WPIAL Releases Brackets for 2024 Football Playoffs, 4A Seeds Spark Debate

WPIAL Football Playoff Brackets Spark Debate

By Chris Harlan

Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 2:38 PM

The WPIAL released the high school football playoff brackets on Saturday, triggering both excitement and surprise for many coaches and fans. While some seeding decisions were expected, others, particularly in Class 4A, have fueled discussions and debates.

Seedings in 4A Raise Eyebrows

Aliquippa, the defending three-time WPIAL champions, received a No. 4 seed despite their formidable record. Coach Vashawn Patrick acknowledged the unexpected placement but keeps his focus on the upcoming challenge.

“I definitely was expecting a top three,” Patrick said. “Probably two or three. But, hey, they put us at four.”

West Allegheny coach Dave Schoppe expressed similar confusion. His team, sharing the Parkway Conference title with Aliquippa and Montour, was seeded eighth.

“I’m not sure how they can justify what they did there,” Schoppe said. “I don’t understand how two wild card teams can be seeded higher than us. Not to mention Montour, after we beat them.”

WPIAL administrator Vince Sortino explained that the traditional tiebreaking formulas were used, considering record, conference wins, and margin of victory. However, the committee has the flexibility to adjust the seeding based on its overall assessment of teams.

“The committee thought it was hard to put Montour behind Aliquippa,” Sortino said, referencing their head-to-head matchup.

Wild Cards and the New System

The WPIAL implemented a new system for selecting wild-card teams, giving the football committee the authority to choose them directly instead of relying solely on traditional tiebreaker formulas.

“To ensure a quality playoff field, the committee deliberated on several factors, including strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and overall team performance,” Sortino said.

Montour, facing a wild card scenario after a loss to West Allegheny, ultimately secured a second chance.

Full Schedule for the WPIAL Playoffs

All games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the lower seed unless otherwise indicated.

Class 6A

4-Seneca Valley (3-6) vs. 1-Central Catholic (8-2), site TBA

3-Mt. Lebanon (3-7) at 2-North Allegheny (9-1)

Class 5A

1-Pine-Richland (8-1) bye

9-Franklin Regional (7-3) at 8-North Hills (8-2)

4-Woodland Hills (8-2) bye

12-Latrobe (5-5) at 5-Bethel Park (8-2)

2-Upper St. Clair (10-0) bye

10-Moon (5-4) at 7-Penn Hills (6-4)

3-Peters Township (9-1) bye

11-South Fayette (6-4) at 6-Penn-Trafford (8-2)

Class 4A

8-West Allegheny (6-4) at 1-Thomas Jefferson (10-0)

5-Trinity (5-5) at 4-Aliquippa (6-2)

7-Mars (5-5) at 2-Montour (8-1)

6-Belle Vernon (4-4) at 3-McKeesport (6-4)