Junior High Sports Structure

Junior High Structure and Competitive Seasons

Football (Fall)

• The first practice date is the same as the PIAA fall sport starting date.
• Three weeks of pre-season practice is required.
• Composed of students from grades 7-9.  Schools may elect to move some 9^th grade students to JV/Varsity according to PIAA guidelines. 
• One or Two Jr. High games will be played on Thursday afternoon/evening.
• A game for better players and a B game for developing players.
• The schedule will follow the Varsity Schedule. 

Cross Country (Fall)

• The first practice date is the same as the PIAA fall sport starting date.
• Three weeks of pre-season practice is required.
• The 7/8 team schedule will be the same date and opponent as the varsity opponent. 
• The Jr. High Cross Country Course will be 3000m (1.86 miles) in length.
• Season will end the Saturday prior to the second Monday in October.

Softball (Fall)

• The first practice date is the same as the PIAA fall sport starting date. 
• Three weeks of pre-season practice is required.
• Each school will play all divisional opponents once.
• Season will end the 1^st Saturday in October

Girls Basketball (Winter)

• The first practice will be the 2^nd Monday in October.
• Three weeks of pre-season practice is required.
• The participating teams will be divided geographically into four divisions.  All teams will play each team in their division twice.
• Order of play 7 – 8 – 9^th for those who have 9^th
• Season will end the 1^st Friday in January.

Wrestling (Winter)

• The first practice is the same as the PIAA winter sport starting date.
• Three weeks of pre-season practice is required.
• Junior high wrestling meets will be held before the varsity meets against the same opponent as the varsity.
• Season will end the 1^st Saturday in February

Boys Basketball (Winter)

• The first practice date is the 1^st Monday in December except for freshman who may start the 1^st day of the winter season.
• Three weeks of pre-season practice
• The participating schools will be divided geographically into four divisions.  All teams will play each team in their division twice.
• Order of play 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th.  9^th may not start games until 7^th & 8^th start
• Season will end the 1^st Friday in March.

Field Hockey (Spring)

• The first practice date is the 3^rd Monday from the PIAA spring sport starting date.
• Three weeks of pre-season practice is required.
• Each team in the division will compete against each member in the division. (1 division) Seventh and Eighth Grade Field Hockey
• The field hockey chair will generate a Conference schedule. 
• The contests will consist of an 8^th grade contest played first followed by a 7^th grade contest. 
• Each 8^th grade contest will consist of two twenty-five (25) minutes halves
• Each 7^th grade contest will consist of two twenty (20) minute halves.
• Game times will be 4:30 on weekdays and 10:00 on Saturdays.

Boys & Girls Soccer (Spring)

• The first practice date is the 3rd Monday from the PIAA spring sport starting date.
• Three weeks of pre-season practice is required.
• The participating teams will be divided geographically into two divisions north and south.  All teams in the division will play once.  Each game will be 2 – 30 minute halves

Track & Field (Spring)

• ·     The first practice date is the Monday after the PIAA spring sport starting date.
  ·     Three weeks of pre-season practice is required before the first competition.
  ·     Each team in the division will complete against each member in the division (1 Division)
  ·     Purpose, to emphasize participation and introducing the sport of track and field to middle school age student-athletes.
   
  1.             Order of Track Events (Girls precede the boys in running events)
  a.    Girls 3200 M Relay (May be combined with boys race depending on number of participants and with agreement of all coaches)
  b.    Boys 3200 M Relay
  c.    Girls 100 M Hurdles @ 30”
  d.    Boys 110 M Hurdles @ 33”  (updated 2/6/19)
  e.    Girls 100 M Dash
  f.     Boys 100 M Dash
  g.    Girls 1600 M Run (May be combined with boys race depending on number of participants and with agreement of all coaches)
  h.    Boys 1600 M Run
  i.     Girls 400 M Relay
  j.     Boys 400 M Relay
  k.    Girls 400 M Dash
  l.     Boys 400 M Dash
  m.   Girls 300 M Hurdles, 8 hurdles @ 29”
  n.    Boys 300 M Hurdles, 8 hurdles @ 30”
  o.    Girls 800 M Run
  p.    Boys 800 M Run
  q.    Girls 200 M Dash
  r.     Boys 200 M Dash
  s.    Girls 1600 M Relay
  t.     Boys 1600 M Relay
  2.    Order of Field Events
  a.    Boys Triple Jump, followed by Girls Triple Jump
  b.    Girls Long Jump, followed by Boys Long Jump
  c.    Boys Shot Put, followed by Girls Shot Put
  d.    Girls High Jump, followed by Boys High Jump
  e.    Girls Discus, followed by Boys Discus
  *Schools with only one jumping pit, may operate with “Open Pit” process
   
  Implements (Per NFHS)
  Shot Put:  Girls-6 lb (2.744 kg) and Boys-8 lb 13 oz. (4 kg)
  Shot Puts must have weight stamp for verification.
  Discus:  Girls & Boys-2 lb 3.27 oz. (1 kg)
   
  I.            Each school/team is allowed 8 entrants per field event. 
  II.           There is no limit to the number of competitors in races 800 meters or longer.
  III.          In the 100, 200, 400 and the hurdle races, each team is allowed a maximum of twelve (12) competitors.
  a.    All entrants in both track and field events are eligible to place and score points for their respective teams.
  b.    All 8 entrants will have their throws and jumps measured during competition, there are no exhibitions, all (8) contestants are eligible to place and score in the meet.
  IV.          There is a fast heat on the track, which will be run last in the order.  However, runners can score from any heat.
  V.           The purpose of middle school track and field is to involve as many student-athletes as possible, while introducing them to the sport of track & field.