Is Going to Class 2A Worth It for Clairton?

Clairton has been mighty impressive on the 1A level. The Bears have won 31 straight games and nabbed back to back state championships along the way. But could the Bears sustain this level of success at the 2A level is the question.

A couple of Class A sized schools in Aliquippa and Jeannette could be examples of Clairton being more than competitive in 2A. But at the same time we do have to be realistic and realize that the Bears chances of winning state title's would be greatly diminished at the 2A level.

The biggest con in a 2A move would be the starters playing longer during games which would increase the chances of an injury. An undersized line plus numbers could spell disaster for the Bears if the injury bug would set in.

At the same time stiffer competition would also make the individual players and the team much better on the field.

I must say the biggest pro for a move to 2A would be profits at the gate during home games plus less travel for away games. There will be larger crowds for say an SA-Clairton game than an Avella-Clairton game and the same would be said for a Steel Valley-Clairton game than a Fort Cherry-Clairton game. And at the same time bus rides to Keystone Oaks is much closer than bus rides to Chartiers-Houston and Avella. The net profits just for the Athletic Department in general should be enough for a move to 2A worthwhile.

2A playoffs would also be whole be really fun for the fans, but at the same time much, much tougher. While Clairton would lose the game against the always tough Rochester, the return would be possible games against; Aliquippa, Jeannette, Beaver Falls, Greensburg Central Catholic and so on. Its a tougher slate no doubt, but Clairton Nation would back the Bears every step of the way.

I support a move to 2A for plenty of reasons. I'd say the biggest reason would be more exposure. Some of the fringe D1A prospects would most likely be D1A prospects in 2A football. Plus the schedule in general would be much much better. Think of the possibility of playing; South Park, South Fayette, Steel Valley, East Allegheny, South Allegheny, Keystone Oaks, Seton La Selle, and Washington as a regular season slate compared to what we have no.

I totally understand the other side to the argument. If the Bears go 16 and 0 this season, the Bears would be riding a 47 game winning streak. And I get that point no doubt. Continuing that winning streak would be much easier in 1A than it would be in 2A.  But for a district strapped for cash, a move to 2A would be more than worth it in the pocketbooks. Larger crowds for home games and shorter bus rides for away games equals profits, and to me those profits are more worthwhile than continuing the winning streak.