Jun 24, 2018 By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 4 min read

It’s not the “where” but the “what” that matters to area Class 5A football coaches. As long as they are competing for the championships, they don’t necessarily care where the WPIAL holds the District 7 final.

“I know players always look at Heinz Field as such a great accomplishment,” Peters Township head coach T.J. Plack said. “But, truly, it is the championship we are all after.”

So when the WPIAL announced last week that the Class 5A football final would be held at Norwin High School stadium, Plack, like other gridiron coaches in the classification, was “perfectly fine” with the site.

While the WPIAL also considered bids from North Allegheny and Geneva College, it believed Norwin provided the best all-around experience. The stadium boasts a large press box, plenty of parking and an abundance of seating.

“They have a very nice facility,” said Plack, whose Indians played there last season. “Locker rooms, seating and parking are all more than adequate.”

“It is a nice stadium,” agreed Bethel Park’s Jeff Metheny.

“I’ve heard it’s a great venue,” added Dan Knause, whose Colts from Chartiers Valley visit the Knights in Week 4 of the regular season.

Four championships at the 6A, 4A, 3A and A level will be played Nov. 16 or 17 at Heinz Field.

Class AA will play their final at 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at Robert Morris University, which seats 3,000. It was not considered large enough to accommodate the Class 5A following.

The 5A final is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 23 at Norwin, which seats 5,000.

Because seating should be to capacity, coaches predict an electric experience for all involved in the championship game. Spectators will be right on top of the action.

“It will make for a more intimate atmosphere,” Plack said. “Fans will be closer. That may actually make it a better atmosphere for the game.”

Knause said that some of his most exciting games that he has watched or has been a part of have been at a packed high school venue.

“There is something special about hearing that roar at a high school venue,” he said.

While only two teams will hear the cheering, 16 will have the chance to compete in the tournament. Class 5A and 2A have the most teams involved in the playoffs and will featured a 16-team bracket while 4A, 3A and A have an eight-team set-up and Class 6A has a six-team format.

According to WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley, when the league surveyed its member schools, Class 5A voters preferred maintaining the 16-team arrangement over the site for the championship. The WPIAL had to alter its playoff schedules because of the state tournament.

“There is nothing like Heinz,” admitted Metheny. He coached there when the Hawks won their only WPIAL football championship in 2008, “I’m not sure if they had many choices. (This solution) is better than having eight teams to compete in the playoffs.”

Having the opportunity to compete, indeed, is the essential matter and coaches like Plack and Knause do not believe anybody is being cheated out of an opportunity to play at a professional or collegiate location.

“I do know many coaches love the Heinz experience and I’m hoping one day I’m fortunate enough to experience it for myself,” Knause said. “I think as long as the WPIAL rotates the championships nobody can complain.

“The WPIAL has done the best it can with the card its been dealt with six classifications. Class 5A is a great section and having it’s own venue may create a bigger crowd.”

Plack agreed. “I do not believe we are being cheated. At this time, it may be a slight letdown for the young men but once the season starts, the weeks progress and the playoffs begin, I don’t believe the venue will lessen the experience or prestige of playing and winning a WPIAL championship.

“If we are fortunate enough to make it to the finals,” Plack added, “the venue is the least of our concerns.”