MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission has published new regional alignments for all sports, which will be in effect for the next two academic years (2025-2026 & 2026-2027).
The new alignments can be viewed here
In a significant change from recent years, the competitive balance formula to determine classifications has been replaced by a system based exclusively on enrollment. That proposal was approved by the Board of Control in April and was finalized by the State Board of Education in May.
Notably, an additional class has been added to five WVSSAC sports. A fourth class has been added in golf, cross country and track. A third class has been added in soccer. Swimming will expand from one class to two.
For all sports (excluding football) containing a Class AAAA designation, the typical four-region setup has been replaced by a two-region setup (North Region and South Region).
A pair of schools have elected to play up by one class in a handful of sports. Charleston Catholic, originally drawn into Class A based on enrollment, which compete in Class AA in boys and girls basketball, baseball and volleyball. The Irish also elected to move up to Class AAA in boys and girls soccer.
Wheeling Central Catholic elected to play up one class in Class AA for volleyball, boys and girls basketball, golf and baseball.
The most sweeping year-to-year changes will be seen in football. In August of 2024, 22 schools were reclassified just weeks before the start of the season following numerous appeals from the previous round of realignment. As a result, 14 schools find themselves in a new football class in 2025.
Last fall, all 16 Class AAAA teams advanced to the playoffs. This fall, Class AAAA is set to include 20 teams.
Moving up from Class AAA to Class AAAA:
- Buckhannon-Upshur
- Oak Hill
- Preston
- Riverside
Moving up from Class AA to Class AAA:
- Chapmanville
- Nicholas County
- PikeView
Moving down from Class AAA to Class AA:
- Berkeley Springs
Moving up from Class A to Class AA:
- Doddridge County
- Petersburg
- River View
- Summers County
- Tyler Consolidated
Moving down from Class AA to Class A:
- Wheeling Central Catholic