It has been apparent for a while that there would be severe alterations to the WPIAL landscape once the PIAA introduced the modified classifications based on enrollment figures ahead of its biennial realignment for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.

Some of the changes were expected, like Thomas Jefferson and Trinity football moving up to Class 5A and South Fayette moving down to Class 4A.

“It’s a long way off,” Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak said.

But the number of shifts that are necessitated when the WPIAL puts its new sections and conferences together over the next few weeks is stunning.

Barring any teams besides Central Catholic playing up in Class 6A, there will be 21 teams in Class 5A, which means, if the WPIAL doesn’t massively alter its parameters, there will likely be

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