The West Virginia high school football postseason is here, and what better way to lead into the first round than, possibly, with some controversy.
It's no secret that West Virginia is continuing to see a decline in public school enrollment, with the reasons why being larger than you and I.
So, change in the state football playoff format should occur.
The playoffs have had a 16-team format since 1991 following a nine-year run of eight teams. The WVSSAC went from three classes to four in 2024.
Personally, I'd like for the playoffs to go to an eight-team field per class. I could get behind a 12-team field, but 16 teams is too many.
I posted a poll on X asking, "Should the WVSSAC consider shrinking the high school football playoff field?"
Two-hundred fifty-eight participants voted, with an overwhelming 75% voting yes.
I also polled 23 head coaches across West Virginia, asking the same question. Twenty-one of the 23 are in this year's playoffs. Several have won state titles and playoff games.
Sixty-five percent of that panel voted no, while 35 percent voted yes.
I then asked those coaches that if the field were to shrink, what would be a suitable number.
Nine responded to that question,...