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Good posts, Southpaw, analyst, and Lefteye. I think the CR situation was put in good perspective.

Left-eye...local AAA teams would play each other and have about three free games in the beginning of the season to play whomever they chose. The WPIAL system allows for this and in a AA scenario with two eight team sections they would have three free games as well. So Bedford could still play long time rival Westy or whoever and Ridge could still play CK, NB and Everett. Those games would not count towards the playoffs only games within your section.

Analyst...Ridge played Allegany in 1992 I believe. My brother and I had both graduated but I was at the game and the Campers had a great team that I think won a Maryland championship. The score was like 60-40 or something like that. Allegany had a real nice fullback by the name of Wilhelm I believe and a couple of real quick halfbacks. Ridge QB Brad May had a school record of 380 yards passing that night.

Southpaw-So it wouldn't hurt a J-towns chance at the playoffs playing so many AA schools?
You have told me of your thoughts on this in the past and I 100% agree with you. It is the fairest way to do thing. Plus with the free games for AA you could get your big rivalry games in.

In a system like the WPIAL the only games that count towards the playoffs are the ones you play in your section. The other games are "non conference" and have no relevance in the playoffs.

Right now there are 7 AAA teams in 5/6, if we had the WPIAL system this year here's how it would play out...

Bellfonte
Huntingdon
Indian Valley
Lewistown
Johnstown
Central Mountain
Somerset

They would play each other which would be 6 games and the result of those "conference" games would determine the playoff teams. The other three dates would be "non conference" games and would have no bearing on the playoffs except maybe in some sort of tie breaker scenario.

Look for things to change somewhat next year with new enrollment figures.

Somerset 345 and Huntingdon 330 could be AA! Current cutoff 324

Hollidaysburg 558 might drop to AAA! Current cutoff 533! Can you say AAA Powerhouse!

Several teams might drop from AA to A... Everett, Penns Valley, Heights

Richland 194 might be back at AA... current Cutoff 195!

Looks as if FH 313 and Windber 175 will remain where they are. The ex-Slo-Techers from these schools must be locked away and buried in an abandoned coal mine!

Again...personally I have no problem with what Ridge is doing in the ICC. EXCEPT:

1) There are better teams sitting at home during week 10 when Ridge is playing in the playoffs.

2) Ridgerites come on here talking how much their program has improved...when it hasn't.

3) Ridge took the easy way out to "say" they are a better football team. Tuck your tail and Run would imply here.

You can twist it and try and make everyone feel bad for CR all you want. The bottom line is the took advantage of the system in order to make the playoffs every year. If FH drops 2 more games this season....which is very possible they will be sitting at home in week 10. Where Ridge will be playing a first round playoff game. I would bet my house however that if the two played FH would put a stompin on the Lions.

Justify that.

I'm not trying to justify anything opinionguy. The system is what it is and will get worse for the LHAC after some more defections after this year!

I have heard of the defections but who are the teams if any looking to join? Just a note. opinion guys profile says j-town so lets not blame the bashing he is doing on Bed.

Just some sidenotes here from a neutral party.

Ridge had to look at their entire athletic situation when making an LHAC/ICC situation. Remember the LHAC went to All-Sports and Bedford made a very tough choice, a choice that wasn't received well by all, to go LHAC in everything. Ridge chose to maintain local alliances and that meant football had to look a new direction as well. As for the Sideling Hill League, other than Track & Field, they have hardly dominated anything and are very competitive with the other schools. The Big Picture dictated their decision with regard to the smaller picture (football)

As for the league revolving doors....I do know this. Central (Martinsburg) is looking to get out of the LHAC and would prefer a MAC affiliation but would not rule out an ICC upper division spot (With Ridge, PV, BG, Bellwood) with perhaps dual membership. Cambria Hts. is "flirting" with other options and Richland has been known to "flirt" with the WestPAC although with T-foot and R-wood coming in for football next year that is doubtful.

The Heritage Conference could also lose football teams in the future depending on what happens with possible mergers of Blairsville-Saltsburg and Lig. Valley-Laurel Valley.