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‘It’s Just So Not Right’: Aliquippa HC Mike Warfield Reacts to PIAA Ruling

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Aliquippa head coach Mike Warfield.

The Aliquippa football program is once again being punished for its on-field success by the PIAA.

Under the PIAA’s questionable competition and transfer rule, which is called the competitive balance formula, Aliquippa has been informed that despite fielding one of the smallest rosters in Pennsylvania, they’ll be forced to play in Class-5A next season. The Aliquippa school district is appealing this ruling, but unlike the 2022 appeal, it appears the Quips will be forced to play up.

The PIAA has recently changed the appeal process for the competition formula. Only two reasons will be considered: 1) A mathematical error in the assignment of success points. 2) Asserted errors in the assignment of the number of transfers. Any argument about the safety of players will not be considered.

This ruling is drawing statewide reaction as the PIAA is receiving heavy criticism and justifiably so.

Following the release of this story, Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Aliquippa head football coach Mike Warfield, who is understandably exasperated. It’s a deeply upsetting decision for Warfield and the entire program.

“It takes away from our kids’ hard work and their accomplishments,” Warfield said. “It gives the impression the only reason Aliquippa is winning is because of transfers, which is totally inaccurate. That bothers me the most because our kids do everything we ask them to do. Everything that adults in society tell our kids to do, to work hard and you’ll be rewarded, and they do that. And it seems like the more they work, the more they’re being punished.”

Aliquippa will be appealing the decision, and with the new appeal process, he will have to ensure that the Aliquippa school district once again puts forward the best case possible against the PIAA.

“Our initial argument is going to be the number of transfers that they say we have,” Warfield said. “They say that we have 23 transfers, which includes Tiqwai Hayes. So, we have a 40-man roster and you’re telling me that we went out and got 23 transfers? That’s mind-boggling to me. It’s insane. It’s just so not right.

“And here’s the other thing. Out of those 23 kids, there’s two kids that actually transferred. Their claim is that a transfer is a transfer is a transfer. The only two kids that I can say transferred in, they never played. Their stats are zero in every category across the board. No tackles, no rushing yards, no nothing. These kids just came into the school district, wanted to be a part of the program. We can’t tell them no. Even if we could, I wouldn’t because I love those kids. They just aren’t good enough to play. But we’re affected because they’re part of the team. They have no stats, zero, and they’re counted as transfers.”

One thing that Warfield wanted to make clear, and it’s a major reason why the Aliquippa football program is consistently among the best in the state, is that the Quips will be ready no matter what — no matter the classification.

“We’re not asking for sympathy,” Warfield said. “This isn’t about wanting people to feel sorry for us, that’s not my purpose because we’re going to show up Friday at 7 p.m., wherever they put us. But what’s right is right. Take away the wins and losses, take away the championships, take away all the success, this is not right. We’re not going to roll over and crawl into a hole. This isn’t about that. It’s just about doing what’s right for our kids and standing up for our kids. That’s what it’s all about.”

The competitive balance formula, which is one of the deciding factors in forcing a team to reclassify, isn’t something that Warfield — and many around the state — are fond of. And Warfield himself raised a great point.

“This is what you tell our kids to do, right?” Warfield said. “We tell our kids to work hard, right? You tell them to do the right thing both in the classroom and on the football field. Work hard and good things will happen. That’s what we tell and teach our kids. And then you tell them this and then they still get punished for it, what do our kids think, how do they respond?

“Here’s the thing, they never applied the rule fairly to us because we’ve had the competitive spirit before the competitive formula. Before the formula, we choose to play up. We should be in Single-A. Before the formula was even thought of, we were playing up before all of this. Then when the competitive formula was implemented, that started us from where we chose to play, not from where what our enrollment actually is. That’s our whole issue.”

The PIAA recently released enrollment numbers for Pennsylvania high schools, and Aliquippa checked in with an enrollment of 156 students. That’s Class-2A level — up slightly from its 1A enrollment over the last two-year cycle.

Class-2A enrollment is considered by the PIAA to be between 144 and 216 students. Class-5A enrollment is between 424 and 619 students.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Rooster
Rooster
9 months ago

Nothing like punishing a program for being successful. PIAA should be ashamed.

Last edited 9 months ago by Rooster
Anthony Portis
9 months ago

That’s a bunch of BS Quips 156 equal 2a 5a equal 424 or 619 so why do they have to move up if they weren’t winning so much the PIAA would not be doing this thats the truth they should be a shame of there self leave these kids alone they haven’t done anything wrong it’s a shame that this happening PIAA get your act together

Brian
Brian
9 months ago

Complete BS. Every private / catholic school should have to play in the highest category. Look at the district where all of these players came from. I bet they have players from at least 15-20 different school districts.

Maddog
Maddog
9 months ago

When you merge two schools together, such as Monaca and center township what do you call thats, Central valley. Are you going to dig in those two mergers and see who’s being transferred from what school from another school because you have a blabbermouth this jealous because they didn’t get in the game or being transferred. No one merged with Aliquippa our equips are the best in the West and they Don’t take no mess.

Tracy
9 months ago

May I ask a Question…Why doesn’t Thomas Jefferson ever have to move up…or the other east schools like Southern Columbia….I noticed in the last couple years…it’s only been Aliquippa and New Castle…2 of the smallest classification…It’s ridiculous!!!!

katuracassells@gmail.com
katuracassells@gmail.com
9 months ago

It’s just racist bullshit. The Quips will probably dominate 5A anyway.

Myers
Myers
9 months ago

Just knew there had to be at least one race baiting asshat. So sad how your parents failed you. Maybe their racist too. But I know since I disagree that makes me racist as well. It doesn’t matter that race has Zero influence here, you’ll believe what you wish, but hey isn’t that the race baiting way?

katuracassells@gmail.com
katuracassells@gmail.com
9 months ago
Reply to  Myers

Just the fact that you felt compelled to rudely respond to a comment that had nothing to do with you is telling. You don’t know me or my parents. Your choosing to insult someone you don’t know, could be a reflection of your parenting.

Last edited 9 months ago by katuracassells@gmail.com
katuracassells@gmail.com
katuracassells@gmail.com
9 months ago

Replying to the 4 thumbs down: ” ” PIAA is a bunch of good ole boys taking care of each other.” ….Paul Zeise. So, you amateur hacks know more than an ex- athlete and professional sports journalist P. Z.? Or, is it just that you remain in denial that even in sports, the good ole boys have some influence.

retireejoe
retireejoe
9 months ago

Yep, I say they go in there and clean house. Then what will PIAA do make them play Pitt or the Steelers??? 😂😂😂😂

John A Ferrara
John A Ferrara
9 months ago

This is typical bureaucratic nonsense. This will be overturned and the rule will be changed. Twenty Three transfers? That is half the football team. Your clerical error or lack of validation is embarrassing to the PIAA. You’re losing credibility!

John Wallace
John Wallace
9 months ago

Didn’t Bishop McDevitt merge both of their schools last year? Doesn’t most religious school recruit their players? Maybe the Quips will be competitive or maybe 5A schools will rotate their players just to wear out the mighty Quips. It’s their only chance to make an equal playing field. Aliquippa can be beat, you just need to “recruit” 4-5 star players to do so. If there was enough funding, Aliquippa would be better off being a traveling team and play across the country. Most states at the 3A-4A level are bigger than PIAA. Yet, it would be more challenging and rewarding… Read more »

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