When the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) released its section‑play alignments on Tuesday, Greene County felt the biggest impact. Three of the county’s five high‑school softball programs were moved up a classification for the 2026‑27 and 2027‑28 seasons.
New classifications and opponents
Carmichaels and Jefferson‑Morgan will now compete in Section 3‑2A alongside Bentworth, Brownsville, Chartiers‑Houston, Frazier and Washington. Waynesburg Central has advanced to Class 3A and will face Charleroi, Keystone Oaks, McGuffey, Seton LaSalle and defending WPIAL champion South Park in Section 3‑3A.
Mapletown and West Greene remain in Class A. Both squads will battle Avella, Beth‑Center, California, Jeannette, Monessen and Serra Catholic in Section 2‑1A for at least the next two years. The league’s structure leaves only two sections in Class A, with Section 1‑1A also containing eight teams.
Coaches weigh travel and scheduling
West Greene head coach Bill Simms noted the challenges of a larger Section A footprint. “Having two large sections in Class A and thus 14 section games presents its own problems,” Simms said. “We try to reserve three games annually to play down in Myrtle Beach, leaving only three games to play up here against other local teams.” He added that the district may need to adjust schedules to keep Jefferson‑Morgan, Carmichaels and Waynesburg on the slate for at least one game each.
Other county and regional moves
Southmoreland and Mount Pleasant will stay in Class 3A, joining Derry, Ligonier Valley, East Allegheny, Yough and South Allegheny in Section 1‑3A. In Class 4A, Belle Vernon, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown will continue to face Elizabeth Forward, Greensburg Salem and Ringgold in Section 2‑4A. Both Laurel Highlands and Uniontown reached the WPIAL quarterfinals this past spring and return with most starters intact.
Albert Gallatin and Connellsville remain in Class 5A, competing against Bethel Park, McKeesports, Peters Township, Thomas Jefferson and Trinity twice during the regular season. Connellsville’s baseball team will also face the largest schools in the league, playing Canon‑McMillan, Hempfield, Mount Lebanon, Norwin and Upper St. Clair in Section 2‑6A.
Returning programs and stable sections
After two years as an independent, Geibel Catholic rejoined the WPIAL, placed in Section 1‑1A with Avella, Carmichaels, Mapletown, Monessen and West Greene. Brownsville and Waynesburg Central will compete in Section 4‑3A alongside Charleroi, Keystone Oaks, McGuffey, Seton LaSalle and South Park.
Southmoreland is the sole area team in Section 3‑3A, slated to play Apollo‑Ridge, Deer Lakes, Derry, Freeport and Ligonier Valley twice over the next two seasons. Mount Pleasant moved up to Class 4A and will meet Burrell, Greensburg Salem, Highlands, Indiana, Valley and Yough in Section 3‑4A.
Coaches welcome stability
Mustangs coach Mike Smith praised the decision to keep his section unchanged. “I’m glad to see our section stayed the same,” Smith said. “We retained the local rivalries plus the ones we have formed over the years. Our section, in my opinion, is one of the toughest in 4A. Even with a young team, I believe our boys are up to the challenge and ready to compete in the spring.”
No major changes were announced for girls flag football, track & field, or boys tennis. The WPIAL will release schedules for flag football and boys and girls lacrosse on Thursday, with boys tennis and softball set for Aug. 31, followed by baseball, track & field and baseball on Sept. 1. Boys volleyball schedules are due on Sept. 2.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
