End of the year awards, thoughts and early 2026 discussion.

[EnzoLigoniere]

Coach of the Year?
Offensive player?
Defensive player?

player to watch in 2026?

classification changes for any teams?

Game of the year?

[OttoVonFootball]

Coach of the Year is definitely tough just to point out one coach: Grassi (PC) -- state run "1st year" Smith (BM) -- say what you will, but winning the LHAC can be tougher than D6 playoffs to an extent Rising (MC) Heritage dominance, 30 man roster, I know it's the Heritage but...

Offense: Campagna QB, 2200 yards passing, 1500 yards rushing = 50 total TDs, Kissell RB, 1600 yards rushing 32 rush TD, Richardson QB/RB, 2200 tot. yards 25 tot. TDs.. just the tip of the iceberg.. Alot of solid small school talent around central PA.

Defense: Bainey DB, Physcially out during the playoffs hurt BM Off/Def.. remember he held a Richland D1 receiver in the first game.. Mahla Rich, Vinglish PC solid LBs on state play off teams.. Hinson DE from CR, CR d5 champs at 4-6.. held one side of every offense they played against plus 97 tackles / 7 sacks

Players to Watch? There is probably AT LEAST 10 guys from around the area set to go off, but heres some that come right to mind in the LHAC: Regan (Rich), Gordon (BM), Livingood (Bed), Mugerwa/Christian (Rich), Chappell (CC)

Does anybody have the list of classification changes?

[footballfan1]

I am certain that Bedford will be AAA next season. TM is A, I believe, from the Bedford County area.

[Husker33]

I am certain that Bedford will be AAA next season. TM is A, I believe, from the Bedford County area.

From Twitter site, it said that Cambria Heights is electing to go up to AA. It also said that Forest Hills was electing to go from AA to 4A.

Sports Radio 96.7

[Goldeneagles12]

Bellefonte Juniata Johnstown and Central Mountain. Looks easier to win a d6 title then going through Penn Cambria Huntingdon Tyrone Central and P-O. From earlier posts looks like you throw in Bedford and Cambria Heights to AAA. AAA is stacked compared to AAAA.

[Colonel Mustard]

Firest Hills moving to 4A because the competition in. 3A is tougher is pathetic. This once-proud program should be ashamed. Maybe they can move to the ICC as well.

[Crimson's Ghost]

AAAAAA
Altoona: 899
State College: 833

AAAAA
Mifflin County: 529
Hollidaysburg: 454

AAAA
Greater Johnstown: 390
Central Mountain: 385
Bellefonte: 338
Forest Hills: 190 (AA)

AAA
Juniata: 277
Huntingdon: 270
Central: 228
Tyrone: 225
Philipsburg-Osceola: 223
Penn Cambria: 181 (AA)
Cambria Heights: 152 (AA)

AA
Bald Eagle Area: 198
Central Cambria: 195
Richland: 186
Westmont: 185
River Valley: 184
Mt. Union: 182
West Shamokin: 168
Bellwood-Antis: 163
Marion Center: 162
Penns Valley: 156
Southern Huntingdon: 153
United: 146

A
Bishop McCort: 134
Purchase Line: 119
West Branch: 111
Juniata Valley: 104
Homer-Center: 99
Moshannon Valley: 97
Glendale: 95
Claysburg-Kimmel: 95
Northern Cambria: 92
Penns Manor: 91
Portage: 90
Bishop Guilfoyle: 82
Conemaugh Valley: 64


District 5
AAA
Somerset: 256
Bedford: 232

AA
Chestnut Ridge: 156
Everett: 153
Berlin Brothersvalley: 148
North Star: 143

A
Meyersdale: 126
Windber: 124
Tussey Mountain: 121
Conemaugh Township: 109
Northern Bedford: 89

[Crimson's Ghost]

I think the competitive balance stuff comes out in early January so the classifications could be tweaked further and these aren't technically finalized. For instance, this initial sheet produced by the PIAA still listed Aliquippa in AA per their enrollment, but I suspect they'll play higher than AA since they always do.

I don't know the specific parameters of the rule or if it will apply to anyone locally (BG), but that could change things further I guess.

[Goldeneagles12]

I was watching one of the playoff games. The announcer said if Quips won they would be AAAA if they lost AAA next year. They won so if we go by that they will be AAAA. BG in my opinion should at least be AA based on the success factor alone.

[Crimson's Ghost]

I don't know what the parameters are, but for BG, you would assume two District titles, a state title and a state runner-up in a two-year cycle would be enough success to get bumped.

I say that, but Southern Columbia has never not been AA, so who knows what the rules actually are.