Whether it be because of enrollment or ability, next year Big Spring football and basketball will be changing divisions to the Capital Division with football dropping to 3A instead of 4A. A’s are classification of how big a school is 1A being the smallest and 6A being the biggest. Change occurs on a 2-year cycle when it comes to PIAA sports. With Mid-Penn football there is going to be a very different look. Out of 38 teams in the Mid-Penn conference, 20 are being moved to a different division. Mid-Penn is going back to 4 divisions eliminating the Liberty division.
Grant Hall, a junior football player, said, “I think our competition has gotten stronger, and that the football team is going to need to play at a higher level than they had to play in the past. There are no easy games on the schedule.” Agreeing with Hall, Coach Joseph Sinkovich said, “Playing bigger schools, competition will be a step up and it will help with seeding in districts.” Big Spring’s Football team went 6-5 this year. Grant Hall & Connor Green surpassed the 1,000 rushing yards mark, and the football team beat Shippensburg High School to break the 12-year losing streak and win the Little Brown Jug. Of the preparation for a division change, Hall said, “Hard work in the offseason. It takes everyone on our team. We are just trying to get everyone in the weight room, running, and getting better for next year.” The goal for next year, Sinkovich said, “Come out be competitive, win the division, go to districts, and go as far as we can.”
The basketball team will also be switching divisions for next school year. Aidan Sallie, a junior basketball player, said, “I think we are going to do pretty well at some smaller schools. It will be a different competition than we are used to .” Supporting Sallie, Coach Jason Creek said, “Should be a strong team coming back, maybe the most returning talent in my time here. I would say make districts again, get to states, and for sure compete for a division championship.” How they prepare for the new challenge, Sallie said, “Win games and we need to take care of business on the ones that matter the most.” The biggest opponent, Creek said, “In the league, Trinity or McDevitt. Out of league Mifflin County.”
With the season-ending, the Bulldogs are planning to have a successful season next year.
