Whether the PIAA's decision to move to six classes in baseball, softball, football and basketball is a good or not decision is up for debate at the Tribune Review's Chris Harlan tried to seek out this week.
While this decision seemed silly at the time -- and still does with Pittsburgh's shrinking population -- it is an interesting thought process to see which school reaped the most rewards. The one in the WPIAL which jumped out was Steel Valley football.
The Ironmen, who landed in 2A after the realignment, were always on the line in AA/AAA in the old system. If Steel Valley was up, it had to worry about bigger rivals Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin. In AA, Steel Valley had to take on Beaver Falls and South Fayette.
They became the "Mercy Boys", winning all of their games by 35 points or more, before beating storied Southern Columbia 49-7 in the state final.
Plus, there was this run by Nas West.
While this decision seemed silly at the time -- and still does with Pittsburgh's shrinking population -- it is an interesting thought process to see which school reaped the most rewards. The one in the WPIAL which jumped out was Steel Valley football.
The Ironmen, who landed in 2A after the realignment, were always on the line in AA/AAA in the old system. If Steel Valley was up, it had to worry about bigger rivals Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin. In AA, Steel Valley had to take on Beaver Falls and South Fayette.
They became the "Mercy Boys", winning all of their games by 35 points or more, before beating storied Southern Columbia 49-7 in the state final.
Plus, there was this run by Nas West.