Sports Playoffs Postponed Indefinitely Due To Legal Challenges

The playoffs for two high school sports have been postponed indefinitely by the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) pending ongoing litigation.

The WVSSAC announced Nov. 12 that football playoffs for all four classes have been postponed pending ongoing litigation. The playoffs, which were scheduled to begin this Friday, Nov. 15, will begin after the litigation has been resolved.  

“We are extremely disappointed to not be having the playoffs this weekend,” said David Price, WVSSAC executive director in a statement. “We understand the frustration from all of the parties involved, and we want nothing more than to put the focus back on the student-athletes and their pursuit of a championship. However, we must abide by the decisions of the courts and their timeline.”

The WVSSAC posted on its Facebook page Saturday, Nov. 9, that, “following an injunction issued in Wood County today, the WVSSAC is actively updating the football ratings that determine playoff participants and seeding.”

The Wood County injunction triggered filings in other counties, creating the potential for conflicting court orders.

Football is not the only sport to have its playoffs affected by court activity. The WVSSAC announced Saturday, Nov. 9, that the Class A volleyball tournament scheduled to begin Tuesday, Nov. 12, would be postponed indefinitely. Like in football, the postponement is due to several court filings and the potential for conflicting court orders regarding playoff seeding.

The tournaments for the other three volleyball classes are moving forward unaffected.