In sports, there’s an adage that “winning fixes everything.” Following the 2024 football season, the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission, along with high school athletics—particularly football—was in need of a win.
During the 2023 season, there were discussions about blowouts, and lawmakers expressed concerns about competitive balance. As a result, state lawmakers pledged to revise the transfer rule that had been approved just months earlier.
Last academic year was the first time schools were divided into four classifications with a modified playoff formula The situation escalated when the playoffs were postponed by a week due to lawsuits filed in multiple counties, with schools and coaches upset about the mathematical formula used to determine the playoff rating system. Ultimately, the case was settled by the state Supreme Court.
All this drama overshadowed the teams and players on the field, who should always be the main focus of high school athletics.
This year, however, there was no such off-field drama during the regular or postseason. Instead, the 2025 postseason was filled with excitement—overtime games, last-second scores, upsets, and first-time champions, dispelling the notion that high school sports need to be fixed.
During the quarterfinals of the playoffs, in Class AAAA, No. 7 University traveled to second-seeded Huntington and pulled off an upset against the Highlanders. In Class AAA, Chapmanville Regional achieved a rare feat by defeating Bridgeport at Wayne Jamison Field. These upsets highlight the impressive football talent across the state.
The eventual champions in Class AAAA, Morgantown, needed a blocked extra point to advance to the semifinals. Princeton won the Class AAA title for the first time in school history, overcoming a deficit against Herbert Hoover in the quarterfinals.
Three of the four championship games came down to the final possession, making it hard to find a more competitive championship weekend. Morgantown and Martinsburg battled until the very end. Nitro attempted a two-point conversion but was thwarted by Princeton, who broke up the pass that would have given Nitro the lead. Frankfort scored the game-winning touchdown on the final play. In Class A, Clay-Battelle reached the championship game for the first time and at one point led perennial power Wheeling Central 20-7.
Outstanding individual performances over the weekend even led to college scholarship offers.
After a great conversation with @rhett_rod @CoachTTrickett I am blessed to receive an offer from @WVUfootball Super excited to continue to build the relationship! #HardEdge #ThisIsMorgantown@CoachBiserMHS @247recruiting @WVSportsDotCom @210ths @RivalsRecruit @QBHitList… pic.twitter.com/LkIRBIetxW
— Maddox Twigg (@MaddoxTwigg) December 8, 2025
The postseason unfolded exactly as it was designed: it was competitive and showcased championships that played out almost like a movie script.
The best high school football players in West Virginia displayed their hard work and dedication for the entire state to see and appreciate.
The weekend and the entire 2025 football postseason were a resounding win for high school athletics.