to reduce the number of required games in football to qualify for the playoffs to 3,” the e-mail sent by WVSSAC executive director Bernie Dolan to principals and athletic directors said. “Any schools only playing 3 or less games will have to demonstrate that they have tried to fill a schedule whenever possible.”

Dolan’s message, a copy of which was obtained Tuesday by WVSN, went on to say that any school in that situation which wants to petition for inclusion in the postseason has until the end of business on Wednesday to make their case to the WVSSAC.

The state’s high school athletics governing body previously announced on Oct. 15 that schools would be required to play a minimum of four games to qualify for inclusion in the postseason. Schools not participating in the playoffs are permitted to schedule more games if they have not yet played 10 games.

The Class AAA, Class AA and Class A playoff fields will be set Saturday at the conclusion of the regular season when the WVSSAC releases its final ratings. The top 16 teams in each class qualify for the playoffs.