H.S. FOOTBALL: Breaking down PIAA proposals for football reclassification

The PIAA strategic planning and football steering committees cut down eight proposals to three last week when they met in Mechanicsburg.

Each of the three remaining proposals on how to classify high school football programs in Pennsylvania comes with a secondary possibility of including a 10-percent rule that counts only 10 percent of non-traditional students against a school's enrollment. Those students include charter, alternative school and home-schooled students that normally have been counted toward their base high school's enrollment.

For example, if a school has 100 boys attending a charter school, only 10 will count under the 10-percent rule. The PIAA Board of Directors passed a second reading of the 10-percent rule July 22, so it only needs to pass one more reading in October. However, the football classifications need to pass two more times and must be passed by the board's December meeting, executive director Dr. Robert Lombardi said.

The football steering and strategic planning committees will meet again Sept. 16 to go over the remaining proposals.

Below are the breakdowns of how District 3 football teams could be slotted under proposed alignments.

• Four classifications

• Six classifications

• Six classifications with 6A reserved only for enrollments of 700 or more boys

It's also important to note the PIAA is considering options to cut the length of the football season, from August practice to the state championships, by a week. To do so, those possibilities include:

• One scrimmage, 10-week regular season, six-week postseason

• Two scrimmages, nine-week regular season, six-week postseason

• Two scrimmages, 10-week regular season, five-week postseason

The PIAA previously addressed classification expansion in 2009 but did not pass it during the final stage by the required two-thirds majority vote. This time around, District 9 football chairman Bob Tonkin proposed in January an increase in the number of classifications.

For a proposal to be officially adopted, the PIAA must pass three readings. It passed eight proposals in the spring during its first reading. When the strategic planning and football steering committees met last week, they trimmed those eight proposals down to three for the PIAA Board of Directors to consider the following day.

Confusion from two or three board members curtailed passing a second reading of the three remaining proposals, but Lombardi stressed, "There's time. They at least now have a road map."

The board has meetings scheduled for October and December, where the remaining proposals can be passed or scrapped.

Contact Matt Goul at 771-2045.

Here is a breakdown of what the high school football landscape could look like in District 3 under the remaining classification possibilities in front of the PIAA.

Each of the reclassifications — sticking with four, expanding to six or expanding to six with a "Super 700 — includes an additional scenario that incorporates a 10-percent rule. The PIAA is using current enrollment figures in its examples. Schools are ordered by enrollment. The highest and lowest boys' enrollment for each class, plus those for YAIAA schools, are listed in parenthesis.

FOUR CLASSES

Class AAAA: Reading (2,138 enrollment), J.P. McCaskey, Chambersburg, Cumberland Valley, Hempfield, Harrisburg, Central Dauphin, Red Lion (807), William Penn (764), Wilson, Manheim Township, Penn Manor, Dallastown (694), Exeter, Central York (673), Warwick, Central Dauphin East, Cedar Crest, York County Tech (600), Carlisle, Conestoga Valley, Cedar Cliff, Governor Mifflin, Elizabethtown, Lebanon, Ephrata, Waynesboro (501).

Number of schools: 27, which ranks second in state. District 1 has most with 44 schools.

Class AAA: Fleetwood (606 – with 250 co-op enrollment), Lower Dauphin, South Western (499), New Oxford (490), Mechanicsburg, Muhlenberg, Hershey, Solanco, Lancaster Catholic, Garden Spot, Red Land, Daniel Boone, Northern York, Spring Grove (436), Northeastern (429), Shippensburg, Greencastle-Antrim, Twin Valley, Dover, Cocalico, Kutztown, Manheim Central, Lampeter-Strasburg, Palmyra, West York (367), James Buchanan, Big Spring, Gettysburg (358), Conrad Weiser, West Perry, York Suburban (356), Donegal, East Pennsboro, Susquehannock (350), Susquehanna Township, ELCO, Milton Hershey, Kennard-Dale (336), Northern Lebanon, Eastern York (306), Bishop McDevitt (303).

Number of schools: 41, which ranks first in state. District 7 is second with 25 schools.

Class AA: Middletown (300), Hamburg, Bermudian Springs (286), Littlestown (281), Wyomissing, Boiling Springs, Berks Catholic, Annville-Cleona, Pequea Valley, Schuylkill Valley, Trinity, Susquenita, Newport, Biglerville (215), Hanover (200).

Number of schools: 15, which ranks third in state. District 7 has most with 38 schools.

Class A: Upper Dauphin (172), Delone Catholic (166), Columbia, Fairfield (162), Camp Hill, York Catholic (151), Steel-High, Halifax, Millersburg (117), Carson Long Military Academy (50 – note, school is not fielding football team in 2015).

Number of schools: 10, which ranks sixth in state. District 7 has most with 35 schools.

FOUR CLASSES (with 10-percent rule)

Class AAAA: Reading (1,753), J.P. McCaskey, Cumberland Valley, Hempfield, Chambersburg, Wilson, Manheim Township, Central Dauphin, Penn Manor, Dallastown (661), Central York (654), Harrisburg, Red Lion (649), Cedar Crest, Warwick, Exeter, York County Tech (588), Conestoga Valley, Carlisle, Cedar Cliff, Central Dauphin East, Governor Mifflin, Lebanon, Muhlenberg, Ephrata, Elizabethtown, New Oxford (468)

Number of schools: 27, which ranks second in state. District 1 has most with 47 schools.

Class AAA: South Western (465), Fleetwood, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Solanco, Lower Dauphin, Waynesboro, Red Land, Daniel Boone, Northeastern (429), Spring Grove (401), Garden Spot, Northern York, Greencastle-Antrim, Cocalico, Twin Valley, Palmyra, Lampeter-Strasburg, Manheim Central, Dover (355), William Penn (354), Lancaster Catholic, Shippensburg, West York (345), Conrad Weiser, Susquehanna Township, James Buchanan, Gettysburg (338), Donegal, Milton Hershey, Susquehannock (336), York Suburban (336), Big Spring, East Pennsboro, Kennard-Dale (313), Northern Lebanon, West Perry, Bishop McDevitt, Kutztown, ELCO, Hamburg (286).

Number of schools: 41, which ranks first in state. District 7 is second with 28 schools.

Class AA: Eastern York (279), Bermudian Springs (270), Berks Catholic, Littlestown (265), Middletown, Boiling Springs, Wyomissing, Annville-Cleona, Schuylkill Valley, Pequea Valley, Trinity, Susquenita, Biglerville (196), Hanover (177).

Number of schools: 14, which ranks fourth in state with three other districts (2, 4, 11). District 7 has most with 34 schools.

Class A: Delone Catholic (166), Upper Dauphin, Steel-High, Camp Hill, York Catholic (151), Fairfield (150), Newport, Columbia, Millersburg, Halifax (109), Carson Long Military Academy (50 – note, school is not fielding football team in 2015).

Number of schools: 11, which ranks fifth in state with one other district (4). District 7 has most with 37 schools.

SIX CLASSES

Class 6A: Reading (2,138 enrollment), J.P. McCaskey, Chambersburg, Cumberland Valley, Hempfield, Harrisburg, Central Dauphin, Red Lion (807), William Penn (764), Wilson, Manheim Township, Penn Manor, Dallastown (694), Exeter, Central York (673), Warwick, Central Dauphin East, Cedar Crest (633).

Number of schools: 18, which ranks second in state. District 1 has most with 29 schools.

Class 5A: Fleetwood (606 – with 250 co-op enrollment), York County Tech (600), Carlisle, Conestoga Valley, Cedar Cliff, Governor Mifflin, Elizabethtown, Lebanon, Ephrata, Waynesboro, Lower Dauphin, South Western (499), New Oxford (490), Mechanicsburg, Muhlenberg, Hershey, Solanco, Lancaster Catholic, Garden Spot, Red Land, Daniel Boone, Northern York, Spring Grove (436), Northeastern (429), Shippensburg (419).

Number of schools: 25, which ranks second in state. District 1 has most with 27 schools.

Class 4A: Greencastle-Antrim (413), Twin Valley, Dover, Cocalico, Kutztown, Manheim Central, Lampeter-Strasburg, Palmyra, West York (367), James Buchanan, Big Spring, Gettysburg (358), Conrad Weiser, West Perry, York Suburban (356), Donegal, East Pennsboro, Susquehannock (350), Susquehanna Township, ELCO, Milton Hershey, Kennard-Dale (336), Northern Lebanon, Eastern York (306).

Number of schools: 24, which leads state. District 7 is second with 20 schools.

Class 3A: Bishop McDevitt (303), Middletown, Hamburg, Bermudian Springs (286), Littlestown (281), Wyomissing, Boiling Springs, Berks Catholic, Annville-Cleona, Pequea Valley, Schuylkill Valley, Trinity, Susquenita, Newport, Biglerville (215).

Number of schools: 15, which ranks second in state. District 7 has most with 24 schools.

Class 2A: Hanover (200), Upper Dauphin, Delone Catholic (166), Columbia, Fairfield (162), Camp Hill, York Catholic (151).

Number of schools: Seven, which ranks fifth in state with two other districts (2, 9). District 7 has most with 24 schools.

Class 1A: Steel-High (145), Halifax, Millersburg (117), Carson Long Military Academy (50 – note, school is not fielding football team in 2015).

Number of schools: Four, which ranks eighth in state with District 1. District 7 has most with 25 schools.

SIX CLASSES (with 10-percent rule)

Class 6A: Reading (1,753), J.P. McCaskey, Cumberland Valley, Hempfield, Chambersburg, Wilson, Manheim Township, Central Dauphin, Penn Manor, Dallastown (661), Central York (654), Harrisburg, Red Lion (649), Cedar Crest, Warwick, Exeter, York County Tech (588).

Number of schools: 17, which ranks second in state. District 1 has most with 31 schools.

Class 5A: Conestoga Valley (552), Carlisle, Cedar Cliff, Central Dauphin East, Governor Mifflin, Lebanon, Muhlenberg, Ephrata, Elizabethtown, New Oxford (468), South Western (465), Fleetwood, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Solanco, Lower Dauphin, Waynesboro, Red Land, Daniel Boone, Northeastern (429), Spring Grove (401), Garden Spot, Northern York (397).

Number of schools: 23, which ranks second in state. District 1 has most with 29 schools.

Class 4A: Greencastle-Antrim (384), Cocalico, Twin Valley, Palmyra, Lampeter-Strasburg, Manheim Central, Dover (355), William Penn (354), Lancaster Catholic, Shippensburg, West York (345), Conrad Weiser, Susquehanna Township, James Buchanan, Gettysburg (338), Donegal, Milton Hershey, Susquehannock (336), York Suburban (336), Big Spring, East Pennsboro, Kennard-Dale (313), Northern Lebanon, West Perry, Bishop McDevitt, Kutztown, ELCO, Hamburg (286).

Number of schools: 28, which leads state. District 7 is second with 21 schools.

Class 3A: Eastern York (279), Bermudian Springs (270), Berks Catholic, Littlestown (265), Middletown, Boiling Springs, Wyomissing, Annville-Cleona, Schuylkill Valley, Pequea Valley, Trinity, Susquenita (203).

Number of schools: 12, which ranks second in state with District 11. District 7 has most with 22 schools.

Class 2A: Biglerville (196), Hanover (177), Delone Catholic (166), Upper Dauphin, Steel-High, Camp Hill, York Catholic (151), Fairfield (150), Newport (142).

Number of schools: Nine, which ranks fourth in state with District 6. District 7 has most with 24 schools.

Class 1A: Columbia (137), Millersburg, Halifax (109), Carson Long Military Academy (50 – note, school is not fielding football team in 2015).

Number of schools: Four, which ranks eighth in state with District 1. District 7 has most with 25 schools.

SUPER 700

Class 6A: Reading (2,138 enrollment), J.P. McCaskey, Chambersburg, Cumberland Valley, Hempfield, Harrisburg, Central Dauphin, Red Lion (807), William Penn (764), Wilson, Manheim Township, Penn Manor (712).

Number of schools: 12, which ranks third in state with District 11. District 1 has most with 26 schools.

Class 5A: Dallastown (694), Exeter, Central York (673), Warwick, Central Dauphin East, Cedar Crest, Fleetwood, York County Tech (600), Carlisle, Conestoga Valley, Cedar Cliff, Governor Mifflin, Elizabethtown, Lebanon, Ephrata, Waynesboro, Lower Dauphin, South Western (499), New Oxford (490), Mechanicsburg, Muhlenberg, Hershey, Solanco, Lancaster Catholic, Garden Spot (462).

Number of schools: 25, which leads state with Districts 1 and 7. District 9 is next with nine schools.

Class 4A: Red Land (454), Daniel Boone, Northern York, Spring Grove (436), Northeastern (429), Shippensburg (419), Greencastle-Antrim (413), Twin Valley, Dover, Cocalico, Kutztown, Manheim Central, Lampeter-Strasburg, Palmyra, West York (367), James Buchanan, Big Spring, Gettysburg (358), Conrad Weiser, West Perry, York Suburban (356), Donegal, East Pennsboro, Susquehannock (350), Susquehanna Township, ELCO, Milton Hershey, Kennard-Dale (336), Northern Lebanon (330).

Number of schools: 29, which leads state. District 7 is second with 18 schools.

Class 3A: Eastern York (306), Bishop McDevitt, Middletown, Hamburg, Bermudian Springs (286), Littlestown (281), Wyomissing, Boiling Springs, Berks Catholic, Annville-Cleona, Pequea Valley, Schuylkill Valley, Trinity, Susquenita, Newport (221).

Number of schools: 15, which ranks second in state. District 7 has most with 25 schools.

Class 2A: Biglerville (215), Hanover (200), Upper Dauphin, Delone Catholic (166), Columbia, Fairfield (162), Camp Hill, York Catholic (151).

Number of schools: 12, which ranks second in state with Districts 4, 6 and 10. District 7 has most with 25 schools.

Class 1A: Steel-High (145), Halifax, Millersburg (117), Carson Long Military Academy (50 – note, school is not fielding football team in 2015).

Number of schools: Four, which ranks eighth in state with District 1. District 7 has most with 26 schools.

SUPER 700 (with 10-percent rule)

Class 6A: Reading (1,753), J.P. McCaskey, Cumberland Valley, Hempfield, Chambersburg, Wilson, Manheim Township, Central Dauphin (714).

Number of schools: Eight, which ranks fourth in state. District 1 has most with 23 schools.

Class 5A: Penn Manor (685), Dallastown (661), Central York (654), Harrisburg, Red Lion (649), Cedar Crest, Warwick, Exeter, York County Tech (588), Conestoga Valley, Carlisle, Cedar Cliff, Central Dauphin East, Governor Mifflin, Lebanon, Muhlenberg, Ephrata, Elizabethtown, New Oxford (468), South Western (465), Fleetwood, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Solanco (457).

Number of schools: 24, which ranks second with District 7. District 1 has most with 29 schools.

Class 4A: Lower Dauphin (442), Waynesboro, Red Land, Daniel Boone, Northeastern (429), Spring Grove (401), Garden Spot, Northern York, Greencastle-Antrim (384), Cocalico, Twin Valley, Palmyra, Lampeter-Strasburg, Manheim Central, Dover (355), William Penn (354), Lancaster Catholic, Shippensburg, West York (345), Conrad Weiser, Susquehanna Township, James Buchanan, Gettysburg (338), Donegal, Milton Hershey, Susquehannock (336), York Suburban (336), Big Spring, East Pennsboro, Kennard-Dale (313).

Number of schools: 30, which leads state. District 7 is second with 18 schools.

Class 3A: Northern Lebanon (308), West Perry, Bishop McDevitt, Kutztown, ELCO, Hamburg, Eastern York (279), Bermudian Springs (270), Berks Catholic, Littlestown (265), Middletown, Boiling Springs, Wyomissing, Annville-Cleona, Schuylkill Valley, Pequea Valley, Trinity (216).

Number of schools: 17, which ranks second in state. District 7 has most with 24 schools.

Class 2A: Susquenita (203), Biglerville (196), Hanover (177), Delone Catholic (166), Upper Dauphin, Steel-High, Camp Hill, York Catholic (151), Fairfield (150).

Number of schools: Nine, which ranks fifth in state. District 7 has most with 26 schools.

Class 1A: Newport (142), Columbia, Millersburg, Halifax (109), Carson Long Military Academy (50 – note, school is not fielding football team in 2015).

Number of schools: Five, which ranks eighth in state. District 7 has most with 27 schools.